Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Leaving A Place

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 8, 2022

In Genesis 12 and 13 we learn two valuable lessons.

• In Genesis 12:10-20, Abraham is seen leaving Canaan (The Promised Land) during A TIME OF FAMINE to go to Egypt (a picture of the world). • In Genesis 13 we see Abraham recognizing his mistake of going to Egypt, and returning back to Canaan land. It was a big mistake for Abraham to leave Canaan ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Worthy Is The Lamb Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

The basic issue in worship is not, is the choir worthy, is the soloist worthy, is the organist or pianist worthy, is the pastor worthy-the issue is, is Jesus worthy?

Colonel John Howard was ordered to retreat in the Revolutionary War. But as he did, the British started to charge, and he decided to surprise them. He ordered his men to attack. They did and won a smashing victory for which he received great honor. But General Morgan reminded him, had his plan ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

You Can't Walk With Jesus With Eyes Wide Shut Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 13, 2015

To walk with Jesus is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him.

Title: You Can’t Walk with Jesus with Eyes Wide Shut Text: Mark 8:31-38 Thesis: To walk with Jesus is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him. Overview Riding on a wave of impressive demonstrations of power Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Then he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things Sometimes Get Messy!

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Oct 14, 2003

Life is hard, unfair, and sometimes just plain messy! It requires sacrifice! This is true even of God, who sent His Son as a Sacrifice -- a lamb -- who would pay the price for the injustice, sinful messiness of humanity.

Isa 53:1-12 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nothing But The Truth! Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

6 of 10 of the series, Supernatural Transformation. God delights in honesty and detests lies. Dishonesty is one of the strongest deterrents to the work of God. This message explores the effects of a dishonest person and the reasons for God’s hard stance

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH Ephesians 4:25; John 14:6; Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 5:37 & Various Read at beginning of service: Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. INTRODUCTION Some of us may be able to ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Ephesians 4:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Does It Mean To Be The Family Of God?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 13, 2006

What does it mean to be the family of God? What does it look like for us to live in community? 1. A commitment to the hard work of relationships. 2. Having compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 3. Risk

Max Lucado, in his book In the Grip of Grace tells the story of the family of God in the form of a parable. He writes, “God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose — to carry us safely to the other shore. This is no cruise ship. . . . We aren’t called to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Finding Faithful Friends Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Aug 10, 2005

A person may have many acquaintances and several casual connections, but good friends are hard to find. This sermon continues our look at the book of Philippians and highlights two of Paul’s faithful friends - Timothy and Epaphroditus.

At the age of twenty-one, I left Memphis and moved to the mountains of North Carolina. I spent the next year reading, studying, and praying that my new found faith would grow. Two things occurred to me at that time. First, I did not make a very good “mountain man.” Roughing it, to me, is a Holiday ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jonah's Journal By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Aug 23, 2005

A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way. Jonah was one of those who learned the hard way, but learn he did, let’s see how!

Introduction Man on the run! That’s what the news would have said. Run he did. Our story begins with Jonah. The amazing thing is, he reminds us of US! Jonah was the fifth in order of the minor prohets. Commissioned by God. Objections to Jonah’s encounter have been long and continual. Granting all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Revive Us Again..." By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Aug 31, 2004

It’s Hard to actually describe what Revival is. What’s easier is, what Revival is not! Let’s examine what hinders Revival from coming regardless of our efforts.

Introduction There are very few who aren’t familar with II Chron. 7:14 "If my people..." This verse embodies what is usually thought of as the Principles and Promise of Revival. However, it isn’t the Principles or Promise of Revival that we should be concerned about as the Precursor. Like ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Rowing But Not Going

Contributed by Richard Cook on Aug 25, 2009

Sermon to encourage people who seem to be working very hard but don’t seem to be getting very far; we’ve gone farther than we think, TOO far to turn back now.

ROWING BUT NOT GOING Mark 6;45 -52 Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Light Of Christmas

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Dec 12, 2005

- Two things Lucy saw coming into Narnia - First it was Winter - Second a lamppost in the middle of a wood - Have you noticed that the Christmas story is told in bleakness of hard taxation & darkness? - Not much different than today

PowerPoint - + New Slide, > New Transation The Light Of Christmas ---------------------- Lk 1:78-79 + Christmas Lights in town — The Light of Christmas 7x (Slides of Christmas Lights) + - Two things Lucy saw coming into Narnia was Winter > - Second a lamppost in the middle of a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:78-79

Denomination: Baptist

Undermining Authority: The Self-Importance Factor Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 22, 2010

Many of us are so desperate to feel significant that we have a hard time with authority at any level. If we found our significance in the Lord, we would be less tempted to fault others for our woes.

Undermining Authority: The Self-Importance Factor (Numbers 12) 1. Many Americans think they can run our country better than our elected officials. They may or may not be correct. But of one thing I am sure: I don't want the job! 2. Aren't you glad you do not have to solve the oil spill mess? Or ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Knowledge Of God

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

There is no more important question in all of life than that very question...Do you know God. It is the secret of true success...the source of wisdom beyond our understanding...the strength to endure in hard times.

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD HOSEA 4:1 6 I want to begin this morning by asking you life's ultimate question. Be as honest as you can be with yourself...Do you know God? Notice that I didn't ask, "Do you believe that He exists...or do you believe in Him... I didn't ask if you are trying to live a good moral ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-6

The Consequences Of Sin

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 17, 2016

The consequences of sin are hard. The price is heavy. It’s time to plead for God’s mercy. It’s time to confess our sins and ask God to restore and rebuild us.

Have you ever noticed that life isn’t always fair? After all, if it was fair, people who believed in Christ would never suffer and evildoers would always be punished. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and we saw a good example of this in the reading from Psalm 79:1-9. The psalmist ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 79:1-9

Denomination: Anglican

Fathers, "Teach Your Children Well!"

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jul 2, 2012

The devil has been hard at work attacking fathers all across the globe, for thousands of years, Because he knows the word, he knows the significance of the word and the significance of something that God instructs us to do.

Fathers, Teach Your Children Well You, " said the doctor to his patient, "you are in terrible shape, you’ve got to do something about it. *First, tell your wife to start cooking more nutritious meals. *Stop working like a dog. *Also inform your wife you’re going to make a budget , ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational