Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Lord Build Me In Obedience Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Is it too much? Is it too hard? Sometimes when we read the Bible, we wonder, can it really be done? It seems like so much, it seems like such a high standard. I’ve wondered that at times.

"I've read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That's the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, James 1:23-24

Denomination: Salvation Army

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Don’t Be A Mule Repent Before The Rod Falls - Psalm 32:3-5, 8-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2025

If there is some sin that your heart keeps clinging to and you’re reluctant to give up, this message will motivate you to repent and will show you how to learn the easy way instead of the hard way (like a mule).

You will learn how to know when you are experiencing God’s rod and what to do when it happens. This message destroys once for all the insanity that says, “I’ve already blown it for today—might as well get it out of my system and start fresh tomorrow.” When you find yourself saying that, ask, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:3-10

My Hiding Place - Psalm 32:6-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 3, 2025

In order to find closeness with God you must seek with all your heart. Why does God make it so hard to find him? If he wants us to be near him, why not make it easy?

Psalm 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the flood of mighty waters rise, they shall not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Introduction About eight or nine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:6-7

The Heart Of Followership

Contributed by Robert Garrett on Apr 11, 2005

God’s people encounter things that are indeed very hard to handle. We come upon situations daily that we struggle especially in regard to our relationships. Jesus looks for five main qualities in the hearts of his disciples as he called them to followe

INTRO. Many times in life we encounter things that are indeed very hard to handle. We come upon situations daily that we struggle especially in regard to our relationships at work, school in our homes and even here in God’s church family. Often we are placed in situations where we are not in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Is Yet To Come

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 24, 2020

I know it's hard to look through the storm and see the sun shining on a new day. But that's exactly what the Holy Spirit encourages us to do. No matter how bad things look or feel, "the best is yet to come."

I have a word for you today that is going to require a stretch of faith to get a hold of. In fact it is so far out there that I know that some of you won't even reach for it. I know today that I am speaking to some people who have been hit hard by this Corona Virus Pandemic. Some have been hit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Getting It Wrong Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

This passage is hard on the disciples, no getting around it. They fail, repeatedly. But when I step back and look at me, and at today’s church, I refuse to condemn the disciples because I see these very same failures in me and in today’s church. We’ve

Getting it Wrong: Breaking Boundaries Luke 9:37-50 May 17, 2009 Intro: What we usually do when we study Scripture is good – we break it down into smaller pieces so we can really get into the stories and try to understand them, see Jesus in them, and reflect on what they mean for who we are and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-50

Denomination: Baptist

Open-Minded To A Narrow Way? - Matthew 7:13-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 16, 2024

The dominant religion of our culture is pluralism – no one goes to hell. Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate because the more popular, less exclusive, less difficult road leads to hell, whereas the sparse, exclusive, hard road leads to life.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Introduction Pluralism Whatever you think about President ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Touching Jesus

Contributed by James May on May 22, 2002

We must do as the woman with the issue of blood and press in if we are to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and recieve what we need from Him!

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:22-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Excellent Spirit

Contributed by James May on Feb 22, 2009

Let us learn from Daniel how to have an excellent spirit and see what God will do for us.

The Excellent Spirit By Pastor Jim May Most historians and Bible teachers agree that it was around 600 years before Jesus was born, that there lived a man by the name of Daniel who found himself in some pretty precarious situations. I want to take a look at the highlights of Daniel’s life and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Lord Trains The Timid To Trust

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Sep 2, 2010

The Lord took timid Gideon and trained him to trust. How does the Lord train us to trust? Parts: A. He chooses the timid. B. He trains us with his promises.

Text: Judges 6:3, 5, 11-16, 34-40 Theme: The Lord Trains the Timid to Trust A. He chooses the timid B. He trains us with his promises Season: Pentecost 14c Date: August 29, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/The-Lord-Trains-the-Timid-to-Trust-Judges6_3,5,11-16,34-40.html ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:3-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Guided By God Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Nov 13, 2024

Are you committed to letting God guide you, are you taking hold of His Word and letting Him speak to you? What steps have you taken after hearing His call on your life?

We are in Genesis 24 in our Dust to Life series. Sarah had died and Abraham knew that it was time to prepare Isaac to carry on the blessing that God had promised him. He had learned through the school of hard knocks to trust God and be guided by Him throughout his journey. And now in his old age he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Peace In The Midst Of The Storm Series

Contributed by Richard Goble on Mar 20, 2008

It’s hard to know what to do when the storms of life come our way. In Peter’s attempt to walk on the water we discover some valuable principles that will help us face those storms while giving glory to our Lord.

Title: Finding Peace In The Midst Of The Storm Series: God Uses Broken Vessels Text: Matthew 14:22-32 Introduction Tom Dooley was a young doctor who organized hospitals, raised money, and literally poured out his life in the service of the afflicted peoples of Southeast Asia. Here was a man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Treasure In Clay Jars

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 16, 2022

This sermon focuses on Paul's words to the Corinthians to remind them (and us) that even in the midst of pain and persecution (i.e, being hard pressed on every side), they carry within them the knowledge of God through Christ that can help them be victorious over any situation.

Good morning. Did anybody get to see the exhibit down at the Heinz Center called The Vatican Splendors? In case you were not able to see it, today is the last day and then it is going to move on. It was a traveling show across the United States that hit four or five cities where they took ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 1:18

Denomination: Christian Church

Realistic Reminders Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 17, 2020

We need reminders to keep us realistic about human social behavior, about our tendency to accommodate our own sin, and about the nature of government leaders.

Realistic Reminders (Proverbs 28:11-16) 1. Everyone is forgetful at times. The difference is often this: some people remember they are absent-minded, others forget they are absent-minded. 2. One of my favorite original jokes is also true: I read a book about how to remember, but forgot what it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible