Sermons on Hard Knocks:

True Biblical Prosperity

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

Prosperity is not based on what we possess but on who we are inside, or who we are spiritually. Prosperity is not determined by a lack of hard times, but by how we handle tough situations; by whether or not we maintain our joy.

I have entitled our message this evening “True Biblical Prosperity.” If there is “true” biblical teaching on prosperity, then there must also be “false” teaching. Therefore, I am going to briefly address the false teaching that’s out there, and then point out what the Bible defines as true ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Craig James on Nov 2, 2017

It's hard to understand a little that Jesus is both Lord and friend. In this sermon I look at the relationship we have with Jesus and that He cannot be friend without Lord or Lord without friend … they come hand in hand!

John 15: 9-17 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Congregational

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

Procrastinate Tomorrow

Contributed by Jay Yousling on Jan 4, 2021

Many people struggle with starting projects, starting something new, finishing a task, or just enjoying working hard. In Hebrews 6:9-12, the Spirit of God gives us some help with being diligent.

PROCRASTINATE TOMORROW Looking at Diligence, Work, Plans, Ants, Counsel, and Workmanship Jay Yousling, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29 I love this promise! To see this principle realized on a practical ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:10, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 26:13, Hebrews 5:8, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 26:14, Proverbs 24:33-34, Proverbs 20:4, Isaiah 32:8, Proverbs 19:20, Nehemiah 8:10, Proverbs 15:12, Hebrews 6:11-12, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Proverbs 8:31, Proverbs 8:30, Proverbs 6:6, John 17:4  (view more)  (view less)

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Dec 4, 2019

It is hard to believe that December is already here. And with December upon us, as a church, we need to go back and visit the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem and see what all that excitement was about some 2000 years ago.

Introduction: It is hard to believe that December is already here. And with December upon us, as a church, we need to go back and visit the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem and see what all that excitement was about some 2000 years ago. To us, looking back at the events that unfolded, it is called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Too Busy For God

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2019

Hard work is a Christian ethic. But sometimes we need to just sit and listen, especially when the one doing the talking is Jesus. Let’s read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

Hard work is a Christian ethic. But sometimes we need to just sit and listen, especially when the one doing the talking is Jesus. Let’s read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Luke 10:38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

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

I'm In A Hot Situation But God Is Able To Deliver

Contributed by Pastor Cordell Starks Sr on Apr 12, 2016

This sermon is to help the believer to know that no matter how hard no matter how hot their situations and circumstances maybe never lose focus on God and his promises that he has made available to us in his word.

Is there anyone in the house today who has ever been in a situation the seemed impossible to get out of. I'm talking about a sticky situation. You know the kind where the more you tried to get away form it, the more your tried to shake it off, the more that thing wouldn't let you go. By chance is ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Justice Will Prevail, I Promise! Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 29, 2020

Life can be hard and unfair. We cry out for justice and wait for it. We may never experience justice in this world, but God promises us that He is a just God and that justice will prevail in the next world.

A. Have you noticed in life that justice can be hard to come by? 1. One day a defendant stood before the judge and the judge announced, “Tell me, sir, do you have anything to offer this court before it passes sentence?” a. The defendant replied, “No, your honor, I have nothing to offer this court, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:29-31, Revelation 20:11-12, Romans 2:16, Hebrews 6:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hurry Up And Wait. Does Waiting Put Your Fire Out?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 13, 2019

There is a very hard lesson to learn: HURRY UP AND WAIT. Often God uses DIVINE DELAYS to teach us faith. The is a danger that waiting can put your fire out. TO WAIT PATIENTLY is a difficult task.

HURRY UP AND WAIT… DOES WAITING PUT YOUR FIRE OUT? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (two part) TEXT: Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14 (MSG) Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don't quit. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 40:1, Isaiah 30:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Reacting With No Heart?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 15, 2018

After years in the ministry we can tend to have a hard heart and over look problems? Or we can try to find human solutions to big problems? Jesus can help us help others!

WILL I REACT WITH NO HEART? GO FIGURE? COMPASSION? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, Numbers 21:4-8, Mark 6:34-38, John 6:5-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christ In The Heart: It's Just That Simple Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 6, 2024

You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward behaviors but never let His love into yourself.

In all this deep discussion of prayer and God’s presence and turning ourselves toward Him, we must always return to the basic, simple understanding of who Jesus Christ is to us. You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25, Proverbs 9:4-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 2 Of 5 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 31, 2025

We continue with an examination of the parable of the Sower and look at the seed that fell on the hard, barren pathways and beside the road. What are the birds of the air? How does the devil snatch away the sown word? This is a very instructive parable.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 2 of 5 In the first message of the Parable of the Sower, we studied the introduction to the 7 Parables of the Kingdom from Matthew’s Gospel chapter 13. We looked at the seed being sown and the four types of soil. All the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-19, Luke 8:11-12, Luke 13:27, Jeremiah 17:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, Luke 8:5, Jeremiah 36:30-31, Genesis 15:7-11, Genesis 15:17-18, Genesis 40:16-19, Revelation 19:17-18, Matthew 13:32, Luke 8:12, 2 Samuel 21:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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