Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Looking For Leftovers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2014

Can God supply all your needs? The Disciples struggled with that idea... and so do many of us. Why do we have such a hard time trusting God in this and how can we learn to believe Him more?

OPEN: I once read the true story of a family that was sitting down at the dinner table for their evening meal. But one of the girls wasn’t happy because they were having leftovers, and she complained about it. The dad was not happy about that and spent a few moments explaining to her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Responding With Forgiveness

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 3, 2014

All of us would probably have to admit that when we have been mistreated, we find it hard to have a Christ-like mind and to express the forgiving Spirit of Christ toward those who have mistreated us.

4-24-05 Title: Responding with Forgiveness Text: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2013

When the child of God is hard-pressed by the wicked, a cry escapes the lips, "How Long?" Let the Christian know that God knows their trials, and that He shall, by His mighty hand, reveal His mercy and grace in His time.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Come To This Earth And A Die As A Common Criminal?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Dec 20, 2015

Why did Jesus come to this earth as a tiny baby, a die as a common criminal. What hope do we have for the future knowing that God himself was innocently crucified. This sermon is subtly hard hitting, giving hope for the future.

Note: The hymns "The sermon King" and "I cannot tell" to the tune Danny Boy are perfect for the sermon. Introduction One of the greatest yet strangest of stories in the bible is that of almighty God coming into this world and living as we do. ... And there is an even stranger story is that he did ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:5-10

Denomination: Episcopal

Have You Heard God's Calling? Have You Answered?

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Sep 13, 2013

God still appears to us, and He still calls us in many ways. While it is hard to hear Him calling above the din of the world's chatter, He is calling, and He is visible for those who have eyes to see.

In the earliest church, there wasn't a single member who had a financial need for long because, whenever a need arose, the wealthier members sold a piece of their land and gave the proceeds to the church. This ministry of grace (Acts 4) appears to have been commonplace... but the only man mentioned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He Bravely Pursues The Flying Midianites

Contributed by John Lowe on May 1, 2019

The men of Midian would be hard-pressed to go back into Canaan for any reason because now they feared Gideon’s God; since they must have figured out by now that the annihilation of the entire host of Midian was the work of Jehovah.

Chapter 29 He Bravely Pursues the Flying Midianites [Judges 8.10-12] Scripture 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East; for there had fallen a hundred and twenty thousand men who drew ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

He Bravely Pursues The Flying Midianites

Contributed by John Lowe on May 1, 2019

The men of Midian would be hard-pressed to go back into Canaan for any reason because now they feared Gideon’s God; since they must have figured out by now that the annihilation of the entire host of Midian was the work of Jehovah.

Chapter 29 He Bravely Pursues the Flying Midianites [Judges 8.10-12] Scripture 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East; for there had fallen a hundred and twenty thousand men who drew ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

"reformation: Finding Peace With God"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 25, 2019

The Reformation explosive, hard hitting, controversial, grace saturated, salvation clarifying Christ moment in history, based on Luther’s understanding of God’s grace as he lectured on Romans. The Reformation changed culture and our view or vocation.

In Jesus Holy Name October 27, 2019 Text: Romans 3:21-24 Redeemer “Reformation: Finding Peace with God” What a great event last night. Good food. Great music. Fun fellowship. Great beer. I always tell my Calvinist friends I’m so glad I’m a Lutheran. Why? Because I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Living In His Presence During Difficult Times

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Life is crushingly hard and so often it presents burdens our hearts are unable to bear in our own strength. The key truth is that God is with us through it all. We are not alone even as we walk through the darkest valley.

Living in His Presence during Difficult Times Psalm 23:1-4 Philippians 4:13 As our summer break began a young family suffered the sudden and unexpected death of their infant daughter. Such loss is unimaginable to comprehend. All of our hearts were broken by this news and we are at a loss to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4, John 14:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not What We Expected

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 9, 2018

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ is nothing new. The first 12 pastors were instructed how to deal with it. Think long and hard how you respond to the message of the Good News as there are consequences depending on your reaction.

Not What We Expected Mark 6:1-13 Jesus said that; ““A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4 Sometimes people think they know you. They think they know your family and your family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, James 5:13-16, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Santa’s Clause Is Coming To Town

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Dec 15, 2019

God looked at the world, saw all of mankind when they were both sleeping and awake and knew the world could never change no matter how hard they tried, without a Savior to lead and bring the world back into relationship with Him!

Santa Clause is coming to town Ephesians 1:3-6 MSG 3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-6, Colossians 1:27, Zechariah 4:6, Philippians 4:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prodigal's Father Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Fathers need some encouragement. There are two things I see in the parable of the Prodigal that can be an encouragement to fathers, for these two things make it clear that fatherhood is hard, but that there is hope. The two things I see here are the intricacy and the intimacy of fatherhood

We live in the age of the marvelous machine. In Washington D. C. the traffic for a half mile around the White House is controlled by a computer system. The system is constantly telling the lights when to change to move the traffic according to the need. 450 buses have a transmitter which is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Snoring Christians

Contributed by Bala Samson on Oct 1, 2020

Why this spiritual lethargy and carelessness? Where are the tears over the perishing? Where is the groaning? Where is the fasting and hard prayer for our loved ones who are lost, people we work with and for people who have never heard the Gospel??

Snoring Christians Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his hair and wove them into the web]. And she fastened it with the pin and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin of the loom and the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Galatians 2:20 How To Persevere In The Trials Of Life.

Contributed by David Cramer on Oct 8, 2020

With all that is going on in our world regardless of where we live, it is hard. This message can help with getting in a habit of not doing it alone. We can rely on Him to help us through as we get closer to Him daily.

Galatians 2:20 How to persevere in the trials of life Good Morning Stand with me and lift up your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Job 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

River Of Life Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 19, 2021

A day would come on that day, the luxurious cars, elegant high tower buildings and delicious food providing hotels, monuments and the beauties of the earth will be no more. Your hard-earned riches, wealth and properties will go within a fraction of seconds.

Theme: River of Life Text: Revelation 22:1-7 End of earthly life (Revelation 22:1) A day would come on that day, the luxurious cars, elegant high tower buildings and delicious food providing hotels, monuments and the beauties of the earth will be no more. Your hard-earned riches, wealth and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-7

Denomination: Methodist