Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Finding A Place Of Safety

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 18, 2018

Jesus didn’t promise us a life without pain and suffering. In fact, it was just the opposite. He told his followers that they shouldn’t expect to get along in this world any better than He did.

4-27-04 Title: Finding a Place of Safety Text: “And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Laziness Vs Diligence Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 5, 2012

Thesis: The writers of this ancient wisdom literature inspired by God try to convey the message to us of “Don’t be lazy be diligent!” In other words “Make a commitment to work hard at being all God wants you to be!”

Series: Practical Proverbs Thesis: The primary message of Proverbs is “Get wisdom or act and look like a fool!” Sermon 1 & 2: Wise vs foolish We learned that wisdom is God given not manmade but foolishness is manmade not God given. We learned that wisdom is given by God to us so that we ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Jesus Said About Prayer

Contributed by John White on Jul 13, 2019

Since God universally speaks prayer as His common language, if we wish to talk with God we must speak His own language.

What Jesus Said About Prayer Matthew 6:1-13 Someone has said, "Prayer is the language God speaks and listens to attentively." Some of you here speak Spanish, some speak Mandarin, some speak Indonesian, some speak Tagalog, some speak Japanese and others speak dialects of English with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Help Me Change Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 25, 2021

Once you experience life-changing conversion, you can then put in the work to be a better person. Jesus died to make you compassionate. Jesus died to make you kind. Jesus died to make you honest

If you were to make a list of the things you’d like to change about yourself, what would be at the top of the list? Are you addicted to food? Late-night snacking? Or is it a more serious issue? Do you hate you? Do you have narcissistic tendencies? Do your relationships frazzle quickly, and no one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

1 Samuel 3:1

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 21, 2021

In this sermon we take a look at Samuel's heritage and how he came to minister before the Lord under Eli, and, why the Lord was quiet in the days preceding Samuel's time as the prophet of Israel.

1 Samuel 3:1 Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 1 Samuel 6:6, Psalm 98:5, Hebrews 3:8, Isaiah 63:17, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Part 34: Wisdom About Worship Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 11, 2025

1. We need wisdom about our help for worship (vs. 1-2). 2. We need wisdom about our hero for worship (vs. 1-7). 3. We need wisdom about our heart for worship (vs. 7-11).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 34: Wisdom about Worship Psalm 95:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared November 11, 2025) BACKGROUND: *Today our focus is on worship, and nothing is more important in Christian life than heartfelt worship of the LORD! God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Failure Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Oct 5, 2001

When Saul made mistakes in judgment or sinned, he had the pattern of making things hard for himself by overlooking them or blaming others instead of coming back to the heart of the matter and doing the simple things God wants most.

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 1 Samuel 14:44 30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. 31 So Samuel turned again ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

You Can Remove Trash, Bugs & Weeds But How About Darkness?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 20, 2009

Children often want darkness removed because they fear what they cannot see. For adults the darkness is more of a friend. Jesus is the remover of darkness but the light of the world is still waiting for many to see it. Sometimes it is hard even for Christ

Open up the yellow pages and you can find a ton of listings that will remove pretty much whatever you want removed. There are ads for chimney sweeps to remove built up grime. There are people willing and able to remove insects, weeds, garbage, wallpaper, old fixtures, homes, cars and even bad ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Attaining Your Goals Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How do you get where you want to be? Naturally we try hard and try to be motivated - and hope God approves of us. In reality we need to trust in the Holy Spirit instead of our own abilities.

What if you had to climb a really steep trail - and somebody came along and said, "here, use my brand new 2004 Dodge RAM SRT-10 with its 500 horsepower engine capable of 525 pound feet of torque - able to reach 60 miles an hour in 5 seconds and tear up that mountain trail!" So you say "thanks" ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Galatians Chapter 2- "In Defense Of The Truth." Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 25, 2005

When is it time to defend truth and do the hard task of confronting another person about their error? We must make sure in these difficult situations that we continue to act like Christians – in other words act like Christ.

Galatians part 2 – “In defense of the Truth!” Thesis: When is it time to defend truth and do the hard task of confronting another person about their error? We must make sure in these difficult situations that we continue to act like Christians – in other words act like Christ. Video Illustration ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Missed The Point

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 23, 2003

Why do we scold fathers on Father’s Day, when it is often that their children simply miss hearing their counsel. The sons of Josiah ignored their grounding in God’s word and the support of the Temple and misunderstood the value of hard work.

The difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is that we honor our mothers but we scold our fathers. We talk of saintly moms, who wore their fingers to the bone to cook and clean and sow for us. We honor them for their industry, their mother wit, and their prayer life. And that is as it ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 22:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Being Busy For Christ Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God doesn’t want us to be loafers while we wait for the appearing of His Son. Instead, we are to work hard, settle down, and earn our wages. We must never tire of doing what is right.

Being Busy for Christ For those of you who are wondering if I got my hair cut, the answer is “yes.” On Wednesday, I invited Harold Davis to speak about sheep at the Kiwanis club. He did a great job, as he did this summer when he helped us learn more about Psalm 23. In my introduction of Harold, I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

What God Has Predestined For Your Life In 2003-Shall Be! Series

Contributed by Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks on Oct 26, 2002

The last two years have brought a lot of pain and devastation to the lives of many Christians and non-believers. Many ask the question, "Why Me?" This sermon is designed to answer those hard questions and yet offer hope for tomorrow!

Evangelist Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks The Ministry of S.A.R.A.H. Lyons, Georgia PRAYER: Lord, once again I want to praise Your Holy name and tell you thank You! For you have brought me through the fire and the rain, the calm and the storms of life; though sickness, good health, heartache, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, Psalm 32:8

Denomination: Baptist

If Something Is Worth Doing... Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 5, 2003

Jesus’ 4 thoughts on prayer: 1) we should pray constantly, persistently and fervently 2) but prayer is hard work 3) yet prayer taps into God’s power 4) so prayer is a reflection of our faith.

Luke 18:1-8 – If Something is Worth Doing… Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Get Out Of The Boat Series

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Jan 30, 2003

Do you want to grow in your relationship with Christ? Are you having a hard time making that first step? This passage encourages you to put your trust in God and help you get out of the boat of your life.

#2343 Stepping Out Of The Boat: Daring To Live The Life That God Has For You! Going To The Next Level Series Matthew 14:22-34 Let me ask you a few questions today… How many would like to move forward in your relationship with Christ? How many have felt like you’ve been stuck in a rut? In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 14:22-34

Denomination: Foursquare