Sermons on Hard Knocks:

In God We Trust?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 9, 2021

To serve God we need a holy respect and absolute trust. In dark nights of hard trials do we run to God or do we run away from him? Let us study some trust verses in the Bible.

IN GOD WE TRUST? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com OUR MONEY SAYS: IN GOD WE TRUST, is this a valid conclusion? There are several things that can seldom be recovered. A stone that is thrown, a word after it is said, a missed opportunity, wasted time, trust after it is lost. WHAT IF? ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 146:3, Jeremiah 17:7-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lesson # 4 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 16, 2018

It is hard to believe that anyone would oppose Paul, but there were believers in Rome doing just that. The churches there were divided. Some preached Christ sincerely, wanting to see people saved. Some preached Christ insincerely, wanting to make . . .

Date: 4/26/18 Lesson # 4 Title: Even Opposition Has Provided Opportunity for Christ to be Preached Text: (Philippians 1:15-18) Scripture: (Philippians 1:15-18, NIV) 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Your Work, His Power - Sermon On Philippians 2:12-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2023

The commands God gives us are like a foreman telling a worker to move a mountain. A shovel (his own strength) won’t work, but neither will a lawn chair. The power comes from the earth mover, but operating that entails hard work.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act for the sake of his good pleasure. Introduction From ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

A Life Restored Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

When non-Christians were asked what is their biggest barrier to faith, the number one answer among Americans was the following, “I have a hard time believing a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world.”

Today, we conclude a four-week look at one of the most interesting people in history – the man named Job. Job is a really good man. God even calls him, “…a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil …”(Job 1:8). He’s so good in fact, that God tells Ezekiel years later: ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

Real Men Do Cry

Contributed by Paul Green on Mar 13, 2022

The Apostle Paul is renowned for being a woman-hating, doctrine-making, emotionless, rock hard, ice cold; Gospel preaching machine, but in reality he was a man who was never very far away from a good cry for the sake of the Gospel.

In our reading this morning the Apostle Paul is writing to the church he had planted in Philippi and he says, ‘Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:6, Psalm 56:8, John 11:35, Luke 19:41-44, Hebrews 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Brings Down The Proud Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 10, 2022

In the church's fear and struggle, feeling hard-pressed and helpless, she can be encouraged. We know that the proud of the earth will not endure forever. The violent will not prevail. God is on his throne: He is the great judge and our faithful Saviour.

The world has seen many cruel tyrants and dictators. Sometimes these powerful men live out their days to the fullest, enjoying all the glories of their position right to the end, then dying in comfort. But many end in humiliation and defeat. The great Napoleon spent his last years in exile on a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Self-Control - 2 Peter 1:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 9, 2025

Imagine how much better your life would be with more self-control. Why is it so hard? Elite athletes who are unbelievers often outshine most Christians in this area—how can that be, if it’s a fruit of the Spirit?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control. Introduction I want to start with this question: in Peter’s list of virtues in 2 Peter 1:5-7, why isn’t verse 5 enough? By the end of v.5 you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Compensation (Exodus 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2024

God's old covenant contains many things hard to understand. Do we judge God by our corrupt society's standards or humble seek to understand? Let's look at Exodus 22.

When we look at the laws under the old covenant, are we tempted to think that some were too harsh and some were amazing? Do we judge God by our society’s corrupt standards? Or, do we humbly seek to learn? Let’s look at Exodus 22. What compensation was a thief to pay? Was there something similar to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Biblical Love? How To Walk In The Way Of Love Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 12, 2024

Biblical love is willing to say a hard truth to someone in love, knowing that we may lose the friendship, but loving their soul more than their companionship. That’s real love. Niceness is a joke and a sham, compared to the glory of agape love.

Dave Simmons shared in his book about being a dad a time when he and his two kids went to a mall, and the mall had a petting zoo there. He had given each of his children, Brandon and Helen a quarter to enter, and then went to continue shopping. Soon he saw his daughter hadn’t gone in. He went to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 14:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Consequences Of Backsliding Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 21, 2025

The consequences of backsliding are severe and should never be taken lightly. It leads to a loss of fellowship with God, vulnerability to the enemy, a hardened heart, disqualification from divine purpose, and, ultimately, the risk of eternal separation from God.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF BACKSLIDING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 9:62 Supporting Texts: Hebrews 10:38, Proverbs 14:14, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Jeremiah 3:22, Revelation 2:4-5 INTRODUCTION Backsliding is a serious spiritual condition that occurs when a believer gradually drifts away from their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62, Hebrews 10:38, Proverbs 14:14, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Jeremiah 3:22, Revelation 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

He Will Be Called Counselor Series

Contributed by Leroy Redding on Jul 10, 2007

Isaiah 9:6-7 #2

“HE WILL BE CALLED...COUNSELOR” Isaiah 9:6 Where do you go when you need help? Where do you go when you need direction....guidance? Where you go tells something about you. Some people go to their horoscope....hair dresser... self-help books...bar tender...psychologist...pastor...counselor. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Best Seat In The House

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We should be willing to take a back seat so that God will lift us up.

Introduction: It’s only human nature for us to want to sit in the best seat in the house. At sporting events it’s the skybox seat, or the seat on the 50-yard line or the seat directly behind home plate, or a ringside seat at a boxing match. Those are the places that have the best view and carry ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 31, 2016

This verse tells us that the fight we're involved in has been "fixed" -- God has destined us to win no matter how hard the devil fights or how ingenious he is. All we have to do is keep holding onto Jesus and we'll be alright. So fear not!

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER Isa. 54:17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE MUMMY 1. Israel is a place where the ground is full of artifacts. Did you hear the other day about the archae-ologist who was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy? 2. After ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 54:11-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ