Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Remember Lot's Wife

Contributed by Jeremy Congdon on Apr 30, 2011

Humans have a hard time following rules. It is in our nature to rebel because we are self-centered and curious. But, sadly enough for us there are consequences. Either we can follow God's commands, or we'll suffer the consequences.

Introduction: God was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Because of God’s love and covenant with Abraham, God shared with Abraham what was going to happen. Abraham asked God to spare the city if 50 righteous could be found, but there were not 50 righteous. Abraham tried 45, then 40, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:15-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Evil

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 1, 2013

Are we able to defend the faith taught in the Scriptures when a non-believer challenges us on the hard issues? What do we say, how do we respond when asked why the Lord allows evil and the resulting suffering?

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Followship - The Essence Of True Fellowship Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Nov 6, 2010

Jesus calls us to join HIM, He does not seek our invitation for Him to join us... the road to discipleship is a hard road of persecution, pain and suffering... it is a road that requires great discipline, absolute submission and complete obedience... howe

Sermon Brief Date Written: November 3, 2010 Date Preached: November 6, 2010 Where Preached: Oak Park Baptist Church (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Reaching Our Community – TRUE Fellowship – Sermon 6 Sermon Title: Followship – The ESSENCE of TRUE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-39

Denomination: Baptist

Sin Is A Disgrace To Any People

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 12, 2015

Now it would seem ridiculous to ignore sin & Satan completely, so they don’t. But what God calls sin in the Bible isn’t necessarily what they consider to be sin. And the idea of a real Satan is hard for some to accept.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK ILL. As many of you know, before Ethel & I moved here to Flint Ridge, we lived in Brownsville, TX. And while we were there I was part of the Ministerial Association. Unlike some ministerial groups, it was not a formal organization, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-2, Proverbs 14:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcoming Spiritual A.d.d. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 11, 2015

It can be hard to stay focused on our spiritual disciplines. When we have purpose behind what we are doing, it will help us to focus on what is important. (This was built on the Next Steps series available on Sermon Central for purchase)

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • A.D.D. Attention Deficit Disorder. It is defined as, “a condition, usually in children, marked by inattentiveness, dreaminess, and passivity.” • The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as, “a condition in which someone (such as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Giving Thanks For Thankless Things

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 20, 2017

It's not hard to be thankful for obvious things like God, our families or our health, but what about things that might not be obvious like food, shelter and clothing? And then there are the things that we wouldn't be thankful for at all...but should be.

GIVING THANKS FOR THANKLESS THINGS It's not very hard to be thankful for obvious things like our families, our health, or the blessings that come into our lives. But what about the things that we might not think of so easily, like the roof over our head, the clothes on our back and the food in our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transitioning Well Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 11, 2018

Change or transition is hard, but we can face it bravely and powerfully with God's help. The transition in leadership from Elijah to Elisha reminds us to pay attention, to seek the Holy Spirit's filling, and to bravely take up the task given us.

2 Kings 2:1-15 Transitioning Well Prophets with a Purpose – Week 5 Today we’re finishing up a five-week series looking at various Old Testament Prophets and what they have to say to us. Little Samuel reminded us that God still speaks if we are listening. Jonah reminded us that all people matter to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pray For God's Compassion Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 9, 2019

We do not see sin the way God does. We see sin as desirable, fun, enticing - something really hard to resist. God sees sin as an insult to His holiness, a rejection of His righteousness, and intolerable to his presence.

PRAYING FOR SPIRITUAL AWAKENING PRAY FOR GOD’S COMPASSION Hosea 1-11 Introduction We do not see sin the way God does. We see sin as desirable, fun, enticing - something really hard to resist. God sees sin as an insult to His holiness, a rejection of His righteousness, and intolerable to his ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Where Knowledge Begins Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. We have made it clear that fear means reverence, and the Lord means Jehovah, but the hard part is still ahead. What does it mean that the attitude of reverence toward the one true God is the beginning of knowledge?

A millennium and a half ago Diogenes said, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." Both ancient and modern philosophers have recognized that education is basic to the making and keeping of any great and strong nation great and strong. Lowell said, "It is in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7

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

New Beginnings—it’s Not Clichés.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 16, 2020

God waits to give us a new beginning, a fresh start. Maybe we're in the middle of a year, a hard year--the year 2020. However, COVD won't have the final say. God will.

New Beginnings—It’s Not Clichés. Lamentations 3:21-26NKJV Jeremiah was a man whose message of repentance was rejected, and despite his earnest prayer for his people, he was to witness the children of Israel being sold into slavery.. the city of God being destroyed and the Temple of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-26, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Only On That Day

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 22, 2018

Listen again: ‘the heat is intensified to frustrate us!’ So, whenever you face ‘no more Lord’ situation, then be assured that your deliverance and breakthrough is round the corner. Hurray! Pray hard for God to thwart the plans of the evil forces!

ONLY on that day Joshua 6:15”…..only on that day they marched around the city seven times.” Every step was strategically planned as per the instructions of God to Joshua, nothing were overlooked, ignored or delayed, every Word of God was followed ‘to a T’; that was the reason behind the fall ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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