Sermons on Hard Knocks:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Amazing" Doesn’t Begin To Describe Gods Grace!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Oct 10, 2011

If you could obtain it on your own, then that would make it all about you and what you were capable of wouldn’t’ it? That’s the part that’s hard to figure, its not about you, its about what’s been done for you and made available to yo

"Amazing" Doesn’t Begin To Describe Gods Grace! For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJ The best thing about a gift is that you don’t have to earn it, its usually given because ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stuck In The First Grade

Contributed by James May on Jun 6, 2004

It’s time to grow and mature in Christ and not get stuck on the basics.

STUCK IN FIRST GRADE By Pastor Jim May We have recently seen some of your youth step out into the world and begin to build their way into the life of adulthood. For at least 12 long years they have gone to school day after day, and spent hours upon hours, hearing the same things being taught to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 28:9-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Soul Looks Back

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 10, 2007

We blame failure on "social ills" and that is a factor. But most of the time we are scapegoating, when we do not have to, for Jesus has turned our failure into potential. Clifton Park Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD

There is at my house a picture I treasure. In that picture I am about three years old, and my father is holding me in his arms. You look at my father and you see that he is wearing the cap of a service station attendant. Shell Oil, it says. Nothing especially remarkable about that, except that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Perseverance

Contributed by Dennis King on Oct 25, 2022

Perhaps you've been lucky and haven’t had to endure a lot of life’s common trials and tribulations. If so, “persevering or perseverance” might not resonate much with you?

Perseverance Perseverance means various things to different people at different stages of their lives. Let's rethink some of the situations we encountered where we demonstrated tenacious determination before we discuss biblical characters that displayed exceptional perseverance. What does the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:27, Job 42:10, Romans 8:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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