Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Superlatives Of The Easter Story

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 20, 2014

It's hard not to use superlatives when discussing the Easter story. In this story we see...1) the darkest hour in all scripture; 2) the biggest discovery in all scripture; and 3) the loveliest word in all scripture (for one of it's characters).

Superlatives of the Easter Story Chuck Sligh April 20, 2014 (A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon upon request at chucksligh@hotmail.com). TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to John 20. INTRODUCTION Illus. – A little boy had a tendency to exaggerate things in order to get ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Trans-Generational Value

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jun 26, 2014

Though necessary, I often find it hard to preach sermons to the women of our church in relation to their role as wives and mothers. Paul had a better idea. Much of such preaching could be done without the pastor. The aged women were to teach the younger!

Trans-Generational Values Mother’s Day Sermon 2014 May 11, 2014 Titus 2:3-5 Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

No Whiners

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

Hard times come to Christians because our reactions in bad times, may be inspire others to turn to the Lord and seek forgiveness. Just as Jesus was a witness to the world through his suffering, we can be a witness and draw closer to him in ours.

There is a popular TV show called “Survivor.” It’s been on TV now for over 20 seasons. It’s syndicated all over the world. The show thrives on showing how individuals adapt to group dynamics and societal rules changes through horrendous conditions in the hope of receiving the big prize at the end. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-16, Romans 11:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Steps To Forgiving Someone Who Really Hurt You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Feb 10, 2018

Forgiving someone who hurt you is hard work. It is easier to stay wounded and go around talking bad about them. It is easier to let bitterness put down roots and let our hearts get hardened, but Jesus said to forgive...

A preacher tells the story of inviting a guest lecturer to speak to a counseling class he was teaching and asked him to specifically discuss the topic forgiveness. He told a powerful story from his own life that day to illustrate his point that we should forgive. His brother had many struggles, ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Happiness In Sorrow Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

Blessed are those who mourn is just too clear, and Luke makes it even more clear when he writes, "Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh." This is so clear and obvious that it is hard to understand.

The soloist asked the visiting preacher what his subject was. She wanted to follow up with an appropriate message in song. When he hesitated she told him to never mind, she would listen and select something appropriate. When he concluded his sermon she sang, "Sometime, Somewhere, We'll ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Money Talks Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 13, 2021

In James 5, James comes down very hard on the rich and the sins that often accompany materialism. What we do with our money declares what we value and love. So, what is your use of money saying about you?

Introduction: A. One evening a husband was balancing the checkbook and said to his wife, “You know the old saying, ‘money talks’? Well, ours just said, ’So long!’” 1. I know that we all feel that way sometimes, don’t we? 2. The world we live in runs on money, and it seems that we never have enough ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6, Luke 6:24-25, Luke 18:24, Matthew 6:19-20, 1 Timothy 6:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Kind Of Spirit Do You Have

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 2, 2021

One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is that of the religious spirit. Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They can be hard to discern simply because they are religious; they are pious, even hyper-spiritual.

What Kind of Spirit Do you Have? By Bishop Melvin Maughmer OPENING: - One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is that of the religious spirit. Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They can be hard to discern ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

God Is Our Help In Sorrow

Contributed by Thomas Andrufski on Feb 3, 2021

We all go through difficult times in this world. Quite often it is hard to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. But trust me, or should I say trust the Lord. He will be there with you all the way through the journey of your trial.

Isaiah 35:10 (KJV) And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. We all go through difficult times in this world. Quite often it is hard to see the proverbial ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:10, John 16:20, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 51:11, John 14:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Labouring In The Lord

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Sep 5, 2020

Be steadfast and allow God and His work to be the number one priority in your life. There will be times when we may feel discouraged after working hard for God, but the Lord says, “labor is not in vain.” All your work is written in the eyes of the Lord.

Laboring in the Lord “Therefore, my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” - I Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes in life, we have a hard time getting others to understand our message! A group of clergies were ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Get Along With Christians

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Aug 4, 2024

Jesus said that our love for other believers would be a testimony to the gospel. But sometimes, it's hard to tolerate, much less love, our fellow Christians. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul tells us how to do it.

As I look around the room this morning, I see a lot of white and gray hair. That’s nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, Proverbs 16:31 tells us that “Gray hair is a crown of glory”. A “crown of glory”. I like that. My problem is that my crown gets a little smaller every year. By the way, I tried to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

All Murders Even The Forgotten Ones Will Be Judged And Avenged - Revelation 9 V 21 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 2, 2022

In the Tribulation period that happens after the Rapture, God's judgements fall on this world but the human heart is so hard it refuses to repent even then. In particular 4 sins are mentioned, one of them being murder, which is the topic for today.

ALL MURDERS EVEN THE FORGOTTEN ONES WILL BE JUDGED AND AVENGED - Revelation 9 v 21 This is a horrible world; a world of torment and ugliness, of torture, pain and death. The atrocities of this earth are like an iceberg – the majority is hidden underneath and is not seen. Two posts back I had an ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:20-21, Isaiah 19:16-25, Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21, John 8:44, Deuteronomy 32:41-43, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 24:37-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Glad I'm Not There

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Oct 3, 2022

We don’t have all the answers to life’s hard questions, but God has. His ways are higher. His thoughts are greater. He fights our battles even those ones that we don’t know about.

It's Labor Day in NSW tomorrow. That gives some people time to take their families on a long drive out of the city. It's perfect timing because it's also school holidays here in NSW until 07 Oct. We've done a few long drives during school holidays when our children were little. I ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-15, Romans 8:38-39, 1 Chronicles 4:10

Denomination: Foursquare

You Are The Living Word

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 26, 2022

A message about the calling we may have not answered on our lives. Sharing the Word as we have been called to do by the One who loves us and wants us to show His love in the hard times we live in.

You are the living word Good Morning Stand with me and lift 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 the word of God. The ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing In The Lord Committed To Serve

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 25, 2023

We need to understand that when we are committed to serve we are put in the position of a servant. Some of us may find that hard to do or be, but if we want to grow in the Lord we have to be: 1) a servant, 2) committed to that service.

Growing in the Lord Committed to Serve Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, We need to understand that when we are ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12, Matthew 6:24, Galatians 1:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Measure Upon Measure – Judgment And Condemnation – The Restoration Of God - Part 14 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

Adam and Eve had no concept, then, of what a curse would be in reality; what labour pains would be in childbirth; or what hard work and toil would involve in practice. They were condemned and expelled. Jesus was condemned for us and now – justification and pardon.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 14 CHAPTER 6 - THE SIXTH CONSEQUENCE ADAM AND EVE BEFORE AN AWESOME GOD We come to the sixth consequence of Adam’s failure. This time we are thinking about CONDEMNATION. Associated with condemnation is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12, Genesis 3:13, Genesis 3:24, Galatians 6:3, Romans 12:3, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 5:15-19, Romans 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational