Sermons on Hard Knocks:

"But Jesus...: Faith In The Face Of Reason"

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 21, 2002

In the struggles and hard times of our lives, we are called to look beyond our own understanding, beyond our reasoning and recognize that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. In your life if you have not already experienced them, times wil

“‘But Jesus…’: Faith in the Face of Reason” Mark 6:30-44 For many people, the events of this fall have resulted in changed lives. In the beginning of September we traveled on airlines without fear and seldom gave thought to things like anthrax and small pox. Before September 11th, few people knew ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44, Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Methodist

I Know My Redeemer Lives Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 30, 2002

Beyond all of the cultural reasons to come to Easter worship, we come to know that our lives are anchored. But it’s hard to know. Job points the way by affirming a redeemer despite the lack of evidence. Today we know a living redeemer, life changer.

 I If I were to ask you why you’ve come here today, how would you answer? Tell the truth, now; you’re in church. What do you expect and why are you here today? I’d guess that a number of us would give out what Mayor Williams calls the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:11-12, Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Survivor: What Am I Doing Here Series

Contributed by Mark Milioni on Jan 11, 2001

Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here?

Imagine going through all the work and effort of Survivor and not winning. Same with Olympics. Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here? What am I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

In The Sinew That Shrank..." By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Aug 4, 2004

The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God is going and going that way! Jacob learned the hard way. Had he followed God without reservation, he may not of walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Let’s examine the story together!

Introduction Going God’s way is not only the best way but the only way! It’s when we look back we say, "I wish I had followed God..." Jacob knew the feeling too well. A person is never what he ought to be until he is doing what he ought to be doing. Jacob was neither. In other words it took a bit ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Grace We Struggle To Accept: The Embrace Of Grace Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Apr 27, 2005

Grace is not only hard to understand, it is difficult to accept. While every human being has a deep need for acceptance, security, and significance, we tend to seek the meeting of those needs in other human beings, who can never really meet those needs.

Grace We Struggle to Accept: The Embrace of Grace Grace, prt. 2 Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers 3/20/05 I want to start today’s message on an uncharacteristically heavy note. I have a few questions for you, and they’re the kind of questions that may not be easy for you to answer. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Good As Dead - Advent

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 8, 2006

Advent. It is hard to do an orignial John the Baptist advent sermon isn’t it? I give it a go. Our life circumstances do not determine the validty of who Jesus is. Also, John 1:6-9, 15-16,19-23.

There are starting to be more movies with biblical themes coming out – the Nativity is the latest. I was thinking…Disney Studios might jump on the bandwagon and produce a biblically oriented film. I think there are many stories they could choose from….but you know Disney has a habit of changing the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons To Be Learned

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 12, 2008

Today there are all kinds of views of what a perfect pastor should be like and look like. And there is, no doubt, all sorts of advice available today on how a minister can be sure to fulfill his calling. But I think one will be hard pressed to find bett

Lessons to be Learned 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Intro Today there are all kinds of views of what a perfect pastor should be like and look like. And there is, no doubt, all sorts of advice available today on how a minister can be sure to fulfill his calling. But I think one will be hard pressed to find ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Happened To Sin?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 12, 2010

Preachers once preached against sin and God’s people felt the weight of guilt and shame for their sin. In our world today we have a hard time finding someone willing to admit to sinning. The question must be asked “Whatever has happened to sin?”

Whatever Happened to Sin? 1 JOHN 3:1-4 Introduction: President Calvin Coolidge was well-known for being a man of few words, reticent, and straight to the point. There’s a story that after attending church one day, someone apparently asked him what the preacher had preached about. “Sin,” Mr. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Come Out Of Your Cave

Contributed by James May on Aug 10, 2011

Like Elijah, we often find ourselves in a cave of hardness, coldness and perhaps even spiritual and emotional depression. We listen for the voice of the Lord, but he often speaks in ways that we aren't expecting. God wants us to come out of that cave an

Come Out of the Cave August 10, 2011 By Pastor James May The Prophet Elijah was a man of God like none other described in the Bible. He did mighty exploits for the Lord, and saw the hand of God move to perform great miracles at Elijah’s word. At his word alone, God stopped the rain for 3 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dealing With Montezuma's Revenge Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 9, 2014

God tells us to rejoice when the world persecutes us and makes people give us a hard time about our faith. Why on earth would I want to rejoice? What possible advantage could my being persecuted do for God?

OPEN: Next week Ryan and Trisha Seybold will be here to present their new ministry at Show Low, Arizona where they’ll be managing the American Indian Christian Mission (AICM). It’s a ministry to the Navajo and Apache tribes in that area and they’ve done a great job there for a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tragic Beginning, A Tragic End

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 19, 2014

But no doubt, he was not willing to admit that he was a sinner. No doubt it was hard for him to admit he was lost. Perhaps he was much like Cain in the Old Testament who wanted to make his own way. Perhaps he was much like Cain in the Old Testament.

A Tragic Beginning, A Tragic End February 28, 2006 Matthew 27:3-27:5 Tonight I want to share an unusual message (or lesson) with you, a message (or lesson) that comes out of Matthew Chapter 27. I’ll read verses 3, 4 and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Godly Dads

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 13, 2012

Being a good father or mother is one of life’s most important privileges. But being a father or mother is also one of life’s most difficult responsibilities. It is easy to become a biological father, but hard to become a really good father. Some of you we

Opening illustration: Play a video on imitation. Introduction: Now in this text of Scripture Paul compares himself to a father of the Corinthian believers. He was not their biological father, but he was a spiritual father to them. He was instrumental in bringing them to faith in Christ. Through ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Simple Rules (Part Three) First, "Do No Harm" (Conclusion) Series

Contributed by Carl Greene on Jul 4, 2008

Based upon the book "Three Simple Rules" "A Wesley Way of Living" by Rueben P. Job. This third in a multi part series continues and concludes our examination of the first of the three rules. "Do No Harm." Sounds simple, easy to understand, hard to prac

Three Simple Rules A Wesleyan Way of Living Based on the book of the same name by Ruben P. Job REVIEW OF LAST WEEK We are exploring John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules” Do no harm, Do Good and Stay in love with God. Last week we began with “Do no Harm.” We remembered the response of Jesus when ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Methodist

Change Management Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 30, 2009

Many of us have a hard time managing change. But God is the change management expert of all time. He uses a special secret to help bring about change that is just awesome and answers some basic problems we have with living life here.

Chapter 8 of Romans is all about how to live a life dedicated to loving and serving God while living in a fleshly body in a world opposed to Him and facing an enemy bound and determined to thwart your efforts and God’s to change you from your image into His. Seems like the cards are stacked ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Will Anything Really Change?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 2, 2010

Revised from an earlier message for a church making a major turn in direction and leadership. Change is hard for us, for some of us fear change, some of us do not think change is real. But God is able and willing to complete what He begins among us.

Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, September 19, 2004 Will anything really change? I mean, really?! So often change is only apparent, and not real. So often we tinker with things, but we do not really change them. We lack the will to change things, really. We lack the imagination ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist