Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Happy Valentine's- Getting Through Tuff Times

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 12, 2012

Here’s the ultimate question, “Is praise appropriate in the hard times? In the dark moments? In sorrow? During indifferences? In the middle of temptation with sin approaching? Billy Sunday once said, “Try praising your wife, even if it does frighten her

Happy Valentine's- Getting Through Tuff Times Habakkuk 3:17-19NKJ  Habakkak is physically exhausted and overwhelmed by the thoughts of a Chaldean invasion of his people. However the prophet knew that if everything that was normal and predictable collapsed, Habakkuk decided he would still ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Power Of Simplicity Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

Jesus is confronting the world’s conventional wisdom about wealth and materialism which says, “More is better.” Jesus says that for abundant life, less is more. The accumulation of things creates complexity in our lives, and that can make it hard for us t

Power of Simplicity Matthew 10:9-11, 42 Shirley Fields writes, “12 years ago my husband and I were still spending most of our time running a business we had created. Financially everything was great. The store we owned and operated was in a wonderful location, and had the extra large office ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:9-11

Denomination: Methodist

Positive Giving

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 8, 2011

What motivates you to give? The Corinthians had an easy time setting unrealistic giving goals that set them up for failure, but a hard time giving in a way that released the gift to God and brought Him glory. In this chapter Paul gives us some valuable le

Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A New Beginning

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 4, 2013

Ruth was a widow who performed hard labor every day of her life in extremely hot weather conditions in order to survive. Her workplace was very hostile as she scraped food together which the reapers discarded on the ground. This must have been very humili

ANOINTED FOR A NEW BEGINNING Ruth was a widow who performed hard labor every day of her life in extremely hot weather conditions in order to survive. Her workplace was very hostile as she scraped food together which the reapers discarded on the ground. This must have been very humiliating and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:3

Denomination: Charismatic

Mission People. Are You Prepared?

Contributed by Jeff Riedel on Jul 8, 2014

Mission work is hard work. Many missionaries endure more things than you could possibly imagine. If you are not truly called to the "Mission Field", then please reconsider your position to serve in this type ministry. Let me share our exploits w/you.

The "Mission Field". What is it? Where is it? Who shall go? We are missionaries and the road to become one was very peculiar....or was it? We know many successful missionaries and they all have something in common.....on how they were led to the mission field. Please read our personal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19, John 20:21, Matthew 26:11, Luke 9:23, Matthew 19:21, Jeremiah 22:16, Job 5:16, Philippians 4:6, Acts 2:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Blessed In Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 10, 2014

Life is hard, even for Christians. In those difficult times we can sometimes forget the blessings we have in Christ. But when we start to see the bigger picture and understand how we are blessed in Christ, we can truly live in the joy of those blessings.

Ok, I want to start with a question. Do you know where you are? That is kind of a funny question, isn’t it? Because of course you know where you are. But the reality is, that sometimes, we may not fully understand where we are until we see the bigger picture of our location and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Flee Baby, Flee Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 8, 2015

The world paints those who oppose immoral sex as being prudes and bigots. It's hard to withstand the humiliation and embarrassment that we can face when we speak up. So why should we? And how should we stand for morality in a faithless world?

Years ago I heard a famous radio preacher tell of an experience he had while doing a seminar in a large city. After he had gotten done speaking he returned to his hotel, got on the elevator, and as he touched the button of his floor, a couple of very attractive women got on with him. "What ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Adversity Can Lead To Success

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 18, 2016

Joseph understood that he was not the author of his success. He worked hard and obeyed the Lord. God did the rest. God’s presence with Joseph was linked to his commitment to God. Similarly, God’s presence with us is linked to our commitment to Him.

Have you ever heard the saying that “hell has no fury like a woman scorned?” Well, we have a perfect example of this in the reading we heard from Genesis 39:1-23 a few minutes ago. Even though Joseph was a slave in Egypt, he showed great faith and righteousness, and even though he was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

The Authority Of The Word Of God Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 20, 2011

The biblical teaching of the absolute moral standards of God’s word has fallen on hard times. We continually in our day hear the idea espoused that because times have changed the Bible does not fit our day. The truth, of course is just the opposite.

“The Authority of the Word of God.” Matthew 5:17-20 The biblical teaching of the absolute moral standards of God’s word has fallen on hard times. We continually in our day hear the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is The Most Excellent Way

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

You know, sometimes it is hard for those who profess to be Christians to behave like Christians should. We try to carry our crosses, but if someone crosses us, we tend to lose our composure & behave in much the same way the rest of the world behaves. B

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army ILL. Have you heard the story about the actor who was playing the part of Christ in the Passion Play in the Ozarks? As he carried the cross up the hill a tourist began heckling, making fun of him, & shouting insults at him. Finally, the actor had taken ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Denomination: Salvation Army

Is Sin A Test?

Contributed by Dennis King on Apr 20, 2022

Are the Ten Commandments merely guiding thoughts or God's hard and fast rules? At one point or another in our lives, we all may have given in to every one of the seven sins labeled as envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath.

Are the Ten Commandments merely guiding thoughts or God's hard and fast rules? At one point or another in our lives, we all may have given in to every one of the seven sins labeled as envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. Had you ever been an abomination to God for having ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2, James 1:22-24, Psalm 112:7-8, James 1:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 55 Title: When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 21, 2021

If we have been tempted to give up, to run away from our problems, then this is the psalm for us. Most of us have been where David was in this psalm—hard pressed by circumstances that are partly our own making but which have gotten beyond our control.

Home Lessons October 9, 2015 Tom Lowe PSALM 55 Title: When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll (To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maskil, a Psalm of David.) Theme: A Cry of Faith in the Time of Antichrist Psalm 55 (KJV) 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Hope In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 26, 2021

Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ. John 14:6 reads, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Finding Hope in the midst of a Pandemic “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare note trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Edward Mote (1797-1874) falls into the rare ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Revelation 21:6-7, John 14:6

Denomination: Methodist

What If - In These Times

Contributed by Steve Woods (Pastor Woody) on Apr 22, 2020

What if, throughout history, things didn't happen the way they did? Would life be different for us all today? We are in very hard times right now and our "what-ifs" can make the difference in our future.

As soon as this virus was named a Pandemic, I was given a new role as “Business Essential.” Basically, what this meant was that even if our Governor, or the President, shuts down our state, I am required as a “Mission Critical” employee to come to work. Seeing this getting closer and closer to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Genesis 2:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Father

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Jun 15, 2018

As a father, you have a role, and that role is to teach the child. Sometimes that lesson is hard, and the child doesn’t understand, but believe me, “farther along, they’ll understand why! They may complain and mumble words like “you don’t know me” or...

FATHER, what’s in a word? Well, this is a very important word packed with qualities such as: • Faithful, • Admired, • Tough, • Helpful, • Enthusiastic, • And, Responsible. These are just a few of the qualities that fathers should have, or strive to have. Let’s just call these qualities our ...read more