Sermons on Hard Knocks:

The Hard Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 29, 2016

Every instance of our lives is part of a greater spiritual conflict. The first Christmas was no exception.

Open There is the beautiful side of Christmas. It’s found in Luke's gospel. Luke’s account of the first Christmas is a love story set to music. There are angels coming and going. They’re singing and lighting up the sky. There are shepherds coming to visit. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hard Questions Answered

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

In John Chapter 3 Jesus points us to the Prophetic Record that maps out Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In this golden chapter of the Bible Jesus lays out the path of salvation for Nicodemus and for the rest of us.

It Was No Secret Numbers 21:4-9 John 3:10-21 Luke 18:31:33 This week marks the fourth week in Lent as we travel with Jesus toward His passion and glory. At this time Jesus is preparing the Disciples for what lies ahead, namely His arrest, torture and crucifixion. After three years of ministry ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:10-21, Luke 18:31-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do Hard Things Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 22, 2022

If you want to know God's will, do the will of God you already know.

I finally came across a national church survey filled with good news from the pews! Here’s the headline from Christianity Today: “9 in 10 Evangelicals Don’t Think Sermons are Too Long.” This study also confirmed what I know to be true among the people of Edgewood: “They’d like to see more ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Message Of Change

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 2, 2021

Sermon for the first Sunday of 2021

“A Hard Message of Change” Luke 3:7-9 A sermon for 1/3/21 Pastor John Bright Luke 3 “7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-9, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Methodist

The Hard Work Of Trust

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Mar 16, 2021

God teaches us to trust in him and in his Son our Saviour. God tells us that anxious care and bitter sighing won’t help. Discontentment will get us nowhere, but only humble trust and steadfast faith.

Have you ever felt like complaining against the LORD? Maybe you’ve prayed and prayed, but the answer that you wanted hasn’t come. Or you don’t like what God has brought into your life: lots of disappointment, lots of frustration. Or maybe you look at all the wickedness in the world, and you fear ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-39, Habakkuk 2:2-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hatred Hit Hard Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

There is only one way out of the darkness of hate says John. We must hit hate hard with the only weapon that can snap its heavy chains, and that weapon is obedience to the supreme commandment of love

One of the most exciting books you can read is The Count Of Monte Cristo. The hero of the book, Edmund Dantes, had been unjustly cast into a dungeon. Fortunately, by means of a tunnel he met an old man in another nearby dungeon. The old man told him of a great treasure that was hidden on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 21, 2021

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3. House of Prayer Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Work Hard Serving Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Christians are to display a willingness to be offended, disadvantaged, even abused without making a return, without requiring vengeance, without demanding an accounting – whether an apology, or punishment, or a repayment of some kind.

Today’s Big Idea: God Works Diligently on Our Behalf. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Hard Times Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Oct 28, 2015

When it comes to disasters and accidents there are 2 ways to look at it: Mans way or Gods way. Whatever the problem God has a solution. He is the Master fixer upper. But you must learn to cooperate with God so He can bring the total restoration.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD” Isaiah 55:8. I. Reevaluating-Getting man’s perspective “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him” Proverbs 18:13. A. Premature judgments B. Overreactions C. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Asked For A Hard Thing!

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 29, 2015

Great things don’t come easy, we’ve got to strive hard to attain them! Are you hearing please?Come on, be feisty, gutsy, dig in hard, and don’t give up!

Hard thing! 2 King 2:10” And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." Hey friend, Great things don’t come easy, we’ve got to strive hard to attain them! Are you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Belief Is Hard Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 16, 2015

Sometimes belief is just plain hard - just ask Thomas (a 1st person sermon)

“Getting Into Shape: When Belief Is Hard” John 20:19-31 I’m grateful you’re here today. Some of you are here because you want to hear what I have to say – you’re curious; some of you are here to check out what I have to say – you’re suspicious. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hope For Hard Times Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Here’s a helpful way to remember the word providence: PRO is “before” and VIDEO is to “to see.” He’s seeing life happen in advance. You can even hear the word “provide” in the word Providence. Even in the worst of times, God is working for His children’s good and happiness.

Our nation’s first President had a different way of looking at life and you could see it in his very first inaugural address. Had you been in the relatively small crowd to hear Washington’s Inaugural address some 230 plus years ago, you would have been surprised at how visibly nervous Washington ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth Can Be Hard

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 16, 2017

John the Baptist confronts the people with the truth, that they need to repent.

“The Truth Can Be Hard” Luke 3:1-20 This morning you we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2018

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? A year D sermon.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times. House of Prayer Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Is Hard

Contributed by Rakesh Sharma on Oct 25, 2024

As we navigate through difficult seasons, let us remember that faith is not the absence of doubt but the perseverance through it. Trust in God's goodness, rely on your community, and keep your eyes on His miracles, for in every challenge lies the opportunity for profound growth.

>> Opening Bible Reading Luke 7:18-23 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 19 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational