Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Unity Is Hard To Come By Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 6, 2014

A sermon on barriers to unity (adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Graciously United, pages 308-314)

HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- A few years ago I visited a couple in their home. Both husband and wife had lived most of their lives apart from Christ and His church. Their marriage- a second marriage for both- had grown rocky. The 50 year old husband faced a frightening battle with cancer, and neither ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Hard-Headed Followers

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 8, 2011

Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another.

Hard-Headed Followers January 9, 2011 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another. Focus Passage: I Samuel 8:10-22 Supplemental Passage: 1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Not Hard

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 11, 2010

Often, people say, “If God would only speak audibly telling me what He wants me to do life would be so much easier.” God wants us to do His will, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. But realize that knowing and doing God’s isn’t that hard.

It’s Not Hard Deuteronomy 30:11-20 Introduction: As the golfer approached the first tee, a hazardous hole with a green surrounded by water, he debated if he should use his new golf ball. Deciding that the hole was too treacherous, he pulled out an old ball and placed it on the tee. Just then he ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Surviving Hard Times

Contributed by Akindele Opoola on Feb 11, 2011

Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. But as xtians we have antidotes against har

Surviving Hard times Gen 35: 15 -20 Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. But as xtians we have antidotes against hard ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Cracking The Hard Seedcoat Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 24, 2013

The hard surface of our hearts must be scarified or we cannot grow and we cannot bear fruit.

Wednesday of Holy Week 2013 Seeds 3 [Preacher: You should have a bluebonnet seed or other seed and either sandpaper or vinegar.] We come to what we might call the last day of the triduum before the Great Triduum, and to the moment Church tradition calls “Spy Wednesday.” This is the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9

Denomination: Catholic

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

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

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

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

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

Resting Is Hard Work PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual rest in God, its relevance in our lives, and our responsibility to embrace and live in this rest.

Good morning, cherished family of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to be still and know that He is God. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's so easy to lose sight of the peace and rest that our Father so generously offers us. We are often caught up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Topics: Rest, Self-Care