Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Anywhere But Nineveh

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 29, 2018

God has a Nineveh for every one of us -- a place we don't want to go; a command we don't want to obey. Going to Nineveh is unpopular, it will cost us, it doesn't make sense and it's hard. But God's purpose in dealing with us is to save many souls.

ANYWHERE BUT NINEVEH Jon. 1:1-17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A city slicker pulled up to a farmhouse. He saw a farmer's wife on the front porch. 2. He pointed down the road; "Can I get to Quincy that way?" "Yep." "How far is it?" "25,000 miles!" 3. "What?" How far is it the other way?" "3 ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus And Giving Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Nov 11, 2020

Today we will turn to examine what Jesus had to say about giving. And we will ask what giving looked like to Jesus. The passage in Luke 14:15-33 is considered one of the "Hard Sayings of Jesus". And indeed, it takes a bit of explanation to make sense of it.

Jesus and Giving Text: Luke 14:15-33 Luke 14:25-33 (NIV) 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"the Woman At The Well" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Mar 25, 2022

Jesus came to make salvation accessible to all. He came to remove any barriers. Here He was breaking down the barrier of sin between man and God. The water the woman had come to draw from the well could only be obtained through hard labor. There was no button to push on the fountain.

“Going Public with Our Faith” John 4:1-26 Last week we welcomed we welcomed in the New Year by talking about what it means to go public with our faith. In the Scripture today we find that Jesus having gone very public with Hi ministry, was now traveling. He had to go through Samaria. While ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Is Still Risen!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

How does Jesus take the sting out of death? Life is still hard and losing a loved one is sad. How does Easter help? No matter what you're going through Easter doesn't change. Christ is still and always will be risen from the dead!

This Easter is unlike any that I’ve ever experienced and I’m guessing that I’m not alone in feeling that way. This is a rather strange Easter morning. The church is empty. Your normal family gatherings have likely been cancelled or postponed. You likely watching this worship service by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Denomination: Lutheran

Six Vivid Word Pictures Of False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Oct 15, 2020

Jude waxes poetic in the verses we will study tonight. We get to see another side of his writing style from the hard-hitting declarative statements and references to historical events, now to six vivid word pictures describing these false teachers who have invaded the local church.

Jude waxes poetic in the verses we will study tonight. We get to see another side of his writing style from the hard-hitting declarative statements and references to historical events, now to six vivid word pictures describing these false teachers who have invaded the local church. 12These people ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Grudges And Guilt

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jun 22, 2022

We have been talking about some of the things in life that set us back. We've talked about betrayal, temptation, the injustices of life, just plain hard times, and bitterness. When we are involved in any of these, we tend to become plagued with guilt and grudges.

For the past couple of months we have been talking about some of the things in life that set us back. We've talked about betrayal, temptation, the injustices of life, just plain hard times, and bitterness. Today I'm going to wrap all of this up as we talk about what these things can ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Philippians 3:7-9, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Version Of Labour Relations

Contributed by Craig Condon on Nov 24, 2015

If we start asking ourselves who deserves to be forgiven, we soon find out that the answer is no one. No matter how hard we work, we can’t be “good enough.” The good news of the Gospel is that what can’t be obtained by good works,

A poor man walking in the forest felt close enough to God to ask, “God, what is a million years to you?” God replied, “My son, a million years to you is like a second to me.” The man then asked, “God, what is a million dollars to you?” God replied, “My ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Anglican

Famous Last Words On Witnessing Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 3, 2024

1). We are to witness from God's Word. 2). Witness through hard suffering. 3). Witness with great urgency. (Material adapted from Matt Proctor's book called "Victorious", chapter 8 "Bear Witness Boldly")

HoHum: We are uncomfortable with the word witness- mainly because there is another group out there who has overtaken the word. They are the same group who claim to be the 144,000 talked about in chapter 7 of Revelation. Much of that group’s theology comes from misunderstandings of the end times, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:9-11, Revelation 11:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Encouragement For The Down Hearted

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Jun 4, 2024

Everywhere we go, we see or here about people who are having hard times in life. And most of the time, all we see is people thinking about nothing and no one but themselves. Did you know that the Bible encourages us to think of others before ourselves? See for yourself.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT We could all use a little encouragement sometimes, right? It’s so easy to become weighed down with the stressors of life. Maybe you find yourself on the precipice of discouragement because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Uriah’s Be Careful

Contributed by Samuel M on Jun 24, 2024

Uriah blindly trusted David because of his reputation and position, without discerning his intentions and motives. Uriah worked hard and had a good reputation at work, yet he died as a result of David's grave sin. Uriah’s only mistake was blindly believing David.

And David wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the [c]hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” 2 Samuel 11:15 When a man of God is living in sin, he is more dangerous than Satan. Run away from a man of God who is living in sin; he is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:15

Prayer & The Plan Of God - Matthew 6:10c Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 5, 2024

This message will help you learn how to get past devastating things in your past, and how to have joy even when God’s plan for you in the present is excruciating. When God’s plan for you is hard, learn the difference between standing in front of the train and getting on it.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 37 – We Look At The Crimes Of Edom; Their Evil Against Israel - Chapter 4:20-22 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 4, 2025

With Israel’s defeat, all means were used against them in the name of hate. Ambushes and murder from Edom was despicable. God had not overlooked it. The end of Chapter 4 has Edom in God’s sights so the evil done to Israel will come hard on their own heads.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 37 – WE LOOK AT THE CRIMES OF EDOM; THEIR EVIL AGAINST ISRAEL - CHAPTER 4:20-22 This is the last of the descriptions of the plight of the refugees. Their lot was a very sad one indeed. Verses 17 to 20 are a set of four that look at the awful conditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:20, Lamentations 4:19, Lamentations 4:21, Obadiah 1:11, Obadiah 1:12, Obadiah 1:13-14, Obadiah 1:10, Psalm 137:7, Zechariah 2:8, Joshua 21:45, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 24:37-39, Jeremiah 49:10, Jeremiah 49:13, Jeremiah 49:16-17, Lamentations 4:22, Revelation 6:1-2, Zechariah 14:4, John 19:30, Revelation 15:1, Revelation 6:3-8, Revelation 6:12-17, Matthew 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Agnostic Nazarenes - Mark 6:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

In his hometown, the people didn’t believe Jesus because he was a local handyman. Such an irrational conclusion is due to living by feeling instead of fact. Agnosticism is an effort to justify ignorance.

Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him and such miraculous ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:54-58, Luke 4:16-30

Whoa! Who Is That? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 6, 2013

A study of the book of Ruth chapter 2 verses 1 through 23

Ruth 2: 1 – 23 Whoa! Who Is That? 1 There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Jesus-One Of Us Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Sep 6, 2003

When it comes to our eternity we ALL need help. No matter how hard we work at it we can never EARN our salvation. 1. The Problem–easily identifiable, Sin. 2. The Prognosis–Remove Sin, you are safe; stay in, you are dead. 3. The Prescription–demands

Jesus–One of Us Series: Messages from Hebrews 2:5–18 Hebrews INTRODUCTION We all have problems from time to time that require professional help. If you have car trouble you call a mechanic. If you have Health problems you call a doctor. Would you let someone work on your car who had never even ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ