Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Lord Build Me In Hope Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Let me ask you this question: Have you decided to live? Have you truly embraced your own life? Or have you lost hope? Life can be really hard sometimes. And crazy things happen. We wonder if we can keep going. But I’m telling you today that if you’re here, then it’s not over yet.

“The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during stays in the city's hospitals. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child's name and room number ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

7 Reasons For King Saul’s Downfall Series

Contributed by Sam Jo on Oct 20, 2024

King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale.

Today, we’re going to talk about King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13

Denomination: Lutheran

Not My Favorite Christmas

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Pause and imagine Joseph explaining everything to his parents. “Yes, mom, as I told you earlier. Mary is a good young lady, and we didn’t do anything. She is “with child” because of the Holy Spirit, and I didn’t lay a hand on her. I know it’s hard to believe, but I promise you it’s true.”

No one wants to miss the magic of Christmas. And no one wants to have anything less than a fantastic Christmas holiday experience. Christmas is this wonderful time of year, and we want to spread that unmitigated joy to everyone! But there are just some Christmases that we don’t have the joy that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 30 – These Two Verses Look At God’s Protecting Anger Against Those Who Persecute His Own Believers - Chapter 3:65-66 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 1, 2025

If one opposes God’s own people, he comes under the judgment and curse of God. What does it mean, “God hardens the heart?” Let us examine what the CURSE of God means and trace some of the mentions. God’s anger was/is/will be displayed against persecutors and mockers. Grace considered.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 30 – THESE TWO VERSES LOOK AT GOD’S PROTECTING ANGER AGAINST THOSE WHO PERSECUTE HIS OWN BELIEVERS - CHAPTER 3:65-66 Now we conclude Chapter 3 with the last two verses. They are God’s response to the wicked and the mockers. It is a dangerous thing to be opposed ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:65, Exodus 7:3, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, Genesis 3:14, Genesis 3:17-19, Genesis 4:11-13, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 27:29, Leviticus 19:14, Leviticus 20:9, Leviticus 24:11-15, Deuteronomy 28:15-19, Galatians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Lamentations 3:66, 2 Samuel 9:3-5, Hebrews 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learning To Endure, Part 1

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Jan 4, 2012

A sermon on James and how God "gives the test first then gives the lesson."

I want to speak to you today about learning to endure. Now this is sort of a re-entry message. And we have learned to endure some things. And I don’t want to act like we endure so much because, really, I want to say with the apostle Paul, “Our light affliction is but for a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Palace Smart Not Street Smart

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 16, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 10: 1 – 19

2 Chronicles 10: 1 – 19 Palace smart not street smart 10 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. 2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 10:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Give Me A Week

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 14, 2011

God wants us to stop doing what’s wrong; He gave us His Spirit to do it, but we still have a fallen nature that makes it tough. I don’t think God wants it to be easy, because He wants us to work hard to show Him how much we love Him. Sin is easy, just ask

Give Me a Week I’ve been Amazed by those that are so quick to criticize someone’s character often struggle the most with their own. One thing I’ve learned in my 29 year relationship with God is that I’m messed up, and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Answer To Our Family Problems Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 13, 2021

1. Seek help from the Healer (vs. 1-2). 2. Turn away from the hardness in our hearts (vs. 3-8). 3. Let God set the standards for our homes (vs. 4-9). 4. Don't be overwhelmed by the obstacles (vs. 10). 5. Be ready to receive God's plan for your life (vs. 11-12).

God's Answer to Our Family Problems The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 5:27-32; Matthew 19:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 13, 2021) BACKGROUND: *We have been going through a verse-by-verse study of the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and today's Scripture in Matthew 5 covers ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32, Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Answer To Our Family Problems Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 27, 2022

1. Seek help from the Healer (vs. 1-2). 2. Turn away from the hardness in our hearts (vs. 3-8). 3. Let God set the standards for our homes (vs. 4-9). 4. Don't be overwhelmed by the obstacles (vs. 10). 5. Be ready to receive God's plan for your life (vs. 11-12).

God's Answer to Our Family Problems The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 19:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 27, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 19. We studied today's Scripture when we were going through the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and got to Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Duck Calls Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 27, 2014

The Robertsons have made millions producing duck calls that sound real and authentic to ducks. And they've reached 1000s with a witness that sounds real and authentic to the lost. What can we learn from their styles of witnessing?

OPEN: (I preached this sermon in hunting gear with a “deer call” around my neck. The opening 6 minutes were from a video of Jase Robertson telling of his first attempt at witnessing – answering a “prank” phone call at midnight and witnessing for 3 hours. You can find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Advancing In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Sep 1, 2023

When we face difficulties in life, it's important to know that we're not alone, for when we summit ourselves to God by living a holy life in allowing his Holy Spirit to direct our path, Angel armies are sent to work alongside us for the sole purpose of advancing his kingdom.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Ephesians 1:3-4) (3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (4) “According as He chose us in Him before ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-4, Psalm 113:7-8, Esther 8:15, Matthew 16:18-19, Psalm 91:3-7, Hebrews 12:22, Hebrews 1:7, Psalm 34:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Parable Of The Soils.

Contributed by David Goering on Mar 31, 2019

There are three types of impenitent bad soil hearers of the gospel and those who receive the word of God in good soil (a contrite heart) are the only ones who are converted to Christ.

Definition of impenitent - IMPEN'ITENT, a. Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; obdurate; of a hard heart. They died Impenitent. IMPEN'ITENT, n. One who does not repent; a hardened sinner. *Noah Webster 1828 dictionary SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:3-9 "And he spake many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

The Trademark Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 29, 2019

Circumcision was the "trade mark" of the Old Covenant. But what difference could that make to us? We're no longer commanded to be circumcised as they were back then.

Back in the 1990s, Reader’s Digest told the story of a soldier who was serving as a guard through the night. Early in the morning, he reported to his commanding officer who demanded, “Did you sleep well while on duty?” “What made you think that I fell asleep?” asked the surprised soldier. “Look ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hanging On Part Ii

Contributed by Joe Harding on Nov 17, 2003

GOD IS FOR US IN THE BATTLE

HANGING ON PART II: FACING YOUR DEMONS MARK 14:27-31/ LUKE 22: 31-34 NOVEMBER 16, 2003 INTRODUCTION: During a Monday night football game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, one of the announcers observed that Walter Payton, the Bears’ running back, had accumulated over nine miles in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Wake Up

Contributed by Joe Harding on Mar 6, 2002

GOD DESIRES OUR REPENTANCE, NOT OUR DESTRUCTION.

WAKE UP JOEL 2:1-2; 12-17 MARCH 3, 2002 SUNDAY PM SERVICE INTRODUCTION: “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves... the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-17, Joel 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist