Sermons on Hard Knocks:

A Safe Place In Hard Times Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 22, 2025

In the midst of life's overwhelming storms, discover the powerful promise of Psalm 9 that God Himself offers to be your personal and unshakable refuge.

A Safe Place in Hard Times I want you to think for a moment about the last time you were caught in a really bad storm. Here in the Philippines, we know what a real storm looks like, don't we? The sky turns dark, the wind starts to howl, and the rain comes down so hard you can barely see. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Not As Easy (Or Hard) As It Looks

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Aug 23, 2025

Being a Christian isn’t as easy as we think—our best efforts fall short before a holy God. But it’s not as hard as it looks either, because Christ has already done the impossible for us, giving us His Spirit and His strength to live as His people.

GOOD MORNING. There were definitely times that I thought that being a pastor would make it easier to be a Christian. I realized how foolish that was even before going to seminary watching some rather famous pastors fall very publicly to temptation in the 80’ and 90’s. And this isn’t about beating ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-24, John 8:25-36

Denomination: Anglican

Persevere Even If It Gets Hard

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2020

Believers are encouraged to not lose heart and give up, even in the face of trials and difficulties. To continue in the faith we should continue doing good toward others, continue in prayer, and continue in the word.

I take as our subject today, the call in Scripture to persevere—to steadfastly continue in the faith no matter what happens.. Some of you have walked with the Lord for many years. You have fought some battles. You have not done it perfectly, but you have continued to follow the Lord. You have ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Luke 18:1-8, Galatians 6:7-10, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 13:43, Acts 2:43, Acts 14:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

When Following Gets Hard...

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 17, 2024

The words of John 6:66 strike a solemn note in the heart of any believer. How could it be that those who once followed the Lord, who witnessed His miracles and heard His teachings, would turn away? What happened to cause these disciples to abandon their walk with Christ?

John 6:66 - From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. The words of John 6:66 strike a solemn note in the heart of any believer. How could it be that those who once followed the Lord, who witnessed His miracles and heard His teachings, would turn away? What ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66, John 6:60, Matthew 19:21-22

Hardness Of Heart Or True Friendship

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 24, 2025

Tested friends are the most valuable ones, sturdy shelters against future adversity.

Friday of the Seventh Week in Course 2025 Jeshua ben Sira was an Alexandrian Jew who spoke both Hebrew and Greek. About two hundred years before Jesus Christ his family gave us a compilation of his writings, which we call the Book of Sirach. It was used so often in the early Church that it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:20, Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Between A Rock And A Hard Place Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Sep 7, 2021

We have all been caught in the middle and painted into a corner. The Lord works in those times to help us draw close to Him.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place Exodus chapter 14 selected verses Introduction- Good morning, How you ever heard some of these familiar terms? Caught in the middle In a jam Painted in a corner Up the creek without a paddle These phrases let us know that someone is in ‘over their head.” In a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:15-18

Denomination: Nazarene

Stand Firm And Work Hard Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Apr 16, 2022

'Stand firm and work hard' might seem a very strange Easter message. But it's Paul's key message in 1 Corinthians 15 - the longest passage on the resurrection in the Bible. The resurrection gives us hope - and that hope gives us reason to stand firm and work hard.

Easter Sunday is the day when we celebrate the fact that God raised Jesus from death. When I say WE celebrate the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead, I mean, WE IN THIS CHURCH celebrate it. Clearly, a lot of other people DON'T celebrate it. A few years ago the Daily Telegraph conducted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Peter 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Those Hard Sayings Of Jesus

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 7, 2022

Jesus has a lot of hard sayings, doesn’t He?

Saturday of 3rd Week of Easter Jesus has a lot of hard sayings, doesn’t He? In the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, which we have been reading and studying, Jesus makes some demands of us regarding faith in Him and the communion sacrament. His clear teaching is that if we don’t follow Him all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69, John 5:1-9, Matthew 19:21-22, Matthew 19:3-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Hard Questions: Faith And Works Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 14, 2022

This is a Sermon in a series on the hard questions of the Bible. It addresses how to handle tension within Holy Scripture

March 13, 2022 sermon - Hard Questions 2: Faith & Works Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:14-26 Welcome to Church at the Mission, back in person! Are you happy to be here and not on your phone or computer? I am! We’re thankful to God that it has been possible to continue worship services and Bible ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Life Is Hard Jesus Is There Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Oct 15, 2021

This message goes from John 11 on the death Of Lazarus but goes beyond to all hard times in life.

“WHEN LIFE IS HARD JESUS IS THERE” John 11 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ July 25, 2021 VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/fGe6WlCL8dY INTRODUCTION: This morning, we come to a passage of Scripture which deals with death, a matter which is truly one of those hard things we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 28:20, Galatians 6:2, John 13:34-35, Psalm 27:10, Isaiah 49:15, Ecclesiastes 12:1-5, John 14:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is There Anything Too Hard For God? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

God’s power is greater than our problems; prayer and obedience invite hope and restoration even when circumstances seem impossible or overwhelming.

Some weeks feel like a siege, don’t they? The walls close in. The headlines howl. The bills glare. Your energy ebbs and your faith feels small. You stand at a window and you wonder, “How is this going to work?” If that’s you today, you’re in familiar, biblical company. Jeremiah knew about closed ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17-27

Topics: Possibility, Faith

Finding Hope In Hard Times SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

Naomi's story teaches us that even in the face of immense suffering and adversity, God's goodness, kindness, and mercy prevail.

The book of Ruth takes us back to a time when judges ruled in Israel, around 1200 B.C. It is often regarded as one of the greatest love stories ever written. Today, we will explore the lessons we can learn from the story of Ruth and Naomi. Naomi's decision to leave Bethlehem during the famine was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Topics: Naomi And Ruth, Overcoming Adversity

Staying Positive In Hard Times PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Encourage believers to persevere through life's challenges with joy, rely on God's strength, and find contentment in His provision, as guided by the scriptures.

Good morning, church family! You know, life can sometimes feel like a marathon, right? We’re running, we’re striving, we’re trying our best to keep going, but we inevitably hit those moments where we just feel like giving up. But let me share with you a nugget of wisdom that has been a source of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Topics: Perseverance

It's Hard To Say Goodbye PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

This sermon explores finding strength and hope in God's love and divine plan, even amidst the profound pain of losing a child.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, not as individuals, but as a united body, bound by our shared faith and love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in His name, and in His love, that we find solace, strength, and the courage to face the trials and tribulations that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Topics: Grief, Loss, Comfort

Nothing Too Hard For God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 14, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to trust in God's limitless power, navigate doubts with faith, and honor His omnipotence, despite human limitations and uncertainties.

Good morning, beloved family of God. I stand before you today, not as a stranger but as a fellow traveler, encouraging you to look up and see the greatness of our God. A God who is not confined by our understanding or our circumstances, but whose abilities are as boundless as the heavens. We find ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:14

Topics: God's Power