Sermons on Hard Knocks:

When Life Really Gets Hard (Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

God gives wisdom to those who ask and enables them to successfully navigate difficult circumstances in life.

When Life Gets Really Hard (II) James 1:5-12 4-27-08 We are currently in the book of James, chapter 1. James begins this book with the subject of trials. Is anybody in a trial at this time in your life? Has anybody here walked thru a few valleys during your Christian journey? What is the one ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-12

Denomination: Charismatic

#2doomed: Spiritually Blind And Hard Headed!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 8, 2006

This is a series on Spiritual blindness, in this lesson we consider hard headedness and stubborness as problems that blind spiritual eyes.

#2 DOOMED TO FAILURE BECAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS. HARD HEADS OF SPIRITUALLY BLIND PEOPLE? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this lesson in two parts. I. SPIRITUALLY BLIND PEOPLE HAVE HARD HEARTS AND HARD HEADS AND THEY REFUSE CORRECTION. ARE WE PUTTING GREAT EFFORT IN ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:15-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Help For The Hard Storms Of Life - Part 2

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 16, 2008

Most of the worst storms we’ll face won’t have anything to do with the weather. But someday, you will find yourself in a storm just as serious as Paul faced here.

Help for the Hard Storms of Life - Part 2 Acts 27:21-44 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - June 4, 2008 *I’ve been in a few bad storms. In 1982 I was flying to Korea to help negotiate a contract for the Air Force, and while we were out in the middle of the Pacific, we went through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:21-44

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping Our Faith During The Hard Times

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 26, 2022

We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It's difficult even to think of joy in those trying moments, yet James wrote that believers should consider trials joyous.

Hard times. We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It may be a financial loss that caused the hard times. It may be a job loss that caused the financial loss. It may be a relational loss - breaking up with someone we thought would be a lifelong friend. When these hard ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Rocky Revelations - Part 2 - Knock Down Vs. Knockout Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 16, 2009

The "Italian Stallion" faced some serious opponents. He squared off with the "Master of Disaster", "The Southside Slugger", and "The Siberian Express" just to name a few. Each time Rocky shocked the world! He won our hearts. He can also teach a thing o

Rocky Revelations Part 2 – Knockdown vs. Knockout I. Introduction In part one of this series we talked about pain. Pain is inevitable. Pain is impartial. Pain has a purpose. Pain purifies us. Pain speaks to us. Pain pushes us. Pain positions and prepares us. Pain makes us rely on God. ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Time To Engage: "Following Hard After God”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 9, 2025

The impulse to follow God originates with God, but it’s our responsibility to follow. We are told throughout the Bible that we’re to seek the Lord. As we purpose to follow hard after God, He upholds and strengthens us as seen in the Psalmist description of a deer in search for water.

Time To Engage “Following Hard After God” Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFndeU2Ewgg Let me get this out of the way, and that is, I’m not saying it’s hard to follow God. In fact, God even said it isn’t. In fact,  He said it was downright easy, which is something ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:8

Denomination: Foursquare

"knocking On Heaven’s Door:" The Friend At Midnight

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 9, 2023

This Sunday in our series, “Parables to Live By,” our of Luke’s gospel, we’ll be looking at the Parable of “The Friend at Midnight,” whose overarching theme is about prayer and our knocking on Heaven’s door for God to hear our plea.

Parables to Live By “Knocking on Heaven’s Door:” The Friend at Midnight Luke 11:5-13 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEL0NII1Shs In 1973, Bob Dylan wrote what some consider one of the most famous folk songs in the U.S. It was written for the movie, “Pat Garrett and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Foursquare

The False Prophet Balaam: When Opportunity Knocked, He Answered Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 28, 2025

The king of Moab had a problem: Israel was near his territory. He called on Balaam to come and curse Israel. This king gave Balaam what might be considered the opportunity of a lifetime. How did Balaam respond?

(Edited from and based on a message preached Sunday evening, 2-16-25 at New Hope Baptist Church of Fulton, MO; this is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The story of Balaam is, or at least used to be, one of the saddest in the entire Bible. It seems he knew the One True God and could ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Work So Hard?

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

Hard work has limited appeal if its only purpose is to accumulate riches or make us more comfortable. Work becomes meaningful when it is seen as service and as ministry.

Romans 12:1-8 “Why Should I Work So Hard?” INTRODUCTION Things were going so good immediately following the creation. God had placed Adam and Eve in an idyllic situation—a garden that supplied everything that they needed. God took care of them, and the concept of work was as far beyond ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

It Can Be Hard When Everybody Knows You

Contributed by David Haun on Jan 9, 2004

When Jesus went home to Nazareth, he took his disciples with him. Why? What did they learn from the trip? What message does it offer for us?

"IT CAN BE HARD WHEN EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU" (Mark 6:1-6) Introduction There is an unwritten "rule" that exists in ministry. It’s a "rule" most ministers recognize. The rule: "Never return as pastor to your childhood church." So often going back home just won’t work, because folk in your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unity, Worship And Relying On God In Hard Times.

Contributed by Hannah Pinkstone on Dec 16, 2002

in hard times bring Christians close to share with you and intercede for you. worship from beginning to end and always trust God’s way! speak the name of Jesus in the face of the enemy!!

You know how you can get excited about something, so much that when you try to tell people all about it, it just comes out as over excitement?!?!?! Well, I’m excited about this chapter, it’s really cool. So I’ve tried my best to make this part a ’preach’ that’s will be understood, and that it will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gods Will Easy Or Hard, It's Our Choice Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on May 31, 2007

Doing Gods will

INTRO: Fidel Castro, leader - Communist party in Cuba 36 years. Man spent his whole life building something that’s on the verge of collapse. Someone asked him, “why don’t you just give up? Your system is a failure.” He says, “Why give up something you believe in?” Castro ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Even Great Faith Struggles With Hard Truths

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 6, 2009

Job illustrates the answer to, "what is reality".

Even Great Faith Struggles with Hard Truths! Job 14 Scripture Introduction: Please turn with me to Job 14. Have you ever experienced a run in with reality? The reality that life is tough and no matter what you do it remains tough… Have you noticed that your body is decaying and you can’t stop ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Work, Sharing Jesus Stories And Resting!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jul 26, 2006

After being sent out in teams, the disciples shared their stories with Jesus and he invited them to rest. We too are called to work hard, share ’Jesus’ stories and to rest.

“The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught” (v30). Jesus had sent the disciples out in twos, with instructions (6:8-11). They had gone out with the message of repentance (6:12); they had anointed many sick people with oil and healed them (6:13). It seems ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Anglican

Part 1 - Marital Rocks And Hard Places Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 10, 2009

Part one six on marriage and family

…let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7: 17b (NRSVA) Today we are beginning a six-part series on marriage and family life. Family life is not just about husband, wife, 2.3 kids, the dog and a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist