Sermons on Hard Knocks:

God-Honoring Ambition Series

Contributed by Andy Flowers on Mar 9, 2009

WOrking hard for the Lord.

Title: God-Honoring Ambition Text: Chapter 2:11-20 God-honoring ambition leads to a life of purpose. Nehemiah 2:11-20 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Even The Mature Experience Failure Series

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 9, 2011

Noah preached for 120 years and knew what it was to resist temptation, but eventually it knocked him off his feet.

Intro: 1. C. S. Lewis, "A silly idea is current, that good people do not know, what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those, who try to resist temptation, know how strong it is. After all, you find out, the strength of a wind, by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

God's Good Word Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 24, 2013

God does what is good, because God is good. Our Good God acts in accordance with His Word. Therefore God's Word is good and as we learn here, His word is good for us

PSALM 119: 65-72 [The Ministry of The Word Series] [The Ministry of] GOD'S GOOD WORD [Hebrews 12:1-12] The psalmist has been attacked by lying enemies (v. 69; vv. 21, 51). He has experienced much affliction (vv. 67, 71). As a result his faith has been forged and purified in the fire. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:65-72

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing To Receive God's Will

Contributed by Kirk Wannop on Jan 16, 2011

It's hard to find God's will because it's hard to do God's will. While seeking God's will you are being prepared to succeed in it.

Preparing to Receive Gods Will Romans 12:1-2 Jan 9th, 2011 Every Christian should be occupied with finding the will of God. They should be obsessed with finding the will of God. If only finding our way into God’s will was as easy as turning on a GPS. Finding our way geographically is so ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Mennonite

The Shameful Truth Of A Man Exploits A Woman's Hard-Earned Money Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 18, 2024

In a society where gender roles are evolving, it's disheartening to witness men taking advantage of women's financial struggles.

A man who contributes minimally to the family's expenses, yet exploits his wife's earnings, is not only a financial burden but also an emotional weight. He neglects his responsibilities as a husband and father, leaving the woman to bear the brunt of living expenses, repairs, and emotional ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Colossians 3:21

Change Is Hard: God's Authority Over Transitions In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 24, 2024

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

There is one constant in life, it’s change. Everything changes over time. I’ve experienced numerous changes over my life. Change is often hard and awkward at first. But it can also be something that brings a lot of positives. But it never feels comfortable at the time. I remember when I first ...read more

Scripture: John 14:10-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

When The Holidays Are Hard: Finding Peace When You Can't.

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 1, 2022

The holidays are often the happiest time of the year for many people.  It’s easy to forget that for many, the family gatherings, songs, and celebrations overlook the losses they have endured - and instead of being the happiest season of all, it becomes a hard time of year.

When The Holidays Are Hard: Finding Peace When You Can't Introduction The holidays are often the happiest time of the year for many people.  It’s easy to forget that for many, the family gatherings, songs, and celebrations overlook the losses they have endured - and instead of being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19, Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Scandal Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 29, 2003

Grace is scandalous. It’s hard to accept, hard to believe, and hard to receive. Grace shocks us in what it offers. It is truly not of this world. It frightens us with what it does for sinners.

(MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary was used in preparing this message.) The Scandal of Grace In this series, we’ve been learning about the topic of grace. As we look at how Jesus dealt with people and at some of His parables, we’re discovering that these “Grace Encounters” radically ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18

Life's Short Stay Awake (The Parable Of The Serving Master)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 4, 2016

The translation we heard states that the servants are waiting for the master a better translation describes servants who are expecting the master.Waiting is passive, much like waiting for a bus or a cab. Expecting denotes excitement, energy, enthusiasm.

For those not familiar with and Anglican Service; There are four Scripture readings directly before the Message: Today's assigned readings are: Isaiah 1:10-20; Psalm 50:1-8,23-24; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16 and Luke 12:32-40 Bethlehem and Jerusalem are only 7 miles apart. Bethlehem ... the place of the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:6-8, Luke 11:5-6, Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Anglican

We Are Empty Handed Without God

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 24, 2014

To show that GOD does not want us to labor hard to earn money, but to labor hard for His Presence.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a hard worker to earn more money? STOP. Must be a hard worker in the ministry not in work to earn money for GOD gives money to us as a gift. It's a blessing. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD does not want us to labor hard to earn money, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:42

Denomination: Pentecostal

Suffering Saints

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jun 20, 2022

Suffering is hard to handle. It is easier when it is us going through it and not our loved ones, but it is still hard.

Suffering is hard to handle. None of us like it. Usually, we can handle it better in ourselves than having to watch friends and loved ones go through it. We were just like our children, and we ask why not only for ourselves but for others. If they're not careful, we try to inform others why ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Hebrews 12:5-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pit To The Palace Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 17, 2017

A series on the life application lessons we can learn from Joseph.

Life of Joseph Series; Trials Genesis chapter 37 Introduction- This morning we start a series called the life of Joseph. Most people know little about Joseph, they don’t know how many different things happened to him, both good and bad and how and why he became the person who saves a nation ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Nazarene

Tell It To Jesus

Contributed by Norm Beckett on Dec 29, 2000

when life deals a hard blow, tell it to Jesus!

"TELL IT TO JESUS" "John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus", (Matthew 14 : 12). What a birthday party! What a present! Herod’s birthday feast. One does not need to think to long or hard, to picture what type of party was in progress. A wild ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Here We Raise Our Ebeneezer Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

Today we could use a memorial like Samuel’s. It wasn’t a memorial of their hard times or of their more recent victories. It was a memorial to God’s faithfulness. Here we raise our Ebenezer because “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” That’s a reminder w

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Here We Raise Our Ebenezer 1 Samuel 7:12 Introduction: I recently saw a production of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” The play reminded me how much of an impression the classic Christmas tale has had on all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ