Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Harmony And Fire

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Nov 19, 2022

Luke 12:49-53 is paradoxical. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but in this passage, He says He is bringing division. This sermon explores how this fits with the overall message of Luke.

Harmony and Fire I. TEXT: Luke 12:49-53 (NRSV) “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Thankful Series

Contributed by Dennis King on Nov 21, 2022

Are you truly thankful?

What are you thinking of for this upcoming Thanksgiving Day? I've known in years past, the day before and Thanksgiving morning were a time of stress for the hostess of the family get-together. Stress such as, how's the turkey in the oven doing? Is it browning or is it getting over cooked? ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

No Graven Image: The Curse Of Idolatry Series

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Nov 21, 2022

God does not share His glory. He alone is to be worshipped, revered, and honored as King and God. The fall of the nation of Israel is a grim reminder of how deeply idolatry offends God. He both exposed and judged their sin.

God does not share His glory. He alone is to be worshipped, revered, and honored as King and God. The fall of the nation of Israel is a grim reminder of how deeply idolatry offends God. He both exposed and judged their sin. In J.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", a scene takes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39, 2 Kings 17:6-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Abandonment Issues Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

This story places the Israelites’ emotional development pretty squarely in the adolescent stage, because they behaved just like a bunch of teenagers left too long with the keys to the wine cellar.

How many of you have children? Did you have any idea, while you were painting the nursery and picking out your first set of onesies, how much of your life would get taken over? Children take a huge amount of time and attention. And of course it gets worse when they start to crawl and then to walk ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Birth Of The Messiah Foretold

Contributed by Peter Reece on Nov 27, 2022

The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew's gospel looks ultra boring, but does in fact have important things to say. Matthew shows not only that Jesus is the Messiah, but He is the only possible Messiah.

I love watching all those television programmes where people explore their ancestry. Do you? In the words of the Ancestry website – it brings their back-story to life. Which is exactly what Matthew seeks to do with his genealogy of Jesus. Matthew wants to bring the back-story if Jesus, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Responding To A Christmas Miracle

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Dec 4, 2022

During this sermon, please listen to how Zachariah and Mary responded to the angel Gabriel and ask yourself, how should I respond to Christ’s birth so that I might honor Him rightly on His birthday?

Responding to a Christmas Miracle Luke 1:26-38 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 It is almost Christmas time again! While I am not a big fan of insane traffic and shopping in overcrowded malls, how I love to visit family and friends and gorge on some of the best cooking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Christ Of Christmas Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 21, 2022

Set aside the stress. Come to Jesus. Then tell everybody about Him. It’s the only way to face another Monday and all the days ahead.

Poor 4-year-old Landry, from Andover, Kansas, hesitated to go to school on another Monday this last winter (February 28, 2022). Here he is caught on his home’s outdoor security camara. Take a look (show video: 4-year-old has severe case of the Monday’s; www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9NeN8emtCM ). The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A New Year’s Message For Church Fellowships - 2023 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 24, 2022

2023 is upon us and it will be a challenging year. There is such diversity in our church fellowships but not always harmony. This message examines Peter, James, and John to gain truths for our churches in the new year.

MESSAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR 2023 – REVIEW OF WHAT IS ESSENTIAL DIFFERING PERSONALITIES IN A CHURCH FELLOWSHIP We have begun 2023. I don’t believe in new year resolutions, but always we should assess ourselves with the Scriptures as the standard. We have no other benchmark other than the bible, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 1:22-23, 1 Peter 2:20, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 4:8-10, Galatians 2:11-15, James 1:19, James 2:5, James 2:18, James 3:13, James 4:1, James 4:4, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 3:1, 2 John 1:7-9, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, 1 Peter 4:8, James 2:1, 3 John 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Two Kings

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 26, 2022

In the story of the birth of Jesus, we encounter the clash of two kings, both called the King of the Jews. In Jesus and Herod we find two opposite ways to live, and come to understand the real meaning of life. Hopefully all of us will choose to follow King Jesus rather than King Herod.

Introduction: A. Today I want to begin by talking about The Scrooge and The Grinch. 1. Personally, I have always enjoyed the story of the Grinch more than the story of the Scrooge, probably because of the humor of the Grinch and his little dog dressed up like a reindeer. a. The Grinch also has a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2, Galatians 3:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nothing Can Separate Us Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 19, 2025

Romans 8:31-39 teaches us that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because of five unanswerable questions.

Introduction Anyone who studies the Bible carefully knows that there are times when we reach a soaring peak of revelation and are left nearly breathless by the view. This happens when we come to the last great section of Romans 8. Commentators have called Romans 8:31-39 “a hymn of assurance,” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Great Grace

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Apr 21, 2025

The Disciples sold their possessions

Great Grace Acts 4:32-37 Good morning. In the C.S. Lewis book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Mr. Beaver said, “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh," said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hypocrisy Kills

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Apr 28, 2025

Ananias and Sapphira

Hypocrisy Kills Acts 4:36-5:11 Good morning… I heard a story about a bad snowstorm that happened while one of the employees had a scheduled day off and stayed in bed. But just then, his phone rang. It was his boss asking him to come in to work because many of the employees called and said they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Encounters Idolatry Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 2, 2025

Acts 19:21-41 shows us how God’s sovereign power confronts idolatry, calling his people to trust him and continue proclaiming the gospel boldly, even in the face of opposition.

Introduction In today’s text, Acts 19:21-41, we encounter a city in turmoil—a riot ignited by the powerful disruption of the gospel. Ephesus, a hub of idolatry and cultural pride, was shaken not by force or political movements but by the transformative power of God’s truth. Acts 19:21-14, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

3 Prayer Requests Of The Apostle Paul

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 5, 2025

Expository series on Philippians.

Title: Three Prayer Requests of the Apostle Paul Scripture: Phil. 1:9-11 Type Expository Series Where: GNBC 5-4-25 Intro: As a pastor it’s relatively common to have people ask me to pray for them about certain matters in their lives. One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Single Most Important Lesson In Life Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on May 8, 2025

When Jesus was asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" how did He respond? He gave the single most important lesson in life: Learn to love God and love others. Can I really learn to love? How does Jesus love?

What’s the single most important lesson God wants to teach us as Christians? Once you meet Jesus and know Jesus; what’s the first, foremost, and primary lesson He wants us to learn? It’s simple: He wants to teach us to love like Jesus. The single most important reason God put you on this planet ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist