Sermons on Hard Knocks:

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard To Understand - John 6:60 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 14, 2025

Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across what the world calls “reasonable”? Maybe you’ve read something in Scripture and thought, “Lord, this is hard to understand!”

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard to Understand John 6:60 (NLT): “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’” Introduction: When Faith Doesn’t Make Sense Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 6:63, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Message

Contributed by Jeff Pearce on Jun 29, 2008

FINDING COMFORT IN HARD TIMES.

THE MESSAGE INTRO: WORLD OF PAIN AND SORROW 1: TAKE A LOOK AROUND A) SO MANY BAD THINGS IN THE WORLD B) PEOPLE MAKING BAD DECISIONS C) NATURAL DISASTERS POINT: GOD IS SPEAKING TO THE WORLD NOT JUST AMERICA BUT THE WHOLE WORLD HIS MESSAGE IS CLEAR AND TRUE. SADLY THE HUMAN RACE IS TURNING A ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-10

Denomination: Other

Can God Have A Son?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 20, 2009

Nothing is too hard for God!

My understanding is that Islamics and even some groups who use the term Christian have a problem with Jesus being the Son of God. After all, one means one how can God have a Son? While I understand that the doctrine of the Trinity or Tri-unity of God is hard for the human mind to grasp, it is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 48:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

I’m Still Standing Only Because Of God

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Aug 23, 2012

Life can be... is hard.

Hebrew: Hebrew is written and read right-to-left. Psalm 119 = (136 verses [22x8]) • The Hebrew Aleph-Bet (alaphbet) has 22 letters. • Psa. 119 is an Acrostic. (There are several of them throughout the OT). • Paleo (Ancient)-Hebrew was pictographical. o Aleph = Ox Head o Bet = ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ot Trinity

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 11, 2025

Not hard to find the Trinity in the OT.

Isa 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. 13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. 14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:12-17, Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 46:9

Denomination: Baptist