Sermons on Hard Knocks:

31. Hebron Before Jerusalem (Parts 1 & 2) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 5, 2025

David understood the road to the palace was long. He mastered the idea that setbacks are sometimes God's setups

Hebron Before Jerusalem November 5, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Samuel 2 God advances His kingdom through Spirit-dependent obedience, patient waiting, and merciful leadership—not through pride, ambition, or personal vendetta. Go will often take us to “Hebron before ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Committed To Commitment

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 20, 2025

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your Christian life.

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger talks about a young man that frequently calls him in his office because he is absolutely miserable in life and desperately trying to find out what is missing in his Christian life. Dr. Belger has given him passages of scriptures that could change his life drastically, but ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Taking God For Granted

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Nov 27, 2025

Are we truly devoted to God whole heartedly no matter what? Or are we only Christianity to see what's in it for us? Are we taking God for granted or are we humble before him? Today, I want us to search our souls and our hearts for the answers to these questions as we dive into the Gospel.

The problem with our world today is not with a God who has never failed and is faithful from generation to generation. The problem in the world today are the hearts of evil men who take God for granted. And today, we turn to Psalms 78, and we see a chapter in Israel's history in which, time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hey Zach, Let's Go Home

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 30, 2025

Jesus stops under our tree, calls us by name, enters our desolate house, and fills our deepest loneliness with restoring, transforming grace.

Part One — The Ache for Home There is a painting by Norman Rockwell that I have loved for years. Even before I knew why it gripped me, it spoke to something deep inside — that universal ache, that timeless yearning we all have for home. Not simply a house or a street address, but the place where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Revelation 3:20, Isaiah 43:1, John 15:4, Ephesians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

It's Never A Fair Fight

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 6, 2025

God has already secured your victory; every battle is tilted in your favor because Christ fights for you and lives within you.

There is a strange honesty in the way life feels. No matter who you are, or where you’ve been, there comes a moment when you look at the landscape of your existence and whisper something with a sinking heart: “In the struggle of life, nothing is favored for my success or well-being.” That’s how ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:14, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:31, Joshua 6:2, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

It's About Time

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 7, 2025

God invites us to slow down—to listen before reacting, to speak with grace, and to let His Spirit shape our emotional responses. When we follow James 1:19, our relationships reflect the patient, gentle heart of Jesus.

There are moments in ministry that arrive quietly, without fanfare or warning, and yet they end up shaping the way you see people, see yourself, and even see God. One of those moments for me came on a day that seemed ordinary. I was on my way to visit a dear church member I hadn’t seen for too ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, Colossians 4:6, Psalm 141:3, Ephesians 4:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Sermon: Encouragement To Press On

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 9, 2025

Paul’s inspiring testimony of commitment forces us to look at our own lives—do we have the strategy we need to overcome our challenges? Or do we let our failures derail our dreams? And what could we accomplish if we were committed enough and had the strength not to give up?

Subject: Encouragement to Press On Text: Philippians 3:7-14 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10

Denomination: Methodist

Return To A Listening Heart

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 22, 2025

A pastor’s burden exposes spiritual deafness in the church and calls believers and leaders alike to listen, repent, realign, and return to Christ.

There are moments in ministry when the burden becomes heavier than the words. Moments when you stand before God with His people on your heart and realize that what troubles you most is not persecution from the outside, but resistance on the inside. God spoke through Jeremiah to a people who were ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:19, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17, Revelation 2:4-5, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Before You Say Amen

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 22, 2025

Prayer becomes heavy when it turns into performance. Jesus calls us back to honest, relational prayer—where pretending ends and real communion with God begins.

There are few subjects in the church that create more confusion—and more quiet frustration—than prayer. Not because people don’t believe in it. Most Christians believe deeply in prayer. They would defend it without hesitation. They know it matters. They know it’s essential. They know it’s supposed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8, Psalm 62:8, Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 4:15-16, Psalm 13:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Four Cartons Of Milk

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 25, 2025

Listening is a posture of presence that communicates care; hearing words is not enough—true listening keeps hearts open and relationships alive.

Let me start with something familiar. Have you ever been in a conversation where you were doing everything right on the outside—nodding at the right moments, making eye contact, even saying “yeah” or “uh-huh”—and then suddenly you realized you had absolutely no idea what the other person had just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:15, Revelation 2:11, Mark 4:23, Psalm 40:1, Psalm 34:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Discontentment PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2025

True contentment and lasting joy are found not in wealth or possessions, but in trusting God and valuing relationships above material gain.

Good morning, dear friends. I’m so glad you’re here. Some of us came in with a full schedule and an empty tank. Some of us came with a smile that covers a heart that’s sore. And some of us came with questions we aren’t sure we’re allowed to ask in church. If that’s you, you’re in good company. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17

Topics: Discontentment, Consequences

The Armor Of God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

God equips us with strength, armor, and prayer so we can stand firm, persevere, and find hope amid life’s battles and anxieties.

Good morning, friends. If you carried worry into this room, welcome. If your week felt like an uphill climb through fog and thorns, you’re in the right place. If your heart is tired, your prayers feel thin, and your hope seems to fade by midweek, hear this: God has not forgotten your address. He ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Topics: Armor, God, Spiritual Warfare

Blood Bought, Battle Fought PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

Christ’s priceless sacrifice secures our salvation, transforms our identity, and empowers us to live free from sin and shame through His unchanging grace.

Some of you limped into this room today under the weight of the week. Bills barking. Calendars crowded. Regrets replaying. You smiled at the door, but your soul is sighing inside. You wonder, Am I still seen? Still loved? Still secure? Friend, you couldn’t have walked into a better word for a weary ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Topics: Redemption, Victory

The Beasts: Kings & Kingdoms PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2025

God remains sovereign and present amid chaos; His eternal kingdom and faithfulness offer hope and courage to His people facing fear and uncertainty.

Friends, if ever there was a chapter for days like these, it’s Daniel 7. When headlines howl and hearts are heavy, when the future feels foggy and the ground beneath your feet won’t stop trembling, God whispers through this ancient text, "I still reign." Daniel’s night was full of beasts and winds ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-28

Topics: Exposition, Application, Daniel 7

Open Letter To The Churches Of Christ

Contributed by Jeff Hagan on Apr 28, 2022

Discussing and revealing troubling teachings in the Churches of Christ.

This serves as both an open letter to ministers, and others, in the Church of Christ and a bit of an inside look at the Church of Christ. Almost every source used comes from the writings of Church of Christ preachers and college professors. A bibliography is available at the end of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed