Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Blue Christmas: A Reflection From The 137th Psalm

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 12, 2020

Sometimes it is hard for people to be merry in the Christmas season.

Blue Christmas: A Reflection from the 137th Psalm Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy. It is a time we reflect upon the heavenly army singing “Peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Even the world joins in with Christmas lights and parties and singing songs like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Tradition

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 18, 2016

Traditions of men die hard, but they should die.

Tradition? During these holy days, many will be following traditions of men. Some can be dangerous as they can lead people away from the true Gospel. Others muddy the message taking the focus off of Christ. . Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:8

Denomination: Baptist

Discover You Life Map Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Mar 2, 2007

God wants us to discover our life map (the Bible) to help us in the Amazing Race of Life.

Discovering Your Life Map 2 Timothy 3:16-17 I had been the pastor of Georgetown United Methodist church for just over twenty-four hours when the call came into the church office. One of the long time members of the church was headed to Meadowview regional medical center in Maysville. She had a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

Perfect Through Suffering

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 10, 2009

We are not complete until we are life-giving, and that means that we, like Jesus, must suffer.

January 13, 2009 Strengths and Weaknesses We’d better get this one right, because if we don’t, life is pretty miserable. Our strengths are for others; our weaknesses are for our own growth. What we see in Hebrews here is an elaboration of the hymn St. Paul gives us in Philippians chapter 2. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-12

Denomination: Catholic

God's Message To His People

Contributed by James May on Dec 1, 2002

We sometimes need to develop a "holy hard headedness" to be used as a witness to the hard hearted people who God calls His own children.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Season To Be Selfless Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Selfishness is that sin we can hardly stand in others, or hardly see in ourselves. It is so hard to forgive in others, and so hard to forsake in ourselves.

On Dec. 7, 1682 the Great Law of Pennsylvania was passed which became the basis for governing the state for 94 years. It represented William Penn's ideal of a Christian state. It provided for religious freedom and the protection of individual rights. It provided for the care of poor and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

People? Let Us Study People... God Loves People.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 12, 2021

In ministry there are times we run across hard to love people. God desires us to LOVE PEOPLE. Hard to love people matter to Jesus.

LET US STUDY PEOPLE, GOD LOVES PEOPLE! DO YOU? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com CRUSHED? DO WE SEE THE LITTLE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE? MAYBE TO UNDERSTAND WE NEED TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. JOB WAS UNDER STRESS, PROBLEMS, TRIALS, DEATH AND SICKNESS UNDER A CRUSHING LOAD. … JOB ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:10, 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, Proverbs 18:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In The Meantime

Contributed by James ( Jim ) Highland on Jun 6, 2012

The context of Jeremiah's written promise of God, "I have a plan ad purpose for you" speaks to how can we endure the hard times and stay faithful to God.

In the Meantime Jeremiah 29:1-14 Introduction: All of us have stored in our mind favorite scripture quotations. We often pull them out to quote on an appropriate occasion. That may be called Biblical “cherry picking.” Seldom do we look at the larger passage from which the quote is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Circumstances

Contributed by Christopher Glenn on Mar 17, 2012

It's not your circumstances, it's your character that matters.

CIRCUMSTANCES Genesis 39:23 - Two of the great laws of life we must eventually learn are 1) Many circumstances we have in life are uncontrollable 2) Things don't always go as planned - Life just doesn't always go the way we want it to go. - Many things in life are beyond our control. - These ...read more

#1 Enlist As A Good Soldier! Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 15, 2008

#1 We study David’s last words about some mighty soldiers that helped him build a strong nation. Let us build the church by building STRONG SOLDIERS!

ENLIST AS A GOOD SOLDIER. THE LAST WORDS ABOUT GOOD SOLDIERS ... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aolcom I would like to thank Gene Hammon, Hazard, Ky. for the fodder that started this message. This is part one of a two part series. Our nation claims: WE NEED A FEW GOOD MEN. It is time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Parable Of A Father's Love

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

The awesome love and forgiveness of a Father for his wandering son and the contrast between a repentant sinner and a self-righteous older brother.

TITLE: Parable of a Father's Love TEXT: Luke 15:11-32 INTRO: The Bible is full of wonderful stories. There are stories of Adventure, Romance, Tragedy and Triumph. Today, we look at one of the best known stories in the entire Bible. It has been called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," but it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Of Utmost Concern Sermon Iv: The Redemption Of Enemies Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 12, 2020

When true believers get distressed by attacks upon Christianity, rising above anger felt toward enemies who seek to destroy adherence to Christian principles is hard but doable if mature Christians practice a special kind of love.

OF CONCERN TO OUR LORD AND MATURE CHRISTIANS IS THE REDEMPTION OF ENEMIES Complicated are many issues in life, not the least of which is dealing with enemies - whether internationally, nationally, locally or personally! The best way to address the subject is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Our Response To The Unexpected

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 15, 2024

This message is about how we respond to the unexpected events of our lives. As children of God, our core responses should always focus our attention on the One with the answer, not the problem before our eyes.

Our Response to The Unexpected Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; First John 3:21-22; Second Chronicles 20:1-29 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of the message this morning is “Our Response to the Unexpected.” I am going to open with a story recorded in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus and His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, 1 John 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Conscience And Its Characteristics

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 13, 2025

A dead conscience is a serious spiritual condition in which a person no longer feels conviction over sin or wrongdoing.

DEAD CONSCIENCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Supporting Texts: Romans 1:28-32, Titus 1:15-16, Ephesians 4:17-19, Hebrews 10:26-27, Jeremiah 6:15 INTRODUCTION: The conscience is God’s inner moral compass given to man to discern between right and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Testimony Of A Preacher Again Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 17, 2025

Acts 25:13-26:32 shows us how God’s grace transforms sinners into faithful witnesses.

Introduction Casey Diaz was born in 1965 in South Central Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents. His early life was marked by poverty, domestic violence, crime, and despair. By age 11, he had joined the infamous 38th Street gang. His life became a blur of robberies, assaults, and hardened ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed