Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Talking Religion

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Many of us have a hard time talking with others about our faith. Jesus gives us a good example.

“1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat them. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, `Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' 3 Jesus answered them, `Have you never read what David did when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5, Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 27, 2021

The cross of Christ is hard and difficult, but Jesus asks us to deny yourself, lose yourself, and take up our cross.

Mark 8:31-38 The Burden of the Cross • It used to be that we could carry our own suitcase and sometimes they were heavy • . Now, we have wheels on the suit cases even back packs have wheels to make it easier. • When I was at my last appointment we did a Cross walk from Gazebo to The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Methodist

Why Are We Told To Wait For God?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 11, 2023

Waiting for something to happen is hard to do. But there is a purpose for waiting. Can Christians learn to wait without having a negative attitude?

Have you actually taken the time to notice how many fast-paced things are in our society now? You can stroll through any grocery store or convenient store and see all the ‘instant’ items that are for sale. There is instant coffee, instant tea, soup, grits, oatmeal, potatoes, milk, instant internet ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Laying On Of Hands Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Nov 10, 2022

It’s hard to be offended at someone who has laid their hands on us, prayed over us and blessed us.

1st Timothy Laying on of hands November 13, 2022 1st Timothy 4:12-14 NIV Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12-14, 2 Timothy 1:6-7, 1 Timothy 5:20, 1 Timothy 2:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Roll Up Your Sleeves Kind Of Love.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 12, 2023

According to therapist, Dan Wile, “Marriage takes sacrifice, hard, work, and the ability to put up with disappointments and cope with frustration.”

A Roll Up Your Sleeves Kind Of Love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8aNLT A recent e-mail asked readers to reflect on the following questions: Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Heinemann trophy winners. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. Name ten ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Pentecostal

Trusting In A God Who Knows

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Jun 2, 2018

BUT PERHAPS THIS MORNING /EVENING IT`S SOMEONE HEAR UNDER THE SOUND OF MY WEAK VOICE AND THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE GOT YOU FEELING LIKE CHIPPIE SUCKED IN A VACUUM WASH OVER WITH A COLD CIRCUMSTANCES THATS BLOWING YOU WITH THE HEAT OF A HEAVY HEARTACHE

Job 23:10 (NKJV) 10  But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD VERY BRIEFLY I WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT (TRUSTING IN A GOD WHO KNOWS ) MY BROTHERS AND MY SISTERS A STORY IS TOLD OF CHIPPIE THE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Opportunity For Thanks

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 24, 2023

His sacrifice of thanksgiving meant that he wanted everything about his new life to be an expression of thanks for all the Lord had done for him.

In our Thanksgiving series this month, we have been studying from the book of Psalms, chapter 116. We heard about the foundation of thanks which is the grace of God and about the overflow of thankfulness, which comes from receiving all that God has for you. Last week Rob spoke about the enemies of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wrap And The Woof

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Apr 14, 2013

I have heard it said: “living for God easy is hard; living for God hard is easy.” It is the difference between getting in the boat and setting down and standing on the edge and trying not to fall out. The latter isn’t a question of ‘if’ you fall out, it

Quotes: “Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your strength.” ― George Washington “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your purpose.” –Aristotle “Faith is taking the first step, even when you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 97:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Get Free From A Stubborn Habit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Many sincere Christians are caught in a trap. They have a habit that is extremely hard to change, perhaps an addiction. This message talks about what it takes to break free.

John 10:10 6/19/16 Intro Jesus said (in John 10:10), “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV).1 God’s purpose for every child of God is that we would live a rich, full, rewarding life. God wants you and me to enjoy ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 John 1:9, Luke 15:18, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Galatians 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

O, How Shall I Receive You?

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 6, 2018

Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of our heavenly King. How do we receive him in our Christian community and in our personal lives? Are the gates wide open, or does he need to knock at our door, locked from the inside?

[Sermon preached on 3 December 2017, First Sunday in Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] This past week, Finland had the honor of welcoming three royal visitors: Prince William of the United Kingdom, Prince Daniel of Sweden, and Prince Constantijn of my own home country, the Netherlands. The media ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10, Luke 19:28-40, Revelation 3:20-22

Denomination: Lutheran

All Kinds Of People Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 18, 2023

You can learn from observing people. It is amazing that King Solomon could see this much from his palace. Solomon was observing people who were working hard, and he observed that their inward motive was envy. We could find this type of person very commonly.

You can learn a lot from watching people. You could be at the Atlanta airport at the busiest airport in the world or at a quiet rural restaurant and you will find a variety of people. We can become students of people. Knowing what makes people tick and learning from others is wise. We are ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Through Life With Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 10, 2024

We have to... 1. Learn the truth about the Lord (vs. 17-21). 2. Change our spiritual clothes (vs. 22-28). 3. Receive God's renewal in our lives (vs. 23).

Walking through Life with Jesus Christ Ephesians 4:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared May 10, 2024) BACKGROUND: *Remember that the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote four letters. Three were sent to churches, and one was to a Christian friend. All ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-28

Denomination: Baptist

Peeking Into The Closet Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 10, 2016

This is a four week series looking at some hard stories from the bible. In our first week we examine why we need to look into the closet.

Skeletons in God’s Closet, intro They are lurking in of our closets, things that we wished we had never done, words we wished we had never spoken. Families have them, churches have them and individuals have them. Because we all make mistakes. We all have skeletons in our closets. Some are ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:7-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Motivation To Pray

Contributed by Brad Rigney on Nov 28, 2005

Prayer is often hard to follow through. We want to pray - we know the importance of prayer. But have you ever considered what it is needed to motivate you to pray?

Our Need for Prayer Matthew 5:1-12 Intro.: A. This passage is a classic teaching about “What it means to be a Disciple – a Follower of Jesus.” Matt. 5-7 Jesus sits down with the crowd following Him and began to Teach them. - vs. 1-12 – the Beatitudes; Jesus teaches them and us how we can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Adventist

Persevere For Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 22, 2025

As a Christian, what would you do if Jesus came to your door? What would you do with Him? Hebrews 12 addresses that issue by telling us things we could do honor Jesus if He knocked on our door and asked to come in.

OPEN: Back in the 1960s the Beetles were becoming international sensation. Paul McCartney (who became the lead singer for the group) soon learned the downside of fame, as many people would just “drop by” his home and want to visit with him. Not only was it annoying, but he soon realized that many ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ