Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Good Words For Bad Days Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 18, 2009

Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard. But our text has some encouraging good words, particularly right now. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Good Words for Bad Days II Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BadDays.html Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard and things come crashing down on you. But our text has some encouragingly good words God wants to remind us of, particularly right now. Have you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Temptation

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

1. Temptation is a process. 2. Temptation comes from the enemy. 3. Temptation comes in beautiful packages. 4. Temptation hits us where we are weak. 5. Temptation blinds us from reality. 6. Temptation builds us up before knocking us down. 7. Tempta

Power of Temptation Genesis 3:1-12 Historian Shelby Foote tells of a soldier who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War and was ordered to go to the rear. The fighting was fierce and within minutes he returned to his commanding officer. "Captain, give me a gun!" ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-12

Denomination: Church Of God

The Door

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Apr 29, 2009

>> JESUS SAID BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK, AND IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR** AND ALLOW ME TO COME IN, WE WILL FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER. IN OUR TEXT TODAY, JESUS SAYS “I AM THE DOOR”. HE GAVE US THE MOST SIMPLE ILLUSTRATION HE COULD

3/21/04 THE DOOR JOHN 10: 7--11 INTRODUCTION: REV. 3:21>> JESUS SAID BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK, AND IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR** AND ALLOW ME TO COME IN, WE WILL FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER. IN OUR TEXT TODAY, JESUS SAYS “I AM THE DOOR”. HE GAVE US ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth Scene 4 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 1, 2013

Christ died on the cross for you; he went to the grave for you; and even today he stands at the door of all people and knocks...notice he doesn’t crash the door, we have to invite Him in, take the gift of eternal life by faith. Ruth gave Boaz permission a

Ruth has come all the way from the land of Moab into the heart and home of Boaz. And we who were one time strangers, far from God, without hope in the world, are now sealed in the heart and home of Jesus. We today have been redeemed into the family of God, and one of these days we are going to live ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Getting Through Worry And Anxiety

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 13, 2008

Is what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6 reasonable: “Don’t be anxious about anything…?” When overcome with worry and anxiety we can either let anxiety knock us down like a bowling ball getting a strike or we can work through our anxieties and wo

Getting Through Worry and Anxiety Philippians 4:4-9 A small boy was struggling over his homework, and finally turned to his father and said, “Oh, what’s the use of going to all this bother of getting an education anyway?” “Son, it’s mighty important,” the father replied. Before you’re too much ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Are You Prepared

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

In Bucyrus Ohio, at Oakwood Cemetery there is a grave inscribed Malete G. Hanzakos born 1882 Andea Sparta Greece. He immigrated to New York and changed his name to Mike Hanzas. He was a tall, muscular, man, who was known to have knocked the punching bag clean off its swivel.

Are You Prepared? “But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.” Luke 24:1 Intro: In Bucyrus Ohio, at Oakwood Cemetery there is a grave inscribed Malete G. Hanzakos born 1882 Andea Sparta Greece. He immigrated to New York and changed his name ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Opposing The Opposition

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 21, 2015

These are hard times for the churches across North America. We have the greatest message the world could ever hope to hear but people shut their ears and hearts to it. So what are we to do?

Opposing the opposition - Jeremiah 11:18-20 This week I was drawn to the book of Jeremiah. God called him to a difficult task at a difficult time. Jeremiah was calling out to the people of God but they wanted none of it. In fact they had enough of Jeremiah and planned to kill him because he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20, 1 Peter 4:16-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reflecting God's Holiness In Love Series

Contributed by Stan Rodda on Jun 24, 2005

It’s hard to pinpoint being holy like God. But if we just look at it from the perspective of love, then maybe we can understand God’s holiness and reflect it better in our own lives!

Reflecting God’s Holiness in Love! Every week my son Grant does something that I could probably use in a sermon in some way. I just love watching him and seeing the things he does and I try to remember as many of them as possible because they make such good illustrations. Parents, did you know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Grow Up! Part Iii

Contributed by James May on Dec 29, 2002

The last in a three part series on Spiritual Maturity.

IT’S TIME TO GROW UP Part 3 Spiritual Immaturity Instability in the Faith Ephesians 4:11-16, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kids!

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Aug 4, 2005

Kids can be agravating...They drive adults nuts Kids need safe homes and the church should be a safe place.

“Dad can I have a glass of water please?” “No, go to sleep.” “Dad, I’m thirsty, can I have a glass of water please?” “NO, go to sleep.” “Daaaad, I’m really thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water please?” “No, and if you ask once more I’ll spank you” (Silence) “Dad, when you come into spank me can ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Congregational

Team Of The Shrewd

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Apr 1, 2012

People of this world are shrewd in their secular dealings, and Christians can likewise be shrewd in their spiritual development, not at the expense of virtue but in pursuit of it.

Yesterday morning, I went outside to cut the grass. I put on my jeans and a ratty old aloha shirt. I put on my yard work shoes, my hat and sunglasses, and my big yellow ear muffs. I climbed up on the tractor, pulled out of the garage. BOY, it was a beautiful day. I ride down to the end of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

Finishing School

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on May 8, 2007

When a person is almost right. He needs finishing school to help with the details. Pricilla and Aquilla help Apollos.

Finishing School Acts 18:24-28 Last week Paul took off from Corinth leaving Silas and Timothy behind and traveled with Pricilla and Aquila. They arrived in Ephesus and Paul only stays a short time before he completes his journey which goes through Caesarea and Jerusalem. That loop ends the first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:24-28

Denomination: Congregational

Secrets Of The Dream Keepers

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 30, 2013

Many individuals in Scripture received dreams from God that pointed to their potential great service or possibilities. Often these individuals experienced circumstances, for years, which contradicted God’s dream. What steps did they take to hold on & see

SECRETS OF THE DREAM KEEPERS Numbers 12:6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. a. "Doctor, I really need your help", I said. "Every night for the past two weeks I’m dreaming about some rats playing football." b. "Here, take these pills tonight before you go to bed and you will be fine." c. "But can ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Become A Better Boaster

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Feb 2, 2014

Paul teaches us that we have something better to boast about than worldly wealth or smarts. We have Jesus!

The post-game interview was all the talk among football fans. Even in a league known for brash and swaggering athletes his words stopped viewers in mid-chew of their chicken wings to ask one another: “Did he just really say that?” I’m talking about the interview given by Richard ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Lutheran

A Family Kind Of Place

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Nov 5, 2010

God is keenly interested in children and in family life. God wants the family to be the true laboratory of life, where family members ... regardless of age ... live, learn, love and grow in the Christian graces.

The photo that was flashed across the country told the heartbreaking story of an American tragedy. A weary fireman held the limp, lifeless body of a little child. The little girl was killed in the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. Her name was Baylee Almon, and she was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Denomination: Baptist