Sermons on Hard Lessons:

The Circle Maker 3: Pray Hard Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Nov 15, 2011

The Bible is a promise book and a prayer book. And while reading is reactive, prayer is proactive. Reading is the way you get through the Bible. Prayer is the way you get the Bible through you.

Introduction In standardized math tests, Japanese children consistently score higher than their American counterparts. While some assume that a natural proclivity toward mathematics is the primary difference, researchers have discovered that it may have more to do with effort than ability. In one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is God When Life Is Hard? Series

Contributed by Gerry Cheney on Jul 22, 2014

When you get blindsided by life, when things get overwhelming, and you find yourself surrounded by pain or terrifying circumstances, how do you handle it? This message seeks to begin to answer those questions.

Where is God When Life is Hard? Part I: Where is God? INTRODUCTION: When you get blindsided by life… how do you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-26

Denomination: Vineyard

You're Hard To Love

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on May 17, 2019

A sermon on how difficult it is to follow Jesus's commandment, "love one another."

You’re Not Easy to Love “I’m going away, but I will leave you with a new commandment; you should love one another as I have loved you.” This Gospel is a rewind, Jesus said these words at the last supper. John set the scene with Jesus eating dinner with his friends. Judas left and went out into ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Episcopal

"being A Christian Is Hard"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 20, 2019

The challenge of following Christ.

“Being a Christian is Hard” Luke 6:27-38 Someone said to me this week, “Being a Christian is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” and I would have to agree with them. Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: United Methodist

When We Find It Hard To Pray

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 26, 2021

Prayer is not a mood. It is our lifeline to all that is good and must be chosen above our feelings.

TITLE: WHEN WE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PRAY SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 8:26 / ROMANS 15:30 (This is not an original sermon, it is a combination of various ministers with my own adaptations throughout) Richard Dehaan told of a soldier who was doing guard duty on the front line in WWI. After being relieved ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Sayings: How To Accept Them

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 21, 2024

The problem with “nice” religion is that it isn’t religion at all, and today’s three Scriptural passages are proof of that reality.

Nineteenth Sunday in Course 2024 Hard Sayings There’s a very popular opinion about religion, and I think you may be already aware of it. Folks often think that religion ought to be “nice.” In other words, religion should make you feel good about yourself, first, and then, if possible, about other ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69, Ephesians 5:21-32, Psalm 34:2-3, Psalm 34:16-21, Joshua 24:1-2, Joshua 24:15-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

You Have Asked A Hard Thing

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 12, 2024

Elisha wanted to be full of the Spirit. Being filled with God’s Spirit is an easy thing, but also a hard thing.The hard part is for modern Christians to prepare our hearts and to seek Him until we’re filled.

YOU HAVE ASKED A HARD THING 2 Kgs. 2:7-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Churches have often been better known for their banquets than their spirituality. 2. The pastor of one Church was asked what was required to join his church. He said, “You need to be saved and to have an 8½ X 11 casserole ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Nothing Is Too Hard For God To Do

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 6, 2025

God specialises in doing the impossible, and no situation is beyond His power.

NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD TO DO By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Mark 1:40-45 Supporting Texts: Ephesians 3:20, Jeremiah 32:27, Genesis 18:9-14 INTRODUCTION: The omnipotence of God is a central theme in Scripture. In Mark 1:40-45, a leper approached Jesus with faith, saying, “If You are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45, Ephesians 3:20, Jeremiah 32:27, Genesis 18:9-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Having Faith When Times Are Hard

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 28, 2024

So now that each of us has examined our spiritual faith, what do we do with it? What part does it play in our lives?

Off and on in the past couple of months, we have been talking about faith and how it plays a part, a vital part in our spiritual lives. So now that each of us has examined our spiritual faith, what do we do with it? What part does it play in our lives? Over the next 6 weeks or so I want to take ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12, James 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Thanks When Life Is Hard

Contributed by Scott Maze on Dec 6, 2023

God cares about your hope when you are struggling. God wants you to tenaciously hold onto hope when your life is challenging. Again, God cares about your hope when you are struggling.

If you have a Bible would you find the book of Lamentations with me - Lamentations 3? I just love Thanksgiving and I love it even more with each year I age. But not everyone has an equally good time on this holiday. The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

Between A Rock Ad A Hard Place Series

Contributed by John L Jefferson on Sep 21, 2025

My brothers and sisters, the story of Israel at the Red Sea is not just their story — it is our story. They were a people who had been in bondage for over 400 years, crying out to God for deliverance. And God raised up a leader, Moses, who stood toe to toe with Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go.”

Between a Rock and a Hard Place Text: Exodus 14:1–14 ________________________________________ Introduction Isn’t it funny how we are constantly living in the past...? Isn’t it funny how we concentrate on how things used to be, what we used to have… What we used to do…? Memories are good to have… ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 10: Facing And Overcoming Major Problems

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2011

Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories.

A. INTRODUCTION: FACING PROBLEMS - EXODUS 13:17 TO 15:1 1. Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories. From deliverance from Egypt to imminent destruction at the Red Sea. “The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Facing And Overcoming Major Problems Lesson 10 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 27, 2017

Attitudes to Overcome Problems

A. INTRODUCTION: FACING PROBLEMS - EXODUS 13:17 TO 15:1 1. Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories. From deliverance from Egypt to imminent destruction at the Red Sea. “The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Locusts & Darkness (Exodus 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 15, 2024

Did God harden a stubborn heart that Pharaoh had already hardened? Let's look at Exodus 10.

Did God harden Pharaoh’s heart apart from his free will (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8; 14:7)? Did Pharaoh’s heart just grow hard (Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:19; 9:7, 35)? Did Pharaoh harden his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34)? Did God only harden what Pharaoh had already decided ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Furtherance Of The Gospel

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Apr 17, 2024

Paul's imprisonment furthered the Gospel

The Furtherance of the Gospel Philippians 1:9-14 Good morning. Forrest McCann wrote about the origins of the old Hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul", which was written by Horatio Spafford. Horatio Spafford went through several trials and losses during a very specific period of his life. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational