Sermons on hard lessons:

The University Of Hard Knocks

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 26, 2007

Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel and other great teachers of that day. But he learned far more from the UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS, for there he sat under God’s great teaching.

THE UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 INTRO: There are many great universities in our land. Everyone knows about Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. In England there is Oxford University. But I want to tell you about another school. It has had more students and more graduates than any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The University Of Hard Knocks

Contributed by Robert Glass on Aug 29, 2013

The 4 years of college for the Prodigal Son.

The University of Hard Knocks Robert A. Glass Many of us have attended college, and some of us have various degrees. But there was a boy, whose collegiate journey can be a lesson for us all. The story of the Prodigal Son is well known, but if we examine through its stages we will see the four ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons Learned From A Rich Man

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 29, 2010

So tonight we will leave the graveyard and descend into hell and see what lessons we can learn from the rich man who is in hell.

Lessons learned from a Rich Man Pm November 1st 2009 Luke 16:19-31 Introduction In the last few weeks mostly on Wednesday nights we have learned some lessons from some pretty interesting places, in particular the last two Wednesday nights from a graveyard. Tonight as we read this story at first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting The Hard Way

Contributed by Cameron Horsburgh on Nov 5, 2001

God isn’t as impressed with our pious religiosity as he is about the way we live our lives.

Now the Israelites had a problem. They practiced their religion faithfully, and they did everything that was expected, but God didn’t seem to be listening to them. What was the problem? This is a good question. And it’s an important question to ask ourselves as well. God, through his prophet, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9, Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Holiness

Worship In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Jul 8, 2009

Discover what it means and how to worship God during the hard times of life.

Are you able to worship God in the hard times? This is one of the most difficult tasks of the faith life. It is easy to worship God when the sun shines bright. It is easy to worship God when the bills are paid. It is easy to worship God when things are going well. What about during the hard times? ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Rock And A Hard Place

Contributed by J. Curtis Goforth, O.s.l. on Sep 30, 2006

This sermon is for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost and addresses the need we all have to cut off from our lives the things which keep us from a deeper relationship with Christ.

“A Rock and a Hard Place” Sermon on Mark 9:38-50 Pentecost +17-B October 1, 2006 Rev. J. Curtis Goforth, O.S.L. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45And if your foot ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: United Methodist

Hard Questions Answered

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

In John Chapter 3 Jesus points us to the Prophetic Record that maps out Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In this golden chapter of the Bible Jesus lays out the path of salvation for Nicodemus and for the rest of us.

It Was No Secret Numbers 21:4-9 John 3:10-21 Luke 18:31:33 This week marks the fourth week in Lent as we travel with Jesus toward His passion and glory. At this time Jesus is preparing the Disciples for what lies ahead, namely His arrest, torture and crucifixion. After three years of ministry ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:10-21, Luke 18:31-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Hard Topic Of Divorce

Contributed by Daniel Sorensen on Oct 18, 2006

Combining Pastoral Care skills with the scripture on divorce allows us to meet the parishioner/seeker where they are, encourage them to be authentic with who they are, and bring themselves wholly to God. The next step would be be a refelection of God’s l

There is a group of new Pastors who are keeping in touch with one another this year via e-mail. We check-in and see how things are going. We talk about ideas for children’s sermons and compare life in the parish to what we learned in the classroom. It’s a helpful way to enter into a new ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Different Stages Of Forgivenesss Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 15, 2023

Thank God for using a difficult/hard experience to conform you into the image of Jesus Christ.

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). A. FIVE STAGES WHEN WE DENY FORGIVENESS 1. We deny we did it and our consequences are inevitable. 2. We get angry at our problem. 3. We bargain to live beyond our consequences. 4. We become depressed because the consequences ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 7, 2007

Do you go through difficult trials that don’t seem to have any way out? So did Naomi, but God showed his love and an alternative she hadn’t thought of, like he does with us.

Ruth was written in perhaps the 2nd half of the 12th century, making it contemporary with Jephthah and Samson of Judges 11 and following. This is important because if you didn’t know that you’d think there’s no way the events could take place concurrently with Judges. Judges is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Consistency Is Hard Work

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Oct 30, 2007

Want to make the congregation grow? Here is the solution to the problem. It is not talent, effort, or programs, it is a lack of consistency.

CONSISTENCY IS HARD WORK TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 THEME: CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY FOR GROWTH Every morning I try to get up at 6:00am to go to the gym to work out. I have been doing this in Waynesboro for the last 3.5 years. The key in working out is consistency. You have to get up every day ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying The Hard Prayers Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2003

2d in the series "Patterns for Prayer." The disciples’ prayer in Acts 4:23 gives us a pattern for praying for boldness in the face of persecution.

Introduction Zig Ziglar story of boy that went with his mother to the old general store. He liked to sneak away from his mother and when no one was looking he would dip his finger into the large barrel of molasses. The storekeeper caught him doing this and decided to teach the boy a lesson. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Growing Up Is Hard Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Jul 10, 2005

Are we progressing in the faith or are we, like many of those Hebrew Christians: • dull of hearing • still need to be taught elementary truth • babies wanting milk, not solid food?

In the earlier chapters we have studied some wonderful passages about the Saviour’s divinity and humanity and His wonderful fitness to be our merciful and faithful High-priest. Now we are going to move on to some rather difficult or unpalatable passages. It is tempting to skip these, but they are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Vineyard SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 24, 2023

God's provision

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. I trust that the Lord has kept you well and that you are eager to join me in this beautiful journey through His Word. Today, we are going to take a leisurely stroll through the lush vineyards of Deuteronomy 6:10-12. We are going to pause, breathe in the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Topics: Lessons, Vineyard

The School Of Hard Knocks Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

David, Pt. 7

THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS (1 SAMUEL 30) When my wife and I sold our old house, like most homebuyers, we had to sell our old house before we could afford a new one. At that time, interest rates were down and house prices were rising, so the time was right to buy and sell. Selling our old house was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible