Sermons on Hard Message:

How Have You Responded To Jesus’ Resurrection?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 23, 2019

This message is about the disciples and their response to Jesus’ resurrection. And their response mirrors how many Christians respond to Jesus today.

Jesus’ resurrection on that third day was 4000 years in the making. When God raised Jesus from the dead, it was the crescendo of our Heavenly Father’s plan to make it available for man to once again have His spiritual life living inside of him. That’s why Jesus not only died a spiritual death but ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:9-20, Luke 24:13, Luke 24:27-32, Luke 24:44-49, 1 Corinthians 15:12-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul’s Ministry In Ephesus (Introducing Apollos) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 29, 2024

Many struggle with what we should be doing today. We wrestle with not reading the word, not praying, or even not sharing Jesus. Then, fear takes over and we choose to hibernate rather than being bold. So, ask yourself, are we willing to just do what God has told us to do? Apollos was!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 28 Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus (Introducing Apollos) Acts 18:24-28 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- Last week, we saw Paul’s ministry in Corinth – spent 18 months there -- Paul was faithful to God’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:24-28, John 1:26-28, 2 Timothy 2:15, Titus 1:9, 1 John 4:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"come Be Crucified! We've Got A Cross For Your Back Too!"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 11, 2023

Following Christ isn't glamorous. It is hard, but it is worth it.

“Come! Be Crucified! We’ve Got a Cross for Your Back Too” Mark 10:35-45 Have you ever seen a church sign that read, “Come! Be Crucified! We’ve got a Cross for Your Back Too!” And yet Jesus was this up-front. You can’t accuse Jesus of false advertising. When James and John come up to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: United Methodist

The Final Message In Jude – The Glorious But Challenging Doxology – Jude 1:24-25 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

The closing doxology of Jude's letter is not only glorious, but when analysed, it is specifically challenging to our Christian lives. How do we stand? What about stumbling? How are we blameless? To Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority for ever and ever!

THE FINAL MESSAGE IN JUDE – THE GLORIOUS BUT CHALLENGING DOXOLOGY – Jude 1:24-25 INTRODUCTION: We have proceeded through Jude slowly, bit by bit, to understand it. Jude began his letter wanting to write to encourage the believers in their common salvation, but then the urgency of contending for ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:12-13, Exodus 24:17, Exodus 33:23, 1 Chronicles 16:9-10, 1 Chronicles 16:24, 1 Chronicles 16:28-29, Hebrews 8:1, 2 Peter 1:16, 1 Chronicles 16:24-29, Revelation 1:8, Romans 16:25-27, James 3:2, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 5:27, Isaiah 53:11, Revelation 19:7-9, Hebrews 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overtime Pay On The Mad Mouse

Contributed by John Beehler on Feb 5, 2004

It’s hard to trust and obey, but man, what a ride!

Overtime Pay on the Mad Mouse I had a job once working as an inventory control analyst in a factory. Like most factories, this one operated round the clock with 3 shifts. I was one of three analysts, 1 per shift. We worked the swing shift. 2 weeks on each shift. I liked 2nd shift, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Keys To Steadfastness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Many people proclaim their loyalty but steadfast people are hard to find.

Keys to Steadfastness (Acts 21:1-14) 1. Paul’s steadfastness serves as an inspiration and a challenge for any person who contemplates just settling for second best. ILlustration:Consider the postage stamp: Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Josh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is The Righteous Life Worth Living?

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Living righteous in an unrighteous world is hard. Well is it worth the effort?

Is the righteous life worth living? Malachi 3:13 - 18 (NIV) 13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Confessions Of The Heart

Contributed by W F on Oct 31, 2004

Confession is hard, but if we believe the bible, then confession is good news.

1 John 1:9 “Confessions of the Heart” INTRODUCTION Are we basically good or basically bad? Hollywood religion is undecided. Basically good = Tarzan or Pocahontas. “Out there” there are still pristine societies to be discovered – deep in the jungles there exist tribes without sin – untainted ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Denomination: *other

The Mirror Of Correction Series

Contributed by Vera Hughes on Feb 20, 2008

It is easy to correct others and give advice, but hard to correct ourselves.

Self-correction – making the necessary corrections on the inside based on the Word of God. The greatest task the believer will ever have to do is to correct ourselves. Self correction makes us better witnesses for the Jesus Christ; enrich our lives in our home, church, fellowship with saints, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enduring Slander

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 9, 2014

It is hard to be mad at what someone said about you if it is true.

"Everybody is slandered even the good." - Robert E. Lee 1 Peter 3:14-16 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Me, Myself And I

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

I am the reason it’s hard to follow God.

ME, MYSELF AND I Why it’s Hard to Follow God Sunday, July 26, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee We borrowed a GPS for our vacation. We were going to visit DJ and Heather Williams in Louisville and John and Carol Hawkins in Galesburg, Illinois. These two places were unfamiliar and we were grateful to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Thank You, In Spite Of Sufferings Series

Contributed by Gabriel Luigi Bautista on Nov 14, 2020

THE LIFE OF A PASTOR IN THE FAMILY THAT'S VERY HARD

FACTUAL DATA: SINULAT ITO NI PABLO KUNG SAAN SIYA AY NASA PANGIT NA SITWASYON. SIYA AY NASA ISANG SITWASYON NA KUNG SAAN PANGHIHINAAN KA TALAGA NG PANANAMPALATAYA AT PAGDUDUDAHAN MO ANG DIYOS DAHIL SA KANYANG PAGSUNOD SA DIYOS. SIYA AY IPINAKULONG NG MGA JUDIO SA HINDI MAKATARUNGANG DAHILAN. SI ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-14

Finding Hope In Our Uncertainties Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 5, 2020

Hold on to hope when it's hard to cope.

Note: The idea for this series and the title for the sermon came from Outreach.com. How has 2020 been going for you? It’s been quite a year: a global pandemic, economic recession, unemployment, political division, cultural upheaval, racial tension, record wildfires, floods and Derecho. On top of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

Denomination: Baptist

Keep It Simple, Saint

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 12, 2020

Do not make hard what God made simple and sincere!

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. While the Greek word haplotes can be translated a few ways, I think it is perfect to be simplicity in this verse. Christ came ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings In The Desert Series

Contributed by John Gullick on Feb 8, 2018

A sermon that attempts to encourage folk that even in hard times there is blessing.

Blessing in the desert. If you were travelling from Egypt to Palestine and you wanted to get there guided by google maps you wouldn’t go through the wilderness of Sinai. Sinai is 200 miles out of the way and when you are travelling with a whole nation it would seem strange doing such a major ...read more

Scripture: John 6:3-14, Psalm 78:5-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed