Sermons on Hard Place:

Blaspheming The Holy Spirit

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 9, 2012

This act reveals a heart so hard that repentance is impossible (Hebrews 3:7--19). Ultimately, as Augustine says, "It is un-repentance that is a blasphemy against the Spirit" Updated June 2018.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 8:4 - 20; Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35. A Little Boy desperately wanted $100.00 ...to buy some toys ...and prayed to God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Anglican

Facing A New Year In A Shaky World

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 1, 2024

We are facing a New Year, and while that can mean hope for a better future, the past and its troubles casts a shadow over that hope that is hard to ignore. We are living in a shaky world.

Alba 12-31-2023 FACING A NEW YEAR IN A SHAKY WORLD I Thessalonians 3:1-5 Have you ever gone to a scary movie? When I was twelve years old some friends and I walked to a movie theater that was about two miles from our home. The movie was called “Them”. It was not the kind of movie our family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

18th Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 12, 2020

After worked hard all night and catching no fish, Simon Peter was ready to quit. But, when he followed Jesus' instructions, he made the catch of his life!

Work is something most living creatures understand. For those who are still in the work force, have you ever asked yourself whether you work to live or live to work? There is a big difference between working to live and living to work. Working to live gives you the money you need to put a roof over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

Let God Do His Thing

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Mar 10, 2020

The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. We need to replace that thinking by letting God do his thing. How would that look in our relationship with God?

Let God Do His Thing  INTRODUCTION: The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. That work ethic has crept into the Christian viewpoint by thinking that we must do God's work before we can merit his approval and acceptance. We need to replace that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Panic-Stricken: A World In Turmoil Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 20, 2020

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain.

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain. To be sure, there have been other pandemics and natural disasters ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:26, 1 Peter 5:7, 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learning To Trust

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 22, 2012

Scripture tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, but many people have a hard time doing that. This message explores how we can learn to trust God more

LEARNING TO TRUST WISDOM FROM CHILDREN: Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.” Josh, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: *other

Triumph Over Trials Sermon Iv: Inexplainable Suffering Is Redeemable Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 13, 2020

In times like these, when answers are hard to come by and the extremity of pessimism has been reached, mature Christians renew confidence in the Lord God Almighty to redeem that which at the moment begs to be explained.

CHRISTIANS CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT INEXPLAINABLE SUFFERING IS REDEEMABLE Nothing hurts worse than the emotional experience of watching a child suffer . . . “being there” for someone whose loved one has committed suicide . . . holding the hand of a dying person ...read more

Scripture: Job 40:1-8, Job 42:1-6, Job 19:25

Who Do You Trust?

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 25, 2001

Even in times when life doesn’t make sense we need to place our trust in God!

Who Do You Trust? Selected Passages September 23, 2001 Introduction In May 1995, Randy Reid, a 34-year-old construction worker, was welding on top of a nearly completed water tower outside Chicago. According to writer Melissa Ramsdell, Reid unhooked his safety gear to reach for some pipes when a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This story looks at and applies Jesus' teachings in Luke 17:1-6 alongside the experience of Corrie Ten Boom.

There were many things that were once thought to be impossible, but are now considered to be quite common and ordinary. The idea of man landing on the moon or going to space was once thought to be impossible, but that notion was shattered in the 1960s. The idea of people surviving heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

If You Have Run With Footmen...

Contributed by Christian Curby on Mar 10, 2013

God has called us to do hard things! Do we walk away from our relationships including our relationship with God because it gets to challenging? Jeremiah 12:5

Good afternoon, it is so good to be back with you. I am thankful for all that God is doing in my life and in the life of our church. And so it is great to be with you today. Today I want to share a word with you that I believe God has been stirring in my heart for a while but I think that in the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5-6

Denomination: Foursquare

Thankfulness Makes You Full Inside

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Nov 14, 2019

We can only get so far towards becoming new by trying hard or getting educated. The real power comes from inside, a changed heart, and thankfulness is a key to a changed heart.

There was a time when I thought that if we wanted to change our lives, to start good habits, or to break bad habits, all we had to do was decide to do it. We just had to choose. I come from a family with a lot of will power. But the more I have had to wrestle with my own weaknesses, the more I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-4

Why Should We Hope In God?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why it is so important to hope in God? Many people place their hope in parents when they are young, in their peers when they are teenagers and in their careers as they mature. Most people learn too late about the futility of placing

1. Have you ever wondered why it is so important to hope in God? Many people place their hope in parents when they are young, in their peers when they are teenagers and in their careers as they mature. Most people learn too late about the futility of placing their hope in anyone but Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strategy For Sucess

Contributed by John Baggett on Mar 29, 2004

Nehemiah used a structured and God ordained strategy for accomplishing the mission God placed in his heart. A Strategy that churches can still use and be blessed by today. Planning and following through to really see some things take place for God.

Strategy for Success Nehemiah 1 : 1-4 & 2: ll-18 In his book The Purpose Driven Church. Rick Warren tells a story about his father being the best fisherman he ever met. He would always catch more fish than anyone else. The reason for his success Warren believed was that his dad "caught the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-18, Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 29, 2017

Philip is leaving a place where there has been a great movement of the Spirit of God, to go into a place, a desert, where there is nobody. However, when he gets there, he finds that God does have someone to whom he is to witness.

February 16, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Topic #III: The Church Scattered into Palestine and Syria (8:4-12:25) Subtopic A. The Ministry of Philip (8:4-40). Lesson III.A.2: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-39) Introduction The first mentioned of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Baptist

The Depths Of Despair

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

This message looks at some Bible passages on the cave of despair. How do people tend to act when they find themselves in such a dark place? What do we need to do, in order for God to deliver us into a place of hope and life?

I want to get us started with our message this morning by sharing an illustration that I’ve used on numerous occasions: Back when I was in college, I used to go cave exploring with a friend as often as possible. Sometimes we went about twice a week. Well, one evening we followed a lead for a new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-10, 1 Kings 18:4, Psalm 142:5-7, John 11:38-44

Denomination: Baptist