Sermons on Hard Place:

Why?

Contributed by Mark Thometz on Aug 27, 2012

I wrote this last summer as an intern at a church that was going through some tough times and significant loss.

Kids have a lot of questions. The “why” questions I've found is most popular. Back in Boise I work for the YMCA as an after school child care worker. Needless to say, when it's you and 2 other adults with 35+ kids a lot of “why” questions come up. “Why can't we do ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian Church

What To Do When You Are Placed In A Position Of Contention 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile Cornelius, his Jewish friends cried out in anger, "You went to the uncircumcised men

Illustration:No great advance has been made in science, politics or religion without controversy. Lyman Beecher 1. Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soften Your Heart: Revelation 9:21-22 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Aug 10, 2013

We are are in danger of refusing to repent and refusing to soften our hearts, just like the last generation facing the final punishment poured out on the earth.

Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:21-22

Denomination: *other

Aarons Rod Turned Into A Serpent Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 9, 2022

The Israelites were enslaved people in Egypt - valuable enslaved people that Pharaoh did not want to let go. Moses had the additional burden of being wanted for murder.

AARON'S ROD IS TURNED INTO A SERPENT. Exodus 7:1-12; 7:8-10 SCRIPTURE 1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. 2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Test Of The Bread Of Life

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 17, 2021

The words of Jesus about ‘eating His flesh and drinking His blood’ have caused a lot of misunderstandings and divisions. But the all-knowing God is really checking to see if we will trust Him even if we don't understand!

THE TEST OF THE BREAD OF LIFE John 6:56-69 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A new chaplain was hired for a prison unit. He was excited to preach his first Sunday service in the prison, but he was also very nervous. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing. 2. On Sunday morning he arrived at the prison. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Red Tile

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 6, 2014

A science professor likened Jesus fulfilling 8 prophecies to finding a white tile painted red on the bottom and scattered with other white tiles covering all the dry land on earth with just one pick. Here are 8 Jesus fulfilled as a baby.

I hold in my hand today a very old book. I know it doesn’t look old. In fact, according to the front page, it was first published in 1988 based on a copy write from 1976. But actually this is not a book at all. It is a collection of historical documents and letters that spanned 3,500 years. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-6

Denomination: Foursquare

The Non-Christian Life Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 8, 2018

Ephesians 4:17-19 teaches us that Christians must not live like non-Christians.

Scripture Today I am beginning a new series of sermons in Ephesians 4:17-32 that I am calling, “The New Life.” Paul continued his description of the life that is worthy of those who are called by God. God’s people have been called to be “one” people, and so unity must characterize Christians. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Encountering The Mystery Of God's Will

Contributed by Jung Lee on Mar 30, 2024

The story of Elijah, a widow, and her son in 1 Kings 17 showcases God's provision and the power of faith during hardship, revealing His enduring love and support.

Introduction In the ups and downs of life, there's a story from the Bible about Elijah, a widow, and her son that shines like a ray of hope. This tale is told in 1 Kings 17, during a tough time of hunger across the land. It's a story that shows us how God is always there, ready to help when ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Even There: The Invisible Hand Of God In Unlikely Places

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Dec 18, 2025

Life sometimes takes us into unexpected places — the mountaintop of success or the valley of failure, the dawn of change or the loneliness of distance. In those moments we often ask, “Lord, are You still here?”

EVEN THERE: The Invisible Hand of God in Unlikely Places Text: Psalm 139:7–10 (NIV) “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Change The World

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 21, 2011

We change the world by choosing to do above and beyond what is expected of us in our everyday lives.

How To Change The World Genesis 24:1-9 Matthew 5:38-48 Test Genesis 24:9-20 We are continuing our series, “Moving Things To The Next Level”. We have looked at “How to Kill a Church”, “How to Heal The Church”, “Look At How To Build A Church” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Did We Get Here In The First Place Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 13, 2014

First message in getting to the promised land. Deals with sin and overcoming it.

How did we get here in the first place? Series: Getting to the Promised Land Theme: What does it take to get to the promised land and how did we get where we are. Text: Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 3 & 4 Introductions Study Review Thank you for being here tonight. Over the next few months we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Church Of God

Live Carefully (Cities Of Refuge; Numbers 35:1-34; Joshua 20:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 22, 2022

In God's eyes, it's really hard to accidentally kill someone. He places a high value on human life-- do we?

Sometimes in life, one will person will kill another. Sometimes, this is deliberate-- it's murder. Other times, it's an accident. Two people are out cutting down trees, and one person accidentally drops a tree onto the other. You kill him. You're out driving, and someone steps out ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9, Numbers 35:1-34

"looking For Life In All The Wrong Places?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 30, 2021

A sermon for Easter Sunday.

“Looking for Life in All the Wrong Places?” Luke 24:1-12 The women come early in the morning with the spices they have gotten ready for anointing Jesus’ dead body. Why do they do this, do you suppose? Why bother? I suppose they are doing it for the same reasons we have viewings and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Dead Man Talking: The Reality Of A Place Called Hell

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 5, 2003

What would the dead tell us if they could speak to us from beyond the grave?

"Dead Man Talking: the reality of a place called Hell" Matthew 7:13-23 In 1875 General William Booth shared what happened to be a prophetic message of the greatest danger facing the Church in the 20th Century of being a false gospel that would preach Conversion without Conviction, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 7:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Your Home A Strengthening Place: Daily Time With The Kids Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME! AND WE WANT OUR GOD TO KNOW IT, OUR WIFE/HUSBAND TO KNOW IT, AND OUR KIDS TO KNOW IT. BUT IT TAKES TIME WITH EACH OF THESE DAILY TO SEE RESULTS! There is no place like home. Our homes need to be a strengthening place for our k

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Your Home A Strengthening Space Daily Affirming Time for You & Your Mate & Your Kids Ephesians 6:4 Here is a SIGN that was posted on a BATHROOM DOOR Attention Everyone: The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand there and talk, whine or ask questions. Wait until I get ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Methodist