Sermons on Hard Pressed:

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

Assured Of God's Plan For Us

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 24, 2022

God will always remember His people, even when trouble feels overwhelming. We may face hard times, troubles, and tribulation, but we don’t face them alone.

Have you ever been in a store and see a child that has gotten separated from his parents? The fear is very evident on the child's face as well as the parents’ face. It's a horrible feeling when the child turns around and can't find his parents. They frantically look through every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Zephania: Seek The Lord Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

Zephaniah's message hits hard the ruling class of Judah for their part in leading the people down a path of immorality, corruption, and idolatry. (This sermon was preached during the Fourth of July)

ILLUSTRATION: French writer Alexis de Tocqueville (TOKEVILLE), after visiting America in 1831, said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Fragile Faith: Why Can’t I Stay Strong? - 2 Peter 1:6b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 14, 2025

You work hard to develop self-control or some other virtue, then one day, poof, it’s gone. Why does that happen? And what can be done about it?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6

Don’t Be A Mule Repent Before The Rod Falls - Psalm 32:3-5, 8-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2025

If there is some sin that your heart keeps clinging to and you’re reluctant to give up, this message will motivate you to repent and will show you how to learn the easy way instead of the hard way (like a mule).

You will learn how to know when you are experiencing God’s rod and what to do when it happens. This message destroys once for all the insanity that says, “I’ve already blown it for today—might as well get it out of my system and start fresh tomorrow.” When you find yourself saying that, ask, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:3-10

My Hiding Place - Psalm 32:6-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 3, 2025

In order to find closeness with God you must seek with all your heart. Why does God make it so hard to find him? If he wants us to be near him, why not make it easy?

Psalm 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the flood of mighty waters rise, they shall not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Introduction About eight or nine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:6-7

The Man Who Understood A Woman

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 5, 2013

Why do women you know go back home after the visit to the ER or the domestic violence shelter? Why does she call the police, and then refuse to press charges? Why does she go from one alcoholic to another? You have met her. Maybe someone here is her!

16 November 2005 “The Man Who Understood A Woman ” John 4:7-4:26 The title of the lesson this morning is “The Man Who Understood A Woman.” I knew that I ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-26

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Love Me More Than These Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Dec 13, 2014

In the same way Jesus checked out the heart of Peter, He speaks to us to check us out. While we are hard on Peter for the denial, the personal question is how many times & in what ways have we denied Jesus?

“Do You Love Me More Than These?” John 21:15-17 • Nelson Price is right on point when he makes this statement, “JESUS CHRIST often endures our embarrassing abuse, denial, and betrayal only to come back compassionately to restore us to an even more meaningful love ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pride Verses Humility Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 29, 2012

Pride and humility are the outcomes of attitudes and opinion we harbor and the choices we make. The harmful results of pride are repeatedly contrasted with humility & with its benefits. So the sayings in Proverbs hammer hard against pride & drives home th

PRIDE VERSES HUMILITY Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs is direct and forceful in rejecting pride and honoring humility. Pride is pagan behavior. It has no place in the lives of God's people. Pride is a declaration of independence from God if not an assertion of war against Him. Pride therefore draws ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2

Denomination: Baptist

Help Me Change Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 25, 2021

Once you experience life-changing conversion, you can then put in the work to be a better person. Jesus died to make you compassionate. Jesus died to make you kind. Jesus died to make you honest

If you were to make a list of the things you’d like to change about yourself, what would be at the top of the list? Are you addicted to food? Late-night snacking? Or is it a more serious issue? Do you hate you? Do you have narcissistic tendencies? Do your relationships frazzle quickly, and no one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’ Cross-Driven Concerns-6 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 25, 2017

6 of 6. As Jesus hung on the cross, He voiced particularly important concerns. At the juncture of life & death, matters of greatest significance are prioritized. But What are these as evidenced from the Cross? A Cross-driven Concern of Jesus is Your...

JESUS’ CROSS-Driven CONCERNS-VI Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-30; Mat. 27:33-54; Mk. 15:21-39 OR--CONCERNS From The CROSS We can but should never be--oblivious to the obvious. The Church & Christians can be oblivious to the obvious... that while we bicker about ‘this that or the other thing,’ that ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 23:46

Denomination: Baptist

A Study On Giving Advice Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Aug 20, 2001

Three things about advice seen in the advice given to the apostle Paul.

A Study of the Book of Acts Sermon # 36 “A Study On Giving Advice” Acts 21:1-15 Dr. John R. Hamby Advice can be a wonderful thing or an absolute disaster. Given a moment or two I am sure that each of us can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson # 4 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 16, 2018

It is hard to believe that anyone would oppose Paul, but there were believers in Rome doing just that. The churches there were divided. Some preached Christ sincerely, wanting to see people saved. Some preached Christ insincerely, wanting to make . . .

Date: 4/26/18 Lesson # 4 Title: Even Opposition Has Provided Opportunity for Christ to be Preached Text: (Philippians 1:15-18) Scripture: (Philippians 1:15-18, NIV) 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jars Of Clay - By Design

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 7, 2025

When we think we aren’t enough, we’re right! We’re not supposed to be.

Recently, something very strange happened to me. Something that I always knew was theoretically possible, but which still came as a shock. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up one morning and realized that I was now — wait for it — a “Grandpa”. Now, the event which brought about this transformation ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Denomination: Baptist