Sermons on Hard Pressed:

Ugly Praise

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jan 17, 2012

Sometimes life puts you in hard places, and you hurt and you cry: but never forget that God is worthy of your praise (Even if all you have is an Ugly Praise) give it to God, and watch what he does.

Gen 37:18-19 Jer 38:12 When we read the story of Joseph there are some things that cannot be denied, because the scripture makes it clear that: *Joseph was chosen by God * Joseph was anointed by God *Joseph had a destiny given by God * Joseph was favored by God * Joseph was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-19, Genesis 37:23-24, Genesis 37:1-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peace: Ready, Set, Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Peace comes hard for some at Christmas. We must be open to what God wants to give, we must get down to what God wants us to be doing, and we must find meaning in our ordinary pursuits.

National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, DC, Dec. 19, 2004 These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands. Stressful. We’d really like some peace, wouldn’t we? Just a moment or two of quiet – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

To Live: Deliverance Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Aug 5, 2009

Paul has joy even when life is hard because he focuses on Deliverance! Either your difficult times will come to an end, or you will, but it’s a win/win situation...because Paul knows Christ!

TEXT: Philippians 1:12-30 TITLE: To LIVE: Deliverance SERIES: To Live TOPIC: Salvation OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, June 28, 2009 PROP.: in order to receive deliverance, you must wait for the Lord…but continue to read His word, continue with your mission, understand God’s plans are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love People, Use Things

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2009

Thanksgiving Eve sermon 1989: We have a hard time giving up our attachment to things material. We do need to feel, however, that what we use makes a difference for someone -- a way to love them.

When we read that the city of Washington is going to get everybody out of an infamous homeless shelter by Christmas, because that shelter is no longer fit for human habitation, we have a variety of reactions. Some react at the thought that we still have not come very far at settling the issue of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Can Remove Trash, Bugs & Weeds But How About Darkness?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 20, 2009

Children often want darkness removed because they fear what they cannot see. For adults the darkness is more of a friend. Jesus is the remover of darkness but the light of the world is still waiting for many to see it. Sometimes it is hard even for Christ

Open up the yellow pages and you can find a ton of listings that will remove pretty much whatever you want removed. There are ads for chimney sweeps to remove built up grime. There are people willing and able to remove insects, weeds, garbage, wallpaper, old fixtures, homes, cars and even bad ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You In The Position To Receive?

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Sep 3, 2012

Sometimes we're on a need to know basis, but we need to realize and trust that, if He knows, that’s all we need to know and that’s where the hard part comes in,

Are you in the position to receive? So lift your hands and praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)  Hebrews 13:15 15. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Heard God's Calling? Have You Answered?

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Sep 13, 2013

God still appears to us, and He still calls us in many ways. While it is hard to hear Him calling above the din of the world's chatter, He is calling, and He is visible for those who have eyes to see.

In the earliest church, there wasn't a single member who had a financial need for long because, whenever a need arose, the wealthier members sold a piece of their land and gave the proceeds to the church. This ministry of grace (Acts 4) appears to have been commonplace... but the only man mentioned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Temporal Blessings Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 1, 2018

Temporal blessings are gift from God, he enables to earn, enjoy. Never be arrogant but be humble. God never hates the rich but the pride and the ungrateful. God adds many blessings to the smart, hard working people. Poverty is not a curse.

Blessings of the Living God 1 Tim 6:17 Introduction: Paul talks about the salvation, world and other so many problems faced in the Church. Finally, he touched the need of carefulness on the temporal blessings and its perils. No temporal duties can overpower the heavenly duties. Think that many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17

Denomination: Methodist

Living In His Presence During Difficult Times

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Life is crushingly hard and so often it presents burdens our hearts are unable to bear in our own strength. The key truth is that God is with us through it all. We are not alone even as we walk through the darkest valley.

Living in His Presence during Difficult Times Psalm 23:1-4 Philippians 4:13 As our summer break began a young family suffered the sudden and unexpected death of their infant daughter. Such loss is unimaginable to comprehend. All of our hearts were broken by this news and we are at a loss to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4, John 14:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not What We Expected

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 9, 2018

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ is nothing new. The first 12 pastors were instructed how to deal with it. Think long and hard how you respond to the message of the Good News as there are consequences depending on your reaction.

Not What We Expected Mark 6:1-13 Jesus said that; ““A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4 Sometimes people think they know you. They think they know your family and your family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, James 5:13-16, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Believing In Jesus Is Not Enough (John 8:12-59) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 7, 2022

In John, there are a cluster of verbs Jesus wants from us, to be full disciples, and we have to hold them all together. If we focus too hard on "believing," we will misunderstand Jesus, and what he wants.

Last week, we read just two verses from John 8, spending the rest of our time in Leviticus 23 and Exodus 13. I scratched my itch to get back to the OT, and I'm ready to take another shot at this. I say that, but this is probably the most depressing chapter (I hope!) in the entire gospel of ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-59

River Of Life Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 19, 2021

A day would come on that day, the luxurious cars, elegant high tower buildings and delicious food providing hotels, monuments and the beauties of the earth will be no more. Your hard-earned riches, wealth and properties will go within a fraction of seconds.

Theme: River of Life Text: Revelation 22:1-7 End of earthly life (Revelation 22:1) A day would come on that day, the luxurious cars, elegant high tower buildings and delicious food providing hotels, monuments and the beauties of the earth will be no more. Your hard-earned riches, wealth and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Prodigal's Father Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Fathers need some encouragement. There are two things I see in the parable of the Prodigal that can be an encouragement to fathers, for these two things make it clear that fatherhood is hard, but that there is hope. The two things I see here are the intricacy and the intimacy of fatherhood

We live in the age of the marvelous machine. In Washington D. C. the traffic for a half mile around the White House is controlled by a computer system. The system is constantly telling the lights when to change to move the traffic according to the need. 450 buses have a transmitter which is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Snoring Christians

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 30, 2020

Why this spiritual lethargy and carelessness? Where are the tears over the perishing? Where is the groaning? Where is the fasting and hard prayer for our loved ones who are lost, people we work with and for people who have never heard the Gospel??

Snoring Christians Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his hair and wove them into the web]. And she fastened it with the pin and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin of the loom and the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Galatians 2:20 How To Persevere In The Trials Of Life.

Contributed by David Cramer on Oct 8, 2020

With all that is going on in our world regardless of where we live, it is hard. This message can help with getting in a habit of not doing it alone. We can rely on Him to help us through as we get closer to Him daily.

Galatians 2:20 How to persevere in the trials of life Good Morning Stand with me and lift up your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Job 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational