Sermons on Hard Pressed:

Better By Far

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 24, 2011

Though death remains the last enemy, the apostle Paul tells us that to die and be with Christ is "better by far."

Better By Far TCF Sermon April 10, 2011 Philippians 1:21-25 (ESV) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:23-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

By His Stripes-9

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 30, 2019

9 of ? The prophet Isaiah declared a future time when God’s Servant would provide the remedy for sin. Jesus is God’s remedy for sin. By His stripes I receive the Servant's...

BY HIS STRIPES-IX—Isaiah 52:13—53:12 OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Workable Solution: A man went to see his doctor in the dead of winter because he was suffering from the most miserable cold he’d ever had. His doctor prescribed some pills, but they didn't help. The next day the doctor ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7

Denomination: Baptist

Tickle My Ears, But Don’t Scratch My Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 26, 2009

The Apostle foretells a day when Christians will deliberately turn their backs on sound doctrine, embracing error because it makes them comfortable and because the error is convenient.

“The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”[1] There is an old saying that is sometimes heard among ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Let Not Your Heart

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 23, 2011

Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It doesn’t make any difference how hard you try, it just seems that everything backfires on you? The harder you try, the worse it gets. I’m convinced that all of us have had days like t

So as the 14th chapter of John opens, we see Jesus & His apostles in the upper room where they have eaten the Passover meal together. Jesus knew exactly what the next few hours would bring. He knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew about the illegal trials of the night, & how troubled the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

To Whom Shall We Go?

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Feb 9, 2022

When Jesus spoke about the Bread of Life, His analogies troubled a lot of His hearers who found His teaching hard to understand (John 6:51-65) and ended up walking away from Him. In asking the disciples if they wanted to go away, Peter's response was the model of faith and assurance (vv.67-69).

Jesus' teachings either inspired or infuriated those who heard Him. They continue to have the same effect on anyone who read His words as recorded in the Scriptures today and decides whether to surrender their lives to Him or reject His mercy and reap the eternal consequences. When He taught ...read more

Scripture: John 6:67-69, Matthew 7:13-14, Isaiah 55:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-29, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, John 16:7-13, 2 Peter 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus As The Word Of God By Dr. Michael Eaton Series

Contributed by Dr. Michael Eaton on Jul 28, 2017

This sermon is from my book entitled, "John on the Run A Survey of the Bible New Testament Book of John." Pick up a hard copy or ebook now at: https://www.amazon.com/John-Run-Survey-Bible-Testament-ebook/dp/B01MXR29PB/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Introduction The disciple whom Jesus loved is the moniker that John gives himself in the book of John. (John 13:23) Due to this inmate relationship with Jesus, we get to answer some of the more inmate questions about Jesus. We get to answer the following questions. Who was Jesus in eternity ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Letter To The Church In Ephesus.

Contributed by Claude Alexander on May 2, 2020

I know your deeds, your hard work and perseverance . I know you cannot tolerate wicked men and you have tested those who claim to be apostles but. are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary.” Rev. 2: 2-3 .

Letter to the church of Ephesians Revelation 2:1-20 The City of Ephesus was located on the western shore of Asia Minor what is now Western Turkey. . It was a seaport city. All trade coming by sea came through the city of Ephesus. The city boasted of its stadium and its tribute to the pagan god ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Caleb Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 21, 2020

Such a small word … just three letters … b-u-t. A small word that we use a hundred times or more a day. “But” … it’s a word that can have dire consequences. Imagine getting hard labor for 40 years for one word … “but” … “b-u-t” … and not just for you but for your whole family too.

When I was growing up in upstate New York, in the summer we would go to swim in an icy glacial lake called “Green Lake.” Deep … almost 200 feet deep … and crystal clear. You could drop a quarter in it and tell if were heads or tails when it hit the bottom. And cold!! They had two diving ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:6-9, Numbers 13:17-20, Numbers 13:27-30, Numbers 13:32-33, Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:34, Numbers 14:22, Numbers 14:9-10, James 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

It's Okay To Say No

Contributed by Christopher Lund on Dec 8, 2020

It can be hard to tell people "no", and sometimes we say "yes" when we don't actually mean it. But Jesus shows us how important "no" can be. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEWRnuMvKY4

I think a lot of us can have a hard time saying "no" to people. We can be afraid that other people will be disappointed, or let down, or maybe not even like us as much anymore. Or we might feel guilty, guilty that someone else might have to help them instead of us, or that nobody will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-44, Matthew 5:37, Colossians 3:23-24

God Gives Us Great Reasons To Rejoice! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 24, 2018

Life gets hard, but God gives us great reasons to rejoice! 1. God gives us joyful reunions (vs. 21-26). 2. God gives us good results (vs. 25-26). 3. God lets us hear good reports (vs. 27). 4. God gives us rest (vs. 28).

God Gives Us Great Reasons to Rejoice! The Book of Acts - Part 48 Acts 14:21-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - July 13, 2014 *Church: There is a joy that belongs to us, because we belong to Jesus Christ. Yes, life gets hard, but God gives us great reasons to rejoice! And ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Whose Report Will You Believe?

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 17, 2024

God has spoken great things about you. Another voice also speaks, Satan the discourager, who will tell you it's too hard to serve the Lord & that God doesn't work with people like he did in Bible days. You must choose: whose report will you believe?

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE? Numbers 13:25-33 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Abraham bought himself a fancy new computer and was showing it to Isaac one day. "Look at all the wonderful programs it has on it. And look at all the neat things it can do." 2. Isaac was impressed but a little ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Who Lost His Head?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 18, 2008

When we lose our ways emotionally or spiritually, we hurt ourselves and others. Herod, Herodias and Salome demonstrate the ways we can be seduced into losing our heads. John only lost his physical head but not his integrity.

Do you know the poem, "If’, by Rudyard Kipling? I’m sure you’ve heard it a hundred times. But let me quote just a part of "If’. "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

You've Got Talent

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 24, 2018

We tend to think of our spiritual gifts as unique units when they are all fruits or manifestation of the Holy Spirit within us. We have what I call "persistent" gifts but there are times when the Holy Spirit gives us other gifts for a season.

Gift of the Holy Spirit Preached: May 24, 2018 Canal Point Thursday Nite Live Service Scripture: 1 Corinthian 12:7-11 Some people just seem to be born with talent. I had a friend growing up that had a natural pitching arm. When we’d horse around and challenge each other to see who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The End Of Sin’s Oppression-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 5, 2022

1 of 2. The prophet Isaiah reveals God’s plan for alleviating the oppression of sin among mankind. God has a plan for ending the oppression of sin. BUT--What is God’s plan for ending that oppression? The promise to end sin’s oppression comes thru...

THE END OF SIN’s OPPRESSION—Isaiah 9:6-7 Attention: I was watching a well-known, nationally televised, morning news program one day. A special guest was an author of a book, in which he described the difficulties that his young family had undergone, particularly in the loss of one of their young ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Lose Heart!

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 1, 2002

Our relationship to Christ can keep us from losing heart in life.

DON’T LOSE HEART! II Cor. 4:1-12 INTRO.- ILL.- The New York City Transit Company was missing a bus and a driver some years ago. For over a week, authorities searched for the man but couldn’t find him. Finally, ten days later after the man had disappeared, he was found, bus included. IN MIAMI, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ