Sermons on Hard Pressed:

Propagating A Family Like An Olive Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2014

Raising a family is like building an olive orchard, and it is hard work.

Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas) Thirteen Days of Christmas Since the family is the basic unit of society, the Church, and her Scripture, has much to say about it. Our psalm today uses agricultural metaphors for the family: the husband will eat the fruit of his hands, the wife ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Enduring Slander

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 9, 2014

It is hard to be mad at what someone said about you if it is true.

"Everybody is slandered even the good." - Robert E. Lee 1 Peter 3:14-16 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Hope In Our Uncertainties Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 5, 2020

Hold on to hope when it's hard to cope.

Note: The idea for this series and the title for the sermon came from Outreach.com. How has 2020 been going for you? It’s been quite a year: a global pandemic, economic recession, unemployment, political division, cultural upheaval, racial tension, record wildfires, floods and Derecho. On top of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

Denomination: Baptist

Thank You, In Spite Of Sufferings Series

Contributed by Gabriel Luigi Bautista on Nov 14, 2020

THE LIFE OF A PASTOR IN THE FAMILY THAT'S VERY HARD

FACTUAL DATA: SINULAT ITO NI PABLO KUNG SAAN SIYA AY NASA PANGIT NA SITWASYON. SIYA AY NASA ISANG SITWASYON NA KUNG SAAN PANGHIHINAAN KA TALAGA NG PANANAMPALATAYA AT PAGDUDUDAHAN MO ANG DIYOS DAHIL SA KANYANG PAGSUNOD SA DIYOS. SIYA AY IPINAKULONG NG MGA JUDIO SA HINDI MAKATARUNGANG DAHILAN. SI ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-14

Hearing God In The Whispers Of Life

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on May 26, 2020

There are many voices that make it hard to hear what God desires.

Hearing God in the whisper 1 kings 19 Prayer- Introduction- Good morning everyone, glad that you are joining us this morning and taking time to hear the Word. It is almost 6 weeks that our life has been turned on edge and our Normal has been disrupted. In a lot of ways, I think normal needs ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-5

Denomination: Nazarene

Speaking With Boldness Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 26, 2019

Be bold and don’t fold when hard times come.

Speaking with Boldness Acts 4:23-31 Rev. Brian Bill November 20, 2019 Last weekend we were encouraged to imitate the example of Peter and John in order to weather the waves of persecution that are headed our way. This was our main idea: We must keep speaking even when we’re told not to. We were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

Fear And Worry

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Mar 25, 2022

This morning lets take a hard look at what scares us.

Fear and Worry Good morning everyone, welcome to online service- Let’s pray- Prayer- Father, thank you for Jesus- Thank you Father for your willingness to meet us where we are at and take us where we need to be. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that desires to guide and lead through life’s trials ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8

Denomination: Nazarene

A Pure Eye

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Sep 16, 2025

It is hard to see the good in the world when the bad gets the attention.

A Pure Eye Luke 11:33 - 36 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:33-36

Denomination: United Methodist

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Contributed by Dr. Casey Adams on Oct 11, 2018

This message posses the question "Is there anything too hard for God?"

I. "THE THINGS WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITH MEN ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD" A. This decisive pronouncement by our Lord came as God's answer to the disciples’ question: 1. Said they, "Who then can be saved?" - Luke 18:26 2. The question of the disciples came when they had listened to the conversation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-17, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Galatians 6:14, John 15:1-15, John 5:40, John 14:6, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 2:12, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:2-8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 35:3, Hebrews 12:12, Exodus 24:3, Exodus 19:8, Romans 10:1-3, John 15:5, Romans 7:24, Jeremiah 13:23, Luke 17:20, Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 18:26, Luke 18:27, Matthew 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Keep It Simple, Saint

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 12, 2020

Do not make hard what God made simple and sincere!

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. While the Greek word haplotes can be translated a few ways, I think it is perfect to be simplicity in this verse. Christ came ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3

Denomination: Baptist

Grumble Or Grow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 24, 2024

When life gets hard, don’t grumble; grow!

Several years ago (2009), Louis C.K. was on Conan O’Brien’s late-night talk show, where he described today’s entitlement culture. He said in our culture, “Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy.” Take a look (show Louis CK video). Louis talks about how he was on a plane that offered ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27, Exodus 16:1-30, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 8:28-29, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Fresh Grace For A New Year

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 31, 2022

This sermon is the first for 2023, encouraging the congregation to take the opportunity of a new year to determine by God's grace to press in like never before to Jesus.

Sermon for January 1, 2023 Fresh Grace for a New Year, Boundaries Series: Creation Welcome to 2023. Who knew we’d make to 2023. Isn’t that the future? I remember when it turned 1975, and I was 12 and I felt like changing to 1975 was this huge catapult into the future. I was so excited! That’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2, Romans 8:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Old & Cold? Not Yet! Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 11, 2004

Seems life has a way of stealing our joy and zeal and dreams. We must press against every obstacle and grow more like Jesus.

OLD AND COLD! NOT YET! NOT YET! ... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is part one of a two part series, Old and Cold! NOT YET! If you need part two email Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4, Joel 2:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Eternal Reward

Contributed by Nnaemeka Durueke on Aug 10, 2016

THERE IS A PRIZE FOR OUR LABOUR

THE ETERNAL REWARD MAIN TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 3:14- “I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. 2 Tim 4:7 - 8 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, finally there is laid for me the crown of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Christ

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on May 19, 2011

This message was inspired (outline borrowed) from another pastor. The call of Christ is more pressing and demanding than the average believer considers it to be.

Following Christ Luke 9:57-62 * In his book "None of These Diseases”, S. I. McMillen, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist