Sermons on Hard Rock:

Are You Going Up Or Down?

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 19, 2015

The rich man's sin was not his wealth, but his hard heart. Those who are rich have an obligation to help the poor. How we use what we have leads to God's judgment.

The Pope, Billy Graham and Oral Roberts all died on the same day and arrived at the Pearly Gates at the same time. St. Peter said to them, "I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that we are full right now and I am going to have to send the three of you down to the devil. The good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Anglican

The Rebel Returns Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 30, 2021

We want to look at the story Jesus told about a youth who learned the hard way. It is often called the parable of the Prodigal Son, but it could just as rightly be called the parable of the Faithful Father.

The main social event of the year in many Sunday Schools is the summer picnic. William Porkess was in an English Sunday School that was granted permission by an Earl to have a picnic on his large estate. How excited they all were as they were being carried to the estate by horse and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

God's Favor Does Not Mean A Straight Line Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 24, 2023

Hard times and trials do not mean loss of God’s favor. God’s favor means His presence, His guidance, His work through you, and your inner strength.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHAT GOD’S FAVOR IS NOT 1. Even in prison. “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor” (Genesis 39:21). 2. Joseph’s road down: a. Joseph’s favored status with his father. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children” (Genesis 37:3). Favoritism ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:21, Genesis 39:21

Denomination: Baptist

Your Money Or Your Life?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 25, 2023

Jesus asks us to hold ALL of God’s gifts lightly, to be ready to give them up, if necessary, to follow him. But it’s hard. And the more you have, the harder it is.

Do any of you remember the story of the poor fisherman and his wife, who caught a magic fish, who granted them 3 wishes? Or Aladdin and his wonderful lamp (not the Disney version)? Or all the other fairy tales involving magic and wishes and unexpected consequences? When I was young I used to spend ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Greatness In Serving Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 6, 2021

The disciples had to learn, often the hard way, that following Jesus does not mean favoritism from Him. They had to learn that service towards God and others is to be done with a loving, gracious attitude and not with an ego.

You have to admit that James and John thought a lot about their ability to serve the Lord Jesus. They wanted places of honor in the Kingdom of God without coming to grips with the hardship that follows everyone who gives their lives to Him. The disciples and all who would surrender their lives ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

Dancing With Wolves

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 17, 2023

The false prophets dance around the cost of discipleship, but dancing slippers don’t suit the hard road that leads to the narrow gate, and the wolves never warn their people that they need hiking boots instead

I am trying to navigate the theological tsunami that is threatening to permanently alter the face of our denomination. The amendments to the constitution regarding ordination standards, diversity, inclusiveness, interpretation of Scripture, and so on, are incredibly important to our identity as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-19, Revelation 22:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This story looks at and applies Jesus' teachings in Luke 17:1-6 alongside the experience of Corrie Ten Boom.

There were many things that were once thought to be impossible, but are now considered to be quite common and ordinary. The idea of man landing on the moon or going to space was once thought to be impossible, but that notion was shattered in the 1960s. The idea of people surviving heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Signs Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

Easter sermon. 5 basic signs of life that helped His followers see that Jesus, their hope and source of life, was no longer dead. 1. The Rock that Rolled. 2. Empty Tomb. 3. Empty Burial Clothes. 4. Two Angels. 5. Physical Appearance of Jesus to Mary

Signs of Life John 20:1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"You Wouldn't Believe Me..if I Told You!"

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 23, 2014

I believed, so therefore I Spoke! Start speaking it out Church, you have nothing to lose, only everything to gain!! AMEN? Well???..... "Somebody ought to stand up and shout Hallelujah Thank You Jesus"....before the rocks cry out and do it for you!!!

"You Wouldn't Believe Me..If I Told You!" Have you ever came across something, or someone told you about something and it was just to good to be true. I think we can all attest to the fact that we have heard some tall tails in our day. The bible is full of Great examples of stories, that could ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30, John 19:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Retribution Of God And Combatting Injustice – The Delicate Balance Of Judgment And Mercy – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2023

For human beings the delicate balance between judgement AND mercy is very hard to maintain and we err one way or the other. God has it absolutely correct. Part 3 looks at that problem, as well as the vengeance and retribution of God. We cover various aspects. “Vengeance is Mine.”

THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD AND COMBATTING INJUSTICE – THE DELICATE BALANCE OF JUDGMENT AND MERCY – PART 3 THE DELICATE BALANCE OF JUDGMENT AND MERCY – CAN HUMAN BEINGS HANDLE IT? One of the mysteries we only partly understand as Christians is what I might call the balancing of the judgment of God ...read more

Scripture: James 2:13, Ephesians 2:3-6, Psalm 17:6-9, Psalm 35:4-5, Psalm 31:3-4, Psalm 9:16, Psalm 7:14-16, Deuteronomy 32:35, Hebrews 10:30, Psalm 137:7-9, Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 6:16-17, Psalm 139:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"living In Reality"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 16, 2022

A sermon about what it means to deny self and live for God and others.

“Living in Reality” Mark 8:34-38 I want us to think about the following questions this morning: 1. What gives you the greatest joy in life? 2. What creates for you the deepest sense of purpose? 3. When do you feel most alive, most true to the person God created you to be? My guess is that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Who Do You Say I Am

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Apr 19, 2022

Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter answered, “John the Baptist, or Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Jesus asked, Who do you say I am? Peter’s answer reverberates across the centuries: "You are the Christ, the son of the living God"

Note: I developed a simple set of homemade PowerPoint slides that I used in presenting this sermon. They're not fancy or professional quality, but if you're interested in having the PowerPoint file I will send it by Email. Just send an Email message to me at sam@srmccormick.net with the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, John 11:32-36, Romans 12:15, Psalm 22:2, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-6, John 14:6, Genesis 49:1, Genesis 49:8-10, Revelation 5:5, Matthew 23:37-38, Philippians 3:4-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Brought Me Out Of The Miry Clay

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 13, 2025

The “miry clay” represents situations that are sticky, messy, and hard to escape. It symbolises spiritual bondage, emotional turmoil, and moral failure. But God does not abandon His people in such states. He inclines His ear to us, hears our cry, and lifts us out with His mighty hand.

HE BROUGHT ME OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 40:1-3 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 38:6-13, Psalm 18:16-19, Colossians 1:13, Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 15:17-24 INTRODUCTION: There are moments in life when it feels like we are sinking—overwhelmed by sin, pain, confusion, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Perplexing Problems Of Sovereignty Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 1, 2009

After acknowledging God’s ultimate justice the prophet humbly asked in worship the hard issue of how the wicked could be used to punish those less evil than themselves (CIT). He said this apparent moral contradiction needed further clarification from God

Habakkuk 1:12-2:1 PERPLEXING PROBLEMS WITH SOVEREIGNTY [1 Chronicles 29: 11 & 12] Habakkuk is a profound book that delves deeply into the mysteries of God. This passage is Habakkuk’s response to the preceding divine revelation concerning God’s future plans to bring about correction. God’s ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-12, Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist