Sermons on Hard Sayings:

The Feeding God's Sheep

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 14, 2021

We often hear Christians say that they believe the Lord Jesus is coming soon to gather His church. When some Christians say that, it makes you wonder why they say that. I say this because their life-styles do not reflect that they believe He is going to come very soon.

Many live their lives as we did as children. Illus: If our parents had to go somewhere, before they left they gave us chores to do while they were gone. But once they were gone, we did pretty much what we wanted to do. But then someone would say, “Here comes Dad and Mom!” All of a sudden we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Denomination: Baptist

There's No Such Thing As Luck

Contributed by John Beehler on Mar 20, 2001

Saying we’re "lucky" implies God is not in control.

There’s No Such Thing As Luck 1. Parachute story-U.S. Airborne unit in Germany. Parachute drop zone next to a Mercedes test track. Wind blew him onto track. Hard asphalt, braced himself, no broken bones. Wind dragged him down track. Hit release. Car speeding toward him. Ran to side. How ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Judgment Against Lawyers And Pharisees Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 22, 2017

Today’s lesson is about the conversation between Jesus and a certain Pharisee that took place during dinner. Jesus says many of those things to the Pharisee and his guests that He will say to them later in the temple. Jesus is consistent in what He says

Judea Lesson: Judgment Against Lawyers and Pharisees (Micah 6:8) Luke 11:37-54 Jesus was a dinner guest in the home of a Pharisee, but He did not flatter His host or the other guests by avoiding the truth. He exposed their hypocrisy and condemned them for their sins (Matt. 23). They ruined ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

Angry Saints Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

James does not say we are to eliminate anger. He says we are to be slow to anger. James is too realistic and practical to think that the saints will never feel angry.

Near the end of the last century a group of minors in a mid-Western state became angry. They expressed that anger by igniting a carload of coal and pushing it down the mine shaft. Like most who act in anger, they could not foresee the long range consequences of their action. When the burning coal ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Suffering Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jun 28, 2004

What the Word of God says about suffering.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SUFFERING? Let me begin this sermon with a personal reflection to you. You all know that a few weeks ago my grandfather died. I don’t think I have ever experienced loss as great in my life before. I sat with him on the Saturday before he died, I had written him a ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Spiritual Autobiography

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jul 30, 2002

What does your life say about God?

A true story is told of a Ford Motor Company machinist in Detroit who became a Christian. In light of that experience he became a devout follower of God and desired to right his many wrongs. He had been stealing parts and tools from Ford for many years. The morning after his conversion, he acted ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:5-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Timing Is Everything

Contributed by Robert Austin on Jul 16, 2022

In the LOTR movie, the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf the wizard says

Timing is Everything Introduction Welcome In the LOTR movie, the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf the wizard says, "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." And while that's a humorous way for the character to get around the fact ...read more

Scripture: John 7:6, John 8:20, John 7:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fasting To Feasting Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

God specializes in taking hard, difficult, painful messes and turning them into something beautiful. He has done it in the past, and He will do it again.

Fasting to Feasting September 21, 2008 Zech 8:18-23 Intro: God specializes in taking hard, difficult, painful messes and turning them into something beautiful. Remember Abraham and Sarah – old, childless, wandering. God turned their barrenness into a nation of people still prominent today, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Choose To Conquer.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 24, 2020

Conquering is a choice. It’s a big choice, it’s a choice with bumps in the road. Paul commanded Timothy to endure hardness as a good solider.

Choose To Conquer. Romans 8:35,37 Conquering is a choice. It’s a big choice, it’s a choice with bumps in the road. Paul commanded Timothy to endure hardness as a good solider. Listen fully to Paul’s plea to Timothy—2 Timothy 2:3-5NKJV You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35, Romans 8:37, 2 Timothy 2:3-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When We Think God Has Failed Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 6, 2025

Israel loves what Ezekiel has to say, but they don't obey His teaching. What does God have to say about that?

WHY DID GOD FAIL US? Israel was shocked that God had let them down. - Ezekiel 33:21-24. - This passage as a whole is God giving an explanation to Israel of what’s going on because they are nowhere near an accurate understanding of the situation. - Verse 21 opens the passage with the reality of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:21-33

Denomination: Baptist

Celebrating In Sorrow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 6, 2014

As we get ready for the Lord's Table, we must prepare ourselves, because hard times are ahead. Even so, we can be grateful.

Several years ago, in a small-town church in upstate New York, a well-loved pastor who had been there for 35 years retired. He was replaced by a young pastor just starting out in ministry. The young man had a great desire to do well, but after just a few weeks he began to perceive that the people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Want Some Patience—now! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

A discussion of three important truths about patience: What it is, why it's so hard to have, and how you can display it.

INTRODUCTION We’ve come now to the fourth fruit of the Spirit, Patience. Remember, there is one fruit, and it has nine flavors. We read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 which says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Fredrik Rich on Apr 20, 2004

The main theme is mission, realistic mission as it might look today in a small church - it might be hard but not impossible (Also particularly suitable for Trinity Sunday).

Isaiah 6:1-8 This morning I’m going to be speaking to you about mission. I wonder what you think of when you hear the word mission? Perhaps it’s the films called “Mission Impossible”, or the earlier television series of the same name. Maybe we think of companies or worldwide organizations that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive? Who Me?

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 31, 2005

We desire, and expect God’s forgiveness when we ask. But it is so hard to offer that forgiveness to others when they sin against us.

Forgive? Who Me? Matthew 18:21-35 I remember this story about a famous person in American history, and for the life of me, I can’t remember who it was. Anyway, this person was asked one Sunday afternoon about the worship service he attended that morning. “What did the preacher preach about?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Methodist