Sermons on Hard Sayings:

Sticks And Stones

Contributed by Jeff Pearce on Feb 11, 2013

Words really do hurt, and what we say matters.

Sticks and stones James 3:1-13 Intro: sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. 1: sound familiar a) Do words hurt? b) Absolutely, yes they do!!! c) Words can build and uplift, bridge gaps and restore relationships d) But they can also destroy and be harmful and cause a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-13

Denomination: Other

Marriage: God's Showcase Of Covenant-Keeping Grace Series

Contributed by John Piper on Mar 29, 2007

The most foundational thing you can say about marriage is that it is the doing of God, and the most ultimate thing you can say about marriage is that it is for the display of God.

What we have seen in the last two weeks is that the most foundational thing you can say about marriage is that it is the doing of God, and the most ultimate thing you can say about marriage is that it is for the display of God. These two points are made by Moses in Genesis 2. But they are made even ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confession Of God’s Promises!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Dec 19, 2019

Words spoken in harmony with God’s Word will always work wonders. Our confession always precedes our possession. Whether positive or negative, we will have what we say! I choose and want to say what the Word of God says than my flesh or mind would say. How about you?

CONFESSION OF GOD’S PROMISES! Words spoken in harmony with God’s Word will always work wonders. Our confession always precedes our possession. Whether positive or negative, we will have what we say! Proverbs 6:2 (KJV) Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:2, Isaiah 57:19, 1 Peter 2:24, John 15:7, Psalm 27:1  (view more)  (view less)

Christmas Eve 2002

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 24, 2002

We say that Christmas is the season for giving. In reality, it is the season for receiving.

(This message was given as a Holy Communion meditation) Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 New Testament Reading Titus 2:11-14 Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20 We say that Christmas is the season of giving. But is it really? Why do you buy gifts to give? Let’s be honest. Do you buy gifts because you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Love Is

Contributed by Darian Catron on Feb 10, 2021

What is love? How will I know love when I see it? Is it just something I feel inside? Is it just a word we say? What the World says about love and what the Word says about love are two very different ideas.

INTRODUCTION: Illustration/Story/Quote/Statistic- One of my main languages is music, so I’m going to be quoting some popular songs of my era that talk about love this morning since it is, after-all, Valentine’s Day. I hope you don’t mind. In the popular 80s song by the group Foreigner, the lead ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Whatever Was,is, Whatever Will Be Is"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 2, 2014

New Years Eve Sermon for a Historic Watch Night Service dealing with the past year and some hard questions on the concept of God as only a Good God.

December 31, 2013 (Watch Night/New Year's Eve/New Year’s Day) Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 “Whatever was, is, Whatever will be is” Psalm 8 (UMH 743) Revelation 21:1-6a
 From time to time, God tests us—as Abraham was tested—to see just how much we trust God and how much ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Yes You! Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Apr 18, 2022

There is a word from the Lord for you in the house. I'd like you to say that by faith, and say, "There is a word from the Lord for me".

INTRODUCTION: There is a word from the Lord for you in the house. I'd like you to say that by faith, and say, "There is a word from the Lord for me". Now look at somebody else and say, "There is a word". Put it in the chat. Everybody in the room say it. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 18:15-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following God's Directions

Contributed by Greg Vesely on Mar 31, 2009

It’s hard following direction, we want and desire to be in controll of our lives. But God wants us to allow Him to direct our lives.

FOLLOWING GOD’S DIRECTIONS Intro: Have you ever booked anything off the internet like a rental car, well you should try it sometime, it could be an interesting experience . This last weekend Liz booked us a flight and succored a rental car through the internet. This company I have never ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:112

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Directions Determines Our Destination (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 19, 2025

In this scripture passage, I want to show you a family that lived among God’s people, and then due to some hard times, they packed up and moved.

You might be saying, “So what!” People move from one city to another all the time because of HARD TIMES! That is correct, but anytime we find something in the Word of God, it is there for a reason. WHAT IS THE REASON GOD PUT THIS FAMILY IN THE SCRIPTURES FOR MOVING? Because it was a ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Examined Life

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 5, 2006

The hard commands of Jesus are best understood as being directed to the church, which should be a Community of Grace. This sermon addresses Jesus’ teaching on lust, sin and adultery.

The Examined Life in the Community of Grace Our key scripture today suggested to me the sermon title, The Examined Life”. You may have heard of this saying by Socrates, an ancient philosopher: “The unexamined life is not worth living." It struck me that, in some very strong language, what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grace-Giver

Contributed by Jared Schroeder on Oct 1, 2004

Grace is sometimes hard to understand and can seem rather uncomfortable at times. But living a life of grace is what Jesus Christ has called us to.

The Grace – Giver Galatians 2:1-10 Introduction What does the Christian Church have to offer that the world cannot offer? What sets Christianity apart from any other religion, society or group? Gordon MacDonald, a Christian author once said this, “The world can do almost anything as well ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Who Can Stand? The Church!, Part 2 (Revelation 7:9-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 21, 2023

A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation. Life is hard now. It will be harder later, and Revelation prepares us to accept that, and to be faithful in tough times.

Last week, we worked our way through the first vision of Revelation 7, which describes the sealing of the 144,000, from the 12 tribes of Israel. I argued that this was a vision of the church. Israel, is the church. The church, is Israel. I gave a few arguments in support of this, but I left out ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 22, 2020

In 2 Peter 3:1-17, Peter is dealing with the hard heart of scoffing at the return of Jesus Christ, the final Judgement and how we should be living.

The Day of the Lord It’s Delay, Our Response In some Bibles, The Day of the Lord is found as a preoccupy of 2 Peter 3:1-17. In chapter 3, Peter is dealing with the hard heart of scoffing at the return of Jesus Christ, the final Judgement and how we should be living. There once was a man who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's In The Middle? Series

Contributed by Dan Willis on Sep 22, 2011

In today's society sense of identity is hard to come by. Where is the scriptural teen? Who are you? What makes a boy into a man? Is age all it takes?

We continue today on the series addressing the 3 Great Lies Satan has told the church. When last we spoke we discussed the important role children play within the congregation. We explained how children inspire the congregation, unite the family and sharpen the fathers. Today we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:2-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Losing Sight Of The Goal

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 29, 2021

Life often has some hard hits and bad hurts. We must not allow obstacles to cause us to lose sight of the goals before us.

FOCUS ON JESUS NOT THE STORM… THIS HURRICANE SHALL PASS… OBSTACLES ARE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THE GOAL… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I LOVE WISE STATEMENTS. The French have a motto: WRITE HURT AND INJURIES IN THE SAND AND WRITE LOVE AND KINDNESS IN MARBLE. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-15, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 14:24-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God