Sermons on Hard Situations:

18th Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 12, 2020

After worked hard all night and catching no fish, Simon Peter was ready to quit. But, when he followed Jesus' instructions, he made the catch of his life!

Work is something most living creatures understand. For those who are still in the work force, have you ever asked yourself whether you work to live or live to work? There is a big difference between working to live and living to work. Working to live gives you the money you need to put a roof over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

Let God Do His Thing

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Mar 10, 2020

The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. We need to replace that thinking by letting God do his thing. How would that look in our relationship with God?

Let God Do His Thing  INTRODUCTION: The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. That work ethic has crept into the Christian viewpoint by thinking that we must do God's work before we can merit his approval and acceptance. We need to replace that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Death, The Passing Of A Loved One Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 30, 2020

When we experience death of someone close it can affect us not only physically, but spiritually. It is good to know that God's word is a comfort to us in those hard times.

I. At Death, Our Feelings are Affected Like no Other Time. 1. A time when our feelings turn to our memories. a. Memories as husband/wife b. Memories as a father/mother c. Memories as a friend 2. A time when our feelings will find a void or an empty place. a. Take your feelings to Christ b. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Jesus Seriously

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on May 1, 2020

Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply. "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said.

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY Introduction: Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply, "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said. I HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PREACHING. People in the time of Jesus would often say that he ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Jesus Said About His Death, Burial, And Resurrection Series

Contributed by Michael Wiley on Apr 15, 2009

I’m sure if we looked hard enough we could find that the Disciples had a problem with listening skills. I believe Disciple’s key problem was “Filtered Listening.”

“Jesus Said” What Jesus said to His Followers “About The Death, Burial and Resurrection” NOTE: This sermon is done in four five minute segments throughout the worship service. Michael Wiley April 12, 2009 Introduction: Are you listening? Men, how many times has your wife asked you the question, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Need New Eyes

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 20, 2014

There are times the soil around us becomes hard and difficult, it is no time to quit... APPLY MORE EFFORT, try again. Many times all a crying baby needs is a diaper change or to be fed.

WE NEED NEW EYES... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. INTRODUCTION: MANY TIMES ALL A CRYING BABY NEEDS---- IS A CHANGE... A. Root bound: I was in Springfield, Illinois visiting my in-laws. Red my father-in-law said: Come on lets go to a friend of mine's orchard. There were 5,000 red ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Assured Of God's Plan For Us

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 24, 2022

God will always remember His people, even when trouble feels overwhelming. We may face hard times, troubles, and tribulation, but we don’t face them alone.

Have you ever been in a store and see a child that has gotten separated from his parents? The fear is very evident on the child's face as well as the parents’ face. It's a horrible feeling when the child turns around and can't find his parents. They frantically look through every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

James Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.

Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Zephania: Seek The Lord Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

Zephaniah's message hits hard the ruling class of Judah for their part in leading the people down a path of immorality, corruption, and idolatry. (This sermon was preached during the Fourth of July)

ILLUSTRATION: French writer Alexis de Tocqueville (TOKEVILLE), after visiting America in 1831, said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Covenant Before Culture

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 15, 2025

Marriage is God’s covenant design from creation, not a cultural contract, and only the new heart given by Christ can overcome hardness, restore faithfulness, and display His love to the world.

(The Case for Marriage) I. God’s Original Design Genesis 2:18–24 When the Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce, He did something simple and bold. He didn’t argue the law. He didn’t haggle over texts. He went back to the garden. He started at the beginning. He said, “From the beginning it was not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24, Malachi 2:4, Matthew 19:3-9, Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Facing A New Year In A Shaky World

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 1, 2024

We are facing a New Year, and while that can mean hope for a better future, the past and its troubles casts a shadow over that hope that is hard to ignore. We are living in a shaky world.

Alba 12-31-2023 FACING A NEW YEAR IN A SHAKY WORLD I Thessalonians 3:1-5 Have you ever gone to a scary movie? When I was twelve years old some friends and I walked to a movie theater that was about two miles from our home. The movie was called “Them”. It was not the kind of movie our family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Oh God, You Devil PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2025

Following Jesus means embracing His challenging teachings, trusting Him even when it’s hard, and letting His words transform us beyond our comfort and preferences.

Some of the most life-giving words Jesus speaks are also the ones that make us swallow hard. You’ve felt that, haven’t you? You’re reading the Bible in the early hush of morning, coffee cooling by your chair, and a sentence seems to stand up from the page. It has weight. It has heat. It asks ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-70

Topics: False Professors, Jesus Christ

God Is Caring Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 25, 2012

Do you ever feel like God doesn't care? Well you are not alone in that feeling, but the fact is that God does care and He cares for us even in tough situations.

God is Caring Mark 4:35-40 He Cares by Saving you He Cares by Growing you He Cares by Comforting you Intro Slide Good morning. I hope that everyone enjoyed a great thanksgiving. We all have much to be thankful for. This week was a blessing for us because we had all of our kids home for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Chips Are Down

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Feb 8, 2009

Epiphany 5: People in extraordinary situations have demonstrated that responding properly saves lives. Christians also have that privilege - to be all things to all people in order that some might be saved.

Our oldest son is in the Navy. Last year my son’s submarine, the USS Santa Fe finished a major overhaul and returned to its homeport in Hawaii. When a ship or submarine goes through a major overhaul, it undergoes a series of sea trials and exercises before it deploys. The purpose of those is to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Integrity An Important Ingredient For Effective Leadership

Contributed by Nche Takoh on Sep 22, 2006

Integrity is a rare commodity in almost all areas of life the government, the press, Education and even the church has been hit hard by scandal. In every case, the lack of credibility can be traced back to the level of integrity of the individuals within

INTEGRITY AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Introduction/Definition Integrity is a rare commodity in almost all areas of life the government, the press, Education and even the church has been hit hard by scandal. In every case, the lack of credibility can be traced back to the level ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:10

Denomination: Baptist