Sermons on Hard Soil:

Do Little Lights Matter?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2020

All a mighty oak tree is--- a nut that stood it's ground through dry times, storms and hard times. If your presence matters? Does your absence matter?

DO LITTLE LIGHTS MATTER?… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. IF YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS, THINK ABOUT: DOES YOUR ABSENCES MATTER? Text: Luke 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-19, Matthew 25:23, Matthew 11:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stressed Out By Stress

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 27, 2020

One of the greatest truths of Christianity is God's promise to always be with the Born-Again Christian in every situation and circumstance of life. This is one truth that is known, yet somehow is hard to truly believe!

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2 NIV) A Harris Poll taken for the American Psychiatric Association (Stress in America Survey 1/2012) discovered that 81% of women say ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:43-45, Lamentations 3:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Freedom We Have In Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Bill Walker on Jul 10, 2017

The Apostle Paul cherished the fact that his spiritual liberty in Christ. For Christian unity it is necessary that Christian believers be united through their relationship to Christ. The Christian life is not about working as hard as we can.

THE FREEDOM WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS Galatians 2 Freedom is a word that Americans cherish. Slogans like this abound: “This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave ." The Apostle Paul cherished the fact that his spiritual liberty in Christ was worth far more ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Triumph Over Trials Sermon Iv: Inexplainable Suffering Is Redeemable Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 13, 2020

In times like these, when answers are hard to come by and the extremity of pessimism has been reached, mature Christians renew confidence in the Lord God Almighty to redeem that which at the moment begs to be explained.

CHRISTIANS CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT INEXPLAINABLE SUFFERING IS REDEEMABLE Nothing hurts worse than the emotional experience of watching a child suffer . . . “being there” for someone whose loved one has committed suicide . . . holding the hand of a dying person ...read more

Scripture: Job 40:1-8, Job 42:1-6, Job 19:25

Lover Of Knowledge Or Plain Stupid. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Nov 18, 2021

Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as having information through experience, reasoning or acquaintance. Whereas wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true.

Lover of knowledge or plain stupid. Prov. 12:1-10 The topic of wisdom comes up over and over again throughout the pages of Scripture. In fact one whole book (Proverbs) is devoted to the topic . Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Assurance Of Our Life

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Nov 14, 2020

We are blessed with the assurance of life and Christ. Our lives are blessed and made anew. No matter how hard our situations may seem, we have the assurance that Christ is always by our side.

Assurance of our Life Ephesians 2:4-10 “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all day long!” Fanny J. Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Getting It Wrong Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

This passage is hard on the disciples, no getting around it. They fail, repeatedly. But when I step back and look at me, and at today’s church, I refuse to condemn the disciples because I see these very same failures in me and in today’s church. We’ve

Getting it Wrong: Breaking Boundaries Luke 9:37-50 May 17, 2009 Intro: What we usually do when we study Scripture is good – we break it down into smaller pieces so we can really get into the stories and try to understand them, see Jesus in them, and reflect on what they mean for who we are and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-50

Denomination: Baptist

Trust Him

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 7, 2005

The way is often perilous and hard. We can’t see what lies ahead, feeling helpless and alone. God wants you to trust even when you don’t understand, when the future’s uncertain, and you cannot go on. Trust Him.

Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. TRUST HIM PROVERBS 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Source Of My Hope

Contributed by Mike Hays on Sep 30, 2001

In confusing times of tragedy and loss like many Americans are facing at the present time, it is hard to make sense of it all. The Psalmist gives us encouragement to seek understanding and confidence in the "sanctuary" of God’s presence.

The Source of My Hope Psalm 73 I heard on the news this past week that one of the outcomes of what has happened since the September 11th attack on America has been a rush on bookstores around the country. The sale of Bibles is up and that is good news. Alongside of this good news is the report that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Danger In Asking

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Jan 10, 2003

Making a single nation out of a dozen tribes was not easy. Unity came hard for Israel; it also came for the United States. U.S. history may shed light on I Samuel’s story.

THE DANGER IN ASKING I Samuel 8:5 Pray Making a single nation out of a dozen tribes was not easy. Unity came hard for Israel; it also came for the United States. U.S. history may shed light on I Samuel’s story. Most people think George Washington was the first president of the United ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:5

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Dating And Relationships Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Oct 2, 2006

We are created as relational beings...so why is it all so hard. It all starts with treating one another like the holy creations we are. Here are four helpful questions to help in relationships.

Let me start out by just telling you guys that I am so excited about tonight. Dating and relationships is a topic that I have a huge passion for because I know how difficult they can be; especially during junior and senior high. Throughout my life I have had 3½ girl friends…yes 3½. The first came ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Big Ears Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Apr 27, 2004

Message series in book of James: “Extreme Makeover: What Really Looks Good to God” - A church that is in hard times gets a lesson through James on how to grow together as a community of faith with big ears.

Big Ears Message series in book of James: “Extreme Makeover: What Really Looks Good to God” Big word, an in word, in our culture these days is “makeover.” Tummy tucks, lipo-suction, nose jobs, home renos, remodelling of gardens, they are all the rage. Many TV shows that have this theme are ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free