Sermons on Hard Soil:

How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2013

When the child of God is hard-pressed by the wicked, a cry escapes the lips, "How Long?" Let the Christian know that God knows their trials, and that He shall, by His mighty hand, reveal His mercy and grace in His time.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Discipline Of Prayer Series

Contributed by David Scudder on May 30, 2009

Since prayer is really just talking to God, then why is it so hard? Some of us have no problem spending a lot of time talking to other people? So why does it take so much effort to talk to God?

Purpose: To show that a false commitment to Christ will cause a lack of desire to pray. Aim: I want the listener to be sure that he is totally committed to Christ. INTRODUCTION: For many years medical science thought that ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. But, in 1979 two Australian ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Closest Thing To God's Love Is A Mothers Love, (A Mothers Day Sermon).

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Mar 16, 2015

The closest love to God’s love is to witness the love of a good mother. Sadly this is not always the case, but it is the best model we have to follow. There are some emotional bits in this sermon making it very powerful, even hard to deliver.

Title: The closest thing to God's love is a Mothers love. Summary: The closest love to God’s love is to witness the love of a good mother. Sadly this is not always the case, but it is the best model we have to follow. There are some emotional bits in this sermon, but it is very powerful, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Episcopal

Looking For Leftovers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2014

Can God supply all your needs? The Disciples struggled with that idea... and so do many of us. Why do we have such a hard time trusting God in this and how can we learn to believe Him more?

OPEN: I once read the true story of a family that was sitting down at the dinner table for their evening meal. But one of the girls wasn’t happy because they were having leftovers, and she complained about it. The dad was not happy about that and spent a few moments explaining to her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Can Remove Trash, Bugs & Weeds But How About Darkness?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 20, 2009

Children often want darkness removed because they fear what they cannot see. For adults the darkness is more of a friend. Jesus is the remover of darkness but the light of the world is still waiting for many to see it. Sometimes it is hard even for Christ

Open up the yellow pages and you can find a ton of listings that will remove pretty much whatever you want removed. There are ads for chimney sweeps to remove built up grime. There are people willing and able to remove insects, weeds, garbage, wallpaper, old fixtures, homes, cars and even bad ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Love People, Use Things

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2009

Thanksgiving Eve sermon 1989: We have a hard time giving up our attachment to things material. We do need to feel, however, that what we use makes a difference for someone -- a way to love them.

When we read that the city of Washington is going to get everybody out of an infamous homeless shelter by Christmas, because that shelter is no longer fit for human habitation, we have a variety of reactions. Some react at the thought that we still have not come very far at settling the issue of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Are You In The Position To Receive?

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Sep 3, 2012

Sometimes we're on a need to know basis, but we need to realize and trust that, if He knows, that’s all we need to know and that’s where the hard part comes in,

Are you in the position to receive? So lift your hands and praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)  Hebrews 13:15 15. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Heard God's Calling? Have You Answered?

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Sep 13, 2013

God still appears to us, and He still calls us in many ways. While it is hard to hear Him calling above the din of the world's chatter, He is calling, and He is visible for those who have eyes to see.

In the earliest church, there wasn't a single member who had a financial need for long because, whenever a need arose, the wealthier members sold a piece of their land and gave the proceeds to the church. This ministry of grace (Acts 4) appears to have been commonplace... but the only man mentioned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Peace: Ready, Set, Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Peace comes hard for some at Christmas. We must be open to what God wants to give, we must get down to what God wants us to be doing, and we must find meaning in our ordinary pursuits.

National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, DC, Dec. 19, 2004 These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands. Stressful. We’d really like some peace, wouldn’t we? Just a moment or two of quiet – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

To Live: Deliverance Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Aug 5, 2009

Paul has joy even when life is hard because he focuses on Deliverance! Either your difficult times will come to an end, or you will, but it’s a win/win situation...because Paul knows Christ!

TEXT: Philippians 1:12-30 TITLE: To LIVE: Deliverance SERIES: To Live TOPIC: Salvation OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, June 28, 2009 PROP.: in order to receive deliverance, you must wait for the Lord…but continue to read His word, continue with your mission, understand God’s plans are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ugly Praise

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jan 17, 2012

Sometimes life puts you in hard places, and you hurt and you cry: but never forget that God is worthy of your praise (Even if all you have is an Ugly Praise) give it to God, and watch what he does.

Gen 37:18-19 Jer 38:12 When we read the story of Joseph there are some things that cannot be denied, because the scripture makes it clear that: *Joseph was chosen by God * Joseph was anointed by God *Joseph had a destiny given by God * Joseph was favored by God * Joseph was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-19, Genesis 37:23-24, Genesis 37:1-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Indoctrination Of Our Children In Evil. The Great Falling Away.

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Dec 29, 2011

There are many controversial subjects in the Bible, some hard to understand, the Apostle Paul was one whose writings fall within this category, but without teaching or preaching about them how then would the lost become aware of what sin is and how to be

As the state of California is ready to indoctrinate school children into the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle we wonder where this is all going. There are many controversial subjects in the Bible, some hard to understand, the Apostle Paul was one whose writings fall within this category, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:2-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Responding With Forgiveness

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 3, 2014

All of us would probably have to admit that when we have been mistreated, we find it hard to have a Christ-like mind and to express the forgiving Spirit of Christ toward those who have mistreated us.

4-24-05 Title: Responding with Forgiveness Text: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Believing In Jesus Is Not Enough (John 8:12-59) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 7, 2022

In John, there are a cluster of verbs Jesus wants from us, to be full disciples, and we have to hold them all together. If we focus too hard on "believing," we will misunderstand Jesus, and what he wants.

Last week, we read just two verses from John 8, spending the rest of our time in Leviticus 23 and Exodus 13. I scratched my itch to get back to the OT, and I'm ready to take another shot at this. I say that, but this is probably the most depressing chapter (I hope!) in the entire gospel of ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-59

Do This In Remembrance.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Apr 23, 2022

We humans often have a hard time remembering things. Maybe your memory has gotten so bad that you figure that within a few years you’ll be able to hide your own Easter eggs.

Do This In Remembrance. Luke 22:7-13NLT A man was working in his backyard one day, when his neighbor began talking to him over the fence. He said, "Yeah, my wife and I went to one of those seminars yesterday, you know, where they teach you ways to improve your memory and such.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:7-13, Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal