Sermons on Hard Soil:

Self-Control - 2 Peter 1:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 9, 2025

Imagine how much better your life would be with more self-control. Why is it so hard? Elite athletes who are unbelievers often outshine most Christians in this area—how can that be, if it’s a fruit of the Spirit?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control. Introduction I want to start with this question: in Peter’s list of virtues in 2 Peter 1:5-7, why isn’t verse 5 enough? By the end of v.5 you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prayer Of A Deperate Man (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Apr 14, 2005

Part 2 deals with the hard situations in life. Jonah was in the belly of a fish and prayed a prayer of desperation. There are 4 life lessons we can learn from Jonah’s intense situation. When applied it will change our lives and situations forever.

Title: The Prayer Of A Desperate Man Title: Jonah 2:1-10 Pray!!! Read Text!!! Introduction: - Have you ever been in a position were God needed to show up or it was over. - I mean if God doesn’t intervene, you go bankrupt, or you die. - This is were Jonah was at with God. - This is part two in ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

"In His Presence”

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Jun 15, 2005

It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence, but don’t loss faith, you ar

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church August 2003 It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rebellion - The Faith Killer Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 21, 2005

Many of us are exposed to the gospel, but as the Israelites had a choice to go into the Promised Land, we have a choice whether to believe God when He says salvation is through Jesus Christ. Do you have a hard or soft heart to the Lord?

I grew up in the 60’s when rebellion against authority was turned into an art form. Rebellion says: I don’t like someone taking authority over me. I don’t want you telling me what’s wrong with me, and I certainly don’t want you telling me what to do because what I think is the most important thing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Do You React To Pressure And Adversity?

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Sep 2, 2004

What happens when you subject the following items to Hot Water? Carrot, Egg and Coffee. The carrot turns to mush, the egg turns hard and the Coffee’s flavour is released. Which one do we imitate when under pressure?

Youth Service - Reaction to Hardship – Carrot, Egg, Coffee (Start by boiling carrots, an egg and coffee in three separate pots) Who’s been watching the Olympics? • Any special Olympic moments that stuck out for you? • What is fascinating about the Olympics is that we see individuals and teams under ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Christian Church

The Yearning Of God

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 20, 2013

We hear stories like that & shake our heads in dismay. It is hard to realize that there are millions living in such superstition & fear. You see, we have been taught that God is love – that He knows & loves each of us...

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK One day, almost 4,000 years ago, God spoke to a man named Abram, who was later called Abraham, & said to him, “Leave your country, your people & your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Samuel - Speaking The Words Of God Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jul 18, 2009

A short talk given at an early morning communion service. Samuel was young, but his first task after coming to know the Lord was to speak hard words from God to Eli (his mentor!) Will we also speak the truth, in love, to others?

Samuel was a child, with priestly responsibilities (an interesting fact!) and he was being mentored by Eli in the Temple. Jesus primarily focused upon 12 men. Who has God entrusted to you, to teach and train in the ways of the Lord? “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

Christianity And Divorce Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 28, 2008

Divorce is a near universal experience as pervasive as it has become. Some of you are still dealing with the pains of divorce. For some, it may be hard to sit here without tears running down your face. Others of you are struggling in your marriage and sec

Christian and Divorce Matthew 19:1-10 How many of you have been touched by divorce, either yourself or through a family member or friend? Raise your hands. Divorce is a near universal experience as pervasive as it has become. Some of you are still dealing with the pains of divorce. For some, it may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Futility Of Our Own Strength And The Supremacy Of His

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Aug 2, 2010

It is a hard fact to receive after all, that all God wants from us is to simply receive and believe in the actions He through Jesus have already accomplished. Will we accept his words or will we blindly ignore and forget His gift

Romans 3:20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20

Denomination: Foursquare

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Generosity In Giving Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 19, 2012

People who believe that the whole earth & every thing in it belongs to their Lord (Ps. 24:1) readily recognize that the resources of their own lives, which, no matter how hard they toiled and how judiciously they spent, were utterly dependent on God's gra

Proverbs 11:24–26 GENEROSITY IN GIVING [2 Kings 4:1–7] Proverbs offers practical instructions on the use of money, although sometimes it's advice we would rather not hear. It is more comfortable to continue in our habits than to learn how to use money more wisely. Money is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24-26, Proverbs 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Putting First Things First

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 1, 2011

One of the most common faults among those who claim to be Christians is that of having wrong priorities in this life. The truth is, we are amiss when it becomes our habit to put secondary things primary, and primary things secondary. It is hard to believ

Intro: One of the most common faults among those who claim to be Christians is that of having wrong priorities in this life. The truth is, we are amiss when it becomes our habit to put secondary things primary, and primary things secondary. It is hard to believe and yet so true that we sin and do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Denomination: *other

Does Your Life Speak Well Of God? Romans 15:1-13 (Lesson)

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Nov 27, 2011

I believe a lot of times the reason it's hard to witness to others is because they have had a bad experience with a Christian before. Maybe in a business deal or a friend backslid after trying to get their friend to come to Christ...and they were thinkin

11-27-2011 Does your life speak well of God? Romans 15:1-13 I believe if our life speaks well of God then it must be spoken well of by others. We should be spoken well of by church members, co workers, friends, family members...because when we represent Jesus we are to be Christ like. We may just ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Fear Of Failure

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 21, 2008

Being negative is easy; it requires no work because it comes natural. All you have to do to fail is nothing. On the other hand being positive isn’t as easy; it requires work. Optimism in the face of adversity is difficult and is hard to find in this day a

The Fear of Failure Diamonds in the rough often go unrealized because they don’t think they are diamonds, they don’t have an advocate to encourage them, so the fear of failure ruins the confidence that leads to success. The greatest days and moods are quickly forgotten with one ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God