Sermons on Hard Soil:

Open-Minded To A Narrow Way? - Matthew 7:13-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 16, 2024

The dominant religion of our culture is pluralism – no one goes to hell. Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate because the more popular, less exclusive, less difficult road leads to hell, whereas the sparse, exclusive, hard road leads to life.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Introduction Pluralism Whatever you think about President ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Sermon # 48 - No Room For Rebellion Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 12, 2025

Jonah’s heart was hard and right to the end he was not willing to accept God’s forgiveness and compassion that was extended to the people of Nineveh. Rebellion against God is sin and if there is such a sin in our lives, may we set it aside and walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Today’s meditation is taken from Jonah 4:9, “But God said to him, "What right do you have to be angry about the plant?" Jonah replied, "I have every right to be angry—angry enough to die!"” (GNB) God spoke to Jonah who was annoyed and angry, and asked him if it was right on his ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:9, Psalm 32:9, Exodus 32:9-10, Psalm 95:10-11, Hebrews 3:8-10, Hebrews 3:11-15, Hebrews 4:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Remember

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 9, 2004

This week as I sat at my desk, I asked myself – what does Jesus want us to remember about Him as we take communion? FRIENDS – I thought long and hard on this. AND – in our time remaining I’d like to share with you what I came up with…

Remember… There’s a story about a guy from the city who was visiting relatives on a farm and the farmer gave a whistle and his dog herded the cattle into the corral, then latched the gate with her paw. "Wow, that’s some dog. What’s her name?" The forgetful farmer thought a minute, then asked, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Survivor: What Am I Doing Here Series

Contributed by Mark Milioni on Jan 11, 2001

Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here?

Imagine going through all the work and effort of Survivor and not winning. Same with Olympics. Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here? What am I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of Followership

Contributed by Robert Garrett on Apr 11, 2005

God’s people encounter things that are indeed very hard to handle. We come upon situations daily that we struggle especially in regard to our relationships. Jesus looks for five main qualities in the hearts of his disciples as he called them to followe

INTRO. Many times in life we encounter things that are indeed very hard to handle. We come upon situations daily that we struggle especially in regard to our relationships at work, school in our homes and even here in God’s church family. Often we are placed in situations where we are not in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Good As Dead - Advent

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 8, 2006

Advent. It is hard to do an orignial John the Baptist advent sermon isn’t it? I give it a go. Our life circumstances do not determine the validty of who Jesus is. Also, John 1:6-9, 15-16,19-23.

There are starting to be more movies with biblical themes coming out – the Nativity is the latest. I was thinking…Disney Studios might jump on the bandwagon and produce a biblically oriented film. I think there are many stories they could choose from….but you know Disney has a habit of changing the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trusting God

Contributed by Jeffrey Cox on Sep 15, 2003

Jesus states in Matthew that even though you worked miracles, if you do not “know” God, you will be sent away on the day of judgement. If you know Him, you will know that trusting him is the best thing for you to do, and it won’t be hard to do

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” He only knows those who trust in him. Knowing him is quite important: see below. Matthew 7:21,22,23 (21)“Not everyone that says ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:7, Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Stop Strife Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

Nehemiah has to put down his hard hat and turn his attention from the construction of the wall to the walls that were being put up between his workers. While their external enemies helped to rally the people, internal conflict threatened to divide and de

How to Stop Strife As we continue in our series through the Book of Nehemiah, we’ve learned that Nehemiah confronted a different challenge in each chapter: • In chapter one, he was faced with a personal challenge. When he heard about what was happening in Jerusalem, he sat down and wept and then ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

In The Sinew That Shrank..." By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Aug 4, 2004

The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God is going and going that way! Jacob learned the hard way. Had he followed God without reservation, he may not of walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Let’s examine the story together!

Introduction Going God’s way is not only the best way but the only way! It’s when we look back we say, "I wish I had followed God..." Jacob knew the feeling too well. A person is never what he ought to be until he is doing what he ought to be doing. Jacob was neither. In other words it took a bit ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

"But Jesus...: Faith In The Face Of Reason"

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 21, 2002

In the struggles and hard times of our lives, we are called to look beyond our own understanding, beyond our reasoning and recognize that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. In your life if you have not already experienced them, times wil

“‘But Jesus…’: Faith in the Face of Reason” Mark 6:30-44 For many people, the events of this fall have resulted in changed lives. In the beginning of September we traveled on airlines without fear and seldom gave thought to things like anthrax and small pox. Before September 11th, few people knew ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44, Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Methodist

I Know My Redeemer Lives Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 30, 2002

Beyond all of the cultural reasons to come to Easter worship, we come to know that our lives are anchored. But it’s hard to know. Job points the way by affirming a redeemer despite the lack of evidence. Today we know a living redeemer, life changer.

 I If I were to ask you why you’ve come here today, how would you answer? Tell the truth, now; you’re in church. What do you expect and why are you here today? I’d guess that a number of us would give out what Mayor Williams calls the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:11-12, Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Can We Ignore God Without Consequence?

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Mar 23, 2004

Noah built the ark in the open plain, far from the sea, surely attracting derision. It was hard work that required sustained effort over years and years time. But he BELIEVED and OBEYED God as a result of his faith. God honored that faith by providing a m

Can We Ignore God Without Consequence? We return to the book of Beginnings this morning. Our text is drawn from one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, found in Genesis 6 through 9. The account of Noah. With apologies to David Letterman, here’s a Top Ten list of lessons learned from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Without God..."

Contributed by Winson Butler on Apr 21, 2004

In the 21st Century it’s hard to think of anyone living in our world without some modern convenience. More tragically would be someone living with everything made modern possibily and without the most important thing in his or her life, God.

"Without God..." Ephesians 2:12 -Dr. E. Winson Butler- Introduction I. Can you imagine it, anyone, someone living without at least one modern convienence in this world of ours. Running water, a bed, a clock. To many this would be horrible. Yet no one takes the time to think what life would be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12

Denomination: Baptist

Come Out Of Your Cave

Contributed by James May on Aug 10, 2011

Like Elijah, we often find ourselves in a cave of hardness, coldness and perhaps even spiritual and emotional depression. We listen for the voice of the Lord, but he often speaks in ways that we aren't expecting. God wants us to come out of that cave an

Come Out of the Cave August 10, 2011 By Pastor James May The Prophet Elijah was a man of God like none other described in the Bible. He did mighty exploits for the Lord, and saw the hand of God move to perform great miracles at Elijah’s word. At his word alone, God stopped the rain for 3 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Whatever Happened To Sin?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 12, 2010

Preachers once preached against sin and God’s people felt the weight of guilt and shame for their sin. In our world today we have a hard time finding someone willing to admit to sinning. The question must be asked “Whatever has happened to sin?”

Whatever Happened to Sin? 1 JOHN 3:1-4 Introduction: President Calvin Coolidge was well-known for being a man of few words, reticent, and straight to the point. There’s a story that after attending church one day, someone apparently asked him what the preacher had preached about. “Sin,” Mr. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist