Sermons on Hard Soil:

What Do I Expect To Hear?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 13, 2008

A Sermon for Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time(A) "As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit" Matthew 13:23

let me ask a question of all you who are here today—What did you come expecting here to hear? In a fascinating story of his journey across the United States with his pet dog, John Steinbeck tells of a Church service he attended during his travels in the State of Vermont. Tongue in cheek, he says, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Methodist

How To Listen To God: The Shallow & Divided Hearts - Mark 4:16-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Coffee mug theology, which generates great zeal until suffering comes, but then ...

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:16-19, Matthew 13:20-22, Luke 8:13-14

Scattering The Seed

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 6, 2007

Why wouldn’t God be more selective in what soil He allows His seed to be planted? And why did Jesus tell only this parable (but not the explanation of the parable) to this crowds?

A man walked into a flower shop and asked for some potted red geraniums. "I’m sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we are completely sold out of all of our potted geraniums. But I’d be more than happy to give you a deal on something else. Could you use African violets instead?" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Plant Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing one's heart as fertile soil, so the seed of the Gospel can take root and grow, urging individuals to consciously adjust their lifestyles to foster a growing relationship with God.

As the congregation arrives, offer them each a seed of some sort to take and keep in their hands during the worship experience. Consider the size of the seed that you want. Choose one that is large enough to not drop and lose. Begin your message by giving a personal story about a time you planted a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Topics: Gospel Seed, Heart Condition, Spiritual Growth

Sermon Series: Rooted

How To Have The Serenity To Accept The Things You Cannot Change

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Although it may be hard to admit, there are many things that we cannot change.

Although it may be hard to admit, there are many things that we cannot change. No matter how hard you try some people resist change; some organizations refuse to admit problems and some leaders refuse to listen to advice. Instead, of consistently beating one's proverbial head up against a wall, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bitter Bones And Angry Eyebrows

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 5, 2003

A hard look at bitterness and how to get rid of it God’s way.

BITTER BONES AND ANGRY EYEBROWS EPHESIANS 4:30-32 INTRODUCTION… E. Stanley Jones, Reader’s Digest, December 1981 A rattlesnake, if cornered, will sometimes become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is—a biting of oneself. We think ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope: Healing For The Home

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 8, 2001

This sermon offers hope for families that are broken or going through hard times.

Hope & Healing For The Home Morning Star Family Day 11/22/98 Genesis 50:15-21 Ephesians 4:17-32 Today as you celebrate Family Day, I want you to know that no family is complete without the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the home. God has many ways of entering into our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Ephesians 4:17-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

4 Epiphany C Jesus Comes Home

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 4, 2001

It is hard to come home, but why did Jesus come looking for a fight?

4 Epiphany C Luke 4:21-30 28 January 2001 Rev. Roger Haugen If you grew up in a small town, you know about small town rivalries. The hockey teams that play just a little tougher when playing a certain town. The anger at the boys because the girls want to date boys from the other town. Won’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Yet, I Will Still Praise Thee

Contributed by Justin Joiner on Oct 18, 2001

Through hard times and good times we need to praise God.

Yet, I will still praise thee. Open in Prayer. ~ Habakkuk 3: 17-18 ~ All of these things were happening but he still praised the Lord. ~ Even though I wasn’t getting an increase in pay at work and the bills weren’t paid, I still praised him. ~ Through the thick and thin we have to praise the ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Through Change We Grow!

Contributed by Glenn Newton on May 4, 2002

How change may be hard, but is necessary in the Christian life, and in the life of the Church.

Through Change We Grow! Pastor Glenn Newton 7-1-01 On July 4th, 1776 there was a Document signed by the brave leaders of the American Colonies, this document was a Declaration of Independence. It was a day that changed the lives of those who lived in our country forever, it was a Change that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:3-4

Denomination: Nazarene

#1why Are The Heavens Brass And The Earth Iron?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 21, 2002

Sometimes life seems so hard and cold, God has a plan.

#1WHY ARE THE HEAVENS BRASS AND THE EARTH IRON? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WHY ARE THE HEAVENS BRASS? DEAF, UNYIELDING, BRAZEN, LITTLE REWARD, UNFRUITFUL, COLD, AND THE EARTH IRON? INFLEXIBLE, RIGID, FIRM, UNWILLING, SLAVISH, HARD, INSENSITIVE, IMMOVABLE. TEXT: Deut. 28:23 ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:23, Psalm 107:15-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Songs That God Likes

Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 30, 2005

Thanksgiving sermon about being thankful about even hard times.

Acts 16:16-34 - Songs That God Likes Being thankful instead of complaining is possible but not always easy. Today we look at two men with songs in their hearts, and see how God moved for them. Paul and Silas were preaching in the city of Philippi. Acts 16:16 - a girl with a demon who could tell ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Fairh Iv Series

Contributed by Billy Noel on Jul 27, 2007

as you live the life of faith it calls you to make hard choices

The Life of Faith IV Hebrews 11: 24-28 God speaks to Amram in a dream Thermuthis –Pharaoh’s Daughter Nothing is more important that making the right choices in life The life of faith involves making choices, hard choices Faith Makes Difficult Choices In the life of Moses we see that faith enabled ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-28

Denomination: Christian Church

Love The Unlovable Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 2, 2009

Jesus calls us to love those who are hard for US to love

INTRODUCTION • VIDEO CLIP PC • SLIDE #1 • It is not always easy to love others. We picture love as something that is feeling based or emotional based. • For most people, it is easy to love people close to them. We can love our children, our spouses, our family and friends. We can love people who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slim Pickens Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Real Christian disciples and real love are hard to find even in the church.

“Slim Pickens” Philippians 2:19-30 I had a best friend from Junior high through high school. We did everything together except play hockey. We shared everything with each other, I don’t think I had a great experience as a teenager that he didn’t have with me. Have you ever had a friend like that? ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30