Sermons on Hard Soil:

It’s Real… Oh Yes, It’s Real!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

There are some lessons in life that some folks seem to have to learn the hard way.

Illus: A first grade teacher asked her class to write six things in life they had learned the hard way. One little girl jotted these six things down. She had learned: • No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats • When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair • ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Walk In Dark Times

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Jul 10, 2020

The message shares how we can walk in hard and even sinful times.

How to walk in the Dark? Palm 119:105-112 1. Erik Weihenmayer is an amazing athlete and adventurer. He’s kayaked all 277 miles of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, • He has climbed the face of El Capitan in Yosemite ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112

Denomination: Methodist

When Life Doesn't Turn Out SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 26, 2023

In hard times, God is teaching us, but in good times, God is testing us.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of life, where the path is often winding and the journey unpredictable. We are here to seek solace, to find answers, and to understand the divine will of our Heavenly Father. Today, we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:1-12

Topics: Learning God's Will

The Great Depression # 5

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 31, 2021

Today I want to preach another sermon that can be preached in any church in America, and it would apply to most of the people in any congregation. I hope that as I preach the Word it will fall on good soil today.

Illus: I heard of a preacher who was preaching a three-point sermon on the Second Coming of Christ, and he would close each of the main points of the sermon by saying, “HE IS COMING, READY OR NOT!” When he got to the third point he got so excited he got on the edge of the pulpit and screamed, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer-Works Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 16, 2008

Why ‘work’ instead of ‘activity’ of prayer or ‘picnic’ of prayer? Why does ‘prayer concert’, or ‘prayer vigil’ sound so gray and bland? The answer is obvious. Prayer is hard work! It is rewarding; it is life-changing; but it is hard.

We continue today on our topic, “Learning to serve in a Service-less Age”, more specifically looking at “The refurbished Life”. God refurbishes our lives, in part, through “The Habit of Prayer”. I confess my struggle with this topic. It is complex yet simple. So complex that we will not even begin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Why We Preach On Giving

Contributed by Mike Garner on Aug 15, 2006

Why is it so hard for pastors to preach about giving? Why is it so hard for church members to hear about giving? Here are 3 reasons why preachers should NOT apologize for a sermon on giving - from a layperson!

What is On Your Mind? One of the most intriguing challenges for anyone who steps behind one of these (pulpits) is trying to figure out what¡¦s going on in your minds. What are you thinking as we speak? It¡¦s not always easy to read. But there is one time where it¡¦s really not all that hard to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Convince God

Contributed by Isaac Magsino on Jan 16, 2006

But when you realize that it is God who can rise you up; you suddenly, find yourself ashamed and this could be the reason on why it is hard to be close to Him. You’re thinking that God is hard to convince.

Theme: How to Convince God Text: Genesis 32: 22-31 Place: FBC Kodiak, Alaska Date: January 15, 2k6 Intro: Illus: Three handsome male dogs are walking down the street when they see a beautiful, enticing, female Poodle. The three male dogs fall all over ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have We Been Using The Wrong Words?

Contributed by Ray Geide on Feb 16, 2012

Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why does there seem to be a disconnect between the Bible and reality? Why is the church out of touch with the world around it? The answer to all of these questions is simple, yet hard to stomach.

Have We Been Using the Wrong Words? Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why does there seem to be a disconnect between the Bible and reality? Why is the church out of touch with the world around it? The answer to all of these questions is simple, yet hard to stomach. We have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 4, 2014

Prayer can change circumstances and prayer can change us. The Lord has told us to pray and never give up, both of these things are very hard when you are going through a hard time.

Persistent Prayer Luke 18:1-18:6 Introduction- We will continue to look at Jesus parables and how we can apply his teachings to our life. Last week we looked at honoring God with our lives and make sure that God gets the glory. This week we look at prayer-persistent prayer of the widow. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

How Does Your Light Shine? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 11, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke chapter 8 verses 16 through 21

Luke 1: 16 – 21 How Does Your Light Shine? 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:16-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Fundamentals Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Mark Lewis on Jan 5, 2002

Describes the fundamentals of spiritual growth in the life of the Christian.

Title - Fundamentals for Spiritual Growth Text - 1 Corinthians 3:6 Subtext - Luke 8:4-15; James 5:7-8 Intro. - In the gospel according to Luke 8:4-15 the Lord told the Parable of the Sower which gives insight and understanding into Paul words in 1 Corinthians 3:6. Read along with me the words of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6, Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Selling Herself Cheaply Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 4, 2021

God makes room for all, even for those women we routinely dismiss because of a soiled past. If God accepts Rahab the prostitute, He will accept me if I look to Him in faith.

“Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, ‘Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Disipline Of Love

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Aug 4, 2001

God sends punishment to Israel in order that she will be fully redeemed.

The Disipline of Love INTRODUCTION: God loved the children of Israel so much that He no longer could allow them to treat Him with such unholy, self-righteous, adulterous behavior. God desired His wayward children to return to Him. When they would not listen to the words of His heart, He spoke ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Parables Reveal About You

Contributed by Dean Shriver on Jun 1, 2006

In the Bible Jesus says, “I came to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus came to proclaim good news to the captives. Jesus came to reveal the truth about God. Jesus came to be light in a dark world. But what if I told you that it’s not quite as simp

September 12, 2004 WHAT PARABLES REVEAL ABOUT YOU Matthew 13:1-23 In the Bible Jesus says, “I came to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus came to proclaim good news to the captives. Jesus came to reveal the truth about God. Jesus came to be light in a dark world. But what if I told you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Truth Proof? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 13, 2004

Many people have bullet-proof armor around their hearts - so that God’s truth simply bounces off. Learn about how to have a soft heart and fertile soil to grow God’s truth

Have you ever heard the expression: “they only hear what they want to hear”? Its true – and its also very dangerous. Today Jesus is going to say things that just bounce off the hearers – the crowds, and His disciples. It involves accepting the truth – and in trusting the Lord at His word. I want ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-41

Denomination: Calvary Chapel