Sermons on Hard Soil:

Thinking Is Hard Series

Contributed by Don Emmitte on May 13, 2014

When thinking of the past and the future, we often lose sight of the present. That robs us of present joy. Never let past failures or future fear rob you of present joy.

Thinking Is Hard Philippians 3:12-16 2014 Baccalaureate Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries I have been privileged to speak at many baccalaureates through the years. Since I have three sons, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Heart

Contributed by Julia Cramer on Nov 21, 2021

The story of deliverance from Pharaoh's point of view. The Egyptian perspective opens our eyes to a deeper meaning as to why Ramses II had a hard heart and God had a purpose for every plague.

(Brief Introduction is given by Moses dressed up): We’ve all heard the story of how God delivered His people through my hand, Moses. He used me and my brother Aaron to bring ten plagues upon Egypt. But what would the story sound like from Pharaoh’s point of view? This morning, Pharaoh is here to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Hard Of Hearing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 9, 2023

How much of what God wants us to hear have we actually heard? And does it matter how much we hear if we don’t do what we’re told?

Have any of you visited the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City? That’s what I kept thinking of as I meditated on this parable. Because just as I was leaving Presbytery last Tuesday evening, I ran into Bob Higgs, who is Executive Director of the Atlantic City Mission Council. He was carrying several ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Hard Question

Contributed by Grant Adams on Feb 19, 2024

Have you ever asked a hard question? Have you ever been asked a hard question? Hard questions have to be answered sometimes. The question I ask today must be answered.

I have often said, “Questions are healthy.” Usually when we ask a question it is out of concern. We desire to know. We desire to be informed. We desire to learn. At times, we question in the midst of confusion. In the midst of trials and misunderstandings we cry out to God for answers, for help. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3, Mark 8:36, Romans 5:12, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Calling

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2018

It is hard preaching to hard heads and hard hearts.

A HARD CALLING. Ezekiel 2:1-5. In times gone by, and in certain places and professions still, it was taken for granted that children would follow in the trade of their fathers. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, would have known from an early age that they were going to be fishermen. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hard To Be Humble Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 22, 2025

God despises pride and lifts up those who are humble. But how do I know if I'm proud, and how I can make sure that I am humble?

The sermon series we’re preaching this month… is called “ONE THING”. We’re looking at ONE word that points to something important for us Christians. Scott began with the word GRACE; last week I preached on “UNITY”; and todays word is “HUMILITY.” HUMILITY - Back in the 1980s a singer named Mac ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hard Times PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 6, 2024

This sermon explores how trials shape us, teaching us to persevere, find promises in problems, and progress through pain, deepening our dependence on Christ.

Good morning, dear friends. I am so glad to see each one of you here today. We are gathered together in the presence of our Lord, standing on the common ground of grace. We are a family, bound not by blood, but by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, life has a way of throwing curve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Topics: Hard Times

Parable Of The Soils Supplementary Notes - Mark 4:1-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

These are the footnotes from the studies on the parable of the soils in Mark 4.

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 4:1-25

The Truth Is In The Dirt

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 31, 2021

This sermon deals with the four soils that can be in our lives and how to make sure that we do what is necessary to have good soil so that we can live a life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit

Series of Sermons – Dirt Parables Scripture: Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 Theme: Your Life – Your Soil Title: The Truth is in the Dirt INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about your spiritual walk with Jesus. I want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Dangerous Grounds

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 30, 2013

The soil, of course, represents the human heart, so the word of God falls on four different types of hearts. This parable is about salvation and three out of four of the soils represent people who are not genuinely saved.

Opening illustration: Growing up as a teenager, my dad would take me to watch the plowing of the field and planting of wheat and sunflower. The tractor would plow deep into the hard soil of central India usually slicing the big snakes hibernating below the earth. Their mangled bodies were brought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Teachable Heart PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 1, 2024

This sermon explores Jesus' parable of the sower, urging us to examine how we receive God's word and its fruitfulness in our lives.

Good morning, dear family of faith. How wonderful it is to gather together in the presence of our Lord, to worship, to learn, and to grow in our understanding of His word. Today, we are about to enter into the rich tapestry of Mark's gospel, specifically Mark 4:1-9, 13-20. This passage, my friends, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-9, Mark 4:13-20

Topics: Kingdom, Soil

Fertilizers Of The Heart

Contributed by John Ong on Jul 7, 2015

How do you want to grow? Do you want a fruitful or an inconsistent life? What kind of soil is your heart?

How do you want to grow? Do you want a fruitful or an inconsistent life? What kind of soil is your heart? Browsing through the Bible, “The Parable of the Sower” could be found in Mark 4: 2-9, Luke 8: 4-8, Mark 4: 13-20, Matthew 13: 18-23 and Matthew 13: 3-9. It is all about a sower who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 2, 2021

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – July 25, 2021

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – July 25, 2021 Intro Today we are continuing our summer focus on the Parables of Jesus. As we’ve noted, parables are short stories or illustrations drawing upon what is familiar to capture great spiritual truth. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 13, 2019

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Encountering Jesus (in the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – May 12, 2019

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Encountering Jesus (in the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – May 12, 2019 Intro: This week I took our new dog to his first day of dog training. He’s a wild… free spirit. So I was nervous. Seriously. I really thought he was going to get kicked out of school…on his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Type Of Soil Are You? Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Aug 14, 2007

The kingdom begins with us, what will we choose to do with the Good News about the kingdom, which soil will we choose to be?

What comes to your mind when I say the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God (since they are used interchangeably in the gospels)? [Allow the congregation to give their input]. Perhaps pearly gates, gold streets, the throne room of God himself? Most of our thoughts of the kingdom revolve ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Methodist