Sermons on Hard Soil:

James Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.

Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

18th Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 12, 2020

After worked hard all night and catching no fish, Simon Peter was ready to quit. But, when he followed Jesus' instructions, he made the catch of his life!

Work is something most living creatures understand. For those who are still in the work force, have you ever asked yourself whether you work to live or live to work? There is a big difference between working to live and living to work. Working to live gives you the money you need to put a roof over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

Let God Do His Thing

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Mar 10, 2020

The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. We need to replace that thinking by letting God do his thing. How would that look in our relationship with God?

Let God Do His Thing  INTRODUCTION: The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. That work ethic has crept into the Christian viewpoint by thinking that we must do God's work before we can merit his approval and acceptance. We need to replace that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Panic-Stricken: A World In Turmoil Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 20, 2020

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain.

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain. To be sure, there have been other pandemics and natural disasters ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:26, 1 Peter 5:7, 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death, The Passing Of A Loved One Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 30, 2020

When we experience death of someone close it can affect us not only physically, but spiritually. It is good to know that God's word is a comfort to us in those hard times.

I. At Death, Our Feelings are Affected Like no Other Time. 1. A time when our feelings turn to our memories. a. Memories as husband/wife b. Memories as a father/mother c. Memories as a friend 2. A time when our feelings will find a void or an empty place. a. Take your feelings to Christ b. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Leaving Too

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 2, 2015

Things get hard in life, things get tough, and it really is your choice, everyday, are you going to walk away from Him, or are you going to walk closer beside Him?

John 6:66-69-From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-69

Denomination: Baptist

The Ghost Of Christmas Past Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Dec 25, 2014

For many Christmas isn't easy. This message reminds us of three truths. First, life is hard. Second, sometimes we need others. Third, we always need God.

December 14, 2014 Christmas According to Dickens The Ghost of Christmas Past Luke 1:26-43 Opening words: It was Christmas Eve 1969. I was twelve years old and I can remember returning home from the midnight candlelight service at my home church. The family car was filled with my loved ones. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-43

Denomination: Methodist

The Battle Of The Two "Kings Of The Jews"

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 4, 2015

This sermon starts with the comparison of two kings and ends with a very hard hitting drive into the great commission, showing us that we are serve, (with power), the lowest of the low. Read on and enjoy this one!!!

This sermon (2nd Sunday after Christmas) was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 4th January 2015 by Gordon McCulloch (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). ntroduction My sermon two weeks ago came to an abrupt end as there was just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

The Pleasure Of Passion Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Christians have used the word so often for evil that it is hard to accept the reality that you can also be passionate for good. It is Biblical and Christlike to lust for the pleasure of those things that are pleasing to God.

Jesus said in Luke 22:15, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Jesus used the same word used all through the New Testament for lust to describe His passionate desire to eat the final Passover with His disciples. He had a passion for the Passover. Paul ...read more

There Are No Advantages To Sin

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 27, 2021

The Scriptures are filled with illustrations of people who learned the hard way and oftentimes too late that sinful actions carry a high price and prove to be of no advantage to anyone. What, then, is your excuse?

The Bible has never been shy or unapologetic when it comes to exposing the sins, deceit, and wickedness of fallen humanity and our war against the righteousness and holiness of God. The Bible is open and blunt about the penalty for sin, but has also shown that the Lord God is not willing that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 53:3, Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Jesus Seriously

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on May 1, 2020

Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply. "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said.

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY Introduction: Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply, "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said. I HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PREACHING. People in the time of Jesus would often say that he ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Attitude Toward Sin

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jun 9, 2015

A warning for the lukewarm, backslidden, half hearted, person or church to take a hard look into being honest about our sins and the need to bring them before the Lord in confession to receive forgiveness.

Our Attitude toward Sin Introduction: What is Sin? You might name some sins or others might name synonyms of sins. But in layman’s terms: Sin is anything that transgresses God's law. Our attitude toward sin says everything about our Christian witness. Some might think that I am speaking ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing A New Year In A Shaky World

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 1, 2024

We are facing a New Year, and while that can mean hope for a better future, the past and its troubles casts a shadow over that hope that is hard to ignore. We are living in a shaky world.

Alba 12-31-2023 FACING A NEW YEAR IN A SHAKY WORLD I Thessalonians 3:1-5 Have you ever gone to a scary movie? When I was twelve years old some friends and I walked to a movie theater that was about two miles from our home. The movie was called “Them”. It was not the kind of movie our family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Zephania: Seek The Lord Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

Zephaniah's message hits hard the ruling class of Judah for their part in leading the people down a path of immorality, corruption, and idolatry. (This sermon was preached during the Fourth of July)

ILLUSTRATION: French writer Alexis de Tocqueville (TOKEVILLE), after visiting America in 1831, said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Assured Of God's Plan For Us

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 24, 2022

God will always remember His people, even when trouble feels overwhelming. We may face hard times, troubles, and tribulation, but we don’t face them alone.

Have you ever been in a store and see a child that has gotten separated from his parents? The fear is very evident on the child's face as well as the parents’ face. It's a horrible feeling when the child turns around and can't find his parents. They frantically look through every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist