Sermons on Hard Thing:

The Examined Life

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 5, 2006

The hard commands of Jesus are best understood as being directed to the church, which should be a Community of Grace. This sermon addresses Jesus’ teaching on lust, sin and adultery.

The Examined Life in the Community of Grace Our key scripture today suggested to me the sermon title, The Examined Life”. You may have heard of this saying by Socrates, an ancient philosopher: “The unexamined life is not worth living." It struck me that, in some very strong language, what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Whatever Was,is, Whatever Will Be Is"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 2, 2014

New Years Eve Sermon for a Historic Watch Night Service dealing with the past year and some hard questions on the concept of God as only a Good God.

December 31, 2013 (Watch Night/New Year's Eve/New Year’s Day) Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 “Whatever was, is, Whatever will be is” Psalm 8 (UMH 743) Revelation 21:1-6a
 From time to time, God tests us—as Abraham was tested—to see just how much we trust God and how much ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Peeking Into The Closet Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 10, 2016

This is a four week series looking at some hard stories from the bible. In our first week we examine why we need to look into the closet.

Skeletons in God’s Closet, intro They are lurking in of our closets, things that we wished we had never done, words we wished we had never spoken. Families have them, churches have them and individuals have them. Because we all make mistakes. We all have skeletons in our closets. Some are ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:7-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Abraham: Biblical Geographical History

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jul 15, 2015

Geography and archaeology are revealing to us more and more how the ancients lived, how intelligent they were, how hard working they were, and how they worshiped God,

Abraham: Biblical Geographical History by Kelly Durant 2-24-13 Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:9

Denomination: Salvation Army

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 11, 2009

God is calling us to a relationship with Him but a relationship means nothing without perseverance. Where do we find the strength to carry on through hard times?

5. Spiritual Disciplines Series May 17th, 2009 Perseverance A man is traveling down a long dirt road when he meets a guru. The man asks the guru, "Which way is success?" The bearded sage did not say anything but pointed to a place off in the distance. The man was thrilled by the prospect of quick ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-14

Denomination: *other

The Grace-Giver

Contributed by Jared Schroeder on Oct 1, 2004

Grace is sometimes hard to understand and can seem rather uncomfortable at times. But living a life of grace is what Jesus Christ has called us to.

The Grace – Giver Galatians 2:1-10 Introduction What does the Christian Church have to offer that the world cannot offer? What sets Christianity apart from any other religion, society or group? Gordon MacDonald, a Christian author once said this, “The world can do almost anything as well ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Heart Construction Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 26, 2015

Not only can God remove our hard hearts of stone and give us new ones, he can construct pure hearts within us.

1. Johnny and the Duck (1) A young boy who had just rec'd a slingshot for his birthday. He'd spend hours shooting rocks at various target/but he never seemed to be able to hit his target. One day he was in his Grandmother's house and he watched as her pet duck waddled by. On impulse he took aim ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12, Psalm 51:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Feb 27, 2013

Called to live a beatitude kind of life, the hard reality is anyone who lives out the first seven beatitudes is guaranteed at some point to experience the eighth.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus ends the beatitudes by saying “Blessed are those persecuted, reviled, and spoken against.” Would anyone care to get in “the blessed line?” Most of us prefer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meditation On Cross

Contributed by Mahima Kumar on Jan 2, 2025

Meditation on the Cross Hebrew: 6.4-6; This is a hard verse in the Bible. Those who donot repent of their sins, those who do not desire repentance

Meditation on the Cross Hebrew : 6.4-6; This is a hard verse in the Bible. Those who donot repent of their sins, those who do not desire repentance, those who do not like to be reproved, those who would not listen to any of remonstrance and those who do not change their life in spite of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-6, Isaiah 53:5-6

Small To Great Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 11, 2010

This message focuses on the way God is able to use small things in order to do great things. Using the Text from Luke 13:18-21, Jesus gives two examples of small things God can grow into great things.

Faith in Action series Small to Great Luke 13:18-21 CHCC: May 16, 2010 INTRODUCTION: Quiz: 1) Which country has the largest population? (China: 1.3 billion) 2) What is the world’s tallest mountain? (Mt. Everest) 3) What type of tree is the tallest? (Redwood) 4) Who is the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Your Heart Stubborn Or Soft? How To Guard Your Heart Diligently Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 19, 2023

It depends on your heart. The seat of who you are, and your decision making. The heart. It’s about what is in your heart. And what influences your heart has taken in, what is your desire, what is your life pointed at? Where have you taken your heart in your choices?

I was over at cone zone ice cream on Saturday. And I was pulling through the drive through. On the front of my vehicle I have a license plate that says “Jesus Christ is the answer.” I saw a lady with her son look at the license plate and scowl and I could read her lips she said, “no it isn’t.” And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-3, Matthew 6:21, Psalm 119:11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Sermon # 20 - A Repentant Heart Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 25, 2024

Jonah was brought to the depths and after being battered in the belly of a big fish, Jonah repented and turned back to God. Rebellion is detrimental to us and only those who repent and get back to God can fulfill His purposes for their lives.

For this study and meditation we will read, Jonah 1:17, “When Jonah fell into the sea, the LORD chose a very big fish to swallow Jonah. He was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.” (ERV) When Jonah disobeyed God, and voyaged in the opposite direction to the place God bid him ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17, Jonah 2:1, Psalm 119:144, Judges 16:21, Judges 16:27, Luke 15:15-17, Luke 15:13, Proverbs 20:20-21, Judges 16:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

How To Get Free From A Stubborn Habit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Many sincere Christians are caught in a trap. They have a habit that is extremely hard to change, perhaps an addiction. This message talks about what it takes to break free.

John 10:10 6/19/16 Intro Jesus said (in John 10:10), “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV).1 God’s purpose for every child of God is that we would live a rich, full, rewarding life. God wants you and me to enjoy ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 John 1:9, Luke 15:18, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Galatians 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Zechariah And Elizabeth Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 7, 2016

Waiting is hard work, perhaps the hardest work you’ve ever done. And that is what the season of Advent is all about: waiting for the coming of the Messiah

iWitness: Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke 1: 5-17, 39-45 Wayne Styles tells of sitting on the tollways headed into work and realizing how much he spent on tolls. That led to trying to go to work on the access roads but he discovered that just took more time. So he was going to pay with either time or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-17

Denomination: Methodist

Discover Purity Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 6, 2011

Jesus told us that outward behaviour wasn't the only thing but it is still an important thing

Things were beginning to escalate. Up to this point Jesus had been criticized locally for some of his teaching but now they were bringing out the big guns. The news of Jesus and his preaching was spreading throughout Palestine; remember last week I mentioned that the news had reached Herod in his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan