Sermons on Hard Things:

Can The Rich Be Saved?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2021

Do we value the things of God more highly than the things of this world? What is Jesus’ opinion on the most valuable things in life? Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions after a rich man turned away from Him in Mark 10:17-31.

Prelude Do we value the things of God more highly than the things of this world? Purpose: What is Jesus’ opinion on the most valuable things in life? Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions after a rich man turned away from Him in Mark 10:17-31. The Advantages of Wealth The wealthy are often ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

Sparks

Contributed by Christopher Carlton on Aug 4, 2001

This patriotic sermon shows that we all have the potential to start fires. The only difference is whether or not we warm things up or burn things down.

Romans 7: 15-25 Matt 11 16-19, 25-30 The Fourth of July is probably my favorite of the non-religious holidays. Part of this is because I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia far, far off the beaten path. Virginia also has some of the strictest fireworks laws in the country. This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25, Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

A New Tomorrow

Contributed by Chris Surber on May 3, 2007

Be something far greater than an optimist. Be a faith filled doer of the will of God… do not wait for things to improve; improve them… do not wait for a new tomorrow… fill your heart with faith... and bring a new tomorrow into being.

“A New Tomorrow” Revelation 21:1-6 Introduction They have a saying in Vienna, Austria: “The situation is hopeless, but not serious.” It’s an interesting contradiction in terms. Yet life is truly a mixture of optimism and pessimism, of hope and despair, of sunshine and shadow. Sometimes the same ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Facing The New Year In A New Way Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 2, 2008

God promises to do a new thing within us. Here are four new things we can look forward to in the new year

TEXT: ACTS 16:1-15 TITLE: “FACING THE NEW YEAR IN A NEW WAY” (updated for 2008) OPEN: A. It’s almost February. Why are talking about the New Year? --Isn’t the newness of the new year kind of wearing off? 1. I’ve found that talking about the new year ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This story looks at and applies Jesus' teachings in Luke 17:1-6 alongside the experience of Corrie Ten Boom.

There were many things that were once thought to be impossible, but are now considered to be quite common and ordinary. The idea of man landing on the moon or going to space was once thought to be impossible, but that notion was shattered in the 1960s. The idea of people surviving heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2002

Jesus taught that we should "always pray and not give up." But why? Is God hard of hearing? Is it difficult to get His attention? Or is there something else we don’t understand?

OPEN: The organ in a large church broke down one Sunday morning just before services were to begin. A member of the congregation happened to be a organ repairman and he immediately went to work on the instrument – finding it was a simple electrical problem. When he finally got it fixed it ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 10:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

And Just When!

Contributed by Quinton Williamson on Jun 20, 2003

To let people know that when there trials seem too hard to bare God will show up. When it seems like all hope is lost God will give you a way out.

SUBJECT: AND JUST WHEN SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 14; 19-21 This is a familiar story; many of us know and can tell you this story. The Bible gives us this account, and by us reading this many people will classify this as one of the greatest miracles God has ever performed. But for those of you who ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Blaspheming The Holy Spirit

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 9, 2012

This act reveals a heart so hard that repentance is impossible (Hebrews 3:7--19). Ultimately, as Augustine says, "It is un-repentance that is a blasphemy against the Spirit" Updated June 2018.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 8:4 - 20; Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35. A Little Boy desperately wanted $100.00 ...to buy some toys ...and prayed to God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Anglican

A Love That Runs, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Aug 16, 2008

Why do some people find it so hard to love others? What makes God’s love so wonderful, it is a love that is has no strings attached. Its simply unconditional.

A Love that runs Part 3 Why can’t some love? A. Some cannot love, not having experienced it 1. How can you give, that which you do not possess? How can you possess, that which you have not first experienced? And how can you experience that, which you have never been exposed ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:14-18

Denomination: Mennonite

Finishing Well Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 19, 2013

A short grave-side message for a godly person who fought a long hard battle to overcome sickness. He fought the good fight, finished his race, & he kept the faith.

GRAVE-SIDE Service 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 FINISHING WELL “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; (8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Shipwrecked And Snakebit Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Nov 7, 2001

Principles to remember when things go wrong.

A Study of the Book of Acts Sermon #42 “Shipwrecked and Snakebit” Acts 28:1- 15 Have you ever heard someone described as being “snakebit.” That term is used to describe someone who no matter what they undertake to do, it is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Walk Of A Believer Series

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Nov 20, 2005

What is one of the hardest things for believers today?

What is one of the hardest parts of being a Christian? For most people, I would have to say, walking out their faith amidst an unchristian world. With all the distraction and attractions which pull at our lives, the walk of a believer is tested on a daily basis, sometimes hourly, it seems. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Pentecostal