Sermons on Hard Things:

Unlocking The Seals

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Aug 20, 2024

I want to start with a question. Why study the book of Revelation? There is a lot of buzz around that says that Revelation is too hard to understand, it’s a prophetic book, there are too many symbols and no one really understands the book of Revelation.

Unlocking the Seals Psalm 96 1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 2. Ephesians 5:22-33 I want to start with a question. Why study the book of Revelation? There is a lot of buzz around that says that Revelation is too hard to understand, it’s a prophetic book, there are too many symbols and no one really ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:11-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Focus On The Good Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Our thoughts can either bring us down or lift us up. Focusing on the negatives makes it hard to see the positives. We need to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Today we're going to talk about focus. You know, like when your teacher tells you to stop daydreaming and pay attention in class. But we're not talking about algebra or history, we're talking about life and our relationship with God. Let's be real, there's a lot of stuff out there trying to grab ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Topics: Optimism, Mental Strength, Self-Belief, Happiness

Self-Control - 2 Peter 1:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 9, 2025

Imagine how much better your life would be with more self-control. Why is it so hard? Elite athletes who are unbelievers often outshine most Christians in this area—how can that be, if it’s a fruit of the Spirit?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control. Introduction I want to start with this question: in Peter’s list of virtues in 2 Peter 1:5-7, why isn’t verse 5 enough? By the end of v.5 you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6

In God We Trust?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 9, 2021

To serve God we need a holy respect and absolute trust. In dark nights of hard trials do we run to God or do we run away from him? Let us study some trust verses in the Bible.

IN GOD WE TRUST? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com OUR MONEY SAYS: IN GOD WE TRUST, is this a valid conclusion? There are several things that can seldom be recovered. A stone that is thrown, a word after it is said, a missed opportunity, wasted time, trust after it is lost. WHAT IF? ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 146:3, Jeremiah 17:7-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Is Biblical Love? How To Walk In The Way Of Love Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 12, 2024

Biblical love is willing to say a hard truth to someone in love, knowing that we may lose the friendship, but loving their soul more than their companionship. That’s real love. Niceness is a joke and a sham, compared to the glory of agape love.

Dave Simmons shared in his book about being a dad a time when he and his two kids went to a mall, and the mall had a petting zoo there. He had given each of his children, Brandon and Helen a quarter to enter, and then went to continue shopping. Soon he saw his daughter hadn’t gone in. He went to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 14:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

Overcoming Spiritual A.d.d. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 11, 2015

It can be hard to stay focused on our spiritual disciplines. When we have purpose behind what we are doing, it will help us to focus on what is important. (This was built on the Next Steps series available on Sermon Central for purchase)

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • A.D.D. Attention Deficit Disorder. It is defined as, “a condition, usually in children, marked by inattentiveness, dreaminess, and passivity.” • The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as, “a condition in which someone (such as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stewards Of The Mysteries

Contributed by Charles Scott on Aug 14, 2016

Paul doesn’t describe himself as a clergyman. He describes himself as servant and steward. The servant role indicated hard lowly work. The steward role was carefully administering the Gospel mystery: God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself

2014 ADVENT 3 stewards of the mysteries I Corinthians 4__1 The Collect. O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Denomination: Anglican

Crash And Burn

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 28, 2003

I looked at the Feb 2003 S.S.Columbia disaster for 2 thoughts: 1) where do we go when hard times hit and 2) what happens when Christians wipe out and give up in their faith?

Psalm 46:1-3 – Crash and Burn Yesterday was a sad day for the world. It was not a tragedy to the same scale as September 11, 2001. In fact, even normal plane crashes take more lives than the disaster yesterday. Yet there is something very sad of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:19

Denomination: Baptist

Give Up And Go

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002

Three things we must give up in order to grow up in God.

7, July 2002 Dakota Community Church Give Up & Go! Introduction: What you are willing to walk away from often determines what God will be able to lead you to. Question: Are you holding onto weights? - Un-believing boy/girl friend. - Church tradition. (We don’t lift our hands in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-19, Numbers 11:1-6

Denomination: Mennonite

Evil

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 1, 2013

Are we able to defend the faith taught in the Scriptures when a non-believer challenges us on the hard issues? What do we say, how do we respond when asked why the Lord allows evil and the resulting suffering?

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

What Do We Learn From Jesus' Prayer?

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 17, 2008

Jesus is also in quite a difficult situation. How did He handle it? How did He pray? We can learn from Jesus’ example of how we should pray in difficult, hard, and emotional wrenching times.

What Can We Learn from Jesus’ Prayer? Matthew 26:36-46 ILLUSTRATION… Children’s Prayers http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1145 Dear God: Please send a new baby for Mommy. The new baby you sent last week cries too much. - Debbie, 7 Dear God: Who did you make smarter? Boys or girls? My sister ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From The Pit To The Promise

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Jan 28, 2023

All of us will go through the pit at some point. All of us will at some point go through hard times. We will go through the valley. But for every pit, for every valley, there IS a way out that leads to the very promise of God!

Here are things to remember when you get in the pit. First, intolerance of your condition creates your future. Say that with me. Intolerance of your condition creates your future. The problem is some start looking for ways to get accustomed to the pit. You read books on how to adjust to darkness. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 24, 2009

Jeremiah is an example of resilience in his refusal to give up when things get difficult.

Title: How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up Text: Jeremiah 1:4-8, 20:7-18 and 32 Thesis: Jeremiah is an example of resilience in his refusal to give up when things get difficult. The Bible in 90 Days Whole Church Challenge We have just completed Week 8 of our Bible in 90 Days Whole ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Real Men Do Cry

Contributed by Paul Green on Mar 13, 2022

The Apostle Paul is renowned for being a woman-hating, doctrine-making, emotionless, rock hard, ice cold; Gospel preaching machine, but in reality he was a man who was never very far away from a good cry for the sake of the Gospel.

In our reading this morning the Apostle Paul is writing to the church he had planted in Philippi and he says, ‘Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:6, Psalm 56:8, John 11:35, Luke 19:41-44, Hebrews 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist