Sermons on Hard Things:

Promises To Keep Before I Sleep

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 8, 2007

We find it difficult to keep promises because we are focused on dealing with today’s issues. We back off our commitments to God because they are hard, but we can receive help from accountability partners, and can know joy and fulfillment.

To be a saint is not to be perfect; to be a saint is to be someone who makes promises and keeps them. Sainthood is not some magic status, conferred by the church for merit or miracles; sainthood is ordinary people living in extraordinary faithfulness, making promises and keeping them. Did you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:48

Denomination: Baptist

The Pattern For Powerful Personal Relationships (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 2, 2014

Paul begins this section of scripture with since you have received all that Jesus purchased and assuming you learned of Him by experience you should have a different lifestyle than the lost. Your life should be characterized by hard work and helpful words

Intro: This week we continue the second part of Pattern for Powerful Personal Relationships. We continue to see the pattern that reveals the resurrection life in us. This is the explanation of John 13:35 “by this they will know that you are my disciples.” If we love the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Opportunities Have Adversaries!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 6, 2017

If you expect to do great things for God without opposition, you will be greatly disappointed and discouraged.

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 2017 is a great and open door for ministry, The sky is the limit. There are many needs so there is one or two somewhere you can meet whether you are 8 or 88. God is on your side for ministry, When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16

Denomination: Baptist

The Fear Of Failure

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 21, 2008

Being negative is easy; it requires no work because it comes natural. All you have to do to fail is nothing. On the other hand being positive isn’t as easy; it requires work. Optimism in the face of adversity is difficult and is hard to find in this day a

The Fear of Failure Diamonds in the rough often go unrealized because they don’t think they are diamonds, they don’t have an advocate to encourage them, so the fear of failure ruins the confidence that leads to success. The greatest days and moods are quickly forgotten with one ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Samuel - Speaking The Words Of God Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jul 18, 2009

A short talk given at an early morning communion service. Samuel was young, but his first task after coming to know the Lord was to speak hard words from God to Eli (his mentor!) Will we also speak the truth, in love, to others?

Samuel was a child, with priestly responsibilities (an interesting fact!) and he was being mentored by Eli in the Temple. Jesus primarily focused upon 12 men. Who has God entrusted to you, to teach and train in the ways of the Lord? “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

Growing In The Lord Committed To Serve

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 25, 2023

We need to understand that when we are committed to serve we are put in the position of a servant. Some of us may find that hard to do or be, but if we want to grow in the Lord we have to be: 1) a servant, 2) committed to that service.

Growing in the Lord Committed to Serve Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, We need to understand that when we are ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12, Matthew 6:24, Galatians 1:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Whiners

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

Hard times come to Christians because our reactions in bad times, may be inspire others to turn to the Lord and seek forgiveness. Just as Jesus was a witness to the world through his suffering, we can be a witness and draw closer to him in ours.

There is a popular TV show called “Survivor.” It’s been on TV now for over 20 seasons. It’s syndicated all over the world. The show thrives on showing how individuals adapt to group dynamics and societal rules changes through horrendous conditions in the hope of receiving the big prize at the end. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-16, Romans 11:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Labouring In The Lord

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Sep 5, 2020

Be steadfast and allow God and His work to be the number one priority in your life. There will be times when we may feel discouraged after working hard for God, but the Lord says, “labor is not in vain.” All your work is written in the eyes of the Lord.

Laboring in the Lord “Therefore, my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” - I Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes in life, we have a hard time getting others to understand our message! A group of clergies were ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Measure Upon Measure – Judgment And Condemnation – The Restoration Of God - Part 15 (Section 1) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 27, 2025

(Revised) Adam and Eve had no concept, then, of what a curse would be in reality; what labour pains would be in childbirth; or what hard work and toil would involve in practice. They were condemned. Jesus was condemned for us and now – justification and pardon.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 15 (Section 1) SPECIAL NOTE: The post before this one (Part 14) is an overall coverage of all Chapter 6 – the Judgement leading to Condemnation. The Lord restored all that and brought justification. I have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15-19, Genesis 3:12, Genesis 3:13, Genesis 3:24, Galatians 6:3, Romans 12:3, Romans 5:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Missing Piece

Contributed by Edward Boyce on Oct 2, 2005

Jesus encounters a man, who like us is collecting things. Also, like us, he is missing one thing. In this scripture reading Jesus tells him and us how to get that one missing piece we are missing.

In this morning’s Scripture reading, Jesus encounters a man who runs up and knells before him. Do you want to know something? I was right there with that man! I believe I know how he felt, because I have a reason to kneel before Jesus. What about you? Don’t you know, too? Don’t we all have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Shall We Say Then....?

Contributed by Timothy Dolan on Feb 10, 2008

What are some of the things we should say concerning justification according to Paul in Romans 4?

What Shall We Say Then? 6 Occurrences: What then shall we say? (6:1; 7:7; 8:31; 9:14, 30) When we are talking about Paul’s argument, we are talking about blessings…that define who God is and what he has determined for those who love Him. Abraham is an example of how God deals with people. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking God’s Guidance - Psalm 25 Part 5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 27, 2025

Most of our anxiety in hard decisions is worrying about the outcome. But the real issue is pleasing God in the way you go about making the decision. If option A and option B would be equally pleasing to God, how important could the decision possibly be?

Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and I wait for you all day long. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his ...read more

Bound And Determined To Go

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Feb 2, 2008

Paul is heading to Jerusalem, even though he knows bad things will happen.

I. PRAYER II. Introduction a. When Charles Spurgeon was pastor at New Park Street in London, God used his words to bring about amazing changes in the lives of people. A man who was on his way to get some gin saw the crowd at the church door and pushed his way in to see what was going on. At that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Antichrist, The Temple, Wormwood, And More... Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Sep 22, 2015

A series of messages within a message, regarding the things that Scripture says surely will come.

"Number seven", or... the next world ruler is not antichrist There is a new world order in the works. Angelic forces fight for it. When all is said and done, the world will look exactly as God saw it when He revealed it to us in the first century, not to mention Daniel’s century. Revelation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christmas Contrasts

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 13, 2001

Every year at Christmas time this great line is drawn. Here are people who are like shepherds & wise men coming to Jesus to worship Him. And there are others like Herod who stand hard & cold, resisting all that God is trying to do in their lives.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX ILL. It is a time of great rejoicing in the palace, for a prince has just been born. Near the throne there is a lively discussion going on as the king’s advisers are making their suggestions concerning the best ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ