Sermons on Hard Things:

Unanswered Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus tells it like it is in the world of prayer, and in so doing He complicates things, and forces us to wrestle with the conditions for answered prayer.

The story is told of a Russian scientist who was found guilty of a crime against the state. He was sentenced to a prison in the middle of a desert. His cell mate was another scientist. He was determined to escape, and he urged his cell mate to join him, but he refused. After much planning he did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-14

Give Thanks!

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Nov 28, 2010

In all things, whether good or bad, we are to be thankful for what God has given us OR what God can make of our bad situation.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 107 Basic Sermon Outline: --- "Give Thanks!" Introduction I. Good Times -----A. Times of Blessing -----B. Times of the Miraculous -----C. Times of Realization of God’s Character II. Bad Times -----A. Times of Discipline -----B. Times of Trial -----C. Times of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unpardonable Sin Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

The Unpardonable Sin is a particular teaching that has really haunted people for a long time. As a pastor, people often ask if they have committed the sin that cannot and will not be forgiven. Some here today have a paralyzing fear they have committed the “unpardonable sin.”

Several weeks ago, I asked for your help in your choice of today’s sermon. Your top choice was “When Will Jesus Return to Earth?” But a little analysis of the results led us to understand that it was really only this early service that asked for this topic. So … at 9:30, 11 and at Cross Church, our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32, Mark 3:29

Denomination: Baptist

New Wine And Old Wineskins Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Dec 30, 2012

Message about the New Year and things that must change if we are going to allow the Lord to do something fresh and new in our lives.

Title: New wine and Old wineskins Theme: To show that to gain for the future we have to let go for the past. Text: Mark Mark 2:18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:18-22, Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Church Of God

The Life Of Excuses

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

In all areas of our life, we can not help but notice that some folks are better at doing some things than others are.

For example, this is certainly true, when it comes to: • Sports • Academics • Cooking • Building • Teaching • Saving money Sad to say, but this is also true when it comes to lying. Some are much better at telling lies than others are. Some people lie so much, that you know they are lying if their ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Are There Hierarchies Of Christians In Heaven?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 20, 2020

There is a growing belief that the better a Christian behaves or does things for God, the greater their rank and job responsibilities will be in the heavenly kingdom - and they will also be rewarded with a deeper relationship with God.

There are primarily two schools of thought that have emerged over the years about what the reward of Heaven will be. Some believe that there will be different gifts and varying degrees of happiness in Heaven based upon a merit type of system done on earth and how well a person works at their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:17, Matthew 11:28, Revelation 3:5, Romans 12:3, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 5:12, Luke 14:11, Matthew 23:12, Matthew 19:30, Colossians 2:9-10, Philippians 3:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Stand Amazed

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Sep 5, 2003

We get too board with the amazing things about Jesus, We know his stories and how to end. We need to be re awakened and be astonished again.

I stand amazed Acts 2:1-7 This morning I want to talk about astonishment. The dictionary gives this brief definition - a cause of amazement or wonder - to strike with sudden and usually great wonder or surprise. There are a lot of things about Jesus that were pretty astonishing. The first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Building A Foundation For Kingdom Stewardship Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Nov 18, 2011

The proper foundation for Kingdom Stewardship requires that we view God as the owner of all who has entrusted those things to us as His stewards.

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve noticed that I’ve skipped over some passages as we’ve made our way through the Sermon on the Mount. As I mentioned at the time, I wanted to come back and deal with all those passages together since they all deal with our stewardship in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a hopeless case. The lease likely people in this world can become children of God, and can become leaders in the kingdom, as did this Samaritan sinner.

The unexpected is the source of so much of the joy of life. Our three year old granddaughter, Jennifer, was praying at the table a couple of weeks ago. I noticed she was going faster than usual, and she came to the end saying, "In Jesus name, amen." Then she shouted, "I win." ...read more

The Power Of A True Love!

Contributed by Joel Santos on Feb 4, 2005

IN OUR TEXT TODAY, WE WILL DISCUSS 3 THINGS ABOUT LOVE: 1. THE VALUE OF LOVE, 2. THE TEST OF LOVE, AND 3. THE PERMANENCY OF LOVE!

The Power of a True Love 1 Corithians 13:1-13 Illustrations Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes A Church Relevant? – Genesis 46: 26-31 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Sep 24, 2021

But we see God's providence at work in the life of a man who experienced all kinds of terrible things in his life.

I talked to a lady this week who said to me, “I love the teaching that we're doing through Genesis.” That's where we are in our book right now. She says, “I was listening to your sermon series that you did before in Genesis.” That must have been ten years ago. Okay. She says, “I was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 46:26-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Focus

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Jan 29, 2002

If we focus on the things around us and lose our focus in the matters that are really important, we may lose our souls, as well.

We are going to be addressing a subject that is unscriptural, in name, but spiritually relevant in every other way. A. Though the word, “focus” does not appear in the Bible...........the practice of focusing certainly does. 1. We, as Christians.....must stay in focus. a. satan ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Church Attendance

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 25, 2005

A sermon explaining why attending every possible service is almost a mandatory thing: Not just for the church, but for ourselves, other believers, and for the community as well.

I have spent many years in many churches. Many times I sat as a member of the congregation, having the same viewpoint and expectations as most of you have. And then there were many times I saw something quite different than what you see each week. For many years, I saw the church body through ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Denomination: *other

"...no Man Cared For My Soul”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 21, 2022

Most of us love to read the Psalms because we can relate to the many things David, and the other writers, express in this beautiful book.

For example, in the case of Psalm 142, David pours out his heart to God. Once David was king, he had many good experiences as ruler over God’s people, but for a while before he became king, he had some experiences that could be classified as downright abusive. Many times he had to flee for his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

"Is There Not A Cause...”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 28, 2022

Life is filled with many surprises. That is, there are times when we feel we can depend on some things and then they disappoint us. For example,

Illus: Some of you have bought new cars because you wanted some dependable transportation. Then you found that new car, that you thought would surely be dependable, stranded you on a roadside. There are many things we have thought would be dependable that turned out not to be. Then there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:32-34

Denomination: Baptist