Sermons on Hard:

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

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

Compensation (Exodus 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2024

God's old covenant contains many things hard to understand. Do we judge God by our corrupt society's standards or humble seek to understand? Let's look at Exodus 22.

When we look at the laws under the old covenant, are we tempted to think that some were too harsh and some were amazing? Do we judge God by our society’s corrupt standards? Or, do we humbly seek to learn? Let’s look at Exodus 22. What compensation was a thief to pay? Was there something similar to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Rebellion - The Faith Killer Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 21, 2005

Many of us are exposed to the gospel, but as the Israelites had a choice to go into the Promised Land, we have a choice whether to believe God when He says salvation is through Jesus Christ. Do you have a hard or soft heart to the Lord?

I grew up in the 60’s when rebellion against authority was turned into an art form. Rebellion says: I don’t like someone taking authority over me. I don’t want you telling me what’s wrong with me, and I certainly don’t want you telling me what to do because what I think is the most important thing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"In His Presence”

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Jun 15, 2005

It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence, but don’t loss faith, you ar

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church August 2003 It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You React To Pressure And Adversity?

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Sep 2, 2004

What happens when you subject the following items to Hot Water? Carrot, Egg and Coffee. The carrot turns to mush, the egg turns hard and the Coffee’s flavour is released. Which one do we imitate when under pressure?

Youth Service - Reaction to Hardship – Carrot, Egg, Coffee (Start by boiling carrots, an egg and coffee in three separate pots) Who’s been watching the Olympics? • Any special Olympic moments that stuck out for you? • What is fascinating about the Olympics is that we see individuals and teams under ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Christian Church

Putting First Things First

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 31, 2010

One of the most common faults among those who claim to be Christians is that of having wrong priorities in this life. The truth is, we are amiss when it becomes our habit to put secondary things primary, and primary things secondary. It is hard to believ

Intro: One of the most common faults among those who claim to be Christians is that of having wrong priorities in this life. The truth is, we are amiss when it becomes our habit to put secondary things primary, and primary things secondary. It is hard to believe and yet so true that we sin and do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Denomination: *other

Receiving The Infilling Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 1, 2011

The reason why many in the body of Christ are complacent and don’t pursue to seek to receive the Holy Spirit knowing that He is going to shake them up and even rattle them so hard ... they miss out on the unbelievable empowerment and joy of the Lord.

Opening illustration: The story is told of an elderly woman named Norena, who lived in southern Florida. When a hurricane hit that area, her home was one of many that was severely damaged. Norena received an insurance settlement, and the repair work began. However, when the money ran out, so did ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christianity And Divorce Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 28, 2008

Divorce is a near universal experience as pervasive as it has become. Some of you are still dealing with the pains of divorce. For some, it may be hard to sit here without tears running down your face. Others of you are struggling in your marriage and sec

Christian and Divorce Matthew 19:1-10 How many of you have been touched by divorce, either yourself or through a family member or friend? Raise your hands. Divorce is a near universal experience as pervasive as it has become. Some of you are still dealing with the pains of divorce. For some, it may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

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

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Picture This! Weeds Series

Contributed by John Braland on Apr 3, 2007

Weeds come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Some of them flower and look absolutely beautiful and others will poke you and make you bleed. Some weeds are hard to identify as tender shoots but as they age their identity will become clear. Jesus kne

Last summer my daughters Katie and Sara asked if they could take our dogs Shadow and Reba for a walk. Now Shadow is a black lab and he needs to walk because he has a bit of a weight problem. Reba is 12 and is deaf but always willing to take a spin. I live on a gravel road that is surrounded by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prayer Of A Deperate Man (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Apr 14, 2005

Part 2 deals with the hard situations in life. Jonah was in the belly of a fish and prayed a prayer of desperation. There are 4 life lessons we can learn from Jonah’s intense situation. When applied it will change our lives and situations forever.

Title: The Prayer Of A Desperate Man Title: Jonah 2:1-10 Pray!!! Read Text!!! Introduction: - Have you ever been in a position were God needed to show up or it was over. - I mean if God doesn’t intervene, you go bankrupt, or you die. - This is were Jonah was at with God. - This is part two in ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal