Sermons on Hard:

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Change Comes Hard

Contributed by Richard White on Oct 10, 2008

Gleaned from several sermons on sermoncentral, we see change as necessary but we are slow to do so.

Outline to Learning to Change Acts 10:1-48 It has been said that only wet babies like to be changed, even then they are not that excited about it. Illustration: Henry Ford and William Knudsen Conclusion: Even though he was considered a genius, he did not like change. Sometimes change is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Lesson Hard Learned Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on May 31, 2007

Let’s learn from the life of Jonah

INTRO: A minister, boy scout, computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. Pilot came back to the cabin and said the plane was going down and there were only three parachutes and four people. Pilot: “I should take one because I have a wife and three small children” (took & jumped). ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Religious But Hard-Hearted Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 2, 2007

If God does not soften ones heart, one may dabble with religion, but one will never find a saving relationship with the true God.

The Religious But Hard-Hearted (Exodus 8:20-9:12) 1. What if God was politically correct? Imagine this: Moses was sitting in the Egyptian ghetto. Things were terrible. Pharaoh wouldn’t even speak to him. The rest of the Israelites were mad at him and making the overseers even more irritable than ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Adam- Falling Hard Series

Contributed by Craig Cramblet on Aug 21, 2006

From perfection to corruption, the temptation and fall of mankind changes everything.

Adam: Falling Hard Genesis 3 “I hate sin when I see what it does to human beings. I hate sin most when I see what it did to Christ! It turned His fair face into a bruised and bloody thing. When sin did that to the Son of God...how can you ever play with it again?” -Ian MacPherson Sad but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Rock And A Hard Place

Contributed by J. Curtis Goforth, O.s.l. on Sep 30, 2006

This sermon is for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost and addresses the need we all have to cut off from our lives the things which keep us from a deeper relationship with Christ.

“A Rock and a Hard Place” Sermon on Mark 9:38-50 Pentecost +17-B October 1, 2006 Rev. J. Curtis Goforth, O.S.L. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45And if your foot ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: United Methodist

The Hard Topic Of Divorce

Contributed by Daniel Sorensen on Oct 18, 2006

Combining Pastoral Care skills with the scripture on divorce allows us to meet the parishioner/seeker where they are, encourage them to be authentic with who they are, and bring themselves wholly to God. The next step would be be a refelection of God’s l

There is a group of new Pastors who are keeping in touch with one another this year via e-mail. We check-in and see how things are going. We talk about ideas for children’s sermons and compare life in the parish to what we learned in the classroom. It’s a helpful way to enter into a new ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Rebirth: Hard Hat

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 28, 2006

also 2cor 3:17-18 building a spiritual house

Hard Hat, Hammer, Boots, Sunglasses, An Old Pair Of Jeans – I’m ready to build. Last week we saw that w are building a Spiritual House. But before we can even build we need to have the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot build a spiritual house. Jesus tells us we need to be spiritually ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surviving Hard Times

Contributed by Akindele Opoola on Feb 11, 2011

Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. But as xtians we have antidotes against har

Surviving Hard times Gen 35: 15 -20 Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. But as xtians we have antidotes against hard ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Hard-Headed Followers

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 8, 2011

Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another.

Hard-Headed Followers January 9, 2011 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another. Focus Passage: I Samuel 8:10-22 Supplemental Passage: 1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

Integrity In Hard Times

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Aug 29, 2011

We must maintain holiness & righteousness even when the going gets rough.

Integrity in Hard Times August 28, 2011 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must maintain holiness & righteousness even when the going gets rough. Focus Passage: I Samuel 21:1-15 Supplemental Passage: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Cracking The Hard Seedcoat Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 24, 2013

The hard surface of our hearts must be scarified or we cannot grow and we cannot bear fruit.

Wednesday of Holy Week 2013 Seeds 3 [Preacher: You should have a bluebonnet seed or other seed and either sandpaper or vinegar.] We come to what we might call the last day of the triduum before the Great Triduum, and to the moment Church tradition calls “Spy Wednesday.” This is the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9

Denomination: Catholic

The Need For Hard Teachings Series

Contributed by Scott Burr on Nov 19, 2012

Jesus, Himself, did not shy away from teaching hard truths. He was never worried that the crowds would quit coming if He preached truths that were hard to accept. Rather He used those teachings to qualify those who called themselves His disciples.

“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-66

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hard To Believe, But True!

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 29, 2014

The resurrection of Jesus is hard to believe, but it is true. And being true, it makes a real difference in our lives.

A. One day an associate minister was teaching a class of second-graders about the resurrection when one student asked, “What was the first thing that Jesus said right after He came out of the grave?” 1. Well, this was a question of great theological importance, and the associate ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Belief Is Hard Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 16, 2015

Sometimes belief is just plain hard - just ask Thomas (a 1st person sermon)

“Getting Into Shape: When Belief Is Hard” John 20:19-31 I’m grateful you’re here today. Some of you are here because you want to hear what I have to say – you’re curious; some of you are here to check out what I have to say – you’re suspicious. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed