Sermons on Hardness:

Hard Words To Hard People In Hard Times Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 20, 2025

If you want God to use you to powerfully communicate His message to hard people in hard times, eat God’s Word. speak God’s Word, follow God’s Spirit, and warn God’s people.

Our former district superintendent, Bill Smith, recalls preaching part-time in a small local church while he was still studying for the ministry. Six months passed and none of his professors had come to hear him. Finally, his faculty advisor agreed to attend one Sunday. After the service, the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Hard Words To Hard Hearts

Contributed by Greg Nance on Mar 15, 2008

Jesus words of rebuke in Luke 11 hit the nerve. Those he spoke to were determined to get revenge. If only they could have seen who He is. If only we could see today.

We are entering the middle of Luke’s gospel now and already Jesus is engaging battle with the Jewish leaders. This is an ongoing battle that will ultimately lead to Jesus’ crucifixion and he knows it well, but does not show any signs of shrinking back. Jesus’ very presence should command respect, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:14-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Hard Sermon For A Hard Heart Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 13, 2020

Ahab was the quintessential bad example

Ahab I Kings 21:1-19 The party aboard ship was in full swing. Speeches were being made by the captain, the crew, and all the guests were really enjoying the week-long voyage. Sitting at the head table was a seventy-year-old man ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Prayer For A Hard Time Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 23, 2025

In the difficult but necessary words of Psalm 58, we learn how to cry out for God's intervention when it feels as though corrupt rulers and injustice have completely taken over the world.

A Hard Prayer for a Hard Time: Crying Out for God's Justice Introduction: A Difficult Psalm Some psalms are like gentle streams; they comfort and refresh our souls. Others are like a roaring fire, speaking of God's majesty and glory. And then there are psalms like Psalm 58. This psalm is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Work Hard, Pray Hard

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 21, 2006

We serve God and others in our daily labors and activities. As we share God’s love and the good news of Jesus Christ, God calls us to work hard and pray hard.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, 12:9-14 “Work Hard, Pray Hard” INTRODUCTION For over one hundred years, the people of the United States have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Labor Day began as a concession by the government for its poor, violent handling of the Pullman Railroad ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Denomination: Lutheran

A Hard Calling

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2018

It is hard preaching to hard heads and hard hearts.

A HARD CALLING. Ezekiel 2:1-5. In times gone by, and in certain places and professions still, it was taken for granted that children would follow in the trade of their fathers. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, would have known from an early age that they were going to be fishermen. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hard Truth

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 4, 2005

Truths are hard because they are hard to grasp, hard to accept, or hard to practice, or live out. They’re hard to practice because the hard truths of scripture require something of us.

The Hard Truth TCF Sermon September 4, 2005 I could very easily title this morning’s sermon, Lessons from LouAnn. That’s because several weeks ago, the inspiration for this morning’s message came from Lou Ann Goodbary. Do you all know LouAnn? LouAnn has been here at TCF longer than most of us, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hard Times PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 6, 2024

This sermon explores how trials shape us, teaching us to persevere, find promises in problems, and progress through pain, deepening our dependence on Christ.

Good morning, dear friends. I am so glad to see each one of you here today. We are gathered together in the presence of our Lord, standing on the common ground of grace. We are a family, bound not by blood, but by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, life has a way of throwing curve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Topics: Hard Times

Hard Hearts!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 2, 2014

The disciples were confused by the somber assessment of the number of loaves in their hands; I encourage you today to look at His Hands rather than your own! Listen carefully to what I have to say today!

Dalmanutha! Mark 8:10”And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.” Now watch, Jesus had already performed a breath-taking miracle where He multiplied 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes that fed an enormous crowd of more than five ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hard Lessons About Hard Times Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 9, 2015

Trials are designed to teach us so that our conduct and character change.

Hard Lessons About Hard Times 1 Peter 4:12-19 Rev. Brian Bill March 7-8, 2015 Several years ago I took one of our daughters to a Demolition Derby. I loved watching the drivers demolish and destroy one another. We saw some great smash-ups and did a lot of laughing. I didn’t know much about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Heart

Contributed by Jerry A. Burns on Jul 5, 2013

A Message about the hard heart

Mark 6:45-56 (KJV) 45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship , and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida , while he sent away the people . 46 And when he had sent them away , he departed into a mountain to pray . 47 And when even was come , the ship was in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: Baptist

Thinking Is Hard Series

Contributed by Don Emmitte on May 13, 2014

When thinking of the past and the future, we often lose sight of the present. That robs us of present joy. Never let past failures or future fear rob you of present joy.

Thinking Is Hard Philippians 3:12-16 2014 Baccalaureate Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries I have been privileged to speak at many baccalaureates through the years. Since I have three sons, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Stuff

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Mar 13, 2014

Jesus tells us that much is required if we are to be true followers.

The Hard Stuff Luke 14: 25-27 Intro: The Bridger National Wilderness is located in the Teton National Forest in Wyoming. This 428,000 plus wilderness area has everything for hardened outdoors people. Over 600 miles of hiking trails going from lower elevations to higher where you can find glaciers. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Thanking Hard

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 27, 2013

Sometimes it does not make sense to be thankful. But it is always the will of God. If we can thank God in the hard times, and keep a right attitude, He will reward us with blessings that we never expected.

Thanking Hard Mark 6:34-44----Central Text Hard times---the disciples treasury only had 200 pennies (possibly the value of $32 in today's economy) and only one boy out of 20,000 people had any food on their person. It would have been a miracle to have bought food for 20,000 people for that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:34-44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hard To Explain

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 30, 2013

To show that we need to aim for understanding every WORD of GOD we read by meditation.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have difficulty in understanding? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we need to aim for understanding every WORD of GOD we read by meditation. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 5:11 (Amplified Bible) 5:11 Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11

Denomination: Pentecostal