Sermons on Hardness:

Prayer-Works Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 16, 2008

Why ‘work’ instead of ‘activity’ of prayer or ‘picnic’ of prayer? Why does ‘prayer concert’, or ‘prayer vigil’ sound so gray and bland? The answer is obvious. Prayer is hard work! It is rewarding; it is life-changing; but it is hard.

We continue today on our topic, “Learning to serve in a Service-less Age”, more specifically looking at “The refurbished Life”. God refurbishes our lives, in part, through “The Habit of Prayer”. I confess my struggle with this topic. It is complex yet simple. So complex that we will not even begin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 4, 2014

Prayer can change circumstances and prayer can change us. The Lord has told us to pray and never give up, both of these things are very hard when you are going through a hard time.

Persistent Prayer Luke 18:1-18:6 Introduction- We will continue to look at Jesus parables and how we can apply his teachings to our life. Last week we looked at honoring God with our lives and make sure that God gets the glory. This week we look at prayer-persistent prayer of the widow. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Have We Been Using The Wrong Words?

Contributed by Ray Geide on Feb 16, 2012

Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why does there seem to be a disconnect between the Bible and reality? Why is the church out of touch with the world around it? The answer to all of these questions is simple, yet hard to stomach.

Have We Been Using the Wrong Words? Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why does there seem to be a disconnect between the Bible and reality? Why is the church out of touch with the world around it? The answer to all of these questions is simple, yet hard to stomach. We have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Knew You Were Hard! Don't Withhold The Little?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 6, 2008

Often we will withhold little things because we don’t see the potential value of our little gift. 5 talents, 2 talents, or 1 talent give your best effort!

I KNEW YOU WERE HARD! Don’t withhold the little! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com FAITH CAN ALWAYS BE SEEN BY LITTLE DEEDS AND ACTIONS OF LOVE! I. DO WE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEDICATION AND TOTAL COMMITMENT? A. INTRODUCTION: 1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:15-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Hard Way - Why God Uses Diffictul People In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 2, 2013

Today we want to remember that GOD uses difficult people to build our character, to make us stronger. Such people reveal hidden faults and deepen our trust in God

Charles R. Swindoll provides the following story which he calls “Tension in the Tank.” "In the northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable, they are a big commercial business. There's a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Removing The Heart Of Stone

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 12, 2007

God can chisel away at our hard hearts and replace them with a new heart.

“Removing the Heart of Stone” Introduction: It was 103°F in Hell Creek, South Dakota, one day in September 1993. Dinosaur hunter Michael Hammer was amazed at what he saw. Sticking out of the ground were the remains of a Thescelosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur. The skeleton was almost ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 11:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What God Wants Us To Learn From Hagar's Story Series

Contributed by Kirk Pike on Jan 21, 2004

No Matter How Hard Life Might Be, We Do Not Have to Live it Alone

My Favorite Movie is “It’s A Wonderful Life” [Most of Movie/as Life-Not so Wonderful] But That Should Not Be a Surprise to Anyone…Isn’t That What the Bible Teaches? Job 5:7 says, “Man is born into trouble, as the sparks fly upward” Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Life And Times Of A Fallen Hero, Samson

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 15, 2002

This is an inductive sermon done in a narrative form, with the application at the end. These are hard for me, Enjoy the effort.

NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF SAMSON I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS BIRTH. 1. Israel had done evil in the sight of God and was under the domination of the Philistines for 40 years. 2. This was a usual cycle for Israel. EXPLAIN a. Sin b. Servitude c. Sorrow d. Salvation 3. The nation needed a savior ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is The Righteous Life Worth Living?

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Living a righteous life in a un righteous world is hard and at times frustrating. Is it worth the effort?

Is the righteous life worth living? Malachi 3:13 - 18 (NIV) 13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Just Keep Swimming

Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 31, 2004

Prayer is hard work, but as we die to ourselves, we gain resurrection life in it.

Philippians 3:7-14 – Just Keep Swimming Illustration: Dory encouraging Marlin to press on (from "Finding Nemo") Perseverance is an important quality in the life of a Christian. (read verses on perseverance) Perseverance comes from under going trials. In fact, it brings life as it flows from pain ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

How To Grow Your Faith Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jan 23, 2006

This shows how the nobleman grew in his faith - he obeyed, even when it was hard.

John 4:46-54 – How to Grow Your Faith We are continuing our series on The Life of Jesus, looking at snapshots of what He did and what He said at different points of His 3 year ministry. Today we are in John 4:46-54 (p.753). Today we are looking at the question, how do you grow your faith? ...read more

Scripture: John 4:46-54

Denomination: Baptist

Church---It Does The Body Good

Contributed by Kenneth Burisek on Apr 12, 2005

Hard hitting sermon---on importance of being faithful to Body of Christ---the Church !!!

Church---It does the "BODY" good * I Cor 12:12-27 * 12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thanksgiving In All Things

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jun 12, 2004

Our response to God in the hard times tells the world who we really are.

June 13, 2004 Morning Worship Text: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Subject: Suffering for God Title: Thanksgiving in All Things You know that one of my favorite bible passages come from Acts 16. I love the story of Paul and Silas being thrown into a Philippian jail and put into stocks in the inner ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Can The Lord Help You Correctly Respond To Accusations?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

In a world filled with daily news reports of scandal it is hard to feel immune from accusations.

In a world filled with daily news reports of scandal it is hard to feel immune from accusations. Nobody can feel immune from accusations in a world where people rush to be identified as a victim for self-aggrandizing reasons. When someone tries to shift the blame toward you what is your usual ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Soldier (Thoughts For Memorial Day)

Contributed by Tom Walker on Oct 18, 2000

2 Tim. 2:3 says, “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Tim. 2:3 says, “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” On May 30th in America, we observe a day called “Memorial Day.” It is marked by parades, speeches; flags and flowers are placed on the graves of many servicemen. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, for the purpose of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3