Sermons on Life Is Hard:

Growing Up Is Hard Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Jul 10, 2005

Are we progressing in the faith or are we, like many of those Hebrew Christians: • dull of hearing • still need to be taught elementary truth • babies wanting milk, not solid food?

In the earlier chapters we have studied some wonderful passages about the Saviour’s divinity and humanity and His wonderful fitness to be our merciful and faithful High-priest. Now we are going to move on to some rather difficult or unpalatable passages. It is tempting to skip these, but they are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 29, 2016

Every instance of our lives is part of a greater spiritual conflict. The first Christmas was no exception.

Open There is the beautiful side of Christmas. It’s found in Luke's gospel. Luke’s account of the first Christmas is a love story set to music. There are angels coming and going. They’re singing and lighting up the sky. There are shepherds coming to visit. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The University Of Hard Knocks

Contributed by Robert Glass on Aug 29, 2013

The 4 years of college for the Prodigal Son.

The University of Hard Knocks Robert A. Glass Many of us have attended college, and some of us have various degrees. But there was a boy, whose collegiate journey can be a lesson for us all. The story of the Prodigal Son is well known, but if we examine through its stages we will see the four ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Why Is This So Hard? Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Dec 28, 2005

Why is following Gopd so difficult sometimes?

***Tug-o’-war illustration*** • Start off with big kid and a small kid and tell them to pull the rope as far as he can • Slowly, continue to add people to oppose the big kid until he gives up As we continue to look at God’s call in our lives to go and change the world around us, I think this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fasting The Hard Way

Contributed by Cameron Horsburgh on Nov 5, 2001

God isn’t as impressed with our pious religiosity as he is about the way we live our lives.

Now the Israelites had a problem. They practiced their religion faithfully, and they did everything that was expected, but God didn’t seem to be listening to them. What was the problem? This is a good question. And it’s an important question to ask ourselves as well. God, through his prophet, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9, Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Holiness

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

Learning The Hard Way

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003

A Lesson on Forgiveness and repentance

Text: Psalm 51 Jim Smuts Subject: Forgiveness Theme: Divine Forgiveness "Learning The Hard Way" Introduction: Someone once said, "Forgiveness is like the violet sending forth its pure fragrance on the heel of the boot of the one who crushed it." Explanation: David’s sin ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

Hard Sayings—wineskins Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Apr 10, 2003

UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNFICANCE OF THE NEW CLOTH AND THE NEW WINE AND WINESKINS IS AN IMPORTANT REMINDER OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST.

Hard Sayings—Wineskins Mark 2:21-22 INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: There are many literary forms used in the Bible. There is poetry, proverb, legal document, dramatic narrative, hymn, sermon, theological treatise, personal letter, and apocalyptic vision. And sprinkled into all of these genres are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:21-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unity Is Hard To Come By Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 6, 2014

A sermon on barriers to unity (adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Graciously United, pages 308-314)

HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- A few years ago I visited a couple in their home. Both husband and wife had lived most of their lives apart from Christ and His church. Their marriage- a second marriage for both- had grown rocky. The 50 year old husband faced a frightening battle with cancer, and neither ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Facing Hard Times Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Oct 28, 2015

When it comes to disasters and accidents there are 2 ways to look at it: Mans way or Gods way. Whatever the problem God has a solution. He is the Master fixer upper. But you must learn to cooperate with God so He can bring the total restoration.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD” Isaiah 55:8. I. Reevaluating-Getting man’s perspective “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him” Proverbs 18:13. A. Premature judgments B. Overreactions C. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Power Under Control: The Fruit Of Gentleness Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 10, 2007

Gentleness is power under control, like a tamed horse. Jesus described Himself as gentle and humble of heart, which is good news for us because life is hard.

Power Under Control: The Fruit of Gentleness Matt. 11:28-30 October 31, 2004 Intro: I want you to think for a moment of someone you know who you would describe as gentle. Someone who, as you think of them, seems to embody the idea of gentleness. Can you think of anyone? Anyone want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist