Sermons on Praying Hard:

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 11, 2009

God is calling us to a relationship with Him but a relationship means nothing without perseverance. Where do we find the strength to carry on through hard times?

5. Spiritual Disciplines Series May 17th, 2009 Perseverance A man is traveling down a long dirt road when he meets a guru. The man asks the guru, "Which way is success?" The bearded sage did not say anything but pointed to a place off in the distance. The man was thrilled by the prospect of quick ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-14

Denomination: *other

The Examined Life

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 5, 2006

The hard commands of Jesus are best understood as being directed to the church, which should be a Community of Grace. This sermon addresses Jesus’ teaching on lust, sin and adultery.

The Examined Life in the Community of Grace Our key scripture today suggested to me the sermon title, The Examined Life”. You may have heard of this saying by Socrates, an ancient philosopher: “The unexamined life is not worth living." It struck me that, in some very strong language, what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Whatever Was,is, Whatever Will Be Is"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 2, 2014

New Years Eve Sermon for a Historic Watch Night Service dealing with the past year and some hard questions on the concept of God as only a Good God.

December 31, 2013 (Watch Night/New Year's Eve/New Year’s Day) Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 “Whatever was, is, Whatever will be is” Psalm 8 (UMH 743) Revelation 21:1-6a
 From time to time, God tests us—as Abraham was tested—to see just how much we trust God and how much ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Heart Construction Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 26, 2015

Not only can God remove our hard hearts of stone and give us new ones, he can construct pure hearts within us.

1. Johnny and the Duck (1) A young boy who had just rec'd a slingshot for his birthday. He'd spend hours shooting rocks at various target/but he never seemed to be able to hit his target. One day he was in his Grandmother's house and he watched as her pet duck waddled by. On impulse he took aim ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12, Psalm 51:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's In The Middle? Series

Contributed by Dan Willis on Sep 22, 2011

In today's society sense of identity is hard to come by. Where is the scriptural teen? Who are you? What makes a boy into a man? Is age all it takes?

We continue today on the series addressing the 3 Great Lies Satan has told the church. When last we spoke we discussed the important role children play within the congregation. We explained how children inspire the congregation, unite the family and sharpen the fathers. Today we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:2-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Feb 27, 2013

Called to live a beatitude kind of life, the hard reality is anyone who lives out the first seven beatitudes is guaranteed at some point to experience the eighth.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus ends the beatitudes by saying “Blessed are those persecuted, reviled, and spoken against.” Would anyone care to get in “the blessed line?” Most of us prefer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do Not Dwell On The Past; Look To The Future

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Apr 25, 2019

When we focus too much on what happened in the past it becomes hard for us to see what God is doing in the present and is leading us in the future.

When I was in the parish, preaching every Sunday, there was usually one of my parishioners that would always come up to me after service and express how that day’s particular sermon seemed like I was speaking directly to them; that the sermon on that given day was addressing something specific ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 22, 2020

In 2 Peter 3:1-17, Peter is dealing with the hard heart of scoffing at the return of Jesus Christ, the final Judgement and how we should be living.

The Day of the Lord It’s Delay, Our Response In some Bibles, The Day of the Lord is found as a preoccupy of 2 Peter 3:1-17. In chapter 3, Peter is dealing with the hard heart of scoffing at the return of Jesus Christ, the final Judgement and how we should be living. There once was a man who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Losing Sight Of The Goal

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 29, 2021

Life often has some hard hits and bad hurts. We must not allow obstacles to cause us to lose sight of the goals before us.

FOCUS ON JESUS NOT THE STORM… THIS HURRICANE SHALL PASS… OBSTACLES ARE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THE GOAL… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I LOVE WISE STATEMENTS. The French have a motto: WRITE HURT AND INJURIES IN THE SAND AND WRITE LOVE AND KINDNESS IN MARBLE. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-15, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 14:24-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Meditation On Cross

Contributed by Mahima Kumar on Jan 2, 2025

Meditation on the Cross Hebrew: 6.4-6; This is a hard verse in the Bible. Those who donot repent of their sins, those who do not desire repentance

Meditation on the Cross Hebrew : 6.4-6; This is a hard verse in the Bible. Those who donot repent of their sins, those who do not desire repentance, those who do not like to be reproved, those who would not listen to any of remonstrance and those who do not change their life in spite of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-6, Isaiah 53:5-6

Planting Seeds

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Apr 25, 2023

It is hard to plant seeds for discipleship that you may never see grow. Jesus did it for 3 years. If he can do it we can do it

Planting Seeds John 12:20-26 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: United Methodist

Who Can Stand? The Church!, Part 2 (Revelation 7:9-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 21, 2023

A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation. Life is hard now. It will be harder later, and Revelation prepares us to accept that, and to be faithful in tough times.

Last week, we worked our way through the first vision of Revelation 7, which describes the sealing of the 144,000, from the 12 tribes of Israel. I argued that this was a vision of the church. Israel, is the church. The church, is Israel. I gave a few arguments in support of this, but I left out ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Being A Light In The World Today

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 19, 2023

This world has a hard time talking to each other. conversations escalate and being the light in a dark world is tough but possible with the Lord's help

Being a light in the world today Luke 11:33-36 Good Morning Everyone - it is really Good to see you and we are glad that you are! Prayer- (being a light) The Psalmist tells us; The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path… the light of God keeps us in a right relationship ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:33-36

Denomination: Nazarene

Ahaz: Maybe The Worst Father Ever? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 27, 2023

Who is the worst father in the Bible? It's hard to say but Ahaz, son of Jotham and king of Judah, might rank among the worst of the worst.

Introduction: the Bible has examples of good fathers and also bad ones. When it comes to the worst, Ahaz would be hard to beat. He had a good beginning but a terrible end. What a powerful lesson for every man, especially every father. The father of Ahaz was Jotham, son of Azariah/Uzziah, one of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Man And Lazarus

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 10, 2022

Many may go to church but alas only a few, very few, who strive hard to follow Jesus and His commandments would make it to heaven!

Rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19 "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores..” This morning God reminded me of the parable of the rich man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19

Denomination: Pentecostal