Sermons on Praying Hard:

Got Love

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Mar 12, 2005

Love inside the church is too much like love in the family. We are hard on the ones we love. Love within the church is good stuff and Paul explains the standard.

Got Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8A I went to a wedding yesterday. It was one of thoes events that brought the reality of time and how many years have passed into clearer focus. The groom was the son of some really good friends. He is about the same age as James. I congratulated our friends on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Congregational

Man Is Basically Good Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 18, 2009

Thought that might get your attention. The debate about the goodness of man rages, as does the arguments for the existence of God. Paul takes on both in this very hard hitting section.

How can you know you are dying unless someone tells you ‘you have a terminal disease’? How do you know you need to be set free unless someone tells you ‘you are a captive’? How can you tell something is wrong unless someone tells you what is right? That’s the essence of the rest of Romans 1. Before ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Mom: Wisdom Personified Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 8, 2010

If you want to be truly wise, then be like a mom. Be worthy like a mom. Work hard like a mom. Live well like a mom. Then you will be honored like a mom.

Some time ago, Peg Beukema of Nyack, New York, collected the responses of several elementary school children to some questions about moms. I got a kick out of reading them this last week, and I thought you’d enjoy them too, especially on this Mother’s Day. Why did God make mothers? • She’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Church With Heart Problems - Ephesus Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 4, 2010

No matter how hard or diligently we work for the Lord, ultimately if our heart strays from that first love, we are in danger. Yet He is faithful and is our rescuer.

THE CHURCH WITH HEART PROBLEMS - EPHESUS READING: Revelation 2:1-7 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Church Of God

Unbind Him And Let Him Go! (John 11:1-53)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 7, 2007

Here’s a story that might seem hard to know what to do with. That’s OK. Even the disciples didn’t know how to handle this one! ...

“Unbind him and let him go!” These are the words of Jesus, recorded in John 11 - dramatic words that come at the climax of a dramatic story - the death and resuscitation of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. It is an extraordinary story. It’s filled with mysterious dialogues, doubting disciples, tears and ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-53

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Making Something Out Of Nothing

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Nov 26, 2017

WE ARE INTRODUCED TO A WOMAN WHO FINDS HERSELF BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE THE ISSUES`S OF LIFE HAD SERVED HER A LEMON AND DARED HER TO MAKE LEMONADE

2 Kings 4:1-7 (KJV) Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. [2] And Elisha said unto her, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah Is Us Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 11, 2013

This is the conclusion of our series in the Book of Jonah. This was a hard sermon that challenged our congregation to examine how we are like Jonah, and what we should do about it.

Jonah Concluded Text: Jonah 4:5 – 11 So we’re finishing up in Jonah today… I thought after last week I’d be done with it, but as I was re-reading it… just going over it one last time to see if the Lord would have me say any more on this book. I realized that I ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgive Like Philemon

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 10, 2015

Forgiving is easy to tell someone else but very hard for each one of us. Forgiving takes the power out of the hands of the offender and allows God to provide healing to you.

Forgive like Philemon Philemon 1-21 Introduction- This morning I want to talk to you about forgiveness. Right away we can think of many that should hear this message. But you are here this morning and God wants to speak to each one of us about forgiveness. When someone hurts you, you can ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Amazing Faith

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It may be hard to find a place to put our faith in this modern world, but Jesus encountered a man who had amazing faith and we can learn from him.

I think we can all feel that right now our culture is really struggling to find faith. We talk about it in different ways. We talk about the need to restore family values. We talk about the need for spirituality. We may not talk about it, but I think we feel a need for a sense of purpose in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13

How To Be A Timothy - Philippians 2:22-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2024

The preaching of the Word won’t have an effect on the hard, rocky, or weedy soil until someone gets down on the ground of that person’s heart and does some gardening.

Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:22-24

The Parable Shocks But Christ's Message Is Powerful

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 16, 2025

The goal is to spread the message of Christ and His Church of the will of God to save all human beings. If the authorities are dragging us off to jail it’s hard to fulfill that mission.

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Course 2025 Reading today’s excerpt from the letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, you might get the impression that the goal of any church congregation is to “lead a quiet an tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.” That sounds like an average middle-class suburban lifestyle, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113:1-8, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Finishing Well Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 19, 2013

A short grave-side message for a godly person who fought a long hard battle to overcome sickness. He fought the good fight, finished his race, & he kept the faith.

GRAVE-SIDE Service 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 FINISHING WELL “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; (8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Heart Under Attack Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 11, 2004

Jesus described the heart of a person who was receptive to the Gospel. Part 1 of 5 of the Praying Your Family and Friends to Christ Series.

Praying Your Friends & Family To Christ Series Heart Under Attack (1 of 5) Luke 8.15 October 10, 2004 Chester FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker (The "HEART" acronym that is being used for this series is taken from Chris Schofield, Praying Your Friends to Christ (Alpharetta, Ga.: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:15

Denomination: Baptist

Facing A New Year In A Shaky World

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 1, 2024

We are facing a New Year, and while that can mean hope for a better future, the past and its troubles casts a shadow over that hope that is hard to ignore. We are living in a shaky world.

Alba 12-31-2023 FACING A NEW YEAR IN A SHAKY WORLD I Thessalonians 3:1-5 Have you ever gone to a scary movie? When I was twelve years old some friends and I walked to a movie theater that was about two miles from our home. The movie was called “Them”. It was not the kind of movie our family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Honest To Goodness Lawyers

Contributed by Craig Benner on Jul 25, 2012

It is very hard to find an honest lawyer these days. Especially, if you know that you are guilty and you need someone who will defend you and help you come out of the courtroom unscathed.

2 Very Good Lawyers 1 John 2:1 1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (KJV) 1 Hijitos míos, estas cosas os escribo para que no pequéis; y si alguno hubiere pecado, abogado ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal