Sermons on Rocky Ground:

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Plastic Faith

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Artificial leaves look healthy but produce nothing. In Mark 11 Jesus exposes leaf-only religion: a fig tree with no fruit, a crowded temple with no prayer, faith without forgiveness, and leaders without surrender. He clears space for real life with God—fruit, prayer, forgiveness, and obedience.

An artificial plant looks impressive. But it produces nothing. You could easily buy one at a store with thought that it will "bring life to any room." And—sure—it brings the appearance of life. The leaves stay green. They never drop. It never needs water. In fact, if I tried to water it, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Protected Mr. Magoo: Listen To Wisdom - 1 Samuel 25:32-35 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 2, 2025

Ever wonder how God keeps you from falling into sin? This story from 1 Samuel 25 will amaze you!

Introduction – God’s protection from sin is the main point Main focus – God’s protection There was a question that came up last week after the sermon. Someone came to me and said, “Darrell, usually you strive to always point us to the glory of God in every sermon. But in this sermon you just ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:32-35

Can You Take The Heat Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon on the dynamics of persecution and our response to it. Video clip from "The Robe".

Can You Take The Heat? Fortifying the Foundations # 35 John 15:18-16:4[1] 5-16-04 In our text this morning Jesus warns his followers about persecution. Sometimes Christians are suffering persecution and they don’t even realize that what they are experiencing is persecution. In other cases ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Banished But Blessed

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Why had God allowed such hardship to come into John’s life? Sermon explores John’s experience on Patmos and his revelation of Christ.

Banished But Blessed Revelation 1:1-20[1] 11-21-04 Intro To set the stage for our message this morning I want you to imagine with me for a moment how you would feel if you had just received an unjust sentence—You will be transported to the Alcatraz of Asia Minor—a desolate island about six miles ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-20

Denomination: Charismatic

Sex And The Church Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 30, 2004

The Church needs to talk as much about sex as the Bible does.

Sex and the Church Hot Potato #4 that the Church won’t touch My mentor/instructor Richard Dobbins was a pastor for 25 years and a Christian Counselor for over 25 years was asked to teach a seminar on Sex for a pastor friend. When he arrived at the church he found an ad for the seminar ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:18-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

The If/Thens Of Easter

Contributed by Mike Sares on Oct 3, 2004

The consequences of the resurrection for a young adult audience – the outline of which is largely "borrowed" from Bill Hybels at the Willow Creek website.

The If/Thens of Easter by Mike Sares It’s Easter time. Time to eat all the candy and marshmallow eggs. Time to pig out. There’s gotta be a nicer word for pig out. A euphemism, as it were. Hey, try to think up a nicer word for euphemism. And while you’re at it, think up a shorter word for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Faith Lift Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Oct 12, 2004

Continued exposition of the book of James exploring how believers respond to truth.

EXTREME MAKEOVER – Part Four “A Faith Lift” James 1:19-27 - ©Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2004) “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, [20] for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. [21] ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are We?

Contributed by Thomas Baird on Oct 17, 2004

Used at the annual meeting of our association.. telling the Church in America, its time to RISE UP! and do the Work the Lord has for us.

Who Are We? 10/15/2004 Introduction… I would like to thank the First Baptist Church of -------for having us here this evening, and I thank the association as well, for allowing me to be a part of this service. And I want to thank my daughter, Katy, for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Himself He Could Not Save

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

His opponents said that Jesus could not save himself and, in a sense, they were right.

Introduction: What would you do if you were a high school football player and your coach sent in a play which called for you to run backward to your opponent’s goal line? It has happened! At the end of the 1988 football season, Tishimingo High was playing Faulkner High. The outcome of that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Handling Sex

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 22, 2002

some pointers on how we can respond to the misuse of God’s great gift of sex

How to follow Jesus without embarrassing ourselves: Handling Sex By Rev. Andrew Chan February 24, 2002 Grace International Baptist Church Vancouver, BC In our Ephesians series, we were told of how God through Jesus chose us to be special, specially loved and chosen to be included in His team, His ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How To Pray More Powerfully In 14 Days (Pt. 2)

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 6, 2003

Prayer opens the door for God to do His work in us.

How To Pray More Powerfully In 14 days (Part II) Luke 11:5-8 May 4, 2003 Chester, IL Chester FBC Mike Fogerson, Speaker INTRODUCTION: 1 Ten Ways To Know You Picked The Wrong Church. 10 When you enter, the ushers ask if you want smoking or non. 9 No cover charge, but communion is a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Faces In The Crowd

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 27, 2001

There were many faces that surrounded Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. What did Jesus see as he looked and them and what does he see as he looks at the crowd that surround shim today.

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, "FACES IN THE CROWD" It’s six days before the passover, in less then a week Jesus would be hanging on a cross. But right now Jesus is in Bethany a small village about 2 miles east of Jerusalem. He is at the home of Simon the leper having a meal. At the dinner ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Evidences Of Spiritual Awakening Series

Contributed by Robert Robb on Mar 14, 2001

What were the evidences of a spiritual awakening taking place under Haggi’s ministry?

Studies in The Book of Haggai Study 5 Introduction The Lord Jesus once told a parable about a farmer who went out to sow some seed in one of his fields. Although he sowed out the whole field there were places here and there where the soil quality differed and because of that some of the seed that ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:12-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Potholes In The Road To Ephesus

Contributed by James May on Feb 13, 2013

This road of life often seems to have potholes that will throw us off course. We begin to go this way or that, and soon discover that we are off of the path that God desires us to use. That's when the warning of Jesus to the church at Ephesus is given;

Potholes in the Road to Ephesus Sunday, February 10, 2013 By Rev. James May The Holy Ghost led me to a passage of scripture this morning that I know He wants to use to speak to someone here this morning. As I read this passage, I could not help but feel the heart of God as it ached; and I could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible