Sermons on Try Harder:

Perfectly Imperfect Parenting

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Parenting is tough and we will make mistakes, but if we give our children to the Lord he will catch them when we screw up.

Perfectly Imperfect Parenting Deuteronomy 6:2, 4-7, Psalm 78:5-8, 2 Tim 3:14-17, Col 3:20-21, Eph 6:1-4, Prov 22:6, 29:15 Why would anyone actually choose to be a parent? Notice Jesus and Paul never became parents. Were they just wiser than anyone else? But God also says that children are a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:2-7

Slim Pickens Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Real Christian disciples and real love are hard to find even in the church.

“Slim Pickens” Philippians 2:19-30 I had a best friend from Junior high through high school. We did everything together except play hockey. We shared everything with each other, I don’t think I had a great experience as a teenager that he didn’t have with me. Have you ever had a friend like that? ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

The Church Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 26, 2014

Christ, as head of the church, gave us a model that will lead to unity and love. Are we listening?

Today we begin a short two week series covering what I think is one of the most relevant sections of the New Testament for us today. It gives a very concise, clear picture of how the church and the family are to operate according to God’s design. So please join me as we read Ephesians chapter ...read more

A Recipe For Contentment

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 19, 2008

The world will never give us true lasting contentment. What will?

“A Recipe for Contentment” Contentment, inner peace, serenity, terribly elusive but desired states of mind in our culture. Often sought after through worldly pursuits, which may bring fleeting glimpses of it, but ultimately are temporary. The New Testament word for contentment in it’s different ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:41-43

Managing Money Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2010

What is practically more important to us in this society than money and the things it can buy? Oh we might say that our family, or friendships, or health are more important, but is that what is seen in the way we live our lives day to day?

What is practically more important to us in this society than money and the things it can buy? Oh we might say that our family, or friendships, or health are more important, but is that what is seen in the way we live our lives day to day? Do our lives not look like they are more often devoted to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Happy Are The Spiritual Beggars Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 21, 2011

Today we enter a famous section of the Bible commonly known as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This particular beginning section is known as the “beatitudes” from the Latin word for “blessed”. I think it also means beautiful attitudes.

Today we enter a famous section of the Bible commonly known as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This particular beginning section is known as the “beatitudes” from the Latin word for “blessed”. I think it also means beautiful attitudes. And I am quite certain this may be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-3

The Prodigal Son's Brother

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012

Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi

This would be similar to having a pastor who spent most of his time trying to reach the lost while neglecting those in the congregation who are just sitting around trying to be Holy. Often the people who are just in church to be served are the ones who complain when they don’t get enough of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Metamorphosis Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

This Easter let’s all go through a metamorphosis as Jesus did. Let’s know the power of His resurrection.

Easter Sermon “Metamorphosis” Philippians 3:1-11 George Orwell, the author of “1984” said in 1939 "We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men." Well I think in western Christianity we have sunk even further since then, and what a better ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

The Fall Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 25, 2009

It is only by understanding and believing Genesis 3 that we can understand salvation and accept Jesus Christ as our savior.

“The Fall” (Genesis 3:1-13) Today is a difficult day as we cover what is undoubtedly the most important and saddest part of the Old Testament. Today we learn what went wrong, and we learn of our biggest need as human beings. Today we find out why Jesus had to come and how the process of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13

Will You Follow Me? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 26, 2013

Let’s as Christians stop whining about and judging all the disobedient people who don’t even claim his name. Forget about the homosexuals, the abortionists, you think God won’t take care of all that? Love them and he will take care of the judgment.

Last time we were together Moses had just been given the 10 Commandments. He had been going up and down the mountain hearing from God and relaying this information from God to the people. Now it wasn’t just the 10 commandments. Moses in that short time received 4 chapters of detailed laws ...read more

Real Revival Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on May 3, 2013

Real revival brings change on individual and community levels. It often brings miracles as well, but the key is that people change what they’re doing and become more obedient to God. There were several revivals in the Old Testament before Jesus too, and t

In September 1857, a man of prayer, Jeremiah Lanphier, started a businessmen’s prayer meeting in the upper room of the Dutch Reformed Church Building in Manhattan. In response to his advertisement, only six people out of a population of a million showed up. But the following week there were ...read more

Sodom & Gomorrah Pt. 1: A Byword For Depravity Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Feb 17, 2010

Our society is still as depraved as Sodom and Gomorrah was. Does God still judge with disasters in an effort to wake us up?

Read Matthew 24:3-8. The birth pains have begun my friends. Lloyd gave me these rocks that are from Haiti and as I watched CNN this week, I saw hundreds and thousands of people lying dead and alive underneath much larger pieces of rock from collapsed buildings. Bodies scattered on the sidewalks ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-11

Health Issues And Facing Death Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 30, 2010

Two things are inevitable when we are born into this fallen world. We will all get sick in some way, and we will all die. What is God's role in all of this?

Two things are inevitable when we are born into this fallen world. We will all get sick in some way, and we will all die. So it makes sense that we understand how to deal with these certainties according to Scripture. When the Bible talks about suffering, it is almost never speaking about physical ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-24

Spiritual Gifts Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Apr 11, 2012

Do you want to glorify God? No, I mean it, really in your heart, is that one of, if not your highest priority? Do you know one of the best ways to do it?

How many of you have ever gotten a Christmas gift, and that gift has never been used, it has been on your shelf, maybe even still in the box for years. That is poor stewardship, at least re-gift it to someone else. Do you want to glorify God? No, I mean it, really in your heart, is that one of, if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Journey From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 29, 2013

What is religion? So many people when they talk about Christianity call it religion. They say I got religion, or I’m a religious person. Or I don’t want to hear about Jesus because I don’t like religion. Religion is the conscientious following of rules th

I am covering in a summary fashion 3 chapters in the book of Luke this morning so I won’t be reading a lot of Scripture and there is no outline, but I will be referring to several passages. I encourage you to read Luke chapters 19-23 on your own this week to prepare for Easter weekend. I want ...read more