Sermons on Try Harder:

The Plagues Of Egypt Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on May 31, 2013

So Moses comes back to Egypt with his brother Aaron after the experience with the burning bush. Apparently his wife and kids stay in Midian, and we begin to see what was probably the most difficult and frustrating ministry position ever.

The people are happy to see Moses and at the end of chapter 4 we see that they are convinced that the Lord sent Moses and they worshipped together. Well, there's usually lots of enthusiasm when a new pastor comes and does lots of great things. Hope starts to build in the people and they get excited ...read more

The Waiting Room Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 30, 2012

This final chapter of 2 Peter is probably where the idea of meeting Peter at the pearly gates comes from. And while that is cute, the one who will really be interviewing us is Jesus himself. I thought the interview with a typical Christian in the waiting

So, you call me Lord, how did you do the will of my Father? (Mt 7:21) Ahhh well I went to church most Sundays, I read some parts of my Bible once in a while, I prayed, gave 2 or 3 percent of my income to the church when times were good. How did you love your enemies? (Mt 6:44) “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Aren’t All Religions Basically The Same? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 11, 2013

for the next three weeks I’m going to present three messages from the pulpit that I am calling the “Big Questions”. These are not necessarily questions you all have, though some of you may. But these are intended to answer some of the most common question

You may have heard this story before: Several blind men were led into a King’s courtyard, where they encountered an elephant. One felt a tusk and concluded that the elephant is like a spear. Another touched a leg and thought that the elephant is like a tree. Yet another bumped into the side ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Get Up And Go Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 9, 2009

When God said Go, Abram didn’t whine or argue, he just went.

George Bernard Shaw once quipped, “If other planets are inhabited, then they must be using the earth for their insane asylum”. Funny but if we look at the world, it doesn’t seem so far fetched does it? I’m sure that’s what it must have looked like after God confused everyone at Babel. After the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-20

Creator Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Oct 3, 2012

My hope in this series is that we can come to a good understanding of who the God of the Bible is so that we can share this truth with others, and help those who doubt or wonder. But here’s what we can’t do. We can’t just tell people this is who God is b

Billions of people in our world are asking, is there a God, and if so who is he or what is he. Is there one or are there many? If you have grown up in the church, you probably haven’t been exposed to these questions very often, probably never had to wrestle with the thoughts, but the majority ...read more

Dos And Don'ts Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on May 11, 2011

Is Jesus a legalist? Are we really supposed to follow what he says?

I knew a woman who stopped for a few drinks every night after work to let traffic die down, then drove home, about a 45 minute drive in lower mainland traffic. She would say, “I’m fine, I’ve never had an accident and there are never any roadblocks on my route home. It’s not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Conflict And Offence Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 30, 2010

More than anyone, Christians should be the best at dealing with conflict and being offended. Unfortunately, experience shows us that we may be among the worst. Nothing dirties the church’s so much, and nothing better gauges the spiritual maturity of a per

More than anyone, Christians should be the best at dealing with conflict and being offended. Unfortunately, experience shows us that we may be amoung the worst. Nothing dirties the church’s so much, and nothing better gauges the spiritual maturity of a person than how we deal with conflict ...read more

A Stairway To Heaven Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 9, 2009

The Tower of Babel reflects a desire that we still have today, to be independent of God and focus on human achievement.

When I was a teenager one of the most popular songs out there was a classic by that wonderful, very non-Christian rock band Led Zepplin, it was called “Stairway to Heaven”. There have been few songs in history that have been listened to under the fog of marajuana more than this one. Fortunately ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-32

Don't Tithe! Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Apr 11, 2012

Why is it a pastor seems to have your permission to talk about your marriage, your family, your workplace, but when they start to talk about your personal finances and giving there seems to be this real discomfort, and we get the rap right away of always

Imagine we’re worshipping in heaven and you give me a shove, you say to me, “I’m really mad at you”. I say, “Oh, why is that”. Because you never told me how important it was to settle my account with the master. What do I mean? If you look at the parable of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Ruth Scene 3 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Feb 21, 2013

This chapter in Ruth gives us a perfect example of how we need to recognize our need for a redeemer and claim the gift that Jesus gives. He doesn’t pour it out until we ask for it. We need to go and allow him to cover us with the corner of his cloak. Boaz

So Naomi finds out that Ruth is gleaning in Boaz’s field and she says, “Should I not seek rest for you, Is Boaz not our relative?” If you recall when Naomi was telling Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab she said, “The Lord grant that you find rest, each of you in the house of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Faithfulness" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

The Greek translation of faithful is actually persuasive and trustworthy. How often is the second part missing in the church?

What is the worse thing that can happen in a marriage? Wouldn’t most people agree it is unfaithfulness, having an affair? Personally I believe that the most important aspect of love is trust and trustworthiness. Once trust is broken it’s incredibly difficult to totally regain it. It’s like our ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Journey From Darkness To Light Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Apr 5, 2013

For five weeks we have going on a fast paced journey through the Bible and it all culminates today. If you've been watching the Bible miniseries you've seen many of the major stories of the Bible and you have probably noticed that this series was targeted

For five weeks we have going on a fast paced journey through the Bible and it all culminates today. If you've been watching the Bible miniseries you've seen many of the major stories of the Bible and you have probably noticed that this series was targeted not so much at people who know the Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

A Wife For Isaac Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2010

Let’s take a look at the right way to surrender important life choices to God and to be as certain as possible that we are in God’s will.

Well, folks today we’re going to talk about how Abraham let God choose a spouse for his son Isaac, but this young man’s idea was probably not quite what God had in mind. Let’s take a look at the right way to surrender important life choices to God and to be as certain as possible ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-21

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Peace" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Worldly peace never lasts, only the inner peace from our Lord is forever.

Someone once said: “Peace is the brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.” Isn’t that true whether we’re talking about world peace or inner peace? It seems like it never lasts, and when we have it, we tend to expect that it will only be a matter of time before its ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Gentleness" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Now we deal with gentleness, which is actually from the same root word as kindness, to be useful. However there are many more uses of the word in the Greek that have slightly different meaning like mildness, meekness, suitableness, and humility.

Begin by reading the Magnificat Luke 1 verses 46-49 and then Luke 2:13-19. I find that passage gives me a sense of the peacefulness and gentleness of the night of Christ’s birth. There’s no better display of gentleness in the Bible than Mary when she found out she was pregnant, and then gave ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23