Sermons on Working Hard:

Let Us Avoid The Near Occasions Of Sin

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 26, 2026

David and those around him learned the hard way about avoiding the near occasions of sin.

Friday of the Third Week Integral 2026 Last Sunday we heard the words of Jesus commanding all to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We know Jesus was telling the truth, because He is divine, and wherever Jesus is must be called “the kingdom of heaven.” We believe that He rules in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-10, 2 Samuel 11:13-17, Psalm 51:3-11, Mark 4:26-34, 1 Samuel 13:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

It's Not Always Easy!

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Nov 6, 2000

A sermon that looks at the hard side of discipleship by focusing on four character traits that a real disciple develops.

It's Not Always Easy! The Tough Side of Discipleship Luke 14:25-35 We all know about how messed up things are in our world. But do we know that they aren’t much better in the church. In the article "The American Witness" in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of The Barna Report, George Barna examined 131 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Jesus Really The Only Way? Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 15, 2018

Fourth in a five part series that attempts to answer hard questions about God, the Bible and faith.

ENGAGE Here in the United States we worship the ability to make choices. We choose our political leaders, the kind of movies and TV show we watch, the kind of music we listen to, the products we buy at the store and even the people we associate with. And if you have any doubts about our addiction ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Escape Lifes Greatest Prisons Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Nov 6, 2006

This series follows the life of Joseph as he enrolls in the "School of Hard Knocks". Learn how you too can be victorious no matter what life throws at you.

How To Escape Life’s Greatest Prisons Series: Surviving the School of Hard-Knocks July 9, 2000 I want to talk to you this morning about how to escape life’s greatest prisons… OR we could entitle today’s message… “The Amazing Benefits of a Positive Attitude”! As you’ve heard me say before, ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Can I Say Thanks?

Contributed by Danny Nance on Mar 21, 2008

Thanksgiving sermon, asking the question, "How can I be thankful when life is so hard?"

How Can I Say Thanks? Habakkuk 3:16-19 Andrae Crouch wrote one of the most beautiful songs on thankfulness that I think I have ever heard. In it, he asks, “How can I say thanks for the things you’ve done for me? Things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me. The voices of a ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

As I Loved You

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on May 16, 2022

Jesus gave us one commandment: to love one another, no matter how hard it is for us

John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (John 13:34-35) In this scripture, the command to love one another is like a candle in this dark and brutal world, in danger of being blown out by current events. We ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, Luke 23:24, Hebrews 8:12, Romans 12:19, Romans 12:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Episcopal

Bartimaeus

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Jul 17, 2012

Are you in need of a miracle? How hard do you need it? How desperate are you?

Today we are going to read our Bibles in Mark 10:46-52 but first I would like to tell you about a parable. PARABLE OF THE PENCIL The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Prejudice Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 10, 2020

God is always at work…and sometimes we get to see it. When we don’t see it…remember God is always at work.

We made a quick road trip to Virginia last weekend to see two of our daughters and sons-in-law…and three of our grandchildren. Here’s a picture of us decorating pumpkins with them. And here’s a picture of our grandson Dean with his pumpkin. Dean lives in Davenport (we join Biff and Robin Rollins ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-33, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 3:6, Mark 7:18-19, 1 Timothy 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Came Down

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Nov 16, 2005

Is it any wonder that the world finds it hard to follow Jesus? Often The only Jesus they are ever presented is hard, harsh and unloving. We are Jesus to the world; our actions speak louder than fifty street preachers. Jesus came down!

JESUS CAME DOWN IAN JOHNSON www.papelim.org.nz “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) What does that mean, “he became poor”? It means that he gave ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

God’s Grace Is Not Just Fair

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Oct 9, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself these questions, “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do? Why does life seem so unfair sometimes?” Yes, many things in life are hard to understand; that’s why we need to understand the grace of God.

GOD’S GRACE IS NOT JUST FAIR Pastor Joel Bernardino | October 9, 2025 INTRODUCTION Have you ever asked yourself these questions? • “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do?” • “I’m smarter and more resourceful, yet life seems easier for them.” • “Life seems so unfair ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Sabbath: Enjoy The Rest Of Your Life Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 24, 2018

Who said Sunday is the new Sabbath? Roman Emperor Constantine did in 321 A.D. The Roman Catholic Church did. The Church of England did, and the Puritans did. But the Bible never did.

INTRODUCTION The wife of a man who died assumed they had plenty of money so she gave him a very nice funeral and a fancy tombstone that said, “Rest in Peace.” However, when the estate was settled she learned he had wasted all their money on gambling and bad investments. This made her so angry she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

So What Is Your Goal?

Contributed by Steve Smith on Dec 30, 2006

Commit to "Make A Change For the Better" by 1- Working Out Your Salvation, 2- Move Forward at All Times, and 3- Run Well For Christ!

INTRODUCTION ILL.: An elderly gentleman moved into a retirement community to spend the rest of his life there. It wasn’t long until he had made a number of friends among the other residents including one lady he was especially attracted to, & she was attracted to him, also. So they spent a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Good In The Bad Things

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 5, 2012

Though life is uncertain we may be sure of the certainty that God is at work.

Title: Finding Good In the Bad Things Text: Ruth 1:1-18 Thesis: Though life is uncertain we may be sure of the certainty that God is at work. Introduction: "Go West, young man, go west…" is a quote popularized by American author Horace Greeley concerning America's expansion westward. It was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Important Event In History: The Crucifixion Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Nov 13, 2023

We have a hard time seeing it’s significance. We have a hard time understanding why Jesus dying this day matters to us. I get that. I understand that we struggle to see why it matters to us.

Every human being on planet Earth longs for a truly great leader, someone who is upright, incorruptible, someone who speaks the truth boldly, who is authentic, who is kind but firm, deep down we all long for that perfect leader. Sometimes we get glimpses of greatness like this in certain leaders, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Love Never Fails

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Sep 3, 2006

A sermon suitable for a wedding, with an emphasis on the working out of love in our lives of the ’rules for living’ given in the 13th Chapter of First Corinthians

LOVE NEVER FAILS If I could write a book in which I could give a guaranteed method for a happy, prosperous, successful marriage, then I am sure that it would be a ‘best seller’. However, one of the problems in marriage is people! Of course, we cannot have a marriage without people, and this is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible