Sermons on Challenge The Dark:

Sermon # 16 - The Lord Is Close At Hand Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 1, 2023

When our situations are gloomy and dark and there seems no hope, remember the Lord Jesus is close at hand and He specializes in transforming lifeless situations to those brimming with life and fruitfulness.

In Mark 16:1, we read, “And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”(KJV) The Lord Jesus as He had already predicted to His disciples on several occasions, was crucified on a cross at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1, Luke 8:1-3, John 20:10-11, John 20:14-15, John 11:3, John 11:6, John 11:32, Numbers 17:5, Numbers 17:8, Luke 2:48-49, Luke 1:32, Colossians 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Sermon: Embracing God’s Light

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 29, 2024

Human sinfulness causes many to choose darkness over the Light, to run from God instead of running to Him. Believers should embrace God's Light.

Sermon: Embracing God’s Light Scripture Lesson: John 3:16-21 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Isaiah 60:1-3, John 1:4-5, 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Methodist

What God Did About It Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 3, 2020

Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin of the world and the darkness in us. Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin of the person sitting next to you. Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin in our own hearts.

WHAT GOD DID ABOUT IT John 1:29-34 #John1 READ John 1:29-34 [Responsive Reading, Congregation Reads Bold Print] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the One I meant when I said, 'A Man who comes ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Palm Sunday - Inspecting The Temple

Contributed by Simon Fullylove on Apr 10, 2006

A Palm Sunday message looking at how Jesus challenged people’s relationship with God

Introduction There was an elderly lady who was waiting in the waiting room with her daughter. The nurse entered the waiting area and announced for the elderly lady to go on back to see the doctor. The nurse spoke louder but still she could not hear. The elderly lady’s daughter leaned over and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Was Jesus? (The Da Vinci Code - Part 2) Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 30, 2006

Second in series about TDVC, this message focusing on the divinity of Jesus, which is challenged in the book.

Who Was Jesus? (The Da Vinci Code – Part 2) Various Scriptures May 28, 2006 (With grateful acknowledgment of the book, Cracking Da Vinci’s Code, by James L. Garlow and Peter Jones, from which much of the material in the first two sections comes) Introduction After taking a break last week, I’m ...read more

Scripture: John 10:30-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

How To Make Straight A's In Christian Unity

Contributed by Steve Rutherford on Aug 18, 2005

This sermon challenges listener to Christian unity through our absolute example, Jesus Christ.

School starts this week and I’m sure there are a lot of happy parents and grandparents and sad students. When I was in school I only cared about two subjects, sports and Rachel. So it would come as no surprise that I was an average student at best. I start back to school at the end of this week for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Spirit-Led Life!

Contributed by Ron Mirick on May 24, 2002

A motivational message challenging us to give the leadership of our lives over to the Holy Spirit.

HOW TO HAVE A SPIRIT-LED LIFE SPECIFIC PURPOSE: To motivate the listener to give the leadership of their life over to Jesus Christ. To help them reevaluate their life and what they do. CENTRAL IDEA: The listener should walk away from this message challenged to become more deeply involved with ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiving Our Enemies

Contributed by John Howard on Feb 23, 2002

Christ challenges us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Forgiving Our Enemies Matt 5:43-48 With the events of 11 Sep - Came a lot of anguish and horror - Then came anger and the desire to find the terrorists - Who did this terrible thing - These are normal human reactions - And are something we all experience - But we are called as Christians to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19, Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Ship Lolipop

Contributed by Mike Mizell on Dec 18, 2002

A New Year’s message to challenge listeners to follow God’s will in the New Year

The Good Ship Lollipop Jonah 1: 1 – 7 ( I read this anology in a book a while back and thought it wourl preach). Here we, the first Sunday in the year 2000, the long awaited day has finally arrived. We find ourselves embarking on a journey into the unknown and we are launching into a new era. We ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stay In The Ship

Contributed by Alex Shepherd on Dec 26, 2003

This life challenges us with a myriad of trials and suffering. This sermon is offered as encouragement to stay with the Lord.

“Stay in the Ship” Acts 27:9-11, ,31,-44 Introduction: A few months ago my brother-in law invited me on a deep sea fishing trip along with some of his co- workers. At 4 o’clock that morning we met with his co-workers for breakfast at a local Mexican restaurant before meeting the boat that would ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:9-11, Acts 27:31-44

Denomination: Baptist

3 Things That Make Jesus Cry

Contributed by Michael Kell on Mar 27, 2001

Overview of the 3 times Jesus cried in Scripture. Purpose: Encouragement & Challenge Weak or Unsaved

3 things that make Jesus cry Chronologically: 1.John 11:32-37 When everybody else around was weeping so was he John 11:4- knew that it would turn out for God’s Glory Cause of Jesus’ weeping: To see other people hurting, weeping We see other suffering and we empathize Jesus feels what we feel. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44, John 11:32

Denomination: Baptist

Standing In The Gap

Contributed by Johnny Carver on May 17, 2001

This sermon challenges us to realize the great need for Christians to stand up for the things of Christianity.

Scripture: Ezek. 22:23—31 Title: “Standing In The Gap” Introduction: Ezekiel catalogs the sins of the people of God in this chapter. The three main groups of people that are guilty of gross sins are the preachers, the religious leaders, and the political officials. With these three powerful ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

Committed...to Christ Series

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Aug 31, 2009

This is a Sunday School series that challenges teens to be committed to Christ, them selves, and to other relationships.

I. What is Commitment? a. Definition – a pledge or a promise; obligation. b. How the Bible defines Commitment i. Commitment to Christ must be complete – Luke 9:23-25 1. What does it mean to “take up your cross?” - 2. Don’t Compromise your commitment to Christ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25

Denomination: *other

The Church, Its Vital Connection To Our Heavenly Father. Part 3 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 14, 2007

A challenge to believers that God choses who sits at his family table, not individual believers.

The church, its vital connection to the father Part 3 Introduction: 1. The church, its all about God’s heart, the gathering together of his family, the calling out of his people. 2. We don’t have the liberty, the authority to say who is part of the church. The Spirit of God is calling ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

Does America Still Trust In God?

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 7, 2010

Great 4th of July sermon posing a challenge to Christians to set an example of TRUST

Does America Still Trust in God? (All my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and use the NIV unless otherwise noted) (This sermon was inspired partly by the lyrics from Diamond Rio’s song “In God We Still Trust”) In the world of country music, there is a group ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ