Sermons on Challenge The Dark:

Sermon 1: Famines And Failures Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jun 2, 2019

The time of the Judges have been referred to as “Israel’s Dark Ages.” Yet nestled in this awful, violent period of Israel's history is a beautiful love story. A story of romance, restoration, redemption.

Famines and Failures Series: Sermon 1 of the book of Ruth Chuck sligh June 2, 2019 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives. TEXT: Please ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us Sermon Ii: Blessed Be God's Choice Of A Good Man - Joseph Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 12, 2020

In times of trouble fomented by anti-Christian and anarchist rulers of darkness, mature Christians are encouraged by the Story of Redemption in which God chose a good man to implement God's Prophesied Plan of Salvation.

BLESSED BE GOD OUR FATHER’S CHOICE OF A GOOD MAN TO IMPLEMENT GOD’S PROPHESIED PLAN When my brother twenty years my senior was asked by me - while gathering information for writing our family history - to sum up our dad’s life in a just a few words, he simply said: “He was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Meal With A Pharisee, Etc. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 15, 2017

Jesus wasn’t in the dark about why He was invited to this dinner. But I have to admit that if a Pharisee had asked me to come to dinner for the purpose of spying on me, I would have refused.

Jerusalem Lesson: Meal with a Pharisee Ruler Occasions Healing a Man with Dropsy; Parables of Ox, Best Places, and Great Supper Luke 14:1-24 Jesus Goes to Dinner at Home of Pharisee (Luke 14:1) And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Firstborn Are Slain. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 4, 2022

Moreover, the deaths occurred "at midnight," in the weirdest hour, at the quietest time, and in the deepest darkness. So it had been prophesied (Exodus 11:4), but the particular night had not been announced.

The Firstborn Are Slain. Exodus 12:29-30. 29 At midnight, the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. 30 Pharaoh and all his ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:29

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse Reversed Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 9, 2023

Why did the women head to the tomb while it was dark? What did it take for them to understand that Jesus is alive? Answers to these questions and more are available in this message from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read Mark 16:1-7 Pray. (During the prayer, have the techs turn off all lights, we used black slides so screens appeared to be off as well, act confused for a minute as to what happened, then assure the church that the techs will figure it out as we continue in the dark. The lights will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7, John 20:11-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus, The Light; The Child's Friend Series

Contributed by William Baeta on Feb 19, 2022

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” (Eph 5:8-9)

Introduction: Today is children’s Sunday and our theme for reflection is Jesus, the Light, the child’s friend. When we think about light the first thing that comes to mind is light from the sun. It is this light that wakes us up in the morning and makes us see our way as we prepare for the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-17, Psalm 36:7-10, Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Tragedy To Triumph

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Even so, when tragedy strikes and your emotions are strongly felt, you especially need direction from the Lord. You need to know what to do in such a dark hour. You need direction.

Opening illustration: It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father's workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. "Someday Father," said Louis, "I want to be a harness-maker, just like you." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Glory Gone Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 27, 2025

When the glory is gone and you find yourself in a dark place, yes, mourn, but don’t stop there. Repent—turn from your idols to Christ. Then hope—look forward to your restoration.

Several years ago, Business Insider ran an article titled “7 Brutally Honest Job Rejection Letters.” Here are just two of them. Sub Pop, an independent record label in Seattle, sent the following rejection letter: Dear Loser, Thank you for sending your demo materials to Sun Pop for consideration. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 10:1-22, Ezekiel 11:1-25, 2 Kings 25:8-9, Ezekiel 24:1-5, Ezekiel 24:10, 2 Chronicles 6:36-39, 1 John 5:13, Psalm 23:4, Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Help Them See The Light Series

Contributed by Sean Dees on Apr 1, 2025

The church is to be the light of the world, instead we are hiding our light in our churches and not letting the world see our light. Their is a harvest waiting in the darkness but if we remain in the house we will never see the harvest.

Help them see the Light John 3:16-21 John 3:16 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. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Man Sees The Limitations, God The Opportunities

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 22, 2025

We offer many excuses. We tend to limit what God can do. God says the night may be dark, but God can handle this problem. God can use unlikely sources.

MAN SEES THE LIMITATIONS, GOD SEES THE OPPORTUNITIES. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) TEXT: 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Judges 3:12-24, Judges 3:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God, The Great Protector

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Jun 28, 2022

With all that is happening in our personal lives, families, churches, nation and the world at large, everyone needs God as a Shade of Protection to survive these risky, challenging and life-threatening times.

Introduction To protect is to cover or shield from danger or injury. It is to defend a person, place, people or organization or country from attack, hurt, oppression and exploitation. It is to guard someone, something or a place. It is to keep safe. These are all things God specializes in doing. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lighting The Way!

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on Jan 11, 2020

We are the ground troops in charge of lighting the darkness on this earth. We can light up the world with our attitude. We can light up the world with service and good deeds. And, last but never least... lighting the way with LOVE!

Lighting the Way! ILL.- It was at the end of the school year, and a kindergarten teacher was receiving gifts from her pupils. The florist’s son handed her a gift. She shook it, held it overhead, and said, "I bet I know what it is. Some flowers." "That’s right!" the boy said, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9, Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12

Denomination: Other

Compelling Compassion

Contributed by Doug Vance on Sep 11, 2006

It’s easy to ignore the needs of others and excuse ourselves. This sermon challenges us to stop and make time for the people God puts in our lives

Compelling Compassion Text: Luke 10:25-37 Theme: God’s compassion compels him to act on our behalf Doctrine: Attributes of God: Compassion Need: God gives us compassion to meet the crisis Image: Forrest Gump on the first day of school Mission: Have compassion for those who are in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is In Control Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Jan 4, 2008

Though in captivity Daniel’s story is a clarion call to us to THRIVE in the challenges of our cultural setting, and in so doing draw attention to our sovereign God.

Daniel is an inspiring book that brings both a challenge and hope to all those who recognize that we are living in an environment that is alien to the lives we have been called to. This was Daniel’s experience. The book records the experiences of 4 Hebrew men taken into captivity by an evil ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Part PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore the importance of inviting God into our daily lives, trusting Him, and understanding that He has equipped us to face any challenges that come our way.

Good morning, Church. Today, we're going to dive deep into Psalm 31:15. We're going to talk about inviting God into our lives, making room for Him, and the incredible blessings that come from allowing Him to be an integral part of our lives. Tammy L. Kubasko once said, "Let go of what you think you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:15

Topics: Part