Sermons on Challenge The Dark:

Who Cares...when I'm Addicted? Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Aug 22, 2007

Ninth in a series exploring life crisis, based on the promotional materials provided by Outreach in their "Who Cares" campaign. This message explores the life challenge of addiction.

(Extensive inspiration for the sermons in this series derived from the sermon samples in the "Who Cares" promotional series by Outreach Ministries.) (Opened this message with the "Who Cares" Sermon Starter on Addiction) Smoking. Drinking. Drug Use. Sexual Addiction. Food Addictions. They can ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:29-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

Stephen

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 26, 2004

Stephen had rights - he could have walked away from the confrontation with the Jews - but as a Christian he had responsibilities. The challenge is how to balance these

Acts 7:51-60: Stephen Story: 26 Christians were executed at Nizhizaka Hill in Nagasaki, Japan on 15 February 1597. Amongst them was a young seventeen year old boy, Thomas Kosaki, who was to die for his Christian witness along with his father. He wrote a letter to his mother the evening before ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Anglican

What's This Baptism Business All About?

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Apr 21, 2006

A sermon for a baptismal service with Seekers present (who need to understand what’s going on) and Believer (who need to be challenged to be obedient, themselves)

What’s this baptism business all about? Acts 2:38 (vv32-47). WBC 23 April 2006. Baptism of Rebecca Bridges and Valerie Birch waterbed fun.wmv - play on songpro So- what’s this baptism business all about? Firstly: OBEDIENCE In the end, to be honest- it’s mainly about obedience - the reason we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Denomination: Baptist

Grapes, Grasshoppers, Giants, And God

Contributed by Mike Turner on Jul 10, 2003

Opportunity is usually accompanied by opposition. Strength usually is accomplished through struggles. This sermon explores the challenges faced by God’s people, and the choice they made !

Grapes, Grasshoppers, Giants, & God Numbers 13:17-33, 14:1-9, 26-32 17. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: 18. And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:17-33, Numbers 14:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Living Beyond Being Down And Out (Part Ii) Series

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jul 2, 2007

The Bible does offer great advice and instruction on how to deal with and overcome many of life’s everyday challenges including being down and out.

Living Beyond the “Down and Out” II (Advice adapted from Rick Warren’s “God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions”) {DVD – Laughter is Contagious} [ILLUS: “Laughter Really is the Best medicine” states Sue Casiglia – Lets look at some highlights from her study: > The affect of laughter on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Denomination: Holiness

Watch And Pray

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 24, 2008

Prayer gives us the strength to face the challenges of life in the last days. It is our reliance on God that grants the victory. We need that resolve today.

Let’s look at the theme verse for the last Retreat. • 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” • There is an end to this world. And we are now nearer its end than before. • And therefore, Peter says, there are some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do We Ebb The Flow?

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Aug 31, 2010

In light of the challenges facing the world today, what is the Chrsitian to do? How can we be certain things will be well for us in the trying times of today?

HOW DO WE EBB THE FLOW? Text: Revelation 2:2-7 Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:2-7 INTRODUCTION 1. The Old Testament is full of warnings about corrupt governments and the potential danger for God's people a. Rom. 13:1 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:2-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Great Commission

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 27, 2008

An encouragement and challenge to believers to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission, the third greatest commandment, fighting this fight to win it, by faith and in His power!

Mt.28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The 7ups Of Life

Contributed by Deborah Naves on Jan 28, 2010

God wants you to be your very best. Take the 7Up challenge and find out what you need to do to be a better Christian.

Be Uplifted - The 7Up Talk. _ _ _ _ _ If you’ve ever read the book of Acts, you’ll know it chronicles the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven [Acts 1:1-14]. It is the Bible’s detailed account of how Jesus departed from his disciples and returned to Heavenly Father. As ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Stand Firm And Move Forward"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 19, 2008

Before we can move forward when facing fearful challenges in our life we first need to stand firm in the Word of the Lord.

Stand Firm and Move Forward Exodus 14:10-14 Remember the times you experienced fear? The times when your breath was taken away and your adrenalin shot way up? I experienced fear when I was eleven years old and we lived on a farm taking care of the farm for one summer. When a neighbor drove ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-14

Denomination: Free Methodist

Extraordinary Strength Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 21, 2009

In life… the greater challenge proves to be not so much how to succeed… but how to last. The course we choose is critical… but so is the strength to stay that course.

(Note: Some of the structure and portions of this message drew upon ‘A Life Worth Living’ material by Nicky Gumbel and Alpha.) Bob W. Ireland crossed the finish line on Thursday, November 6, 1986, as the New York City marathon’s 19,413th and final finisher - the first person to run a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving: An Act Of Worship

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 28, 2014

Tithing is not merely a duty; it's an act of worship. This final sermon in the Prove God series challenges the congregation to make a money back guarantee with the church.

Giving as an Act of Worship Series: Prove God Stewardship Series, Sermon (#3 of 3) Chuck Sligh January 28, 2014 This sermon is adapted from a sermon by Jeff Strite by the similar title at SermonCentral.com. TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Proverbs 3. INTRODUCTION Illus. – In 21st ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Giving To Church Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 20, 2009

Giving is a challenge and a privilege. God offers us a way to be among the blessed as we give in response to God’s grace through our congregation.

Acts 4:32-27 “Giving to Church” INTRODUCTION During the month of October, we are hearing stories of how our brothers and sisters in Christ have discovered the joy and blessings of giving. Shelley Krispin, Carol Baker and now Steve and Deb Weber have shared their journeys. They have seen ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Righteousness Begins In The Heart Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Mar 13, 2013

Making clear His attitude toward the Old Law, Jesus challenged the religious leaders teaching and raised the bar when it came to righteous living.

Righteousness Begins in the Heart Matthew 5:17-20 To some who were confident of their own righteousness (don’t miss that statement) and looked down on every¬one else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Phari¬see ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resolutions 2009--Part 2

Contributed by Blake Inscore on Oct 6, 2009

In this second part to our focus on challenges for the New Year we look at three more spiritual resolutions we need to make and keep in 2009.

Resolutions for 2009--Part II Proverbs 3:1-10 Introduction: Well, we are now a full week into 2009 and I’m guessing we have begun to settle in, and with the exception of writing the wrong date on our checks, 2009 seems much like 2008. Even so, I would like to continue with our study in Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-10

Denomination: Baptist