Sermons on Challenge The Dark:

Paul’s Harsh Advice On Who To Marry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 28, 2018

This is a challenging passage. Paul repeatedly emphasizes the vast difference between Christians and non-Christians that makes marriage a non-starter. Why does Paul think that Christians should not marry non-Christians?

OVERKILL? Why does Paul make such a big deal about this? - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. - Paul here argues that Christians should not marry non-Christians. That strikes many people as overkill. Is it really that big a deal? Is it really worth the repetition that Paul makes here? This is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, And Mission Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 8, 2025

The person who is self-reliant – who trusts in their own ability – will face God’s judgment! We must understand that this is the challenge of every person on the Earth, and why God is so CLEAR on this requirement.

Isaiah, Part 20 The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, and Mission Isaiah 49:1-7 and Isaiah 50:4-11 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you are here today - Last week, we expounded on God’s understanding of the problem idolators have -- We were encouraged to lean into Him ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7, Isaiah 50:4-11, Matthew 7:21-23, Philippians 2:8, Acts 2:21, John 1:6-8, Luke 1:35, Romans 5:19, Luke 4:32, John 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Help For The Hopeless - Hope For The Helpless

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 8, 2013

I challenge you today to rise up out of that comfort zone, and not accept that situation any longer, and decide to walk away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Help for the Hopeless - Hope for the Helpless John 5:1-9 [pt. 2 just added, below pt. 1] Get it all with PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HelpHope.html Bethesda= “House of Mercy” The “House of Mercy” was a house of misery for many. This pool was situated where there were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Let Your Dreams Die Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Feb 16, 2003

Every leader knows that there will be challenges to the dreams God has given. Sometimes the attack is so great we live in danger of the dream dying. This message deals with this issue.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP – PART THREE “DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS DIE” GENESIS 37:2-11 ©Larry L. Thompson (2003 INTRODUCTION Illustration of Frederick Nolan. Nolan was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. One night he fell exhausted, into a wayside cave, fully expecting ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Am My Beloved's

Contributed by Steven Cook on Jan 3, 2003

This message was preached on New Year’s Eve 2002, and is designed to encourage people of all ages by challenging them to consider God’s love for His own.

“I Am My Beloved’s, and His Desire Is Toward Me” Song of Solomon 7:10 by Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. One of the most intimate books in the Word of God is the Song of Solomon. B. In this book, we learn something of the love of Christ for His Bride, the Church which is vividly portrayed ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 7:10

Denomination: Baptist

Break Loose

Contributed by Ronald Crandall on Jan 4, 2003

Looks at the problem with many Christians today they do not like change. A simple message yet many still need just the simplicity of God’s word with a challenge.

Break Loose! By: Ron Crandall Heb 13:8 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJ) You can remain as you are or you can PRAY, FAST, & STUDY and Change. CHANGE: to many is a dirty word, this six-letter word has inspired great men and leaders to take a look at where they are ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 13:8, Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Five Traits Of A Super Bowl Christian

Contributed by Mark Land on Dec 24, 2003

By using the analogy of football during the super bowl season this sermon seeks to challenge Christians to a higher level of discipleship through desire, discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and character.

FIVE TRAITS OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN In a few minutes a game of great importance will be played. Large men will face off across a line of scrimmage. A call will be made, leather will slap, and bodies will collide and crash. A battle has begun. For four 15 minute quarters men will expend ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Embracing And Extending The Good News Series

Contributed by David Asch on Oct 18, 2004

In this text we discover what exactly the Good News of Jesus entails. We will be challenged to embrace fully the good news and to commit to extending the good news to others.

EMBRACING AND EXTENDING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Mark 3:7-19 In this text we discover what exactly the Good News of Jesus entails. We will be challenged to embrace fully the good news and to commit to extending the good news to others. A. Jesus returns to the lake to reaffirm his mission Read Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whatever It Takes (#4) Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Aug 25, 2004

This is the final message in a series challenging hearers to do "whatever it takes" to be the person that God would have them to be and help their church be all that God would have it to be.

“WHATEVER IT TAKES” 1 Timothy INTRO – Today, we will conclude our WIT series. As we have considered God’s call on our lives to be the person He desires for us to and become the church that He desires for us to become, we have considered these things: • That Paul’s testimony from 1 Cor. 9:22-23 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Role Of A Godly Father

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 11, 2004

In our day and age wherein we lack godly fathers in our midst, this is an encouraging challenge to men who are fathers and men who would become fathers.

“The Role Of A Godly Father” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 1. A Godly Father is ALERT. (v. 13a) watch ye Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13; 26:41; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 4:7; 5:8; Revelation 3:2-3; 16:15 2. A Godly Father is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

"I Will Be With You”

Contributed by Mark Haines on Nov 11, 2000

A pastoral care intervention sermon challenging God’s people in my care to exchange their desire to have control & comfort for faith in God’s promise to be with them.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Danny Cox, a former jet pilot turned business leader, tells his readers in Seize the Day that when jet fighters were first invented, they "flew much faster than their propeller predecessors. So pilot ejection became a more sophisticated process. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

What About Faith And Good Works? (Part 2)

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 7, 2001

. In this section of James’ letter, we see an objection stated (v. 18a), the objection challenged (vv. 18b-19), and the objector confronted (v. 20).

What About Faith and Good Works? An Answer to the Skeptic James 2:18-20 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church April 8, 2001 Introduction: A couple of weeks ago I talked about the way James weaved a courtroom drama throughout his writing, in the first half of chapter two. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-20

Denomination: *other

Pressed, But Not Crushed!

Contributed by Andy Harris on Oct 18, 2000

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions.

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions. But, while we share in the same troubles that the world has, thank God, we will overcome! Paul says it this way, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Do We Meet The First Century Standard?

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jul 26, 2005

This is another message that follows our recent revival that challenges our church corporately and individually to examine ourselves and see if we are meeting the biblical standard for church health.

Do We Meet the First Century Standard? Acts 9:31 I. A Healthy Church is a Church at Peace “…the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace…” v. 31 A. External peace B. Internal peace (Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:32-35) 1. They had great fellowship 2. They did not quarrel over petty ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31

Denomination: Baptist

Just Tenting Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

Also drawing from 2Cor5.1-5, this Fathers Day sermon challenges us to let others see that we regard this life as "tenting."

HOOK Story of an influential teacher... and the legacy that we all might leave. Post-exile emerging generation… What kind of legacy would they leave? Question for every generation. YOU The desire to leave an impact on kids, have them turn out, etc... Identify with the desire to see kids thrive ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed