Sermons on Challenge The Dark:

Ripping Off God Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 3, 2011

... Test Me now with this, says Jehovah of Hosts, to see if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you, and pour out a blessing for you, until there is not enough room. God said it, so I’ll say it. God is willing to take up the challenge. Tithing is no

Opening illustration: 24 year old Danny Simpson was sentenced to 6 years in jail for robbing a bank. Danny got 6 years in the clink for stealing $6,000. But the gun he used in the robbery ended up in a museum. The .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic turned out to be an antique made in 1918 by the Ross ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What To Do When You Hit The Wall Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Apr 12, 2011

These walls seem to come in different forms but they do have a purpose. (1) They are there to test us. (2) Walls challenge us. (3) Walls offer us a goal to reach. A popular speaker has asked more than 100,000 Christians across the country this one que

Breaking down the Walls “What to do When you Hit the Wall” Jeremiah 20:7-10, 14-18, 11-12 Distance runners, those who run marathons especially often experience what is called hitting the wall. A marathon is a 26 mile run and they say it usually happens around mile 20. Your energy ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Losing Control Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Nov 21, 2010

Part 17 in series Love Never Dies, this message takes note of how growth in the spiritual life requires a loss of control. Faith may actually pose challenges to belief, and we must move forward with courage, even when we have no control over the outcome.

Losing Control Love Never Dies, prt. 17 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers August 8, 2010 What do the following things have in common? a. Giving the remote to your spouse b. Giving someone else the last word in an argument c. Deciding not to worry f. Getting married g.Going on a roller ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

"When Faith And Doubt Collide" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on May 25, 2011

What do we do when we don't have all the answers? What happens when we say I believe but I need help? This message looks at some of the deeper questions of our faith and challenges us to place a greater dependence on God.

“Dangerous Intersections -When Faith and Doubt Collide” Mark 9:14-24 I learned this week that of all the traffic intersections in America that the most dangerous intersection in the nation is right here in Florida. Shouldn’t surprise us. Florida manages to be first in a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-24

Denomination: Baptist

Memoirs Of A Giant Slayer Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 19, 2017

David faced a great challenge as he stood before Goliath. It was the greatest miss-match of all time, and yet he was triumphant. We too face giants as we strive to serve the Lord, but like David, we can overcome in the Lord. Christ secured victory for us!

Memoirs of a Giant Slayer 1 Samuel 17: 40-51 Our text today comes from one of the most familiar and recognizable accounts in all of Scripture. Israel was facing a formidable foe in the champion of the Philistines. The armies had gathered on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah, approximately ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:40-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Spiritual Food Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 2, 2016

Jesus says, “I am the bread of the life” … He is what you are needing! Manna will perish, things we desire will perish, but God is eternal/forever. The challenge for us is: Do we know how to give other people what is needed?

The Importance of Spiritual food John 6:25-35 Introduction - The gospel of John screams of the faith that we should have in Christ -- It is the clearest example of living life FOR the one who redeemed you and I - Let’s dive right in tonight and examine the importance of spiritual food ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Our Fears

Contributed by Steve Woods (Pastor Woody) on Apr 8, 2019

We all have our giants to face in today's society. Our giants may be our fears, our difficult challenges, our health or our finances. Let us battle our giants as those in our Bible have done so in the past.

We have been talking, over the past few weeks, about some of the challenges we’ve all been facing. Some, more than others but nonetheless, challenges… and how they tore at our hearts and, more sadly, tore at our faith. I like to think of these challenges as our giants. What is a giant to you? They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:16, Luke 12:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Study Of Psalm 5 And 6 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 11, 2017

These two Psalms give us two very specific challenges: What/who we worship is what we rejoice about … so do we worship God? For us, there is nothing more powerful or restorative than confession of sin, and we need to do that more and more.

A Study of Psalm 5 and 6 Psalm 5-6 Introduction - Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period - Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning - We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … then will move to something else - There are psalms of wisdom, royal ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:1-10, Psalm 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.

Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

When Problems Come

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 2, 2023

Problems come. It's part of life. What are some general principles we need to follow when they do? We look at one of the greatest problems / difficulties / challenges in the history of God's people - the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians and the exile - for lessons.

Everyone faces problems from time to time. Churches also face problems. For example, a church might unexpectedly lose its pastor and some other key members of its leadership at around the same time. If that happened, how would you view it? Perhaps some of you would say that it’s a CHALLENGE, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:7-8, Daniel 9:5, Nehemiah 1:7, Ezra 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

Salvation Comes From The Lord Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 16, 2022

Just like Jehoshaphat, one of the first emotions that grip us in the midst of any sort of crisis is fear. If you are being challenged with those huge problems that seem to overwhelm you and are wondering as to how you will overcome them, I pray that this word from the Lord will encourage you.

We read in Psalm 91:16, “With long life will I satisfy him, and make Him to behold My salvation.” (JPS) The last three verses in Psalm 91 are the very words of God. Our God is one who speaks to us. God promises that the one who trusts Him totally, will be completely satisfied in this life and God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:16

Denomination: Other

Overcoming The Giant Of Worry Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Jul 5, 2025

Friends, we live in a world filled with uncertainties and challenges. It’s easy to find ourselves overwhelmed by worry. Yet Jesus offers us a path to peace. In Matthew 6:25-27, He gently invites us to trust God over our anxious thoughts.

Overcoming the Giant of Worry Terry Cavanaugh Overcoming Your Giants / Matthew 6:25–27 SERMON SUBTITLE: “Winning Over Worry” Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27, Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: United Methodist

It’s Time For A Spiritual Audit – Philippians 3:7-10 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Apr 2, 2022

What do we value? What do we strive for, day to day? And the interesting challenge here is that even when we value good things (e.g., loving our family, helping others), they don’t come close to who Jesus is.

A couple of weeks ago I was looking at my credit card balance, and it was much higher than I expected it to be. So I knew I needed to do a little audit there myself. I checked it out and realized that some of these charges aren't even mine. So I called the credit card company and we together ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Looking Good Is Not Enough”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 26, 2021

Jesus challenged the Pharisees..... religion is useless and worthless, ineffective when it substitutes a human plan of salvation for God's plan of redemption; when it rests upon man's works. (Illus. Pharisee robes and rules.) (Illus. what people do to look better)

In Jesus Holy Name Pentecost XIV August 29, 2021 Text: Mark 7:1-14 “Looking Good Is Not Enough” Recently “People” magazine selected the 50 most beautiful people in the world, I wasn't on the list. It was quite a blow. Years ago Cindy Crawford was a heartthrob for many men and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-14, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Psalm 120 Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Sep 3, 2021

This sermon relates Psalm 120 to the Christian's challenge of living in a fallen world. It suggest that although we may have trouble in this world, and we are reminded in the New Testament, we can live as people of peace because of the one who was our peace, Jesus Christ.

Good morning. Today, we are starting a series that is going to take us at least three or four weeks into September. It is called The Psalms of Ascents. If you are not familiar with The Psalms of Ascents, they can be found in the book of Psalms, and they are comprised of 15 Psalms, those from ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church