Sermons on Challenge:

Follies Of A Fool Series

Contributed by Tom Evans on Apr 1, 2002

THE RICH FOOL FAILED TO: RECOGNIZE GOD’S BLESSINGS, LIVE A LIFE OF GENEROSITY AND FOCUS HIS RESOURCES TOWARD HEAVEN. Jesus challenges us to avoid his foolish ways.

FOLLIES OF A FOOL HE DIDN’T EVEN HEAR THE WORDS JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO THE LARGE GATHERING, “I TELL YOU, WHOEVER ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE MEN, THE SON OF MAN WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM BEFORE THE ANGELS OF GOD…” NO, HE HAD COME FOR ANOTHER REASON. CERTAINLY JESUS WOULD HELP HIM. HE PRESSED TOWARD ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Deuteronomy 8:17

Denomination: Adventist

Seek Ye First At Thanksgiving

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Where do your priorities lie? Originally written as a Thanksgiving sermon, most of this sermon would be appropriate to challenge people to examine their priorities (e.g. beginning of the year, Lent, etc).

<P>Thanksgiving Eve Service - November 22, 2000 A Money magazine article several years ago told of the life of a woman who saved 80% of everything she earned, investing it all in the stock market and turned it into a $22 million fortune within 50 years. It sounds like an incredible success story, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

How Fellowship Helps Me Grow

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Nov 13, 2001

There were troubled times for the church and how they overcame the challenges of life with the life-changing connection with God and with other believers and the call to be devoted passionate followers of Christ and its power for us today.

Acts 2:41-47 How Fellowship Helps me Grow Here are some signs of the times, reported in the star.com though whether they’re permanent remains to be seen. Friends are important: The television show Friends, despite lower than average ratings this time last year, has unexpectedly become TV’s most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Following Jesus To The Cross #2 - Drawing A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Nov 21, 2001

This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.

INTRODUCTION There are many images that come to mind when we think of Easter. -- Easter Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, etc -- Easter Holidays - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. -- Easter Symbols -- Cross, Communion There is a Challenge We Face... -- Each time we experience ...read more

Denomination: *other

Jesus Reveals Our Temptations Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Oct 19, 2009

This week we examine Jesus as a model of emotionally healthy spirituality. We’ll uncover 3 temptations that keep us from growing and then three challenges to fulfill to combat those temptations.

Back to School Jesus Reveals Our Temptations Luke 4:1-13 October 18, 2009 This week I want to lift up to Jesus as a model of healthy emotional spirituality. Turn to the passage read earlier: Luke 4:1-13. How many of you exercise regularly? Yeah, every morning the alarm clock rings, I jump at of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Rules Or Reality Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 14, 2005

It’s much easier for us to follow rules than to allow the character of God to rule our behavior. Jesus challenges us to let go of law and let the Spirit guide.

For an audio version of this and other Bible studies: Go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com. When it comes to some things in life we like rules and laws – like the law of gravity: “In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-37

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleep, Every Goodbye Ain't Gone

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on May 3, 2007

A eulogy for a woman who died, who had several physical challenges, but was raised in the church and knew the Lord. The sermon can be easily adapted to fit any person who dies in Christ.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

Recovering Your Life Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jun 30, 2006

Life Management 101, part 3. This message examines Jesus’ use of time and challenges listeners to do what Jesus did with time - invest it, rather than spend it.

Recovering Your Life Life Management 101, part 3 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers July 2, 2006 Do you spend your time, or do you invest it? Okay, not a fair question. How do you use MOST of your time? Would you say you spend or invest most of your time? What’s the difference? When you use ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:32-38

Denomination: Free Methodist

Money Matters Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on May 10, 2005

The second in a series walking through the book of James. This message explores the challenges which people have faced in finding their identity in financial status since the days of Christ, right up to today.

We are diving into our second week of study in the book of James. Let’s quickly recap what we learned about the book of James last week. Don’t be shy. If you know the answer, call it out. James is located in the Old or New Testament? (New) Anyone remember what number book James is out of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Spot The Servant Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Jun 3, 2005

How do we spot someone who is a true servant of God? Is it immediately obvious? Can it be spotted from what they do...? (indirectly this is a subtle challenge to be the right kind of servants of God)

"Spot the servant". 2 Cor 6:1-13. WBC 5 May 2005 am Thought you’d like this! "I’m going away for a while. Please could you water my pot plants for me when I’m gone. Once a day should be fine. (PPT after reading out to reveal "please water my plants while away.jpg" in My pictures\illustrations ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Dungeon Worth Dying For Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 19, 2006

8th sermon in an 8 part series on the Beatitudes. This series challenges us to "Shift" our thinking in what really brings true happiness. (*Powerpoint and video clips are available on request)

THE DUNGEON WORTH DYING FOR Shift #8 MATTHEW 5:10-12; 1 PETER 4:14-16 INTRODUCTION: For 7 weeks we have looked at the attitudes that Jesus has said will bring true and genuine happiness. I hope these messages have been beneficial and I hope you’ve been trying to put them into practice. To be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian Church

Cast Your Net Into Deeper Water

Contributed by Monte Robinson on Jul 20, 2003

Challenge your congregation to see God work in their lives by persevering, because when God does work in our lives, it empowers us to walk away from this life and follow the Son.

Let’s read Luke 5: 1-11 Pray Ill. Jake and the rain. I. Background A. This is the description of the first disciples being chosen by Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret—Christians commonly refer to this lake as the Sea of Galilee. B. Some believe that this may have been a first encounter of Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Crime Did Jesus Commit? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 9, 2004

We see the context that sets up the reason Jesus was rejected by the Jews. He called for integrity, challenged their authority, claimed to be deity. We then move from the reasons to the purpose - our justification.

Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus asked His followers a question: “Who do you say I am?” It’s still the fundamental question of life. And the answer creates controversy. It’s one reason why Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, is so controversial. This is a film that has had the audacity ...read more

Scripture: John 8:57-59

Denomination: Baptist

A Vow To Keep - Part One

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Dec 28, 2002

The challenge of a New Year, a New Day and a New You all begin with your commitment to make a vow to meet God daily in His word and build your spiritual intimacy with Christ.

A VOW TO KEEP – PART ONE A NEW YEAR, A NEW DAY, A NEW YOU JOSHUA 1:1-8 ©LARRY L. THOMPSON (2002) “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: [2] "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Developing A Life Of Prayer

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

Prayer is at the very core of spiritual life. Despite how many people speak of praying as a part of their lives… I believe that a life that lives out of a center of prayer is challenging for most of us.

Fires and earthquakes may serve to get our attention, taking our focus off the temporary things of this world… but the voice that we ultimately long for comes in quiet places. So it shouldn’t surprise us what we find the disciples of Jesus coming to him about in Matthew 6. They might have asked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational