Sermons on Challenge:

Be Strong And Courageous

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 27, 2013

When the Hebrews reached the land of promise, Joshua is repeatedly told to "be strong and courageous." This lesson looks to ways that we can develop the strength and courage we need in trying, challenging times.

1. Feeling Overwhelmed -- Abraham Lincoln: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day." 2. Creation -- Noah -- Abraham -- Moses -- Wilderness -- Joshua and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who Commands Series

Contributed by Dave Clark on Oct 8, 2014

In Sunday school we get the condensed version of the Ten Commandments but they can be read expansively, so that you are challenged to consider how the commandment may apply to all sorts of real life situations.

The God Who Commands Exodus 20:1-17 October 5, 2014 Rev. David J. Clark The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for a long time. They were learning what it means to really trust God but that trust was hard learned. There was a definite pattern: at the first hint of adversity they turned ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

The Difference One Person Can Make Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 24, 2013

This sermon covers the part of the story of Esther where she learns about the edict and is challenged by Mordecai to do something about it. For application we explore the difference one person can make.

Introduction: A. I want to begin with a fictitious and humorous obituary – sounds like an oxymoron, right? 1. Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, their name is “Someone Else.” 2. Someone Else's passing creates a vacancy that ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

“scandalous Love” Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

3rd in series challenging people to make Christmas more about what Jesus wants and less about what we want. Some thoughts are drawn from Mike Slaughter's book

AM sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 15, 2013 A Different Kind of Christmas sermon series “Scandalous Love” A couple of nights back Lori and I went to watch Lanee in her school’s Christmas program. Lori commented on the way how the last time we had gone ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Liberty! The Holy Spirit Abides In Us, We Are Free! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 31, 2010

A look at our fallen nature, the decay of creation and how with the Holy Spirit abiding in us we have liberty / salvation from that decay.A challenge to believers to witness their freedom. A summery of the series!

We live in a beautiful country not that I have visited the rest of the world outside the South Pacific but I understand that we live in one of the best spots on the globe. Not being attached to a continent is a huge advantage that so many New Zealander’s forget about, thinking about it, we would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-22

Denomination: Salvation Army

Nicodemus: The Scandal Of Grace

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 12, 2017

The scandal of grace forces Nick to look for abundant life outside himself rather than within. Jesus challenges him to think outside the box; to allow God to regenerate him by his power.

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what belief, if any, was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Other

Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 28, 2015

Paul is compelled to write these words to a church that needs to change. The challenge here today is doing an honest gut-check: do we live eternally for Christ – or for our own glory and recognition?

Life in the Spirit Galatians, Part 12 Galatians 6:1-10 Introduction - Originally, we were going to finish Galatians today -- However, this final chapter can’t be just glossed over and completed in one -- So, we will add one more week to our study and take Chapter 6 in two parts - Recap ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Is Us - Pt. 1 - Blessed Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 1 - Blessed I. Introduction Shakespeare in Hamlet said it like this, "This above all: to thine own self be true. The author of the Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, says something similar . . . “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” The secular world understands ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is Us - Pt. 2 - Square Pegs And Spotlights Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 2 - Square Pegs & Spotlights I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Time and time again in Scripture we see folks who don't know who they are and they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is Us - Pt. 3 - Grown Ups Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 3 - Grown Ups I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Time and time again in Scripture we see folks who don't know who they are and they struggle and flounder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is Us - Pt. 4 Extras Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 4 - Extras I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Do you know who you are? If you do not, then it isn't Jesus' fault because He climbs a mountain, sits down ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Something Beautiful For Jesus

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Mar 25, 2017

This message looks at the actions of Mary as she breaks open the bottle of perfume and anoints Jesus during Holy Week. It challenges us to ask the question what can we do for Jesus that is beautiful?

She hesitates in the doorway separating the two rooms. Through the opening she sees her sister Martha hard at work helping Simon’s wife prepare the evening meal in the kitchen. She listens to the laughter and conversation as it drifts through the house. She hears Simon make a joke at Peter’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Anger Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on May 1, 2017

This message on anger is a continuation of the topical discussions Jesus was having with the disciples during the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was instructing them on how to handle anger. He knew that they would be faced with this challenge moving forward.

ANGER Lakewood | Speaker: Pastor Jonathan | 4-30-2017 Matthew 5:21-22 Introduction: ¥ Jesus continues with His discipleship trying by talking with the disciples about anger. Jesus knew that as Christians we would face injustice. He encourages us to handle it correctly. ¥ More than anything I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, Ephesians 4:26-27, Proverbs 19:11, Psalm 37:8, Psalm 37:3-9, Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:31-32, Ephesians 5:2, 1 John 4:12, Galatians 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

"Get Out Of That Pit!" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Mar 14, 2016

This is a message on the life of Joseph and how we can learn to accept the challenges we face and how God protects us and moves us out of the terrible places we sometimes fall into.

FACING YOUR GIANTS “Get out of that Pit!” Genesis 37-50 There is a country song was played on the radio some time ago by a band named Ricochet. The song tells the story of a man who was sitting in church when he noticed a young woman he had grown up with—and she was looking at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

If You Have Run With Footmen...

Contributed by Christian Curby on Mar 10, 2013

God has called us to do hard things! Do we walk away from our relationships including our relationship with God because it gets to challenging? Jeremiah 12:5

Good afternoon, it is so good to be back with you. I am thankful for all that God is doing in my life and in the life of our church. And so it is great to be with you today. Today I want to share a word with you that I believe God has been stirring in my heart for a while but I think that in the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5-6

Denomination: Foursquare