Sermons on Challengers:

The Unjust Steward

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2013

Some thoughts on a challenging text.

THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-9. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable to show that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elisha Serves A Widow Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 21, 2014

Challenges are gifts from God.

“Imagine, if you will, a gift. It’s not big. You could wrap it in a golf ball-size box. This gift can do incredible things for you however. It will bring all of your family together. You will feel loved and appreciated like never before and reconnect with friends and acquaintances you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

"god Moved Into The Neighborhood"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 21, 2021

A sermon of challenge for the New Year.

“God Moved into the Neighborhood” John 1:1-14 A couple of years ago on Christmas Eve, a teenager named Karla felt called to go to a nearby nursing home. She went from room to room, offering to read the Christmas story. After reading, she prayed with the residents and then moved on to the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

How Jesus Contextualized The Truth Through Challenging People About Their V

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2001

HOW JESUS CONTEXTUALIZED THE TRUTH THROUGH CHALLENGING PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR VIEWS OF GOD, CHRIST, AND THEIR OWN HUMANITY - A Case Study in contextualization from Mark 12.

HOW JESUS CONTEXTUALIZED THE TRUTH THROUGH CHALLENGING PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR VIEWS OF GOD, CHRIST, AND THEIR OWN HUMANITY - A Case Study in contextualization from Mark 12. The goal of Jesus in every communication encounter was to challenge the people to their highest potential in the will of God. His ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Challenges Come Our Way, Jesus Already Has A Plan

Contributed by Neal Nybo on Apr 23, 2018

By looking at Jesus feeding the 5000, we realize Jesus already knows what he wants to do in your situation. Don’t limit the possibilities to only what you can imagine. And, remember what Jesus has done in the past and trust him for something big.

For those of us who want Jesus to be predictable, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is. Jesus is not predictable. Never has been, never will be. The good news is, he knows what he is doing and its all for the best. The disciples experienced the same kind of hopes and expectations. It ...read more

Scripture: John 6:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

On Easter Morning A Simple Question, With A Glorious Answer, Challenged And Changed Everything

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 13, 2022

The women go to the tomb to find a dead Jesus, but they are given life and hope instead. We have the same hope and life in Christ alone.

4.17.22 Luke 24:1–12 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 3 When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Asking God To Bless Me--A Preview Of The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 25, 2002

To help apply what this Jabez prayer challenges a church family to do-and an individual’s role in that challenge

“Asking God to Bless Me!” --Preview of the Jabez Territory (The Challenges of the Prayer of Jabez Part 1 of 6) (Much of this message was developed from Bruce Wilkinson’s presentation on Visionary Leadership at the “Walk Thru Life with Purpose” Conference in Largo, FL, Feb. 5-7, 2002.) [I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7, 1 Chronicles 4:10

Denomination: Methodist

Welcoming Jesus To Your Neighborhood

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on May 14, 2006

Jesus has moved into your sub-division. The challenge is to introduce Him to everyone else. Are you up for the challenge?

Welcoming Jesus into Your Neighborhood John 1:1-18 Pinnacle of this passage v.14 Word became human and lived here among us! We know Jesus. We love Jesus and have a relationship with Him. His light benefits us in so many ways. The challenge we have is how to share that light with others (the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Christ-Like Controversy: Do You Have The Guts To Be Unpopular?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 5, 2022

There are many challenges in serving Christ, but dare you be unpopular for Christ? This is the challenge we face from time to time.

There are many challenges in serving Christ, but dare you be unpopular for Christ? This is the challenge we face from time to time. But, many a time, we come across a moment, when we are called to be unpopular for Christ, and we sidestep it. But there is no honor in such a thing, to sidestep ...read more

Scripture: John 7:43

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Servant People

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Nov 19, 2009

This sermon focuses on Jesus’ challenge for an "Upside Down Kingdom" challenging us to be first by being last. This is a call to except that challenge and become first place in the things God wants us to be excellent in.

Mark 10:35-45 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:35-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is For Life Not Just Christmas And Sundays Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 2, 2017

This year, make following Christ the central purpose of your life. Joshua’s ancient challenge to the Israelite families is a challenge to us today as Children of the living God, a challenge to embrace a changed life.

It’s the first day and the first Sunday of 2017 so Happy New Year to you. 2017... Where did 2016 go? Does it feel like the years are getting shorter? Maybe it’s an age thing or maybe it’s because the world seems to move at a faster pace than it used to. The Post Office is now referred to as snail ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15, Joshua 2:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where The Battle Of Faith Is Waged

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Sep 17, 2002

A message challenging Christians to move beyond believing faith to "keeping the Faith". This sermon challenges the believer to grow in their Christian Faith.

Where the Battle of Faith is Waged Pastor Glenn Newton 2-20-00 Text: Hebrews 10:35 - 11:2 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Inconveniencing Ourselves For The Kingdom Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 15, 2009

As the young man in the Gospel was challenged to be inconvenienced to follow Christ, so the challenge to facilitate human development may inconvenience us.

August 17, 2009 Caritas in Veritate The sure path to eternal life, to enjoying the presence of God continually even before we die, is to imitate Jesus and Mary. They–and Jesus, the source of grace, first of all–are the great examples of bringing the Good that is God into contact with a world that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Catholic

Evangelize -- Just Do It!

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 24, 2002

Challenge to congregation to do the work of an evangelist.

Evangelize. It means to share the good news of Christ. We are all commanded to evangelize. We are all evangelists. Look at your neighbor and say "YOU ARE AN EVANGELIST." Now say, "I AM AN EVANGELIST." Not only are Billy Graham, Steve Hill, and other prominent ministers evangelists. We all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:16-20, Acts 16:6-12

Denomination: Church Of God

Be Ready - Persevere

Contributed by Norm Story on May 18, 2001

The challenge of faithfully living prepared and ready

"Be Ready – Persevere for the Long Journey" Psalm 78:1-7 Matthew 25:1-13 When I was a Boy Scout, I remember how the younger scouts struggled and suffered on long hiking-camping trips; because they always seemed to bring so much of the wrong stuff. They’d come loaded down with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-38, Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed