Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

The Church In Prayer

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Apr 4, 2006

To challenge every church member to understand the importance of prayer of the church.

PP0621 DATE THE CHURCH IN PRAYER! Acts 12:1-17 Ac 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: A Church To Change The World

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Sep 21, 2009

A Challenge to churches to be a church that changes the world by both salt and light.

“A CHURCH TO CHANGE THE WORLD” By Jerry Falwell “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

American Horror Story: The Church

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Nov 9, 2013

In celebration of pastor recognition month, this message highlights the challenges of pastoring.

Zechariah 11: 4-17 "Thus said the Lord my God: “Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. 5 Those who buy them slay them and go unpunished; and those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord, I have become rich’; and their own shepherds have no pity on them. 6 For I will no ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:4-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Escaping Your Alcatraz

Contributed by David Edward Ray on Nov 26, 2016

Escaping your Alcatraz is a message of hope for those that are caught in their own prison of addiction, depression or anything that has us bound. All of our efforts cannot set us free. The Spirit of the Lord can.

On June 11, 1962, Clarence Anglin, John Anglin and Frank Morris tucked papier-Mache heads resembling their own likenesses into their beds, broke out of the main prison building via an unused utility corridor and departed Alcatraz Island aboard an improvised inflatable raft to an uncertain fate, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:2-4, Revelation 12:11, Psalm 142:7, John 8:36, Zechariah 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Gospel And Sharing Gospel

Contributed by David Paulson on Apr 9, 2018

Gospel and sharing gospel

Gospel - We are separated from God through sin (our personal sins & the original Adamic sin through the fallen nature we inherit). Scripture says ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. And, ‘the wages of sin is death’, ‘every soul that sins must die’. The Father sent His only ...read more

Why Does The Bible Make Unbelievers Uncomfortable? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 7, 2024

"Why does the Bible make unbelievers uncomfortable?" This discomfort isn't a new phenomenon. Throughout history, the message of the Bible has often been met with resistance and unease.

Why Does the Bible Make Unbelievers Uncomfortable? I once read about a man who was vehemently opposed to Christianity. After years of resistance, a simple, loving conversation with a believer opened his heart to the gospel. Today, he is a passionate follower of Christ, using his testimony to reach ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Romans 3:23, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gospel In One Word Is Love Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 1, 2007

In this section of 1 John, we are shown what love is. John gives us the negative example of Cain and the positive example of Christ.

Introduction: A. “Love, love, love, love, the Gospel in one word is love.” 1. It’s not only a catchy little song, it is the truth. 2. And that sums it up so well, doesn’t it? B. The Beatles released the hit song “All You Need Is Love” in July of 1967. 1. And even though we all know that “all you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Back Down When Facing Trials

Contributed by Palitha Jayasooriya on Oct 16, 2017

Tom Petty sang 'I won't Back Down' probably referring to earthly challenges.This mini sermon encourages Christians not to back down when facing spiritual challenges. It is based around the life-threatening challenge faced by the Prophet Daniel.

Don’t Back Down When Facing Trials Popular singer/songwriter Tom Petty passed away recently after a highly successful career. One of Petty’s most loved songs was titled ‘I Won’t Back Down’. Some of the lyrics go like this: Well, I won't back down No, I won't back down You can stand me up at the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Compromise Matters Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 25, 2003

4th in a series on the seven Churches in Revelation. Looking at characteristics that help us have a positive presence in our community and in our church.

EVERYBODY IS KNOWN FOR SOMETHING Revelation 2:18-29 Compromise Matters INTRODUCTION: As we have seen and reminded ourselves; Jesus is aware of what it takes to maintain and grow a positive presence as a believer in Christ. He is also understanding of the process involved, and He has the desire to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Bigger Is Better

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

The needs of the body of Christ are abundant but God has taken care of that by strategically positioning the members in the body in order to meet the needs.

Have you ever done any renovation? I remember a friend of mine who was good at renovating--sometimes too good. He and his wife bought an old house in Catonsville and began to renovate it. He was the kind of guy that would go into a job with a sledgehammer, smashing all the old stuff, making way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Commitment? Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jan 14, 2008

The challenge to get rid of our gods and serve God in all faithfulness

Joshua 24.14-27 Commitment to? Some decisions in life are not really that important and won’t be remembered. Let me ask you – Can you remember what you bought for everyone last Christmas? Can you remember what you had for breakfast on this day last year? Can you remember the first time you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How Big Is Your God? Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 14, 2009

Pray and expect great things from God. Have faith in the positive because God is good. Believe in the unseen power of prayer.

Peter was in a crisis. The church responded appropriately – they pray! • Yet when the news was told that “Peter is at the door!” their response was, “You’re out of your mind.” • The servant girl insisted but they resisted, and gave the excuse, “It must be his angel.” • You see, they even tried ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Requirement Of Faithfulness

Contributed by John White on Jan 5, 2006

A message to challenge us to greater faithfulness in our service to the Lord.

God’s Requirement Of Faithfulness Luke 9:57-62 "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Choice's That Change Our Lives

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jun 8, 2014

A sermon that challenges believers to take a stand for the Scriptures, biblical separation and sacrificial service.

"CHOICE'S THAT CHANGE OUR LIVES" Joshua 24:15 Joshua 24:15 ...choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Baptist

Ezekiel's Valley Of Dry Bones

Contributed by Raymond Smith on Jan 23, 2008

Challenge to respond to what God says and not what our experience says.

Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones reading; Ezekiel 37:1-14 Ezekiel lived in the 6th century BC and was a prophet of the exile under the Babylonians, which had begun under King Nebuchadnezzar, between 598 and 586 BC. He was the son of Buzi and his ministry spans some twenty two years, starting in ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal