Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

Totally Focused

Contributed by Craig Benner on May 29, 2013

If we are going to amount to anything in life, we must be focused on the task before us. Christ must be central in our focus always. Used as a challenge in a graduation service.

Mt. 14:22-32 When you entered this world, you were wrinkled. bald ?, red, toothless, could barely see, crying, and naked. You have come a long way, baby. Or have you? A graduating senior of high school has spent the following amount of time in various activities: ---breathing for 936 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Greeting To The Saints

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 16, 2018

At times the church faces challenges from without, but often the greatest danger may come from within. If we are to combat the struggles associated with false doctrine, we must be settled in the Word.

A Greeting to the Saints 2 Peter 1: 1-2 This second epistle of Peter is very similar in tone and intent to the second epistles of Paul. In large part, the second epistles were written to follow up on the first, and particularly to combat apostasy and false doctrine. Having written the first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

"simon Says...." Part Two: Re-Thinking Possible Series

Contributed by Martin Wright on Jun 10, 2025

In part two of our "Simon Says..." preaching series we find Jesus challenging Simon Peter (and challenging us as well) to re-think what is possible with God's help. What might happen if you invited Jesus into your home, into your career, into your circumstance?

“SIMON SAYS” REFLECTING UPON THE JOURNEY OF ONE WHO FOLLOWED JESUS. PART TWO: RE-THINKING POSSIBLE Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law and Others Luke 4:38-41 (See also Matthew 8:14-17 and Mark 1:29-34) 38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-41, Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34, James 5:13-15, Isaiah 55:6, Luke 4:40-41, John 16:33, Matthew 14:22-33, Acts 2:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"this Is The Day The Lord Has Made”

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 18, 2020

The two challenges to joy are adversity and ingratitude. It takes a choice to rejoice; I WILL be glad and rejoice in it! Circumstances don’t determine joy, it comes from the Lord, in spite of circumstances.

"THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE” Psalm 118:20-24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE SOUR INTERVIEW 1. Some people have a knack for picking things. Hannah went to a citrus Farm and asked Henry, the manager, if there are any jobs available at the farm. 2. He told her that the only job ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:20-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fear Of Obedience - Part 3

Contributed by Travis Newbold on Jun 7, 2019

As we continue to examine the life of Gideon we see how scared he can really be but despite his fears he still presses on and obeys God.

Think back to your childhood for a moment with me. I know that this might be more difficult for some and easier for others but let’s all do this together. Think back to the good old days when you weren’t tied down by so much responsibility and your main goal for the day was to just have fun.(Boy I ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:25-40

The Difficulty Of Divorce Series

Contributed by Allen James on Apr 6, 2010

The fourth message in a 7-Part Series, Shift - A New Way of Thinking. Today's challenging message from Matthew 5:31-32 explores Jesus' teaching on divorce.

The Difficulty of Divorce (Matt 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Deut 24:1-4) VIDEO… The difficulty of divorce – it has a ripple effect – all of us have been impacted in some way… difficult to experience… difficult to discuss… its difficult outside the church… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Crossroads PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2023

This sermon encourages us to navigate life's challenging paths with hope, make wise decisions, learn from our regrets, and find spiritual rest in God's guidance.

Good morning, my dear friends. We're gathered here today with hearts full of hope. Hope, that is the very essence of our faith, isn't it? It's like what G.K. Chesterton once said, "Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all." And that's exactly what we're here to do ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16

Topics: Relying On Understanding

Meeting Of The East And West Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 24, 2024

The meeting of the east and west is always a conflict rather than a conjunction of the two. The west claims the political power, and the east claims the knowledge and wisdom. Jesus brings all together. He is the Prince of Peace.

Theme: Born to Give Text: Matthew 2:1-12   Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever.   Introduction: The image of the wise men on the Christmas cards, the visit of the Magi scene in Christmas play are different from what we are told in the Bible. Matthew commences his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Rags To Riches

Contributed by Paul Redwine on Jan 2, 2004

While the worldly pursue money, wealth and popularity, the servant of God views his time on earth differently; it effects how he handles the trials of life, taking pride in his position of being a servant of Christ.

Rags to Riches, James 1:9-12 Paul Redwine, Northside Christian Church, Sunday, June 29, 2003 Introduction [ILLUS -- JOKE] A millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his fiftieth birthday. During the party he grabs the mic and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-12, Luke 16:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of A Personal Pentecost

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002

In a positional sense there were only two "Pentecosts" mentioned in the Bible recorded in Acts 2 and Acts 10 but a "personal pentecost" is available to every Christian who earnestly seeks the anointing power of the Holy Spirit in their life.

THE POWER OF A PERSONAL PENTECOST "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8. The Book of Acts records two great "Pentecostal" experiences in the early ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph: A Man Of God

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 14, 2006

Joseph sets an example of someone who is committed to living a morally upright life in an immoral world. As we look at Joseph ask yourself if those positive qualities which he demonstrated are seen in your life.

Joseph: A Man of God Matthew 1:18-25 Introduction: We need men and women who can be identified by their lives that they are children of God. While what we know about Joseph is contained in only a few verses of Scripture, the verses we have identify him as a man of God. Joseph sets an example of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 10 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 16, 2010

There is a lot of activity going on in our churches. And by James’ recollection the activity inside our churches is neither positive nor helpful to the overall ministry of the church. More importantly is that these conflicts do not come from the outside

WINNING THE WARS IN THE CHURCH JAMES 4:1-10 James 4:1-10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Night Before In That Upper Room

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 28, 2011

The disciples were looking for a position of honor or a place of privilege at the table. They were rushing to get a good seat. It seems that Jesus waited until all were seated and while it was fresh in their minds and then John 13:4

It was the night before when in the upper room Jesus and the disciples meet for the last supper. As they came into that room each one passed by a basin and a pitcher full of water. Every one of those disciples knew what that pitcher of water and basin was there for. It was the job of the servant ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by David Mcnally on Feb 27, 2011

Every Christian possesses the fruit of the Holy Spirit; we have to nourish them so they grow. The fruit are positive characteristics; gifts; we cannot manufacture them, and certainly cannot witness without displaying them.

Galatians 5: 22-23 The Fruit of the Spirit The contrast is stark the sinful nature results in: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like, in other words, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fulfilling Life Of Service

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 14, 2010

What kind of legacy that you want your life to be remembered? People measure fulfillment of life based on the properties they acquired, position they attained and education they get. But time and time again, history proved them wrong.

THE FULFILLING LIFE OF SERVICE What kind of legacy that you want your life to be remembered? What statement about your life you want to be inscribed at your tomb stone? Many people have a wrong concept of fulfillment in their lives. They measure fulfillment of life based on the properties they ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational