Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

What Faith Looks Like Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 11, 2021

This is a reality check. When you're surprised by the challenges of the Christian life and even tempted to quit, consider how the people who are part of Faith's Hall of Fame lived.

This past week we all heard about another horrific tragedy on the border. Three people died and 25 were injured as smugglers attempted to bring dozens of illegal immigrants into the U.S. via boat along the California Coast. The 40-foot boat broke up on a reef just west of Point Loma off the San ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16, Romans 1:18-20, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Bible Church

M16: Deny Self Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 17, 2024

Jesus explains more fully about submitting to Him and we are challenged to “deny [ourselves] and take up [our] cross and follow [Him].” This is not easy, but does speak to our soul and the judgment to come.

M16: DENY SELF MATTHEW 16:24-28 #m16sermons INTRODUCTION For the past few weeks, we have been digging into Matthew 16: In 16:1-4, we saw that the proof of Who Jesus is comes by His death, burial, and resurrection. In 16:5-12, Jesus taught us to check our heart to make sure we don’t have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hold On To Your Confidence And Push (Praise Until Something Happens)

Contributed by Ronnie Mcneill on Feb 23, 2009

No matter what challenges of life we go through, we should always stand firm on our confience in God. We have His guarantee because of the debt that was paid on Calvary by Jesus the Christ.

Introduction: In living in a world that has been transformed from one of perfection to imperfection, the Christian is going to suffer. I know that people have lied on you, tried their best to tear you down, they set traps for you, planned a private attack on you, tried to get you fired on the job, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Beastly Visions Series

Contributed by Gary Bennett on Apr 10, 2001

How big is your God? Daniel 7 challenges our view of God by showing that he has acted in the past, acts in the present, and has promised to act in the future.

1. UNCERTAINTY IN HUMANITY We live in an uncertain world. People look for security and guidance from our world leaders and governments yet it doesn’t happen. We place our hope in them that they will solve our problems little realising that we ourselves are the problem. The placing of faith by ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In Pain Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 30, 2001

This is the 2nd sermon in the series "Life Challenges". This sermon is about being able to keep serving God even when you don’t feel like it.

Sunday Evening November 4, 2001 Bel Aire Baptist Church, Hobbs, NM Series: Life’s Challenges [#2] LIVING IN PAIN Job 2 Introduction: For some of us, like myself, when we are sick or injured we carry on about for days and weeks and months; but there are people in this church that have to live ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Don't Have To Grumble - There's Hope For The Weary! Series

Contributed by Rick Shockley on Nov 16, 2001

There’s hope in the midst of the daily challenges of life. Even when we are weary and seem to lose hope, God provides and sustains us with His presence and promises.

Take Heart! #6 THERE’S HOPE FOR THE WEARY! Matthew 11:28; Exodus 15:1-7; 22 – 16:1 Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Exodus 15:1-7 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: "I will sing to the Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Can Humans Have Integrity?

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 22, 2005

Satan challenges God asumption that Job is righteous. The open question of Job is, "Can humans serve God for who he is?" Can they have real integrity.

When I was a child my mom had to promise me she would give me a prize if I was good in the grocery store. I didn’t get that many prizes. But the motivation for my goodness was a prize. As I matured my Mother would ask me to be good in the store out of respect for her and the other shoppers. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

Design Is Crucial Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 31, 2004

This is the third sermon in a series that brings NASCAR along side spiritual truths in order to challenge God’s people in my care to live holy lives on purpose and by design.

Bible Text: 1 Timothy 4:9-16 Series: NASCAR Comes To Church Title: Design Is Crucial Topic: Christian Living Theme: Holy Christian Living Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness challenging God’s people in my care to live holy lives on purpose and by design Response: Individuals prompted by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:9-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Living Life With No Regrets

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Jan 11, 2005

This morning on this First Sunday of 2005, I want to encourage you, challenge you to be like the Apostle Paul... Live Life with No Regrets.... Live your life for Christ 100%.

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:18-21

Denomination: Nazarene

"Do You Want To Get Well?" Series

Contributed by Phil Anderson on Jan 22, 2005

This is the first in a series of messages on the theme of becoming "spiritually" healthy. It is a sermon that challenges the believer to consider what God would want to do in his/her life in the near future.

“Do You Want to Get Well?” John 5:1-15 JN 5:1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The True Temple Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Feb 8, 2006

Jesus challenges us to realize that he is the center of our worship, not our facilities, programs, and activities. Just as he cleansed the temple, so he wants to cleanse us.

“The True Temple” John 2: 13 – 22 Introduction: Right now in theatres you can go see the movie version of C.S Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and having seen it a few weeks ago, I can tell you that it is a great movie – and for the most part it is pretty faithful to the book. The ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Good News: Revisit, Repent, Renew

Contributed by Philip Gill on Jan 25, 2003

Jesus’ message was and is one that demands a response. Even more than a response we are challenged to make a commitment that requires that we revisit and if necessary repent and renew our faith.

Believe the Good News - Revisit, Repent and Renew. Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Mark 1.14-15 I was a big thing - for Andrew and Simon, James and John and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-15

Denomination: Anglican

Calling All Shepherds

Contributed by Tom Balog on Oct 2, 2002

To challenge the heareres to identify themselves not always as the lost sheep but to see themselves as "lead sheep" or shepherds by caring and loving God’s "sheep", using Jesus Christ as their example.

Before we go to the Word, let us open with a word of prayer: Gracious God, you are the Good Shepherd. As we come now to your Word, help us, your sheep, to hear your voice so that we may receive the message you have for us. Lord, I ask that you use me as your vessel, so that those who hear will ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Following God's Plan Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 27, 2003

This sermon examines characteristics of genuine faith as depicted in Jesus’ life. Real faith does not take presumptuous risks, it submits to God’s timing and it challenges the status quo.

Following God’s Plan Fortifying the Foundations #16 John 7:1-13 9-21-03 Intro John 7:1-13 7:1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus’ brothers said ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13, Matthew 4:6-7

Denomination: Charismatic

Don't Forget About Heaven

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

This sermon encourages believers to live in a joyful expectation of heaven. The daily challenges and trials of life should be viewed from an eternal perspective. Some exciting reasons for this expectation are explored.

Don’t Forget About Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 7-7-02 I. Importance of Anticipating Heaven 1. Ever notice in the Bible when people get visions of Heaven? a. Ezekiel saw the heavens when he was at the banks of the river Chebar. He was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, John 3:1-2

Denomination: Charismatic