Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

Let Children Come To Jesus

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Oct 20, 2007

This event teaches us something about God, something about people and something about entry into God’s kingdom. The sermon challenges Christians in our attitudes towards children in particular.

Today’s Bible reading tells us something about God. It tells us something about people; and it tells us something about entry into God’s Kingdom. It tells us that some people will enter God’s kingdom and it tells us that some people will not enter God’s kingdom. In Luke’s gospel today’s Bible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Anglican

The Devil Goes To Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 12, 2008

Uncontrolled speech may reveal a devilish heart that has never been regenerated. James challenges us to review our heart by examining our speech to determined our relationship to the Master.

JAMES 3:5b, 6 THE DEVIL GOES TO CHURCH “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” At 9:00 p.m., ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Do This In Remembrance Of Me: Baptize Disciples & Eat The Lord's Supper Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 26, 2008

Peter showed how prophecy was fulfilled and how Christ is building His church. In this sermon we see 1) The Conviction, 2) The Commands, 3) The Challenge, 4) The Conversions, and 5) The Communion.

You can tell certain things about a person from what you see. One thing that we do to identify that we are married is to put a ring on the second last finger of a left hand. For a woman an engagement ring is given during an engagement period and on the wedding day, couples exchange rings during the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-42

Denomination: Other

Maintaining Focus Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 29, 2008

Jesus demonstrated the source of His power in His time alone with the Father. Even Jesus faced the challenge of focus hijacking. This message deals with maintaining your focus in the face of others demands.

Maintaining Focus Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44 Mark 1:35 (HCSB) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. A Pattern to Follow * Very early in the morning • Before the demands of the day • Sacrificing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Would See Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 22, 2014

Having heard & observed, these Gentiles were attracted or drawn to Jesus & they wanted to believe in Him, they wanted to "know" Him. Jesus therefore challenges them & us - to die that we might live

JOHN 12: 20-26 SIR, WE WOULD SEE JESUS [Mark 8:34-38 / Colossians 3:1-3] Jesus public ministry was coming to a close and a variety of things were unfolding. Jesus had just entered into Jerusalem to the shouts and praises of the huge crowds [2-2 ½ million] present ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Help For The Hopeless - Hope For The Helpless

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 8, 2013

I challenge you today to rise up out of that comfort zone, and not accept that situation any longer, and decide to walk away. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Help for the Hopeless - Hope for the Helpless John 5:1-9 [pt. 2 just added, below pt. 1] Get it all with PowerPoint here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HelpHope.html Bethesda= “House of Mercy” The “House of Mercy” was a house of misery for many. This pool was situated where there were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Precious Promises Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 5, 2014

Here we are challenged to take full advantage of the divine power & promises of God. Peter then gives us the specific steps to follow so that we may be victorious through Jesus Christ.

2 PETER 1: 3-8 [Our Precious Faith Series] PRECIOUS PROMISES Peter begins his teaching by reminding them and us of the basics of authentic Christianity. If we continue to live by the divine power which God has given to us, and if we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom In Wealth

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 22, 2019

In perhaps the most challenging parable to understand, Jesus calls us to use our worldly wealth for divine purposes, to be faithful where we are, and to keep God first in our lives.

Luke 16:1-13 Wisdom in Wealth What if you came to church one Sunday, and your pastor got up to give the sermon and said, “I don’t have a clue what this means!” Well, I’m pretty close to that with today’s passage. Maybe you could relate to that kind of pastor, since sometimes the Bible is just hard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13, Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Baptist

Four Great Sayings Of Jesus - Sermon Ii: "the Truth Shall Make You Free" (John 8:32) Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 6, 2019

To know who and what we believe is a great challenge Christians face in these times of uncertainty and unhinged attacks on Christianity. To know the Lord is to know the truth is to be set free to enjoy the Christian life.

FOUR GREAT SAYINGS OF JESUS II A Series of Devotional Sermons Second Great Saying . . . “The truth shall make you free.” Throughout ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Making An Impact For God Sermon Iv: True Humility Honors God By Choice Not By Chance Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 20, 2020

In times like these, when pressures are brought to bear on the committed by the uncommitted, mature Christians respond to challenging situations not with a coin toss but with sights set on God who gives grace to the humble.

HUMILITY THAT HONORS GOD HAPPENS BY CHOICE NOT BY CHANCE A coin toss to determine which football team will be the receiving team and which will be the kicking team is the method used simply because it gives both of the teams a 50-50 chance of winning ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:28-37

Living By Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 3, 2017

This is a rewrite of Steve Shepherd's wonderful message from 2003. We're to worship by faith, walk by faith, and work by faith, as exhibited by Abel, Enoch, and Noah, consecutively. A good, challenging message.

LIVING BY FAITH Heb. 11:4-7 INTRODUCTION A. ILLUSTRATION 1. A guide was conducting a group of tourists around the Empire State Building. On the elevator ride to the 102nd floor, a nervous woman asked, “What if these elevator cables should break? Would we go up or down?” 2. “That,” the guide ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Freedom Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 12, 2018

AS CHRISTIANS WE LIVE IN THE WORLD OF THE EXTRAORDINARY. AS TUTU’S DAUGHTER SAID, “WE ALL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY.” OUR CHALLENGE TODAY IS TO BE EXTRAORDINARY FORGIVERS. PART OF A SERIES ON THE LORD'S PRAYER.

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS MATTHEW 6:12-15 A LETTER WAS WRITTEN FROM A LADY TO HER EX-BOYFRIEND EXPRESSING HER UNHAPPINESS SINCE SHE BROKE OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENT. IT READ: DEAREST JIMMY: NO WORDS COULD EVER EXPRESS THE GREAT UNHAPPINESS I’VE FELT SINCE BREAKING OUR ENGAGEMENT. PLEASE SAY YOU’LL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Coming Together For Worship

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

For Christian worshippers, the ability to watch worship online is a great gift. I am so grateful for technology to connect with you. Yet, the ability to watch worship online comes with challenges too.

The ground has shifted in remarkable ways over the past four months. With the onset of a deadly virus, many of you rightly changed your Sunday habits of worship. A virus has demanded that we take precautions with our health. We are at a crossroads where scientists and doctors are battling for our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

"The Cosmic War And The Ministry Of Jesus”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 3, 2021

This sermon has a quote from Leonard Sweet, and an illustration from WWII. The Pharisees challenges the power of Jesus to heal. To reject the work of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus is to reject Jesus and is unforgivable.

In Jesus Holy Name June 6, 2021 Redeemer Text: Mark 3:28-29 “The Cosmic War and the Ministry of Jesus” Today’s Gospel reading brings us to a challenge very early in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus has been baptized by John in the Jordan River and returns to his home town ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35, Luke 11:17-22, Matthew 12:25-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Get A Grip! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Nov 10, 2020

We are born with them. We are often driven by them. Our emotions can help us and hurt us. The real challenge? Can our emotions help us Make a Difference?

I'm Mad Pt. 1 - Get a Grip! I. Introduction There are a lot of ways to say it. I "fly off the handle." I have a short fuse. I'm about to flip out. I'm hot under the collar. I'm about to have a cow. I'm about to go postal. Cheesed off! Or I'm salty! It really ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-2, 2 Samuel 23:9-10

Denomination: Pentecostal