Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

It's A Question Of Loyalty

Contributed by Doane Brubaker on May 3, 2007

Jesus’ question to Peter, "Do you love me more than these?" could be taken in at least three ways, each posing an important challenge to look closely at our own devotion to the Savior.

Let’s start with an easy question. Have you ever been betrayed? If so, you know the pain of broken trust. Now for a more difficult question; Have you ever been the betrayer? It isn’t a difficult question because you don’t know the answer, but because the answer can be very painful. If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Mennonite

What Do These Stones Mean?

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 24, 2008

When God took the children of Israel across the river Jordan he called them to set up memorial stones. The stones caution us to remember, they challenge us to recount, and they call us to respond.

Intro: There was a rumor circulating in Washington some time ago that Osama Bin Laden had died and gone to Heaven. As the story goes, when he arrived in Paradise, Osama was greeted by George Washington who slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Only God: Breakthrough Faith

Contributed by John Bishop on Mar 25, 2009

Sometimes telling people about Christ seems like the most dangerous risk we can take. Pastor John Bishop challenges you to allow God to interrupt your life for the cause of Christ.

You know, when I see statistics about the number of people that die everyday; when I see those numbers I just wonder; what would God do if we would just see the reality of people that we know right now, that maybe next week, or maybe next month, or maybe next year, that we may not ever have the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Focus On God

Contributed by Steve Woods (Pastor Woody) on Mar 19, 2019

Every Christian, as we draw closer to God, will be challenged by the devil. We begin to feel our faith weakening and hope fading. In these times, we need to focus on God and the promises He holds for us.

With the holidays behind us and into a new year, it is time to set our sights on what’s ahead of us and forget the past. I’m sure we’ve all set new goals for this year and, more than likely, they may be the same goals we tried for last year but were unsuccessful in our efforts. As we set out to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is It Naïve To Be Hopeful Amid All The Despair? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 7, 2020

The book of Amos contains some challenging and painful truths. Now, as the book ends, there is a word of hope. It speaks to us in our worry: is it naive for us to be hopeful amid all this world's despair?

- Set up a collapsed tent on state where the pulpit normally is. This is the image for the sermon. LIVING IN FRAUGHT TIME: Right now there is much to worry over. - Amos 9:11 – “David’s fallen tent.” - Think of all the references in the Old Testament to the “house of David.” With that in ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Unleashing Joy: A Way Of Life.

Contributed by James Chandler on Jun 9, 2019

Joy is something to be lived out in the life of a Christian. This message challenges Christians to develop the character in their life that will produce the spiritual fruit of joy, using the very familiar, yet simple, recipe of Jesus, Others, Yourself.

My family was recently visiting Disney, a place where dreams come true and joy is found. It was interesting watching other families share our experience. It was hot, crowded, long lines, expensive food. I realized you can be in a place where everything is supposed to be magical and yet be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Hearts Come Together

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 12, 2014

We have real challenges in life that we think we can control. The truth is that we are dependent on God. When our hearts come together with his we find the sanctuary we need.

1. When Hearts Come Together In November 2004, two North Carolina buddies, Dale Beatty and John Gallina, were wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq. John received severe head and back injuries. Dale lost both legs below the knee. Neither man let their injuries stop them. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Alive And On Fire

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Jun 11, 2013

It is quite clear that the church is under attack. It’s open season on pastors and the entire church as well. It is almost as if the world system is pushing the church into a corner and challenging the church to produce its credentials

4 The Lord will wash away the filth from the daughters of Zion. He will wash away the blood from Jerusalem. With a spirit of judgment that burns like fire, he will make everything pure. 5 Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire at night over every building ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Between The Promise And The Miracle

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 6, 2011

People are longing for God to work in their lives or perform miracles in their situations. But the problem for many is that if He does speak they won't do anything. If He does challenges...they won't take the risk.

BETWEEN THE PROMISE AND THE MIRACLE LUKE 5:4-6 We've been speaking on the subject of miracles...and hopefully we've come to the place where we honestly and wholeheartedly believe that God is still a miracle working God. And I know that there are at least a few here who can testify on a personal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:4-6

Better . . . Than Proverbs Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 12, 2012

Wisdom can be presented by comparing one person or situation to another. A contrast is presented by the words better & than instead of “but.” There are 19 verses in Proverbs that use the “better . . . than” formula. These comparision statements challenge

Proverbs 12:9 BETTER . . . THAN PROVERBS People all over the world are constantly looking for a better item, whether buying fruit in a market or choosing a place to live. We examine, ponder, compare, and finally make a choice based on what we believe is better. I can’t imagine anyone saying, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:9, Proverbs 16:8-32

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Trust God With My Money

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 10, 2012

This sermon involves being set free from possessions in order to begin to trust God with our money. It also challenges us to see us for just how rich we are in terms of this world's goods.

Can I Trust God With My Money Proverbs 3:5-10 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Glenville 1-8-12 We are in the middle of a series of Can I Trust God. Last week Pastor Kellie preached on “Can I Trust God With My Disappointments.”. Today we will look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Renewing Priorities Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 27, 2011

Haggai & Zechariah came to challenge God’s people to restore God’s priorities in their hearts. The first message of Haggai emphasized four ways to renew their priorities & restore God’s blessings on their lives.

HAGGAI 1: 1-14 RENEWING PRIORITIES [Ezra 9-10] Following the revival under Josiah, God’s people fell back into the degradation and sin surrounding the 55 year reign of his grandson Manasseh. Thus since the people would not learn by responding to the Word of God they had to learn through harsh ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoicing Over God’s Word Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 11, 2011

Nehemiah chapter 8 records one of the most spectacular celebrations of the work of God in the O.T. The spiritual renewal of the people begins with a challenge to the mind, continues with an effect on the emotions & concludes with a people returning to God

[Revivals of the Bible Series] NEHEMIAH 8 REJOICING OVER GOD’S WORD [Ezra 10] There were three different groups which returned from Babylonian captivity under three different leaders. The first, led by Zerubbabel in 537-536 B.C., we have already discussed. Eighty years later the scribe Ezra ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18, Nehemiah 8:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

"Three Marks Of A Transformed Life"

Contributed by Jamie Page on Dec 14, 2011

A message from Romans 12:1-3 to challenge the believer to pursue the transformed life. The three marks of the transformed life include willing surrender to God, renewed thinking in God, and servant ministry for God.

Three Marks of a Transformed Life February 6, 2011 I. Introduction: A. Storms to Transformation? (crises/storms the leading means of spiritual growth) B. Why use “marks of” and not “steps to” when talking about transformation? 1. “Steps to” infers ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Show Me State Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 14, 2017

To "Get Real!" and be genuine in our world, we must live in the state (condition) of showing our faith, not hiding it. We are challenged to see the unseen; live with certainty, and put our faith into practice.

1. [Joy Villa made a fashion statement at the 2017 Grammy Awards. She made an appearance, first with her outfit covered in a white outer garment; then revealed her red, white, and blue dress with the words, “Make America Great Again” and “Trump” embroidered on it. a. Where do you think she is ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ