Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

Sin Is Love

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 31, 2010

The essentially positive nature of biblical law is seen in Jesus’ dealing with the rich young ruler: "What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus met him on his own ground, saying, “Don’t do this and don’t do that... But if you are

The Conflict of the Ages series of books begin and end with the words “God is love.” That is the central issue in the great controversy. That is the issue that needs to be demonstrated to the universe. That is the core of God’s character. That is the core of all upright character. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Three Parables One Message Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Three Parables, One Message (Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 4:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sticks, Stone And Words Part 2 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Sticks, Stones And Words – Part 2 (Rev. Rodney Johnson and Rev. Barry Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Ephesians 5:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship In Heaven Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 24, 2023

At the throne, something incredible is happening … and it’s happening NOW! There is worship before God's throne, and John reveals it to us clearly in this passage. The challenge is, are we responding the same way when He is so deserving of our praise?

Alpha and Omega, Part 28, Revelation Part 5 Worship in Heaven Revelation 4:1-11 Introduction - Last week we concluded our study of the letters to the 7 churches -- We had several take-aways to consider, prayerfully you are still haunted by it -- Each church must examine it’s faithfulness to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11, Isaiah 6:4, Exodus 24:10, Ezekiel 1:22, Hebrews 8:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Serious About Spiritual Formation

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Feb 27, 2025

Spiritual growth is a journey requiring patience, faith, and surrender. Jesus' parables remind us that becoming more like Him is a gradual process. This message explores the challenges of spiritual formation and how we can trust Christ to complete His work in us.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19 - "My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!" Introduction • Growth often requires patience, care, and persistence. Example: a garden, a dream, or a relationship. Growth requires attention and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Hosea 11:8-9, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 1:6, Mark 4:19, Hebrews 12:11, John 15:2, Revelation 2:4, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16, Joshua 1:8, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

How To Separate Ourselves From The Sins Of The Pharisees

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 22, 2004

Jesus gives us a challenge He gave about the Pharisees. He wants us to show mercy and love to those who need salvation, not just go through the motions of our own religious beliefs

How to Separate Ourselves From the Sins of the Pharisees Jesus said to them, "Be careful and on your guard against the leaven (teaching, corruption, hypocrisy) of the Pharisees and Saducees." (Matthew 16:6) Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the eyes of men. But God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Attitude Of Giving Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A challenge for the church not just to tithe, but to tithe with glad hearts. When we put in our offering, does God get the idea that we’re obeying because of love, or that we’re dragging our feet?

Stewardship IV - The attitude in giving Purpose: To challenge our people to tithe, but to tithe with glad hearts. 1. Our attitude says a lot about our actions. A husband might go to a "chick" movie with his wife, but he might go with a negative attitude, making lots of comments and huffing his way ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Do You Need Help Praying? Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Oct 25, 2004

#7 in Romans 8 - What a Way to Live! series. This is about prayer, how it is a challenge but it’s worthwhile too. And the Spirit helps us to do it. Lots of good illustrations from other sources.

Romans 8:26-27 – Do You Need Help Praying? An unknown Confederate soldier wrote these words: I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Faith Is Enough?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 3, 2002

All of us know we need to have faith - but many of us have faith in the wrong thing. In this study Jesus reveals who He really is, and challenges us to trust in Him, not trust in faith.

A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When You Blow It As A Parent Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

As we descend deep into the world of family matters we cross the crevice of “when you blow it as a parent.” I want to help you navigate safely to the base camp of another challenging aspect of the parental climb

David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the troops out—a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-9, 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Preserving Your Spiritual Heritage—part 1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 2, 2002

The sons of Israel zealously protected/preserved their spiritual heritage. God’s people must preserve their spiritual heritage. 9 Challenges toward preserving our spiritual heritage. Part 1 of a 2-part sermon.

PRESERVING OUR SPIRITUAL HERITAGE—Part I—Joshua 22:10-34 A man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination was complete, he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me." "Well, in plain ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:10-34

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive And Give Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 16, 2006

In a world where retaliation is common, believers are called to be different. We are to pray for our persecutors, forgive them, and minister to them. Jesus’ principles for His followers are challenging, but with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive and Give Forgiveness by Paul Fritz Ephesians 1:7-1:18 Let the Holy Spirit Help You Give and Receive Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-18) Illustration: Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. . --Ephesians 4:32 During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church: God's Instrument For Revival

Contributed by Laren Whaley on May 21, 2006

The church is the body of Christ, and the members of the body of Christ are the only one in all of God’s creation that are breathed upon, inspired, anointed, and moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Our challenge today is to be the continuation of that New Tes

(Mat 16:13-18 KJV) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? {14} And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. {15} He saith unto them, But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31-35

Denomination: Church Of God

The First Christians

Contributed by John White on Feb 25, 2006

As we examine this passage it is easy to see three outstanding things about these who were first called Christians. They had made a CHOICE for Christ. They had been CHANGED by Christ. They were accepting a CHALLENGE for Christ.

The First Christians Acts 11:19-26 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Baptist