Sermons on Challenges Are Positive:

Do I Want God To Forgive Me As I Forgive Others? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 20, 2025

Jesus puts forward challenging words in the second half of v. 12 - calling us to ask for forgiveness in the same way we have forgiven others. Verses 14-15 emphasize the expectation from God that we will forgive others as part of having been forgiven by Him. What happens when we live this out?

DOES THIS SCARE ME? Do I want God to forgive me as I forgive others? - Matthew 6:12b, 14-15. - I said last week as we unpacked the first half of v. 12 that we often don’t put a lot of thought into what that actually means. In that case it had to do with making confession of our sins a regular ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Rebuke To Forgiveness-Only Salvation

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2025

This is a challenging passage. Surely Paul doesn't mean that we have to actually live like that?! What it all points us to is a false gospel that is too often preached today - "forgiveness-only" belief. What does this passage tell us about what real salvation looks like?

A COMMON BELIEF TODAY: I am “saved” and unchanged. - Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:8. - This passage makes us uncomfortable. It sounds harsh and unrealistic. We will delve into how we are to understand it as we move forward. - A good place to start is a major reason why ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Cheerleaders Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 27, 2015

This is the gift that greases the gears of the church. Without this gift a congregation becomes lifeless and empty. What is this gift, and why is it so important to God's church family.

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnVuqfXohxc I’ve been waiting months to use that clip. It’s clever. It’s cute. And whether you realize it or not – it is deeply theological. Think about it… what did it show? It showed lot of animals that don’t ordinarily ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Thought You Wanted, "To Go Fishing", (You Haven’t Even Baited Your Hook)

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jan 23, 2011

If My name is lifted up, Jesus said “I will draw all men unto me” Think about it, God gave us the easy part, He’s the one with the real challenge. Its funny how human nature is, anytime were involved in it, we always think that we have the hard part!

“I thought you wanted to go FISHING” (you haven’t even baited your hook.) Mark 1:16-20 NKJ. 16. And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life Built On Faith: “the Food Of Faith”

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 4, 2012

When God tests your faith... When He challenges you to do more than you’ve ever done with your life... I want you to see what a great opportunity He’s given you. I believe that our greatest work is just around the corner… This sermon was adapted from a

An English teacher and her class were studying well known Proverbs. One day she gave them a test to see how well they were understanding what she taught. She would state the first half of a proverb and then asked the students to come up with the rest of what it said. These were some of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Time To Reboot?

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 4, 2021

Today our lesson challenges us about our priorities in life – It asks the questions: “Do we still trust God today?” “Do we have Him in His proper place in our life?” “Do we still trust God in a pandemic?’ But do we really? Is God in 1st place on our priority list today?

What reboot means? To reboot is to reload the operating system of a computer: to start it up again. Booting is starting a computer's operating system, so rebooting is to start it for a second or third time. ... Rebooting allows the computer to restart and get back to working normally. After a ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-14, Matthew 6:33, Psalm 34:9-10

Denomination: Methodist

What To Do When Facing The Enemy!

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Sep 26, 2024

Like David, we may find ourselves surrounded by enemies—whether they are circumstances, people, or even our own doubts—but we can learn how to confront these challenges by seeking the Lord's aid. What do you do when facing the enemy? How do you find hope and victory in the midst of our battles?

TREASURES FROM THE PSALMS WED PM OCTOBER 4, 2023 CBBCKING What to Do When Facing the Enemy! Psalm 35:1-9 Introduction: Psalm 35 – lengthier Psalm… 28 verses long… not going to deal with every verse… main portions of the Psalm. Structure = Psalm 35 easily divides into 3 stanzas all marked ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Warnings & Consequences Of A Plumb Line”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 16, 2024

The O.T. Lesson is about God's "plumb line" and His judgments when His commandments are not followed. Herod had a "moral" problem, yet like listening to John the Baptist but would not change his behavior. the pressures of life can challenge our own "core" values.

In Jesus Holy Name July 14, 2024 Text: Mark 6:14 & Amos 7:8b Pentecost VIII Redeemer “Warnings & Consequences of A Plumb Line” I imagine the Old Testament prophet Amos would agree with the title of this message. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29, Amos 7:7-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Ministry Partnerships-3(2025)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 25, 2025

3 of 6. Elizabeth & Mary shared their experiences as ministry partners in God’s service. Ministry partnerships foster an atmosphere for sharing experience in God’s service. But What exactly do those partnerships in God's service share? Ministry partnerships share...

MINISTRY PARTNERSHIPS-III— —Luke 1:46-55[part-1--:46-50](:39-56) Attention: The other day, my wife(the First Lady of Salem) was making a big pot of vegetable soup. But she didn’t want us to start eating it immediately, because she had only recently added some key ingredients to the soup. She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-50, Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Baptist

Dominion Over Sin Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2010

When Paul opens chapter six of Romans, he admits that one of mankind’s most difficult challenges is sin. Paul informs us of what God has done about the sin problem. God has given us a new life in Christ Jesus. Sin’s power over our lives has been broken t

Dominion Over Sin Romans 6:9-14 “Because we know that Christ, having come back to life, is no longer liable to die. Death has no longer any power over Him. For by the death which He died He ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:9-14

Denomination: Methodist

End Of The Year 2020 Reflection

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 30, 2020

2020 will be remembered as one of the most challenging years for many people. But God has been faithful to us. He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, like Moses, we can also say, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." (Psalm 90:1).

Soon we will leave 2020 and enter 2021. For many people, 2020 has been a hard and challenging year. Covid-19 has infected millions of victims. The latest data shows Cases: 81.5M, Recovered: 46.1M, Deaths: 1.78M. Many people lost their parents, spouses, children, relatives, or friends this year due ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12, Hebrews 13:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Do I Need Church?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 20, 2017

Jesus built HIS church out of flesh and blood. He took sinful, selfish and self centered people and created a church that would last forever. But how could He make a world changing church out of such useless material? Preached at Unity Service

OPEN: About 9 yrs ago, the Russian Orthodox Church had a 200 year old Church Building that had fallen into disuse. They wanted refurbish and begin worship services there, but when they arrived at village where the church building was … it wasn’t there anymore. It had disappeared. It seems that some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rebuilding And Restoring: 50 Years Of God's Renewal

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Aug 14, 2025

Fifty years ago, our church began with faith and a vision. Today, we celebrate God’s work of rebuilding and restoring, a legacy of hope that continues to shape our future.

Rebuilding and Restoring: 50 Years of God's Renewal A Sermon for Our 50th Church Anniversary Isaiah 61:4, Nehemiah 2:18, Matthew 16:18 Introduction Fifty years ago, a small group of believers planted a seed of faith in this community. With little more than trust in God and a shared vision, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:4, Nehemiah 2:18, Matthew 16:18, Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22, Nehemiah 4:17, Ephesians 3:21, Hebrews 12:28, Nehemiah 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Setting Things In Order

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 24, 2015

To establish that the evangelist or minister is charged with "setting things in order and ordaining elders in every city and every church." This lesson discusses the characteristics of church leadership and clarifies the phrase: "the husband of one wife."

INTRODUCTION Outline 1. The Evangelist's Charge: "Set Things in Order" 2. The Eldership's Charge: "Hold Things in Order" 3. The Evil Teacher's Charge: "Get Things in Order" Introductory Remarks 1. Paul's work in Crete needed to be completed before he ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:4-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finishing Pretty Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2018

It doesn't matter whether we finish first in this race, but it does matter that we "finish pretty." Do you know what that means and what it takes to "look good" when we cross the finish line?

OPEN: I read the true story about a group of friends that wanted to take part in one of those big 26 mile marathons. They ran together for over a year preparing for the meet. They were not trying to be big competitors in the race, they enjoyed running together and - for them – this was going to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ