Sermons on challenges of secularism:

Challenged In The Temple Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 23, 2018

As Jesus entered the Temple for the second time during Passion Week, He immediately met opposition. The chief priests, scribes, and elders had conspired against Him. As we strive to serve the Lord, the enemy will bring opposition against us too.

Challenged at the Temple Mark 11: 27-33 Our text today continues to follow Jesus through what is commonly referred to as Passion Week. He had triumphantly entered Jerusalem and returned the next day to cleanse the temple. Again, for the third day in a row, Jesus had returned to Jerusalem and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge To Care

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 23, 2024

One way Paul is going to encourage this is by getting to the root of their greatest interest - and often ours - he wants them to join in concern for others by donating funds.

The Challenge to Care 1 Corinthians 16:1-14 Introduction In the concluding chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has called us to answer the challenge to Serve, to Love, to Believe, and now to Care. It’s easy to see how the Corinthian church could struggle with caring about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcoming Challenges

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Aug 22, 2022

Caleb requested for the hill country that seemed tough to conquer. The reason was because Caleb, though he was eighty five years old, was one who welcomed challenges, believed he could overcome them and had no fear whatsoever.

For the past few weeks we have been studying the life of this man named Caleb. In continuation we will meditate today on Joshua 14:12, “So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:12

Denomination: Other

The Pastoral Challenge

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 24, 2022

Timothy was not technically a pastor; he was actually Paul’s “delegate.” Nonetheless, he approximated the pastoral role in that he was a shepherd. Timothy faced a number of challenges, as do modern pastors who are serious about the Word. Let’s look at a few of them.

The Pastoral Challenge (I Timothy 4:6-16) 1. At a recent pastor’s retreat each minister in attendance was asked the following question: “How many people does it take to replace a burnt out light bulb?” The answers were as follows. 2.A Reformed Pastor responded, “None. If God wants the bulb ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Challenge Of Love Series

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 11, 2023

This is the third sermon I preached in this series. We find a challenge issued by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John which helps us see how to fulfill the Great Commandments “Love God and Love Others” and the Great Commission.

Text: 1 John 4:1-11 (1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 4:1-11, 1 John 4:1-21, John 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Service Challenge

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 6, 2020

Joshua challenges the Israelites to serve the LORD - the Jealous God.

2.9.20 Joshua 24:14-24 14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-24

Denomination: Lutheran

The Challenge Of Change Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 21, 2025

This is the 16th Sermon from the Gospel of Luke Series, "Jesus- Son Of Man".

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#16] THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE Luke 5:27-39 Introduction: Today, we are going to look at the challenge of change in our spiritual lives. We see Levi, a tax collector, who chose to leave his comfortable but corrupt life to follow Jesus. This decision highlights the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39, Matthew 9:9-17, Mark 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Challenging Legalism Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 29, 2025

This is the 17th Sermon from the Gospel of Luke Series, "Jesus- Son Of Man".

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#17] CHALLENGING LEGALISM Luke 6:1-11 Introduction: The Pharisees were an important religious group in ancient Judaism who followed many laws and rules. The Torah, which is the 1st 5 Books of the Bible, has 613 commandments. The Pharisees added even more rules and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-11, Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of Influence PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 14, 2023

This sermon explores the call to be 'salt and light' in the world, influencing others positively and living out loyalty and good works in everyday life.

Good morning, dear friends. We're here together. In this place. At this time. And it's good. Our hearts are open. Our spirits are ready. We're here to learn. To grow. To be changed. Today, we're looking at a passage from the Book of Matthew. It's a passage many of us know well. It's a passage that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Topics: Influence

The Challenge To Love

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 10, 2024

The challenge to love is always present in the church. The differences among us can be a source of struggle, whether backgrounds, ideas, convictions, attitudes, and actions.

- Facing the Challenges - THE CHALLENGE TO LOVE 1 Corinthians 12-14 Introduction There are many challenges to living the Jesus Life. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we serve a living Savior but we also have our human brokenness to deal with. This can bring many challenges. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Challenge To Believe

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 17, 2024

Paul’s answer to the challenge of believing rings true today: (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

The Challenge to Believe 1 Corinthians 15 Introduction A friend wrote a lyric many years ago that still captures my attention “Give me something to believe in, give me something to hold on to.” There are many challenges to our faith - sometimes we face daily. In 1 Corinthians Paul has ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Challenge The Dark!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 20, 2020

The light that you enjoyed during the day would continue with you during the quiet night as well, the confidence and joy you had during the day would be there with you through the night.

Your sun will not set Isaiah 60:20 "Your sun will no longer set, Nor will your moon wane; For you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, And the days of your mourning will be over." Did you understand the depth of the above promise? The light that you enjoyed during the day would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Challenge Of Change Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Paul becomes an ideal subject for the study of a Christian in a world of change. He went through the most radical change of any of the Apostles in his conversion. He had the most radical change of career, and faced the most radical changes in theological commitment.

On a dark November day in 1884 the people of Chicago passing over the bridge near Clark street were surprised. Below them at the dock was a ship piled high with Christmas trees of all sizes. The news raced through the city, and soon there were reporters there sensing a story, and they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-21

Challenges Of The Gospel

Contributed by Kyle Campbell on Jun 1, 2022

In 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Paul appealed to the Corinthians for mutual openness in affection and in speech. His own heart is open wide to them, but both he and they know why they can’t reciprocate as fully as they should.

Introduction. In 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Paul appealed to the Corinthians for mutual openness in affection and in speech. His own heart is open wide to them, but both he and they know why they can’t reciprocate as fully as they should. Some of them have an uneasy conscience about their continuing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O Holy Night: From Secular To Sacred Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 2, 2007

Christmas is an ideal opportunity to rekindle the hope that all humankind can experience the transformation of God.

O HOLY NIGHT: FROM SECULAR TO SACRED Advent 2007: “Christmas in Song and Story” Week #1 Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Sermon ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Nazarene