Sermons on Challenges:

Love Loud Dare

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Dec 14, 2009

Sermon inspired by a Thom Rainer blog where he encouraged pastors to challenge their congregations to Love Loud

Love Loud Dare 1 John 3:11-20 A couple of years ago Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA made a movie that many of us have seen called Fireproof…we showed a clip from it a couple of Sunday nights back. The premise of the movie is a fire fighter who is watching his marriage fall apart and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Confront The Empty Presence Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

IN A CHALLENGING YEAR, THE VOICE OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH CONFRONTS THE EMPTY PRESENCE OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS WITH THE PROMISE OF THE GREAT GIFT.

Crave More Presence Confront the Empty Presence Isaish 9:2, 6-7 11/29 There is a new gag gift that has become very popular. It preys on people desire for quick riches and the idea that a sudden windfall is the key to happiness. So people buy as presents fake lottery tickets. Ones that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Finding Strength For The New Year

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 28, 2009

A message on finding strength during times of personal and national crisis and challenge. Given the last Sunday in 2009.

Finding Strength for the New Year Where do you find strength in times of personal and national challenges? Where do you find strength when a member of your family has a pre-mature death? How do you make it through hurtful experiences that are not justified? Last November I attended a church ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Be Communal, Not Judgmental

Contributed by Ricky Johnson on Sep 4, 2006

A challenge to turn from gossip when something happens in the church family and rather turn to love for support.

“Oh man, Mary Jo’s got the cooties.” “Yeah, I heard she got ‘em from messing around with Billy Bob.” “Ain’t that just the most awful thing you ever heard, I don’t think we should be her friend anymore.” Sounds rather much like grade school doesn’t it? But, that is not necessarily the case. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:3-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Prayer, Introduction, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 22, 2007

Introduction to this series on prayer. A challenge to the listeners, you will get out of prayer what you put into it.

Introduction to Prayer Part 1 Text: John 16:26-27 1. I will recommend several books for you to read. a. Some books I agree with everything the authors teach. With others I do not. I have learned to take what ministers to me and leave the rest. Sometimes it’s a matter of having ...read more

Scripture: John 16:26-27

Denomination: Mennonite

An Impossible Joy

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Jan 16, 2007

Joy is a gift from God, is never experienced without challenges, and is something we are called upon to share.

“An Impossible Joy” Luke 1: 39 – 45 Introduction A few weeks ago I heard on the news that there were impossibly huge line-ups as the new Sony Play Station came into stores. Some people apparently waited in line for days, even missing work to do so. Can you imagine doing this for a video game? And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Owner And His Managers

Contributed by Michael Trask on Jan 18, 2007

God is the owner of all things, we are his managers. Knowing this is not only a great comfort, but also a challenge.

What do we mean when we say that we own something? We mean that it is in our possession; that we have bought and paid for it; that it is ours to keep and ours to do with as we please; we are the owners; it belongs to us. We know what it means to own something. Of course, there’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1

Denomination: Lutheran

The Struggle Of Prayer

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 15, 2007

A sermon from the series "Lord Teach Us To Pray." This fifth message deals with the challenges and struggle to pray.

The Struggle of Prayer Luke 11:1 KJV And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. Mark 14:32-42 KJV And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Thinking Outside The Box Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 23, 2007

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenges his followers to be creative in their neighborly love and to think outside the box.

Luke 10:28-37 “Thinking Outside the Box” INTRODUCTION [Enter to theme song of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, “It’s A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood.” Sit down, replace shoes with athletic shoes, and slip on a cardigan sweater] From the late 60’s to 2001, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was a staple ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:28-37, Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Days For Heroes Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

A Father's Day message - geared to challenge men to uphold their calling as men and as leaders in their homes, the Church, and society.

Judges 4:1-5:31; 9:50-57; I Timothy 2:8 Introduction: One night a wife found her husband standing over their newborn baby’s crib. She kept silent, and hid in the shadows to watch him. As he stood there looking down at their little child, she looked at the mixture of emotions on his face: ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Has Jesus Proved Himself Alive To You? Series

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Nov 26, 2011

An introduction sermon to the Book of Acts, it's a challenge to answer the question .... Has Jesus proved Himself to you?

Text: Acts 1:1-5 “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-5

Denomination: Nazarene

2013 - Stay The Course

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on May 17, 2013

2013 will bring many challenges to believers faith and they must realize the testing of that faith is what will strengthen them.

2013: Stay the Course Luke 4:1-12 As I have prayed and thought about the New Year of 2013, I feel in my heart that the Lord is saying this will be a year of testing A testing of our faith in God; our relationship with God; our dependence upon God; our understanding of God We will be tested in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And Missions Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 19, 2012

A message about how Jesus went about fulfilling missions and how we are challenged to do the same.

Note: Some of the notes come from The Preachers Sermon and Outline Bible on John 4 Title: Jesus’ Mission Theme: To show how Jesus viewed missions and how we should also. Text: John 4:1 - 42 The Mission Joh 4:1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-39

Denomination: Church Of God

The Origins Booklet #1: Creation Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Nov 18, 2010

Does science support the theory of evolution, or the Biblical account of Creation? A challenging and informative look at our origins

ORIGINS #1: CREATION THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO LIFE: It was September 1990, twenty years ago, and I had just graduated from high school. I was at an all-nighter drive-in with some of my friends. It was early in the morning, hours before the sun came up, when I turned to one of my friends and said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31

Denomination: *other

Plain Word Or Pure Power!

Contributed by Darrell Vaughn on Jun 4, 2010

A powerful sermon that challenges believers of all ages that there is much more to God than just word only!

“Father, I am your servant, willing and desiring to be used to bless your people.” A preacher I know and love has said many times, “That was a POWERFUL SERVICE; I preached!” •• He said it in humility, but he spoke much truth as well. The job of the church is not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal