Sermons on Challenging:

God's Nobodies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2011

We as the church, facing today's challenges, think of ourselves as nobodies. But we are God's kind of nobodies, those in whom He has been at work to make changes, and we are needed by the world around us.

(Originally preached at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, Aug. 12, 1973; subsequently, with variations, at Woodbrook Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD, Aug. 19, 1973; Viers Mill Baptist Church, Rockville, MD, Sept. 9, 1973; Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, Oct. 14, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Greater Kindness Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Mar 18, 2013

Sacrificial love is willing to lay down its life, and do the hard things that love demands, on behalf of another. This is the love that we experience in Christ and this is the love that we are challenged to live out with each other.

A Greater Kindness - Ruth 3:10-18 - March 17, 2013 Series: From Heartache to Hope – The Redemption of Ruth - #8 Let me ask you a question as we start this morning: How many decisions do you figure you make in an average day? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand? Any ideas? Any ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:10-18

Denomination: *other

The Calling Of God Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Apr 11, 2013

When one is called by God into the ministry, that calling is sacred and cannot be entered into in a flippant or nonchalant manner. We must challenge and charge both the ordination candidate AND the witnesses (church body) to hold themselves accountable an

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: April 4, 2013 Date Preached: April 7, 2013 Church: OPBC (PM) - Ordination Service for Ben Browning FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: The Calling of God! Text: Joshua 1:1-18 ETS: God called Joshua to a special role in His kingdom, Joshua obeyed. ESS: God has called Ben ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Acting On God's Plan - Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jan 27, 2013

Nehemiah had challenged the people with the plan God had given him and now it was time to put that plan into action. Nehemiah leads the people to move forward and rebuild the wall in spite of and in the face of stiff opposition

Sermon Brief Date Written: January 25, 2013 Date Preached: January 27, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Building with God Sermon Title: Acting On God’s Plan - Pt 2 Sermon Text: Nehemiah 3-4 [ESV] Introduction: Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem lying in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faith In A Famine

Contributed by Douglas Mcdaris on Oct 9, 2010

Examine the faith of the widow woman that took care of Elijah. 1. Pressing Circumstances. 2. Personal Crisis. and 3. Prophetic Challenge. God tries our faith that we might try His faithfulness.

Faith In A Famine 1 Kings 17:1-24 Introduction: A Lack of Leadership. Ahab Rejected The Servant of God. Ahab Rejected The Sayings of God. Ahab Rejected The Strength of God. 1. Pressing Circumstances. A. Drinking at the Brook. B. Dryness at the Brook. 2. Personal Crisis. A. Starving in a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Unhindered Life Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 5, 2016

Paul lived an unhindered life and had an unhindered ministry, but that doesn't mean he didn't have many obstacles and challenges. The secret to Paul being unhindered was his attitude of contentment and commitment.

Introduction: A. How many of you like the story “The Little Engine that Could”? 1. The Little Engine That Could is an illustrated children’s book that was first published in the United States in 1930. 2. The story is used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:11-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Walk The Talk Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 4, 2011

Paul challenged the believers in Philippi to WALK the TALK, and live their faith out loud in a world where they would suffer because of that faith. We are called to WALK the TALK and live our faith out loud...

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 30, 2011 Date Preached: July 31, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: Walking the Talk – Living the Life Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4 [ESV] Introduction: “Christians are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

On Mission With Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 15, 2010

After Pentecost 120 men & women changed their world. The power is still here, & the challenge & authority are still with us. For the same power & authority that sent Jesus, is desiring to send us to change our world.

JOHN 20: 19-23 ON MISSION WITH CHRIST [John 17:13-23] The Day of the Resurrection had been full of strange rumors and growing excitement. The news that Jesus was alive began to spread among His followers, hesitantly at first, and then with enthusiasm. Even the Apostles were not convinced by ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Missed Christmas

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 27, 2014

Even many Christians will miss the real reason for the season. And we might be the cause for the world not to know Jesus. Will you take up the challenge to tell others about the birth of Christ in your very lives?

Opening illustration: Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

"Dads That Make A Difference" Series

Contributed by Elvis Burrows on Jun 17, 2013

Sermon preached on Father's Day to encourage fathers to remain faithful to the task of being fathers who are involved and active in the rearing of their children. Sermon challenged them to continue to be good and godly role models and mentors.

"Dads That make a Difference" Central Zion Baptist Church - Fathers Day - June 16, 2013. Genesis 6-8 Salutation – Welcome Guests General comments….. Salute the fathers - commend them for the work they do. I want to personally congratulate and applaud the many hard-working men ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Easter 2017

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 18, 2017

We have sung and heard the good news, the good news that Jesus is ALIVE. Most have heard this many times. The challenge is, do we do anything with it now that is it so familiar to us?

Easter 2017 Matthew 28:1-10 Introduction - HAPPY EASTER! (Tomb background with words) - I want to share some final thoughts along the topic of Evangelism -- Easter is a tremendous time to share what you know, don’t be afraid to do it! - Read Matthew 28:1-10 / Pray - If you are a Christian … ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Willing To Be Available Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

The disciples were tired and worn out from ministry; however, Jesus challenged them to put aside their own needs to love and serve others. As a result, the disciples were refreshed and strengthened in an unexpected manner.

The apostle Paul once informed the believers of Galatia, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Baptist

God Our Liberator Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Nov 22, 2021

The answers that God will give to us, will be so astounding that it will be way beyond our human thinking and understanding. Irrespective of the kind of situations that we are challenged with, if the Lord is with us, we can come out victorious.

God our Liberator We read in Psalm 91:15,“When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.” (GNB) As we continue our study on Psalm 91, we will meditate on verse 15 in its entirety and thereby try to comprehend all that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:15

Denomination: Other