Sermons on Challenging:

Persecution--Coming To A Church Near You? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 14, 2021

We have two challenges: to make faith in Our Lord known and to so act that Americans turn back to Christ and the Church and repent and are healed. And at the foundation of that effort, we must pray, pray, pray.

Feast of St Agnes 2021 Saint Agnes was martyred in the persecution of Diocletian, right about the year of our Lord 303. Now we in the United States tend to think in terms of four to eight years, the length of a presidential administration. But just imagine what life was like in the last half of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-12, Hebrews 7:25-28, Hebrews 8:1-6, Psalm 40:7-17

Denomination: Catholic

Intellectual For Christ Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

We want to look at the only man we know of in the New Testament who rivaled Paul for the title of the greatest intellect of the New Testament. Apollos is his name, and everything about this man is a challenge to the intellect.

Arthur Constance and a friend were watching squirrels and chipmunks gathering nuts in Queens Park in Toronto and then looking for a place to bury them. He made comment to his friends that the Indians use to watch squirrels and chipmunks to gage the severity of the winter. If they were very busy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:23-28

Is It Naïve To Be Hopeful Amid All The Despair? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 7, 2020

The book of Amos contains some challenging and painful truths. Now, as the book ends, there is a word of hope. It speaks to us in our worry: is it naive for us to be hopeful amid all this world's despair?

- Set up a collapsed tent on state where the pulpit normally is. This is the image for the sermon. LIVING IN FRAUGHT TIME: Right now there is much to worry over. - Amos 9:11 – “David’s fallen tent.” - Think of all the references in the Old Testament to the “house of David.” With that in ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 23, 2022

The rebuilding of the temple is underway because God moves to begin the work. You will find that some of the challenges you face are like what God’s people face in building the second temple. The Lord is in this rebuilding.

Ezra is the story of a great revival. God takes a defeated and exiled people and moves dramatically to send them back to Jerusalem. They rebuild their demolished city. They rebuild the destroyed temple of God. At the end of all this rebuilding they experience revival of true religion. Go back for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Funeral For A Stillborn Baby

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 8, 2021

Some of the most difficult funerals I have ever officiated were over stillborn babies. I trust something I share here will assist in your preparation for this challenging task. – Dr. Vorce

Baby’s Name: _________________________________ Mother’s Name: _____________________________________ Father’s Name: ______________________________________ Date of Death: _______________________________________ Gender: _____________ Weight and Size: ________ lbs. ________ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:26, Romans 8:18, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 40:28-31, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 139:13-16, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 51:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Thrive Amid Adversity

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 9, 2021

Adversity has always been a part of our human experience. The challenges of life faced properly can help us grow. Maintaining faith in God helps us solve problems and overcome adversity.

Introduction: The Righteous can thrive in adversity because they understand several principles. Adversity has always been a part of our human experience. The challenges of life faced properly can help us grow. Maintaining faith in God helps us solve problems and overcome adversity. Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7, Psalm 55:5-8, Psalm 82:5, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 6:10-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

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

Here Comes The Judge - Shamgar The Suggestions Of A Lifestyle

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 29, 2019

Shamgar’s story offers three significant challenges that may help us. (1) Start where you are; Use what you have; and Do what you can and the victory is sure!

Subject: Here Comes the Judge -The Suggestions of a LifeStyle Text: Judges 3:31 Introduction: Life is filled with transition and change. You and I can count on opposition. Almost every time you make a new start, embrace a new vision, or attempt a goal, you expect opposition. Even if you decide to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:31

Denomination: Methodist

Minors' Lessons That Have Major Impact Iii: Repentance - Learned From Zechariah Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 16, 2019

Christians need a revival of repentance in a day when arrogance flies in the face of Almighty God. Zechariah challenges us to remember God's warnings, repent, receive God's blessings.

MINORS’ LESSONS THAT HAVE MAJOR IMPACT III: REPENTANCE – Learned from Zechariah Today we continue our study of lessons learned from the Minor Prophets. Question: What’s the good word from Zechariah? The good word from Zephaniah was Humility . . . The good word from ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6, Zechariah 2:7-13

Unleashing Joy: A Way Of Life.

Contributed by James Chandler on Jun 9, 2019

Joy is something to be lived out in the life of a Christian. This message challenges Christians to develop the character in their life that will produce the spiritual fruit of joy, using the very familiar, yet simple, recipe of Jesus, Others, Yourself.

My family was recently visiting Disney, a place where dreams come true and joy is found. It was interesting watching other families share our experience. It was hot, crowded, long lines, expensive food. I realized you can be in a place where everything is supposed to be magical and yet be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Laughing At God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Real faith challenges the status-quo. Real faith says, “I was made for more than this.” Real faith sees past obstacles to a brighter future God has in store for His children.

We continue our series on Abraham this morning. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Genesis 18, if you will. As a part of today’s message, we have something special for you. At the end of today’s service, you will be invited to one of several locations in our worship center. Volunteers in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Thyatira: Corrupted By Compromise

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 26, 2020

Although situated within the smallest of the seven cities, the church in Thyatira received the longest letter. They were faithful in their labor, but had compromised with false doctrine. Jesus challenged them regarding the toleration of false teaching.

Thyatira: Corrupted by Compromise Revelation 2: 18-29 Our text deals with the fourth church that Christ addressed in Revelation. While the church in Thyatira was situated within the smallest of the cities the Lord would address, it is interesting that they received the largest letter. The name ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist