Sermons on Challenging:

Ethics In The Church Today

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jan 20, 2013

The goal of ethics is to develop a body of moral standards on which the church can draw so that it can successfully respond to the many moral challenges it faces in all societies. Moral character development should be seen as primary importance both fo

Ethics In The Church Today Ephesians 1:22-23 - And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Denomination: Charismatic

Does God Believe In You?

Contributed by Gregory Lilly on Feb 8, 2013

All Christians proclaim their belief in God, but does God have that same confidence in you. Job was a person God could have confidence in and even challenged Satan to try and shake his faith. Could God do the same for you?

Job 1:8-10 Introduction: If God was to write a biography of you, what would your character be like? Here in the book of Job, we see the biography of the man Job and there were four things that stuck out concerning his character. Let us also examine those four ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Law Vs Circumstance Series

Contributed by Joseph Mngenela on Apr 19, 2023

Jesus invites us to overcome this world so we can sit on His throne. How do we overcome this? By living according to the law. How do we live by the law when there are circumstances tat challenge the law?

As I read the readings for today, I got to realise the assumptions that we make as people. I once asked my nine-year-old grandson why he comes to church and he said “I come to church to see you Gogo”. It was an honest answer from a child. Before becoming a priest, I used to come to church to ...read more

"Yes, We Know, And We Ought To Know We Know” 1 John 5 V 18-21 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 6, 2022

We know what we know! Some people think assurance is brashness but it is the lifeline with God. John brings to us 6 KNOWS we should KNOW. Lovely challenging section of the bible - how God has blessed us.

“YES, WE KNOW, AND WE OUGHT TO KNOW WE KNOW” 1 John 5 v 18-21 1John 5 v 18 We know that no one who is born of God sins, but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him. 1John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1John ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21, Romans 10:17, John 20:6-9, Hebrews 11:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Romans 16:20, Ephesians 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:3, 1 John 2:15-16, John 16:33, 1 John 5:4, 1 Peter 5:8-9, John 1:10-11, 1 Timothy 1:15, Philippians 3:10, John 5:36, 1 John 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sugar Coated Gospel

Contributed by Mark Sparks on Dec 13, 2023

Today, we start on a journey together -- one that looks into the very heart of our faith I stand before you not as a speaker seeking the praise of humanity but as a humble servant of Ghrist, sharing a message that might challenge our comfortable spaces.

I. Opening Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. The Dangers of Sugar-Coating - Discussing the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Matthew 7:21-23, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Survive Or Thrive

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jan 4, 2024

In light of all that is going on in this world and in our personal challenges, we have a choice, we can either just survive or thrive. You can try to handle life on your own or be like a tree planted by streams of living water.

God had called Jeremiah to preach the truth and prophesy to Israel and Judah at a time when people were abandoning the Lord God, His Word & His precepts. God’s people had been engaged in pagan religions and practices, idol worship (which speaks of worshiping an image or fantasy) and this turned ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guarding Against Spiritual Adversaries: Transformed By Truth 1 Peter 5:8-9 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 23, 2024

In 1 Peter 5:8-9, the apostle Peter provides invaluable insights into guarding against spiritual adversaries. In a world filled with challenges and temptations, these verses illuminate the importance of spiritual vigilance and the transformative power of God's truth.

Guarding Against Spiritual Adversaries: Transformed by Truth 1 Peter 5:8-9 Introduction: Today we delve into the profound words of 1 Peter 5:8-9, where the apostle Peter provides invaluable insights into guarding against spiritual adversaries. In a world filled with challenges and temptations, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Psalm 28:7, 2 Corinthians 1:7, Romans 8:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Is There No Balm In America?"

Contributed by Roy Wade, Sr. on May 16, 2022

I don’t have to remind you, that America is facing some of her most challenging days or times! Yes, this country has had some difficult times in the past, but what we are facing today is a Fulfillment Of Bible Prophecies.

Subject: “Is There No Balm In America? Text: Jeremiah 8:20-22 Introduction Of The Text: I don’t have to remind you, that America is facing some of her most challenging days or times! Yes, this country has faced some difficult times in the past, but what we are facing today a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Our Example Within Suffering

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 8, 2020

Peter had dealt at length with the life believers were expected to live, even in the midst of trials and suffering. Looking to the greatest example he had, Peter offered a challenge for the church to follow in the path Jesus had set before them.

Our Example within Suffering 1 Peter 2: 21-25 Our text today is a rich passage that deals with much of what Christ endured on our behalf. Peter also speaks of the abundance believers receive through a relationship with Christ. While these truths are universal, and foundational elements of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

Unity, Hypocrisy And Engagement With A Needy Culture Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 15, 2021

But there’s more to Christian life. Much more. It’s a series of challenges and privileges that come to us with our existence in human society. We model our love for other human beings on the love God has for us.

Seventh Sunday of Easter The prophet Isaiah said it several hundred years before Jesus was born: “My thoughts are not your thoughts. Your ways are not my ways.” Our psalm says it in another way: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has [God] put our transgressions from us.” God is not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-10, Acts 1:15-26, Psalm 19:11-12, 1 John 4:11-16, John 17:11-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will You Be My Spiritual Counselor? Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 16, 2021

The call to discipleship is a call to serve as a good neighbor. This call is more than a mere social event where pleasantries are commonly shared. In the call to discipleship, we are challenged to ascend to godliness and become a spiritual friend to people in our sphere of influence.

The call to discipleship is a call to serve as a good neighbor. This call is more than a mere social event where pleasantries are commonly shared. In the call to discipleship, we are challenged to ascend to godliness and become a spiritual friend to people in our sphere of influence. In John ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 41 – Is A Father Responsible And Punished For A Son’s Sin, And Vise-Versa? – Chapter 5 Lamentations 5:7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2025

Who bears the responsibility for sins, and whether the fathers can be blamed for the judgement that falls on the children, is what we consider today. I hope this causes you to think. This whole business is a challenge to fathers in the raising of their families. This is a serious matter indeed.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 41 – IS A FATHER RESPONSIBLE AND PUNISHED FOR A SON’S SIN, AND VISE-VERSA? – CHAPTER 5 Lamentations 5:7 We are looking at important subjects in this final chapter and I don’t want to rush through the material. What was applicable to the survivors in Jeremiah’s ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 20:12, Galatians 6:7, Romans 6:23, Leviticus 7:18, Ezekiel 18:14-17, 2 Kings 20:21, 2 Kings 21:11, 2 Kings 21:12, 2 Kings 21:14, 2 Kings 21:20, 2 Kings 21:16, 2 Kings 21:26, 2 Kings 22:1-2, Ezekiel 18:18-19, Ezekiel 18:20, Ezekiel 18:21-22, Ezekiel 18:23, 2 Peter 3:9, John 3:15-16, Ezekiel 33:10-11, Exodus 34:7, Job 21:19-20, Jeremiah 31:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Genesis Chapter 6: The Corruption Of Humanity And The Grace Of God By Pst Joseph Ondu Series

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Nov 17, 2025

Noah’s obedience is a challenge to every believer. It is not enough to hear God’s Word; we must follow it carefully and consistently. The preservation of Noah’s family shows that righteousness does not only benefit an individual; it becomes a covering for generations.

Genesis Chapter 6: The Corruption of Humanity and the Grace of God Introduction Genesis chapter 6 marks a turning point in the story of humanity. What began as a creation filled with beauty, order, and divine purpose has now descended into deep corruption. The chapter shows the seriousness of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Finding The Love Of Your Life Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Mar 20, 2025

Life is about what you love. Jesus said that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The Book of Titus challenges us to discover, "Who or what is really the love of your life."

Life is about what you love. In the last 300 years the way people see life and the definition of a “successful life” has changed. It has moved from morality to money; from God to goals, from Christ to culture. This is not new; this same setting was the type of culture Paul was addressing in the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist