Sermons on Confronting Challenges:

When The Going Gets Tough Series

Contributed by Jonathan Gardner on Sep 15, 2001

The example Nehemiah gives us when we’re confronted by bad news, tragedy or problems.

When The Going Gets Tough. Nehemiah 1 Jonathan Gardner There was a song some time ago, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going….’. I’m not sure about the rest of the words, but the tune was catchy. But is does beg the question: What do we do when the going gets tough? We all encounter ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.

Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Crisis Of Identity Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Mar 26, 2009

This confrontation between the Jews and Jesus reveals a lot about who we are and who Jesus is.

A CRISIS OF IDENTITY Who is Jesus to us? I am reminded of the question Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” The answer is not as simple as it sounds. We have a variety of responses to that question, some of them bang-on and others that sound good but are kind of fabricated ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: Mennonite

The First Christmas Rush

Contributed by Anthony Bradseth on Jan 5, 2001

The shepherds were confronted with good news, what do you do with it?

“The First Christmas Rush” Luke 2:8-20 Introduction Several weeks ago as the family and I were putting up the Christmas tree, I began wondering where did this all comes from? Why do we do all these things to celebrate the birth of Christ? There are so many things that we need to do to prepare ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With Playing House

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jul 21, 2005

This is a sermon that confronts the increasingly difficult moral problem of cohabitating heterosexual adults in America.

“The Problem with Playing House” Provers 16:25 - ©Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2005) Introduction: This past Monday I was confronted by a full page of articles from USA Today which the Lord used to prompt my spirit and address a growing problem we are facing in America. The title of the articles: ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:25

Denomination: Baptist

Drifting From The Love Of God

Contributed by James May on Aug 2, 2006

What will we answer when we are confronted with confessing our belief in Christ?

Drifting from the Love of God Youth Service The film that you will see will last only about 6 minutes but it will make you think. To set the scene let me tell you about it before we start. The man and woman in van are a Pastor and his wife who are on vacation. He has preached about Jesus all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Elijah's Mountain Top Experience Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jul 4, 2010

Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal to show that Only Yahweh is the true and living God.

By Rev Bill Stewart As we have just heard, in today’s Scripture reading the prophet Elijah was called by God to go to Mount Carmel which is situated in the North of Israel. It is not an especially high mountain but it does have a great view. In fact, it’s a bit like the lookout on Mount ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Anglican

Rich Christians In A Guilded Age Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

James confronts those who pursue wealth to assess the cost to their spiritual health.

JAMES 5:1-6 RICH CHRISTIANS IN A GILDED AGE “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Great Personal Offenses

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 7, 2017

In every church in Christendom, we will eventually be confronted with some great personal offenses.

Prelude, Purpose, Plan In every church in Christendom, we will eventually be confronted with some great personal offenses. How can we better deal with major conflict? Is conflict resolution always possible or even realistic? What can we do when our grievances are ignored? Why is conflict a part of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Tree Planted By The Waters

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2019

The two states of being, the two ways of life: confronting our own hearts.

A TREE PLANTED BY THE WATERS. Jeremiah 17:5-10. The prophet Jeremiah’s response to the political and international situation of his day was, “Thus says the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5). And what does the LORD say? He says, in effect, that there are two states of being, and two ways of life: and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Visible & Invisible Cosmic War On Earth” Part Ii

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 28, 2021

This message is based on the understanding that the "spiritual" warfare explained in Revelation is being played out on earth in the life of Jesus. The 1st confrontation was the wilderness temptation. Mark 1:21 is the 2nd confrontation.

In Jesus Holy Name January 24, 2021 Text: Mark 1:21-24 Epiphany IV Redeemer “The Visible & Invisible Cosmic War on Earth” Part II The first twenty verses of Mark's gospel is a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Finalizing His Authority Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 9, 2023

In this section of Mark's Gospel, we see Jesus finalizing His authority. We see His superior wisdom, knowledge and power as He is confronted by three groups of Jewish religious leaders and rises above each confrontation.

Introduction: A. Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts back in the 1950s and one day when he was campaigning for a second term in office, he went looking for votes at a church barbecue. 1. Herter was famished and as he moved through the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Of The Second Chance

Contributed by Jason Seger on Feb 18, 2012

We can learn from Jesus' actions how to respond when we are confronted with the sins of others.

God of the Second Chance Scripture Text: John 7:53 – 8:11 Introduction: How many of you would be honest enough to say that you gave blown it in the past? Sure, we all have because we are all sinners? Now, when you blow it, how great does it feel to get a second chance? Whether ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Vulture Christians Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 21, 2023

This series is about Christian types and the traits that define them. In this message we examine Vulture Christians. This message examines the vulture and its traits that are evident in how some Christians live.

Vulture Christians Scripture: Matthew 8:21-22; 10:33; James 2:17; Psalm 121:1-2 The title of my message this morning is “Vulture Christians.” Have you considered how often we compare people to members of the animal kingdom? At some point, most of us have compared people we know, and even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:21-22, James 2:17, Psalm 121:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tools Of Restoration Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 4, 2024

To restore a sinning believer, grab the tools of restoration: pain; punishment; pardon; and partnership.

The Tools of Restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) Author and Canadian Theologian, Randall Rauser, tells the story of a boy, whose parents had promised him a beautiful car to drive when he turned 16. He dreamed about it all his life, planning to park it in the family’s barn where it could stay warm ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free