Sermons on Confronting Challenges:

The Concern About Fasting Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 12, 2017

What began as a confrontation regarding the practice of fasting, turned into a lesson regarding the doctrines of salvation. Christ is the only means of salvation. We must come to Him by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.

The Concern about Fasting Mark 2: 18-22 Our text today deals with a passage that is often misunderstood, and even overlooked by many. Some argue the passage is confusing, and they fail to see the great significance it reveals. Actually Jesus revealed great doctrinal truth in this conversation with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Gospel And Sharing Gospel

Contributed by David Paulson on Apr 9, 2018

Gospel and sharing gospel

Gospel - We are separated from God through sin (our personal sins & the original Adamic sin through the fallen nature we inherit). Scripture says ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. And, ‘the wages of sin is death’, ‘every soul that sins must die’. The Father sent His only ...read more

Escaping Your Alcatraz

Contributed by David Edward Ray on Nov 26, 2016

Escaping your Alcatraz is a message of hope for those that are caught in their own prison of addiction, depression or anything that has us bound. All of our efforts cannot set us free. The Spirit of the Lord can.

On June 11, 1962, Clarence Anglin, John Anglin and Frank Morris tucked papier-Mache heads resembling their own likenesses into their beds, broke out of the main prison building via an unused utility corridor and departed Alcatraz Island aboard an improvised inflatable raft to an uncertain fate, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:2-4, Revelation 12:11, Psalm 142:7, John 8:36, Zechariah 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

We Believe Better Than We Behave Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2008

Confronting the normal tendency to promote our own interests,even while surrendering to the reign of God’s Spirit, goes a long way toward promoting unity within the congregation.

JAMES 4:1–3 WE BELIEVE BETTER THAN WE BEHAVE “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Going To Church With Jesus Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Jan 8, 2021

How is church relevant? Take Jesus to church. Confront Evil. Claim the Power of Jesus to transform. The authority and power of Jesus amazed everyone in the synagogue of Capernaum, and it makes church relevant today.

GOING TO CHURCH WITH JESUS—Mark 1:21-28 We live in a time of declining church attendance. One reason is busyness; Sunday mornings are consumed with youth sports, catching up on the laundry or the lawn, or just chilling out after a busy week. Another reason might be that going to church is not as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Guided Decision Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 28, 2009

This is the second part of the Traveler’s Gift series, challenging us to seek wisdom.

Imagine having in your grasp the one thing that your heart desired more than anything. Of being assured that whatever that one thing was it was yours. What would you wish for? Understand it’s not the genie thing, no three wishes but one. What would your wish be, and remember this is it, no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Go Away!

Contributed by Trevor Woodget on Mar 13, 2008

Jesus encounter with the Demoniac challenges us to decide how we will respond to christ

Luke 8:26-39 Basingstoke 24th February 2008 Go Away! The decisive moment in the last war took place on 6th June 1944 The campaign to liberate Western Europe was code named “Operation Broadsword” As US, British & Canadian troops landed on beaches of Northern France = D-Day! Imagine the scene - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Baptist

Battles At The Edge Of Breakthrough

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 17, 2025

The journey to breakthrough is often filled with intense battles, especially at the edge of divine visitation. Many people give up right before their miracle because the pressure increases just before the victory is birthed.

BATTLES AT THE EDGE OF BREAKTHROUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Exodus 14:10-16 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 43:2, Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Job 42:10, Psalm 30:5 INTRODUCTION: The journey to breakthrough is often filled with intense battles, especially at the edge of divine ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dealing With Doubt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 1, 2012

No matter the doubt you are dealing with, God understands the doubts. You cannot leave it alone. I challenge you today to expect doubt. I challenge you today to attack doubt at the source. I challenge you to look at the evidence. All three of these v

DEALING WITH DOUBT LUKE 7:18-35 INTRODUCTION… Story of Doubt The little boy cried out over and over, “Mom where are you?!” He was walking back and forth in the front of the store. People with shopping carts full of milk, bread, fruit, and other household items rattled past the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missions: A Wake-Up Call Series

Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Jul 1, 2002

As Paul rebuked Peter to his face, we sometimes need a challenge in Missions.

During the time of the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979, Greg Livingstone was asked to give a “missions minute” at a large evangelical church on the East Coast. Since he had only one minute to speak, he decided to ask them only two questions. The first one was, “How many of you are praying for the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34, Galatians 2:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Really Care About Everyone? Do We?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jan 23, 2012

God challenges us to rethink our attitudes and actions toward all people.

Recap the story of Jonah for those who may not know the story… Title: Does God Really Care About Everyone? Text: Jonah 3:1-10 Slide 3 Thesis: God challenges us to rethink our attitudes and actions toward all people. Introduction Westboro Baptist is a church in Topeka, Kansas whose ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Die To Himself PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2023

Explores Elijah's despair, emphasizing the challenges of faith and the importance of trusting God's plan in times of difficulty.

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to be here with you today. We gather in this place of worship, in the presence of our Lord. We are united in our faith, our love for God, and our desire to understand His word. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of 1 Kings. Specifically, we will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4

Topics: Death

Reformation: Understanding God's Love

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 23, 2008

I begin with an illustration of Dr. Rev. Newton in discussion with a Jewish man who challenged the conlusion to a prayer.... "in the name of jesus Christ..." It’s a great ending. This is an example of the culture we live in and the challenge to the "tru

In Jesus Holy Name October 26, 2008 Text: John 3:7 & Titus 3:7 (GN) Redeemer “Reformation: Understanding God’s Love” Earlier this fall our District President was attending the Oakland A’s Baseball game. Before the game Thrivent sponsored their pre game BBQ in the parking lot. All ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:7

Denomination: Lutheran

Sin Happens! Forgiveness: Will It Work? Have Faith

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 18, 2007

Jesus confronts the Pharisees with their false theology regarding their understanding of God with parables. He then, in Luke 17 speaks to the disciples about reality. Sin happens. Forgiveness will work. It is our duty to imitae Jesus.

In Jesus Holy Name October 7, 2007 Text: Luke 17:1,3,4,10 Redeemer “Sin: It Happens! Forgiveness: Will It Work? Have Faith” Jesus was a middle-aged Rabbi. People flocked to hear him. They were fascinated. He told stories. He challenged the Pharisees who were filled with self ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Spirit Of Jezebel And The Battle For The Altar Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 16, 2025

The spirit of Jezebel still operates today—seeking to control, intimidate, and shut down prophetic voices. But God is raising bold, fearless servants who will not bow to fear, nor run from confrontation.

THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL AND THE BATTLE FOR THE ALTAR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 19:1-2 Supporting Texts: Revelation 2:20; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 54:17; 2 Kings 9:30-37 INTRODUCTION: Elijah had just achieved a historic spiritual victory on Mount Carmel. He confronted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God