Sermons on Dealing With Challenges:

Jesus Wasn't Violent Or Deceitful - "he Committed No Sin, And No Deceit Was Found In His Mouth." Series

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Sep 8, 2024

Today, we move to the next part of the verse which deals with the fact that the Suffering Servant had done no violence nor was he deceitful to anyone.

Last week, we saw that the prophet Isaiah said that the Suffering Servant would be assigned a grave with the wicked and the rich in his death, even though he had done no violence and was not deceitful. This prophecy can be seen to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ. However, what happened is completely ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Grow Like A Palm Tree Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 4, 2025

God places a great deal of emphasis on us growing in our faith and bearing fruit. But why? What difference would it make if we did?

OPEN: There’s a story about a little boy who had a special hiding place in the back yard. It was an old fruit tree. It had lots of leaves, but it hadn’t produced fruit in years, but the little boy didn’t care. He’d climb up in those branches, and hide amongst the leaves, and for hours he’d pretend ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Disease Of Diotrephes

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 21, 2019

Diotrephes was a trouble maker trying to run the church. Paul tells Gaius he will deal with him when he comes. Peace is possible in spite of those who love to be first.

THE DISEASE OF DIOTREPHES SCRIPTURE: KJV III John 1:9 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (v. 10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:1, 1 John 4:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Are Citizens Of Heaven

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 15, 2004

We Are Citizens of Heaven: A fact that brings comfort; a fact that demands character.

After ten months of waiting it’s finally here – a notification inviting Sarah and me to take our Canadian citizenship test later this month. Why are we becoming Canadian citizens? Why did you become, or are happy to be a Canadian citizen? Isn’t it because this country offers peace, freedom, and ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Live Like Christ

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 8, 2015

God calls us to have a servant's heart. He wants us to glorify him and not ourselves. God places us where he wants us to serve, and we must give our all in everything he asks us to do. God wants our obedience and our best effort.

It is February 15, 1921. In the operating room of the Kane Summit Hospital, Dr. Evan O'Neil Kane is performing an appendectomy, but this is no ordinary appendectomy. First, it marked the first use of local anaesthesia in major surgery. Dr. Kane believed local anaesthetic was much safer than ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Anglican

The Church Of Christ 4

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Mar 8, 2016

Jesus' parable of the sower taught the truth of receiving the word of God, from the beginning to everlasting life wherein the will of man is challenged to meet the rigorous standard coming out of the word of God---to live with us for ever..

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 4 by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (March 8, 2016) “And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:...” (St. Luke 8:4-21, King James Version [The parable of the sower]). Greetings In The Holy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-21

Denomination: Friends

This Is Us - Pt. 2 - Square Pegs And Spotlights Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 2 - Square Pegs & Spotlights I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Time and time again in Scripture we see folks who don't know who they are and they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Crime Did Jesus Commit? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 9, 2004

We see the context that sets up the reason Jesus was rejected by the Jews. He called for integrity, challenged their authority, claimed to be deity. We then move from the reasons to the purpose - our justification.

Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus asked His followers a question: “Who do you say I am?” It’s still the fundamental question of life. And the answer creates controversy. It’s one reason why Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, is so controversial. This is a film that has had the audacity ...read more

Scripture: John 8:57-59

Denomination: Baptist

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Hope That Free's Us

Contributed by Mike Bence on Feb 11, 2025

We can find ourselves in a place of complacency, or comfort, never challenging our faith because our hope is diminished, Hope is powerful and it moves our Faith, don't lose Hope.

The Hope That Frees Us 2 Kings 4:8-11 8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 2 Kings 4:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Do You Trust In?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 4, 2013

We always look for ways to change the outcome, but only God knows the best path for us. Trusting God through life and dealing with circumstances may be difficult, but the promise is STILL salvation in Christ!

Who do you Trust? Acts 27:12-44 Introduction We are called to have a common purpose in what we do -- The purpose is to worship, to love, and to celebrate Christ and share Him always -- That is our challenge, mission, and it is STILL where we find ourselves today LAST TIME: Our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:12-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoicing Over God’s Word Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 11, 2011

Nehemiah chapter 8 records one of the most spectacular celebrations of the work of God in the O.T. The spiritual renewal of the people begins with a challenge to the mind, continues with an effect on the emotions & concludes with a people returning to God

[Revivals of the Bible Series] NEHEMIAH 8 REJOICING OVER GOD’S WORD [Ezra 10] There were three different groups which returned from Babylonian captivity under three different leaders. The first, led by Zerubbabel in 537-536 B.C., we have already discussed. Eighty years later the scribe Ezra ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18, Nehemiah 8:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Jaded With The Church? How To Resist Jadedness In Ministry

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

Any individual working in the many fields of ministry will face the challenge of disillusionment. When I first got into ministry work I had some naïve notions about it.

Any individual working in the many fields of ministry will face the challenge of disillusionment. When I first got into ministry work I had some naïve notions about it. I was hoping to find a burgeoning vibrant Christianity rallying unified, as one, carrying the gospel like intrepid ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:37-43, Matthew 13:24-30, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period? (Viii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 23, 2021

Olivet Discourse is examined as the relationship of the rapture to end-time events is analyzed. Exegetical challenges found in Matthew 24 and the parallel passages are discussed. This study focuses on Matthew 24:1-14.

We have been seeking to answer the question: Will Christians go through the tribulation period. This is the eighth message in the series. In this session we will begin an analysis of the Olivet Discourse. The Olivet Discourse is Jesus’s prophetic message recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:27, Psalm 118:26, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 13:1-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Acts 2:16-21, Matthew 23:1-39, Matthew 24:1-51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Pressed, But Not Crushed!

Contributed by Andy Harris on Oct 18, 2000

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions.

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions. But, while we share in the same troubles that the world has, thank God, we will overcome! Paul says it this way, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10