Sermons on Facing Challenges:

Does America Still Trust In God?

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 7, 2010

Great 4th of July sermon posing a challenge to Christians to set an example of TRUST

Does America Still Trust in God? (All my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and use the NIV unless otherwise noted) (This sermon was inspired partly by the lyrics from Diamond Rio’s song “In God We Still Trust”) In the world of country music, there is a group ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sometimes I Have Doubts Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Oct 30, 2007

4 of 5 messages. This message addresses the challenge of doubt and how it can contribute to faith.

I have questioned many things about our faith and the things of God. I am a skeptic. I admit it. Whenever I hear about someone who is suffering from cancer miraculously discovering his or her cancer is gone, I wonder if it can be true. I doubt. I read reports about God mysteriously working in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Whoever Takes The Son Receives Everything

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 17, 2017

The one who takes the Son has everything. The one who has the son has it all. But exactly what is included in the “All”? Revised November 2020

The story is told ... Years ago, ... there was a very wealthy man who, ... with his devoted young son, ... shared a passion ... for collecting fine art. Together ... they traveled around the world, ... adding only the finest art treasures ... to their collection. Priceless works ... by Picasso, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:11-12, Colossians 1:15-16, Galatians 5:22-24, Matthew 25:21, 1 John 2:9, 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, 1 Corinthians 13:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Why God Steps Back?

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Mar 20, 2026

A drowning person doesn’t politely ask for help—he cries out with everything in him. That is the kind of seeking God responds to. God does not ignore sin. He allows people to feel the weight of their wrong choices. Sometimes misery becomes the doorway to salvation.

Text: Hosea 5:15 “Then I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face—in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” In certain circumstances, God forsakes or turns away as a righteous, direct response to human sin. When man violates the relationship with ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 5:15, Psalm 69:17, Psalm 143:7, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 1:42, Psalm 38:3, Psalm 40:12, Luke 22:62-64, Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 27:46, Revelation 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Mary's Visit To Elizabeth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

God asked Mary to take on an amazing challenge and he provided Elizabeth to be her encourager.

In the old days, theaters only had one screen. So on the marquee out front there would be the name of the one movie they were showing and they would be able to add the name of one or two of the main actors in the movies, the stars. So far we have looked at the two main actors in the story of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-46

How Paul Demonstrated Wisdom Before His Accusers

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Paul teaches us how to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and truthful speech in the face of stiff criticism

How Paul Demonstrated Wisdom Before His Accusers (Acts 23:1-5) Illustration:Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember The Word Of The Apostles: Beware PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 22, 2024

This sermon emphasizes the importance of discernment, biblical understanding, and submission to God's will in the face of false teachings and self-direction.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters. It is always a joy to gather together in the Lord's house, to lift our voices in praise, to bow our heads in prayer, and to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of His Word. Today, we stand on the precipice of a powerful message, a message that will ...read more

Topics: False Prophets

"i May Be Persecuted, But I Am Not Forsaken."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 22, 2022

"When Christians face discouragement and faint as a result of opposition and persecution, it's an opportunity for us to show what God can do. Even when we are weak, God is powerful enough to handle any situation and use us as an example of his strength and might."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) ( 8) "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;" (9) " Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" (10) ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10, Psalm 118:6, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:38, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Romans 8:35-37, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Matthew 5:10-11, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Even though He will have face-to-face confrontations with the Pharisees from time to time after this, where we are now is a critical juncture in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, especially as it pertains to His relationship with the spiritual leader

Jesus And The Forbidding Pharisees – Part 5 Matthew 12:22-45 Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign Matthew 12:38-45 As we draw near the end of our study in Matthew 12, I thought it might be a good time for an overview. When we move into Matthew 13, the entire timber of Jesus’ teaching changes as He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Job – A Hurting Hero”

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Aug 20, 2001

The question isn’t WILL I face hurts? But, HOW will I face my hurts? We can learn from the life of Job how to endure the hurts that we experience in this life.

Intro: In 1988 The L.A. Dodgers were playing the first game of the World Series against the Oakland A’s. One of the Dodgers best players was Kirk Gibson, but in winning the pennant, Gibson played so intensely that he injured both legs. As the dodgers walked out for the opening game of the World ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"And He That Was Dead Sat Up...:

Contributed by Winson Butler on Apr 20, 2004

When faced with the difficulties of life, how do you respond. When Jesus was faced with death itself we find Him providing a message of hope and help in our most difficult hour!

"And He That Was Dead Sat Up..." St. Luke 7:14-15a Introduction I. At a recent funeral of a very wealthy man, a news reporter reporting on the event ask one of the attenders, "How much did he actually leave behind?" His answer, "All of it!" That’s a truth we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Surrender Or Die

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Aug 2, 2006

Facing the consequences of sin. Hunkering down behind denial and other defensive walls only delays and compounds the consequences. Surrendering and facing the music (through Realization, Repentance, Restitution) is the path to peace and life.

I. SURRENDER OR DIE A. That’s The Unpopular Message Jeremiah Gave To Jerusalem 1. Idolatrous & disobedient nation 2. Consequences to be faced a. Jerusalem surrounded by enemy Babylonians b. King of Babylon = referred to as “My Servant” - 3 times (see Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6; 43:10) 3. Life = ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 21:8-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Truth-Telling

Contributed by David Flowers on Feb 19, 2008

In this stand-alone message to end 2007, Dave makes the point that we never find God until we face the truth, and we only find God to the degree that we face the truth.

Truth-Telling Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers December 30, 2007 What is truth?  Dallas Willard is one of my favorite thinkers and writers, and I like how he defines truth.  He says truth is what you run into when you make a foolish decision.  Think about that.  Some people, as soon as ...read more

Scripture: John 3:19-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Joy Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 11, 2022

Psalm 51 is the great Psalm of forgiveness and mercy. There is in this Psalm the tragic reality of sin and the realization of how sin separates us from God. This is the Psalm that David comes face to face with his sin.

The Joy of Forgiveness Psalm 51 The spark that started the fire of the first great awakening was a sermon delivered by Jonathan Edwards called, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” When the Jonathan Edwards preached this sermon, you could almost not call it preaching. He read a manuscript ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist