Sermons on Faith Challenges:

Faith-Based Initiative

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

Is God pleased with our work if we run out of money in the middle of it? Is God pleased with our ministry if it doesn't seem to be successful? How can we know if we are investing our time and talents in ways that God will approve of?

I don’t know if the tough decisions our leadership has been wrestling with have trickled all the way down through the congregation yet - though it would surprise me if you haven’t noticed that attendance at worship is down. Well, one of the challenges that goes along with a drop in attendance is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Samuel 23:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith Pleases God

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jan 20, 2020

A child of God has only one thing that will please his or her Father: faith.

Faith Pleases God Turn with me to Hebrews 11 and we’re going to begin with verse 6. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The first thing we see in this verse is that faith ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 8:17, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24, Amos 3:3, Genesis 6:9, James 5:15, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4, Romans 10:17, Matthew 9:27-30, Matthew 15:22-28, Galatians 5:6, Jeremiah 15:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Joy In Trials: A Faith That Transforms James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 4, 2024

James 1:2 offers a profound insight into how we should respond to trials and challenges in our lives. It’s a call to embrace a transformative faith that finds joy even amid adversity.

Finding Joy in Trials: A Faith that Transforms James 1:2-4 Introduction: Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of James, specifically James 1:2. This verse offers a profound insight into how we should respond to trials and challenges in our lives. It’s a call to embrace a transformative ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2, James 1:2-3, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Philippians 4:4, James 1:3-4, Romans 5:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformed By Truth: Walking By Faith, Not By Sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 25, 2024

We live in a world that tells us seeing is believing, where people rely on visible evidence to shape their decisions. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Apostle Paul challenges us to live differently.

Transformed by Truth: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 Introduction: A Life of Faith Over Sight We live in a world that tells us seeing is believing, where people rely on visible evidence to shape their decisions. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Apostle Paul challenges us to live ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, Psalm 96:6, John 8:12, Psalm 36:9, Psalm 118:24, Isaiah 41:10, 1 Peter 2:21, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

In Search Of Authentic Faith Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on May 12, 2007

How do you know if faith is real? Is it possible to have a faith that is fake? How do you know the difference? Where do works fit with faith? Are they extra, needed for salvation?

This weekend was a cool weekend in the life of our church. On Friday, the women’s ministry had a come n go dessert, and even though I wasn’t there, I heard it was a good time. Then on Saturday morning, we had a church and neighborhood clean-up. It was a great time to clean up our church, as well ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shielded By Faith 2 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Oct 28, 2006

13th in a series on spiritual warfare. Dealing with the armor -Shield of faith

Chico Alliance Church October 22, 2006 Pastor David Welch "Spiritually Aware, Alert, Armed and Aggressive" Pt 13 “Shielded by Faith” I.Be Aware II.Be Alert III.Be armed & aggressive A.Be fully empowered B.Be fully armed C. Stand firm – engage the enemy 1. Stand firm having girded ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Prayer, Faith And Worship Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jan 9, 2012

In the story of Zechariah we see how God moves in prayer and how even a faithful man can have an unfaithful response.

Luke 1:11-20, “Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do no be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Stewardship Series

Contributed by Eldon Reich on Sep 13, 2004

Challenge for people to make a committment to give.

STEWARDSHIP #5 CROSSING OVER Joshua 3:1-13 Today is our celebration Sunday. For 8 months we have been waiting for this Sunday to complete what our early forefathers started in 1886 It’s been an interesting journey as we have invited you to Be challenged to give sacrificially to something that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

How Jesus Contextualized The Truth Through Challenging People About Their V

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2001

HOW JESUS CONTEXTUALIZED THE TRUTH THROUGH CHALLENGING PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR VIEWS OF GOD, CHRIST, AND THEIR OWN HUMANITY - A Case Study in contextualization from Mark 12.

HOW JESUS CONTEXTUALIZED THE TRUTH THROUGH CHALLENGING PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR VIEWS OF GOD, CHRIST, AND THEIR OWN HUMANITY - A Case Study in contextualization from Mark 12. The goal of Jesus in every communication encounter was to challenge the people to their highest potential in the will of God. His ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

Lord, Let Me Imitate Isaac's Trust

Contributed by Charles Wall, Jr. on Jan 6, 2021

I am drawn to the trust & submission of Isaac to his father & the challenge it presents of whether I trust God to that same extent!

Last month was the Academy Awards – which, just so you know – I did not watch nor cared to watch. But each year at this ceremony they give out awards for all sort of things related to movies & movie making. I guess the top or most important or most anticipated awards are the “Best Actor,” ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Drop Forged Faith

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 28, 2003

God’s plan for dealing with times of distress.

Psalm 4:1-8 A Drop Forged Faith Woodlawn Baptist Church December 28, 2003 Introduction If you’ve paid much attention to your tools, you’ll notice a stamp on some of them that says they are drop forged. What’s the big deal with being drop forged? Did you ever wonder? When something has been drop ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Life's Lessons On Faith Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Dec 31, 2007

Peter’s walk on the water. Life’s lessons on faith teach us to trust a Lord Who has life under control.

A farmer had a neighbor that was just absolutely negative, no matter what. If it was raining, the farmer would say to his neighbor, "Boy, look at it rain, God’s sort of washing everything clean." The neighbor would say, "Yeah, but if it keeps up it’s gonna flood." Then the sun would come out and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith In Times Of Adversity

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

Has your faith ever wavered during times of severe adversity? This message is about how our response to adverse times can strengethen our relationship with Christ.

Faith In Times Of Adversity Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1; Proverbs 18:21; Genesis 45:3-8 Hebrews 11:1 from the Amplified Bible says, “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Proverbs 18:21, Genesis 45:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On Easter Morning A Simple Question, With A Glorious Answer, Challenged And Changed Everything

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 13, 2022

The women go to the tomb to find a dead Jesus, but they are given life and hope instead. We have the same hope and life in Christ alone.

4.17.22 Luke 24:1–12 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 3 When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran