Sermons on Hard Challenges:

The Hard Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 29, 2016

Every instance of our lives is part of a greater spiritual conflict. The first Christmas was no exception.

Open There is the beautiful side of Christmas. It’s found in Luke's gospel. Luke’s account of the first Christmas is a love story set to music. There are angels coming and going. They’re singing and lighting up the sky. There are shepherds coming to visit. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hard And Bitter Truths

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Jan 16, 2025

The church as an agent of moral and spiritual transformation is becoming lukewarm. Hard and bitter truths are no longer preached in many churches. The church must wake up and once again shake the world like the days of the Apostles.

TEXT: 2 Cor 7:8-10 (NLT) "I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-10, 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hard Things To Understand

Contributed by James May on Jun 2, 2024

There are many hard to understand words in the Bible, but all of it can be understood if we will allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us and open the eyes of our understanding, and then receive it as Truth.

Hard Things to Understand Many people in the world reject the truths of God’s word simply because they find it impossible to understand. Although there have been many translations and versions created in order to help us read the word, because even in the church you would find that multitudes of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Resting Is Hard Work PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual rest in God, its relevance in our lives, and our responsibility to embrace and live in this rest.

Good morning, cherished family of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to be still and know that He is God. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's so easy to lose sight of the peace and rest that our Father so generously offers us. We are often caught up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Topics: Rest, Self-Care

Break Up Your Fallow Ground PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2023

This sermon encourages self-examination of our hearts and commitment to God, using Hosea 10 as a mirror to reflect our spiritual state and need for reformation. Key

Good morning, beloved. It is indeed a joy to stand before you today. Together, we stand on the precipice of a new week, a new dawn, filled with promise and potential. This is a day that the Lord has made, and we are here to rejoice and be glad in it, to bask in the warm glow of His love, and to ...read more

Topics: Hard Heart

Prayer Life Challenge Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 11, 2003

When a church is struggling with false teaching, chaos, and wrath, what’s a leader to do? Get them on their knees together in prayer!

Prayer Life Challenges 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Prophet Challenges The System

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 20, 2002

This sermon addresses the issue of how prosperity does not always mean that God apporves of what is going on with those in positions of power.

A PROPHET CHALLENGES THE SYSTEM Text: Amos 7:7-17 One of the most intriguing sights in all the world is that of the leaning Tower Of Pisa in Tuscany, Italy. It was begun in 1174 and completed in 1350. It stands 179 feet high and leans some 16 and a half feet out of the perpendicular as of ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Surviving Financial Challenges Series

Contributed by Gene Barron on Jan 19, 2002

Paul’s advice on how to handle your money before it handles you. Four specific attitudes we are to exhibit.

“Surviving Financial Challenges: How to Handle Your Money Before It Handles You” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 INTRODUCTION Finances can be a great challenge for all of us. Or, perhaps I should say, MOST of us. One guy said: “I never worry about money. I have enough to last me the rest of my life – unless I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Year Challenge

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Oct 3, 2005

Challenging for commitment in the year ahead

A CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR “I do concentrate on this; I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal -my reward the honour of being called by God in Christ.” [Philippians 3:14 J B Philips] As we face another New Year, it is good to look ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Challenge To Holy Living

Contributed by W. Alderman on Oct 19, 2007

This is a Bible Study

A CHALLENGE TO HOLY LIVING Hebrews 13 "The world,” said Alexander Malaren, “takes its notion of God most of all from those who say they belong to God’s family. They read us a great deal more than they read the Bible. They see us; they only hear about Jesus Christ.” This statement is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Tongue Taming Challenges

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Sep 12, 2009

Ordinary Proper 19: We face an uphill battle as we consider the challenge of getting our tongue - our speech - under control. But that is precisely what St. James exhorts us to do!

Words matter - they matter a lot. In order to uncover the processes that destroy unions, marital researchers studied couples over the course of years, and even decades, and retraced the star-crossed steps of those who had split up back to their wedding day. What they discovered is unsettling. None ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The New Testament Challenge Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jan 12, 2009

The first sermon detailing how to be successful in completing the New Testament Challenge

This Sermon and Series based upon a series by Nelson Searcy and the Journey Church The New Testament Challenge Slide This is an exciting time at Hickory Creek God has done some amazing things last year and I am looking forward to some of the amazing things He is going to do this year. One thing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Short Challenge: Worship Series

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Jan 15, 2009

This message is a short challenge about how to truly worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Short Challenge: Worship Lk.10:27 - Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Heart: your emotions, appetites and desires. Love God with those. Soul: your image, personality, etc. Love God with those. Strength: your energy, resources, time, etc. Love God with those. Mind: your ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Five Fold Challenge

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 5, 2005

The spirit of God wants to challenge the hearts and walks of every believer to step up the pace.

WE HAVE A FIVE FOLD CHALLENGE BEFORE US By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I would like to give credit for the main points to Joe Girlder, Kentucky District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. I adapted this from a lesson he gave to the 71st Kentucky District ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Facing Up To A Challenge

Contributed by Eddie Sharpe Jr. on Dec 26, 2004

Facing up to the challenge that GOD puts before you,and running threw the challenge that satan ptus before you

Nehemiah 1:1-4 We shrink back and feel overwheimed.But this action packed book can help us. The first 6 chapters deal with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. And the final 7 chapters deal with rebuilding the lives of the people with in the walls. Both are vitally important.Both presented a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal