Sermons on Overcoming Challenges:

Strength In Weakness

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 6, 2010

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He sees the potential in people who trust Him. He is counting on you to do His work. His plan will surely succeed, no matter how big the challenge is.

We have just read about the suffering of the people of Israel at one time in their history. • They were badly oppressed by the enemies around them. They were suffering because they have deserted God and worshipped idols. • The people fled to the mountains and were hiding in caves and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Cast Your Net Into Deeper Water

Contributed by Monte Robinson on Jul 20, 2003

Challenge your congregation to see God work in their lives by persevering, because when God does work in our lives, it empowers us to walk away from this life and follow the Son.

Let’s read Luke 5: 1-11 Pray Ill. Jake and the rain. I. Background A. This is the description of the first disciples being chosen by Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret—Christians commonly refer to this lake as the Sea of Galilee. B. Some believe that this may have been a first encounter of Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Milk And Honey..." By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Sep 15, 2004

Crisis are a challenge from God to exercise confidence in Him. As the Children of Israel wondered in the wilderness we too will face our trials, hopefully not in the same manneror response, Let’s see!

Introduction Israel’s wilderness wonderings is an account from which much can be learned about God’s loving kindness and care for His children. It is also a lesson in what not to do when trouble or crisis come our way. The children provoked God to anger with their lack of faith and trust. Today ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Market Watch: Value Of A Soul Plunges

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 27, 2002

What is the value of your soul? What is the worth of your eternal destiny? Challenge to answer the clarion call, the ultimate question of materialism, "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

*On the market, what is a fair exchange for your eternal soul? — one month, lifetime, night, moment of sinful pleasure The absurdity and audacity of the Lord to ask such a question. Who would do such a moronic thing as to exchange his soul? Yet the universality of its application is clear. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Church Of God

Follies Of A Fool Series

Contributed by Tom Evans on Apr 1, 2002

THE RICH FOOL FAILED TO: RECOGNIZE GOD’S BLESSINGS, LIVE A LIFE OF GENEROSITY AND FOCUS HIS RESOURCES TOWARD HEAVEN. Jesus challenges us to avoid his foolish ways.

FOLLIES OF A FOOL HE DIDN’T EVEN HEAR THE WORDS JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO THE LARGE GATHERING, “I TELL YOU, WHOEVER ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE MEN, THE SON OF MAN WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM BEFORE THE ANGELS OF GOD…” NO, HE HAD COME FOR ANOTHER REASON. CERTAINLY JESUS WOULD HELP HIM. HE PRESSED TOWARD ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Deuteronomy 8:17

Denomination: Adventist

Seek Ye First At Thanksgiving

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Where do your priorities lie? Originally written as a Thanksgiving sermon, most of this sermon would be appropriate to challenge people to examine their priorities (e.g. beginning of the year, Lent, etc).

<P>Thanksgiving Eve Service - November 22, 2000 A Money magazine article several years ago told of the life of a woman who saved 80% of everything she earned, investing it all in the stock market and turned it into a $22 million fortune within 50 years. It sounds like an incredible success story, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

A Vow To Keep - Part One

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Dec 28, 2002

The challenge of a New Year, a New Day and a New You all begin with your commitment to make a vow to meet God daily in His word and build your spiritual intimacy with Christ.

A VOW TO KEEP – PART ONE A NEW YEAR, A NEW DAY, A NEW YOU JOSHUA 1:1-8 ©LARRY L. THOMPSON (2002) “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: [2] "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Honouring Fathers

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Jun 16, 2002

A Father’s Day sermon to challenge men to be the servant leaders, the prophets, priests and kings in the homes. To be men of integrity, rising boldly in their anointing and God given role in the homes, church and workplace.

Introduction: Today is Father’s Day and a special time to pause and honour our fathers: these very special people in our lives and families. I want to use this opportunity to challenge men to be the servant leaders, the prophets, priests and kings in the homes. To be men of integrity, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Charismatic

How Fellowship Helps Me Grow

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Nov 13, 2001

There were troubled times for the church and how they overcame the challenges of life with the life-changing connection with God and with other believers and the call to be devoted passionate followers of Christ and its power for us today.

Acts 2:41-47 How Fellowship Helps me Grow Here are some signs of the times, reported in the star.com though whether they’re permanent remains to be seen. Friends are important: The television show Friends, despite lower than average ratings this time last year, has unexpectedly become TV’s most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Following Jesus To The Cross #2 - Drawing A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Nov 21, 2001

This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.

INTRODUCTION There are many images that come to mind when we think of Easter. -- Easter Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, etc -- Easter Holidays - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. -- Easter Symbols -- Cross, Communion There is a Challenge We Face... -- Each time we experience ...read more

Denomination: *other

Money Matters Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on May 10, 2005

The second in a series walking through the book of James. This message explores the challenges which people have faced in finding their identity in financial status since the days of Christ, right up to today.

We are diving into our second week of study in the book of James. Let’s quickly recap what we learned about the book of James last week. Don’t be shy. If you know the answer, call it out. James is located in the Old or New Testament? (New) Anyone remember what number book James is out of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Spot The Servant Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Jun 3, 2005

How do we spot someone who is a true servant of God? Is it immediately obvious? Can it be spotted from what they do...? (indirectly this is a subtle challenge to be the right kind of servants of God)

"Spot the servant". 2 Cor 6:1-13. WBC 5 May 2005 am Thought you’d like this! "I’m going away for a while. Please could you water my pot plants for me when I’m gone. Once a day should be fine. (PPT after reading out to reveal "please water my plants while away.jpg" in My pictures\illustrations ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Rules Or Reality Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 14, 2005

It’s much easier for us to follow rules than to allow the character of God to rule our behavior. Jesus challenges us to let go of law and let the Spirit guide.

For an audio version of this and other Bible studies: Go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com. When it comes to some things in life we like rules and laws – like the law of gravity: “In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-37

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Discover God's Plan For Your Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 7, 2006

It is challenging for the Christian to see God’s hand in the everyday events of life and to discern God’s will, but there are steps that we can take to help us understand God’s will.

Psalm 139:1-16 “Discover God’s Plan for Your Life” INTRODUCTION Discovering God in the middle of life’s trials, or perilous times, is difficult. These are often times when God appears to be distant, inattentive and silent. Though our senses are wrong and none of these adjectives accurately ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-19

Denomination: Lutheran