Sermons on Overcoming Challenges:

Nicodemus: The Scandal Of Grace

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 12, 2017

The scandal of grace forces Nick to look for abundant life outside himself rather than within. Jesus challenges him to think outside the box; to allow God to regenerate him by his power.

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what belief, if any, was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Other

This Is Us - Pt. 1 - Blessed 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. 1 - Blessed I. Introduction Shakespeare in Hamlet said it like this, "This above all: to thine own self be true. The author of the Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, says something similar . . . “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” The secular world understands ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

This Is Us - Pt. 3 - Grown Ups 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. 3 - Grown Ups 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 struggle and flounder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is Us - Pt. 4 Extras 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. 4 - Extras 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. Do you know who you are? If you do not, then it isn't Jesus' fault because He climbs a mountain, sits down ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Something Beautiful For Jesus

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Mar 25, 2017

This message looks at the actions of Mary as she breaks open the bottle of perfume and anoints Jesus during Holy Week. It challenges us to ask the question what can we do for Jesus that is beautiful?

She hesitates in the doorway separating the two rooms. Through the opening she sees her sister Martha hard at work helping Simon’s wife prepare the evening meal in the kitchen. She listens to the laughter and conversation as it drifts through the house. She hears Simon make a joke at Peter’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remembering Covenant Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Aug 21, 2016

It's one thing to make a membership covenant as a church and another to actually walk in covenant with one another. This is a message to remind the church about covenant and challenge them to walk faithfully with one another.

Learning to Live in Covenant Relationships REMEMBERING COVENANT Do two calk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3 What is Covenant? Covenant is an agreement to an unbreakable lifetime relationship. What are the elements or key parts of a covenant? Covenant is based in ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Last Shall Be First Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 9, 2018

The world teaches that those who finish first are always declared the winner. Much emphasis is placed on our perceived position and status in life. Jesus challenged this teaching, declaring the Last shall be First.

The Last shall be First Matthew 20:16 Much of life is guided by perceived standards and expectations. We are quite familiar with these standards, being exposed to them as long as we can remember. In order to be accepted and successful, one is taught to believe they must abide by these long held ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Anger Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on May 1, 2017

This message on anger is a continuation of the topical discussions Jesus was having with the disciples during the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was instructing them on how to handle anger. He knew that they would be faced with this challenge moving forward.

ANGER Lakewood | Speaker: Pastor Jonathan | 4-30-2017 Matthew 5:21-22 Introduction: ¥ Jesus continues with His discipleship trying by talking with the disciples about anger. Jesus knew that as Christians we would face injustice. He encourages us to handle it correctly. ¥ More than anything I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, Ephesians 4:26-27, Proverbs 19:11, Psalm 37:8, Psalm 37:3-9, Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:31-32, Ephesians 5:2, 1 John 4:12, Galatians 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

"Get Out Of That Pit!" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Mar 14, 2016

This is a message on the life of Joseph and how we can learn to accept the challenges we face and how God protects us and moves us out of the terrible places we sometimes fall into.

FACING YOUR GIANTS “Get out of that Pit!” Genesis 37-50 There is a country song was played on the radio some time ago by a band named Ricochet. The song tells the story of a man who was sitting in church when he noticed a young woman he had grown up with—and she was looking at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praying With Authority Pt. 5 Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Nov 15, 2011

For some of us who have been taught take it to God in prayer one time and leave it alone are going to be deeply challenged or troubled today. EASY DOESN’T DO IT IN PRAYER!

Praying With Authority (Pt. 5) October 30, 2011 FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A The African cheetah must run down its prey if it gonna eat and it can run at speeds of 70 miles per hour, but only for a brief amount of time. 1 The cheetah tires very quickly because it has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

“scandalous Love” Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

3rd in series challenging people to make Christmas more about what Jesus wants and less about what we want. Some thoughts are drawn from Mike Slaughter's book

AM sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 15, 2013 A Different Kind of Christmas sermon series “Scandalous Love” A couple of nights back Lori and I went to watch Lanee in her school’s Christmas program. Lori commented on the way how the last time we had gone ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Fast Do Not Exploit! Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Vivek Gundimi on Mar 14, 2019

Indeed it has become quite a challenge to practice the discipline of fasting from food in a society today which is dominated by changing work environments, time structures, consumerism and many health concerns at large.

When you Fast do not exploit A very challenging theme this morning: “When you fast do not exploit”. Indeed it has become quite a challenge to practice the discipline of fasting from food in a society today which is dominated by changing work environments, time structures, consumerism and many ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17, 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Destroying The Wall Of Hostility Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 10, 2020

Peter shared the works of God in saving the Gentiles in Cornelius' house. This is the will of God. It brings challenges the church will have to grapple with, but the truth is, God will make the Jews and Gentiles one in Christ.

Good morning. Glad to be able to meet up again and remember our Lord together as a Body of Christ. We celebrate God’s goodness and lovingkindness despite the challenges. • Let us praise God with Psalm 47 before we look into Acts 11. 1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18, Galatians 2:11-14, Ephesians 2:14-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Faith Looks Like Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 11, 2021

This is a reality check. When you're surprised by the challenges of the Christian life and even tempted to quit, consider how the people who are part of Faith's Hall of Fame lived.

This past week we all heard about another horrific tragedy on the border. Three people died and 25 were injured as smugglers attempted to bring dozens of illegal immigrants into the U.S. via boat along the California Coast. The 40-foot boat broke up on a reef just west of Point Loma off the San ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16, Romans 1:18-20, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Bible Church