Sermons on Overcoming Challenges:

Walk The Talk Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 4, 2011

Paul challenged the believers in Philippi to WALK the TALK, and live their faith out loud in a world where they would suffer because of that faith. We are called to WALK the TALK and live our faith out loud...

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 30, 2011 Date Preached: July 31, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: Walking the Talk – Living the Life Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4 [ESV] Introduction: “Christians are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Missed Christmas

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 27, 2014

Even many Christians will miss the real reason for the season. And we might be the cause for the world not to know Jesus. Will you take up the challenge to tell others about the birth of Christ in your very lives?

Opening illustration: Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Hearts Come Together

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 12, 2014

We have real challenges in life that we think we can control. The truth is that we are dependent on God. When our hearts come together with his we find the sanctuary we need.

1. When Hearts Come Together In November 2004, two North Carolina buddies, Dale Beatty and John Gallina, were wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq. John received severe head and back injuries. Dale lost both legs below the knee. Neither man let their injuries stop them. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On Mission With Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 15, 2010

After Pentecost 120 men & women changed their world. The power is still here, & the challenge & authority are still with us. For the same power & authority that sent Jesus, is desiring to send us to change our world.

JOHN 20: 19-23 ON MISSION WITH CHRIST [John 17:13-23] The Day of the Resurrection had been full of strange rumors and growing excitement. The news that Jesus was alive began to spread among His followers, hesitantly at first, and then with enthusiasm. Even the Apostles were not convinced by ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Faith In A Famine

Contributed by Douglas Mcdaris on Oct 9, 2010

Examine the faith of the widow woman that took care of Elijah. 1. Pressing Circumstances. 2. Personal Crisis. and 3. Prophetic Challenge. God tries our faith that we might try His faithfulness.

Faith In A Famine 1 Kings 17:1-24 Introduction: A Lack of Leadership. Ahab Rejected The Servant of God. Ahab Rejected The Sayings of God. Ahab Rejected The Strength of God. 1. Pressing Circumstances. A. Drinking at the Brook. B. Dryness at the Brook. 2. Personal Crisis. A. Starving in a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

God's Nobodies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2011

We as the church, facing today's challenges, think of ourselves as nobodies. But we are God's kind of nobodies, those in whom He has been at work to make changes, and we are needed by the world around us.

(Originally preached at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, Aug. 12, 1973; subsequently, with variations, at Woodbrook Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD, Aug. 19, 1973; Viers Mill Baptist Church, Rockville, MD, Sept. 9, 1973; Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, Oct. 14, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

When What God Asks Seems To Be Too Much Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 22, 2024

This passage challenges the self-centered "gospel of self-fulfillment" that is too often proclaimed today. What does it mean that God wants us to focus on the "gospel of kingdom fulfillment"?

A HARSH STORY: God gives Ezekiel a task that overwhelms him. - Ezekiel 3:14-15. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18. - This is a tough story and it’s going to lead us in this sermon to some difficult points. - We’ve been talking for the first two sermons in this series about the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Unleashing Joy: A Way Of Life.

Contributed by James Chandler on Jun 9, 2019

Joy is something to be lived out in the life of a Christian. This message challenges Christians to develop the character in their life that will produce the spiritual fruit of joy, using the very familiar, yet simple, recipe of Jesus, Others, Yourself.

My family was recently visiting Disney, a place where dreams come true and joy is found. It was interesting watching other families share our experience. It was hot, crowded, long lines, expensive food. I realized you can be in a place where everything is supposed to be magical and yet be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is It Naïve To Be Hopeful Amid All The Despair? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 7, 2020

The book of Amos contains some challenging and painful truths. Now, as the book ends, there is a word of hope. It speaks to us in our worry: is it naive for us to be hopeful amid all this world's despair?

- Set up a collapsed tent on state where the pulpit normally is. This is the image for the sermon. LIVING IN FRAUGHT TIME: Right now there is much to worry over. - Amos 9:11 – “David’s fallen tent.” - Think of all the references in the Old Testament to the “house of David.” With that in ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Minors' Lessons That Have Major Impact Iii: Repentance - Learned From Zechariah Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 16, 2019

Christians need a revival of repentance in a day when arrogance flies in the face of Almighty God. Zechariah challenges us to remember God's warnings, repent, receive God's blessings.

MINORS’ LESSONS THAT HAVE MAJOR IMPACT III: REPENTANCE – Learned from Zechariah Today we continue our study of lessons learned from the Minor Prophets. Question: What’s the good word from Zechariah? The good word from Zephaniah was Humility . . . The good word from ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6, Zechariah 2:7-13

Persecution--Coming To A Church Near You? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 14, 2021

We have two challenges: to make faith in Our Lord known and to so act that Americans turn back to Christ and the Church and repent and are healed. And at the foundation of that effort, we must pray, pray, pray.

Feast of St Agnes 2021 Saint Agnes was martyred in the persecution of Diocletian, right about the year of our Lord 303. Now we in the United States tend to think in terms of four to eight years, the length of a presidential administration. But just imagine what life was like in the last half of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-12, Hebrews 7:25-28, Hebrews 8:1-6, Psalm 40:7-17

Denomination: Catholic

The Show Me State Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 14, 2017

To "Get Real!" and be genuine in our world, we must live in the state (condition) of showing our faith, not hiding it. We are challenged to see the unseen; live with certainty, and put our faith into practice.

1. [Joy Villa made a fashion statement at the 2017 Grammy Awards. She made an appearance, first with her outfit covered in a white outer garment; then revealed her red, white, and blue dress with the words, “Make America Great Again” and “Trump” embroidered on it. a. Where do you think she is ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter 2017

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 18, 2017

We have sung and heard the good news, the good news that Jesus is ALIVE. Most have heard this many times. The challenge is, do we do anything with it now that is it so familiar to us?

Easter 2017 Matthew 28:1-10 Introduction - HAPPY EASTER! (Tomb background with words) - I want to share some final thoughts along the topic of Evangelism -- Easter is a tremendous time to share what you know, don’t be afraid to do it! - Read Matthew 28:1-10 / Pray - If you are a Christian … ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 23, 2022

The rebuilding of the temple is underway because God moves to begin the work. You will find that some of the challenges you face are like what God’s people face in building the second temple. The Lord is in this rebuilding.

Ezra is the story of a great revival. God takes a defeated and exiled people and moves dramatically to send them back to Jerusalem. They rebuild their demolished city. They rebuild the destroyed temple of God. At the end of all this rebuilding they experience revival of true religion. Go back for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

More Like Jesus, Less Like Me

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Jul 14, 2025

A challenge to let go of the "me-first" mindset and learn to embrace humility, compassion, and servanthood—basically this sermon compels us to look at the hallmarks of the life Jesus led... and to follow His example

Philippians 2:3-5 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Imagine a world ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational