Sermons on Enduring Opposition:

Perseverance In A Dry Place

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Apr 29, 2010

This sermon looks at how God honours our prayers and dedication even when we are spiritually dry. When we do not 'feel' like serving him but serve him anyway. It encourages perseverance, stretching out, prayer and faith that God can do 'big things'.

Perseverance in a dry place John Ortberg from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church recalls A man I'll call Paul (because that's actually his name) told me he recently started going to church. In his mid-seventies, with no faith background, he woke up one morning with a sudden urge to hear the pope, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About Trials Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on May 2, 2010

Trials are designed to mature us. Growing old is not synonomous with growing up

Truth about Trials James 1:2-4 * (Show clip from Forrest Gump – Life is like a box of chocolates) – Did you hear that last line? “You never know what you are going to get.” My comment is that while there is ‘some’ truth in the previous statement, I believe ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

Work It Out Series

Contributed by Mark Jones on Sep 25, 2011

EOLS: Salvation is by Grace, but God gives us the opportunity to work out our personal maturation.

Working it Out Philippians 2:12-13 (12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Marching On! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 10, 2011

Serving the Lord as individuals and as a collective church has its challenges, stresses, and frustrations, but God calls us to march on.

Marching On! 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 • All religious groups have conflicts; when people have to work closely together, personality and experiences lead us in different direcions. Modnern Jews have them, too. They often rely on tradition to settle matters. This joke makes the point: During a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church’s Context Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 23, 2010

When times are tough, pray in faith, because you are fogiven. Persevere with hope, because God is faithful. And provoke one another to love, because Jesus is coming. These core values of faith, hope, and love will keep the church on track.

Not too long ago, a real estate listing in Dallas had the simple headline: “Converted Church.” In other words, what had once been a church facility is now somebody’s house. The listing under the heading had this description: “The altar has been adapted for use as a granite and stainless steel ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Preparing To Run Series

Contributed by Robert Harmon on Jan 12, 2011

A person don't just decide the day before a Marathon to run! They have to train, keep their focus, and not look back. The Christian has to have the same desire to train and RUN!

Introduction Define Marathon: An endurance race that pushes a runner to their limits. READ I CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 I. Ready to Train (v.24-25) A. Some Christians view the Church as a spectator sport! We get comfortable and watch the show. B. Others believe God will train ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – Swimming At The Shallow End Of The Pool? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

No matter how hardhitting and inspiring and deep the message is on Sunday, many stay at the shallow end and won’t continue with the faith that they profess.

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – SWIMMING AT THE SHALLOW END OF THE POOL? He stays at the shallow end of the pool for a long time, refusing invitations to come out into the deeper water, even with his dad. But after a long time considering it, my grandson Zion Brave Bennett thrusts himself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What We Learned From A Ping-Pong Marathon Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 15, 2011

Paul says to dwell on those things that are excellent and worthy of praise. These encouraging words will help us all through any circumstance, any trial or any hardship, as we remember that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”

How soon we forget, or how soon we don’t forget. I have cherished memories from long ago that I will never, ever forget. Way back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Keep Running

Contributed by Daniel Cabrera on Mar 24, 2011

A Practical message on how to keep running this race-we call christianity

KEEP RUNNING ………. Text. Gal 5: 7 You were (past tense) running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Intro: How do we keep running for Jesus? Keep in mind we are not in a 50yrd dash or a sprint.. in it for the long haul I’ve seen many ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7

Denomination: Christian Church

"Steadfastness": Our Pursuit For Our Growth Part 5 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 7, 2010

Let us conquer life’s challenges through the right commitments, adding steadfastness to self-control.

Have you ever expressed your belief in a loving way but to your dismay your friends still accused you of being biased or opinionated? Or, you made a stand about an issue in your company and yet you end up being ridiculed for what you stood for even if your stance was actually right? Or, you tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Patience Is Developed Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 10, 2010

We are not to expect to have life easy & comfortable. Our great expectation is the blessed hope of Jesus' return. That event brings our eternal rewards. We must patiently endure hardships & heartaches until Jesus returns.

JAMES 5:7-12 HOW PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED [Matthew 5:10–12 / 1 Peter 4:12-13] From addressing abusive rich non-believers James turns again to restless suffering saints. Learn endurance was his counsel at the beginning of his letter (1:1-5). Be patient and endure is his continued counsel as his ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12, James 5:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Job Loses His Livestock – His Children And His Health ! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 2, 2010

James' exhortation for New Testatment Christians to be patient makes it worthwhile to develop a second lesson on the patience of Job.

INTRODUCTION #30 1. Open your bible to James 5:11. 2. In a previous lesson we discussed James’ exhortation for us to be patient and for us to imitate the example of Job’s patience. 3. In the previous lesson, from Job 1:1-12, we discussed the sterling character of Job and how that God ...read more

Scripture: James 5:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Can’t Curse Your Crisis Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 3, 2010

A sermon on persevering through crises and trials.

INTRO ƒ{ Paul is the ultimate survivor ƒ{ He has been through everything o Stoned o Beaten o Locked up o Lied at, to, on o Shipwrecked o Bitten by snake o Even his conversation was a bit on the rough side ƒ{ Yet I never saw him complain or curse his crisis ƒ{ Instead he has learned to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:27-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bildad’s Answer - Get Back In Line Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jul 28, 2011

Bildad believes that the way to respond to difficulties is to recognise that we have stepped out of line and that God is getting us as a result. Bildad’s answer is that we get back in line. What does the Scripture say?

You can listen to the full message here:- http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/faith-when-i-suffer/ Message Job 3:1-25:6 “The Answer of Bildad:- Get Back In Line” When it comes to crowd control and keeping people in line there are many different theories on how to achieve ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Undeniable Mark Of A Champion

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 9, 2010

What separates mediocre performance from championship performance? Where do we get our endurance? The secret is in the Power Source!!!

The Undeniable Mark of a Champion 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 1Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Denomination: Baptist