Sermons on Enduring Opposition:

Castaway Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 8, 2018

The castaway theme, from Robinson Crusoe up to Tom Hanks in Cast Away, is an of enduring theme in our culture. Acts 28:1-10 is a real-life castaway story, except instead of pirates and treasure maps, it involves superstitious natives and venomous snakes.

Castaway Acts Series Chuck Sligh July 8, 2018 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 28. INTRODUCTION Illus. – Stories of island castaways are a recurring theme for novels and movies. The idea ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

False Love Series

Contributed by Michael Thomas on Feb 13, 2004

There is a lot of talk about true love. But what is true love? So much of what passes for true love is really the opposite. In Ephesians 5:3-7 we learn that there is such a thing as false love and that the consequences are serious for those who are fooled

Introduction I want to begin our time together today by telling you the true story of a duke who lived during the fourteenth century named Raynald III. Raynald III lived a life of indulgence and was obese. His Latin nickname was Crassus, which means, “fat.” One day Raynald and his younger brother, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Steadfastness

Contributed by Don Baggett on Sep 26, 2008

You are going to face opposition when you set out to be dedicated and devoted to God, when you determine to rebuild broken walls of spiritual significance in your life. The devil is on the job, and his primary goal is to render your life ineffective for

This chapter begins with the names of a couple of fellows who did not want to see the walls rebuilt around Jerusalem. It may very well be that they weren’t all that concerned about walls, but that they were representative of a larger group who simply had no regard for the Jews and didn’t want them ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Firstfruits

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 1, 2007

In our text Paul calls the resurrection a "firstfruits" event. What does he mean? Consider these two opposite (but connected) realities, the fallenness of man and the firstfruits of God; the first is our condition – the second, God’s response to our nee

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Denomination: United Methodist

Are We Suffering From An Identity Crisis In The Church?

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

So Jesus, in the midst of growing opposition and surrounded by crowds of people who liked him but did not understand him asked two questions to his disciples in order to get them to understand fully who he is, and who they are in Him, so that they will no

Are we Suffering from an Identity Crisis in the Church? Am Service March 1st 2009 Matthew 16:13-20 Introduction Are you unsure of your role in life? Do you feel like you don’t know the real you? If you answer yes to these questions, you may be experiencing what is known as an identity crisis. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Take Pleasure In Pleasing God

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Mar 15, 2009

Seeking personal pleasure is seen as the highest priority of modern culture. In our passage today Paul affirms the opposite to be true: humanity’s chief goal ought to be to take pleasure in pleasing God. The question we are going to address today is ho

TITLE : TAKE PLEASURE IN PLEASING GOD TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Background to the Letter: Chapters 1-3 o The oldest letter in the NT (50 AD) o Written to a Church Paul established himself o The Church was heavily persecuted and many were martyred. First by the Jews and then the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Orthodox

Construction Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 22, 2009

Anytime the people of God say let us rise up and build the devil and his forces rise up in opposition. Rebuilding Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Walls, and the coming reunification of Israel. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Construction Ezra / Nehemiah http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Construction.html Last time we looked at the Captivity of Israel. Now the 70 years are up and they are returning home...in 3 stages: · Under Zerubbabel – 536 BC · Under Ezra – 455 BC · Under Nehemiah – 445 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sheep Among Wolves

Contributed by David Mcnally on Jun 26, 2011

Jesus did not call us to an easy, comfortable life, but one of challenge and opposition, and possibly even suffering and death. He gives us forgiveness of sin and eternal life, but requires us to take up our cross as we follow him.

Jesus would have fallen foul of the Health and Safety laws if he had been around today, and I imagine it would have been hard for him to advertise on TV. Just imagine someone saying today: ‘Come and follow me, and the chances are you will be spat upon, thumped, sworn at, and maybe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gluttony Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 8, 2011

There are two variations of gluttony: there is the ordinary sin of gluttony which the Catholics call a venial sin meaning it’s forgivable and not going to derail our walk with God. Yet we still need to confess, repent and then move in the opposite directi

Gluttony Luke 12:22-24, John 6:35 Chef Chris Cosentino, Food Network star and executive chef at Incanto restaurant in San Francisco, has created the Gluttony Pants for those of us who occasionally indulge and engorge without the post-meal awkwardness. The pants have three buttons, allowing you to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-24

Denomination: Methodist

The Holy Spirit - Part 9 Of 9 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 6, 2017

This final part of the 9-part series examines various ways we can set ourselves in opposition to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit's role as intercessor, and the vitally important question, "How can I know that I have the Holy Spirit in me?"

This nine-part series was originally developed for a class environment, and later adapted for use in a prison ministry conducted via correspondence. Because of that background, questions were developed for each lesson for participants to use in a setting conducive to discussion, or as handouts for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11, Galatians 6:7, Acts 7:51, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:29, Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 7:24-25, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:2-11, John 7:36-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing The Possibilities

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 1, 2017

Paul faced much opposition in ministry. He was forced to change his plans on numerous occasions, and yet he chose to see the possibilities instead of the obstacles. We too will face difficulty, but we must maintain our perspective, seeing possibilities.

Seeing the Possibilities 2 Corinthians 2: 12-17 As you read and study Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church, you discover his ministry there was difficult at best. The church was situated in a city that was morally corrupt, and its influence was showing up in negative ways within the church. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Awesome Power Of Good

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jul 21, 2015

When we allow the Holy Spirit in our lives, nothing can stop us. We have a power that can overcome everything the devil throws in our way-even the opposition of our earthly family. That power is the awesome power of God!

Have you ever done something that made other people wonder if you have lost your mind? If so, you can probably understand what is going on in Mark 3:20-35. This takes place early in Jesus’ ministry when word of hid teachings and miracles is starting to spread. Jesus’ earthly family and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-25

Denomination: Anglican

The Pain And Pleasure Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 12, 2012

A person in ministry experiences both, pain and pleasure. From 2 Timothy 4 we can see that Pastor Paul experienced: Pain from Opposition, Pain from Disappointment, Pain from Abandonment and Pleasure of Partnership, The Pleasure of Restoration and The Plea

We had a recital yesterday from our music school. I was looking around at our community, enjoying Sam’s performance. For those of you who do not know him, Sam is a student of the Bangalore Conservatory. He has autism, somewhat rare condition, in which his brain does not function like everyone ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: *other

Exercising A Dynamic Faith Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 4, 2012

We have observed dead faith and demonic faith, both of which are useless to us. This lesson focuses in on dynamic faith which is essential. The lesson holds up Abraham and Rahab, two people at opposite ends of the spectrum as examples of proper faith.

1. Some apparent dilemmas: • “Look before you leap” vs. “He who hesitates is lost.” • Proverbs 26.4-5: 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Godly Life In Ungodly Times Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 1, 2012

As our culture and society moves in a direction that does not follow godly principles as communicated to us through the Word of God, how are believers in Jesus Christ to go about living a godly life? As opposition grows to a godly way of living, we have

A Godly Life in Ungodly times A godly life should expect opposition A godly life should expect hard choices Living a godly Life in ungodly times requires that we know Who we believe in Living a godly life brings blessing and peace Slide Intro Good morning. It is hard to believe that the year is ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational