Sermons on Enduring Opposition:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jars Of Clay Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 18, 2023

So don’t think you have to be perfect to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact think just the opposite. God uses broken vessels to be heralds of hope. It shows that it is God and not us who has all surpassing power.

We had a family picture. One distant family member who had not seen me for years said they did not realize I was so tall. We looked again at the picture and laughed. I was standing on some sort of small hill and the picture made me look way taller than I really was. Then my uncle swung into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon: Built For This.

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 24, 2024

But if we choose to run to God and rely on His strength to help us, we can not only defeat our opposition, because God has been making us better, stronger and wiser through the process of life. Believers are built for this.

Sermon: Built for This. Scripture Lesson: Numbers 13:26-33 “to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. This was their report to Moses: “We ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:26-33, Romans 10:17, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Methodist

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 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

Imprisonment Created Opportunities To Spread The Gospel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 2, 2018

The apostle faced opposition from those outside the church and misrepresentation from some within. But this did not dissuade or distract him from fulfilling God’s call. Through it all, Christ was being preached, which brought him great delight.

Date: 4/26/18 Lesson # 3 Title: Imprisonment Created Opportunities to Spread the Gospel Text: (Philippians 1:12-14) Scripture: (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV) 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters[a], that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Ministry Of Thorns

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 24, 2019

Often people feel like they are disqualified from ministry because they have some weakness or trouble. The very opposite may be true; their weakness may especially qualify them to be used as God best vessel. Our weakness becomes His strength.

THE MINISTRY OF THORNS 2 Cor. 12:7-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: UNTIED SHOE 1. Boudreaux saw Thibodaux on the wharf and noticed one of his shoelaces was untied. “Watch out you don’t trip up over your laces, Thibodaux.” 2. Thibodaux replied, “Yeah, it’s the crazy instructions on these shoes.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God