Sermons on Hostile Environments:

The Gospel Always Wins Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

Sometimes, in our zeal, we overthink--and overreact--to our worldly environments and how we should be salt and light in them. Paul helps us focus on right thinking when it comes to our witness and testimony.

I. Intro: “How Not to Fight Atheism” As reported by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. of the CHRISTIAN POST: “In December 2010, the Dallas-Fort Worth Coalition of Reason - a group dedicated to raising the profile of secularists, atheists, and agnostics - began running advertisements on Fort Worth public buses ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-18

Why Is It Important To See God As A Missionary God?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 21, 2003

Understand the grounds upon which missions rest otherwise we will tend to give in to the hostile, apathetic or incorrect views that people have about the great commission. Many people think that the Christian missionary enterprise is politically disruptiv

Why is it Important to See God is a Missionary God? – (Gen. 12:1-20) Quote: God only had one Son and He sent Him to earth as a missionary. W. T. Watson Quote: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory both now and to day of eternity. (Rom. 11:35,36) 1. God is a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2007

Opposition actually helps us grow. Hostility is destructive not only of others, but also of one’s self; and it spreads without reason. Jesus named its absurdity and then left it in the hands of God. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger. Strange as it may sound, give thanks when you are opposed! For stress strengthens; enmity empowers; and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Glory In Her Midst Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 4, 2010

While the 2nd vision sets forth the destruction of the powers that were behind those hostile to Israel, the 3rd represents the development of His people & His kingdom till it completely unfolds into its final glory.

ZECHARIAH 2:1-5 GLORY IN HER MIDST (The Third Vision) [Isaiah 61:4-9] [Background Study: Gen. 22:17 & 18; Ps. 72:8-11; Isaiah 54:2,3, Chs 60-62; Jer. 31:31-40, 32:36-40; Amos 9:11-15; Mic. 2:12 & 13, 4:1-8, ch 5] The second and third visions stand in close connection with the first. ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Continuing Unity Of The Church

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 11, 2017

We have been considering the infant Church in the midst of hostile forces. We now come to a section of the book which gives us a glimpse of the internal conditions of the Church at that time, and particularly of the fellowship that existed around old....

October 28, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Title: The Continuing Unity of the Church (4.32-37) Acts 4.32-37 (KJV) 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

You Are A Citizen Of His Kingdom/The Wall Comes Tumbling Down

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 22, 2018

The second message in the series highlights what you were before Christ came. It highlights the hostility and conflicts between Jew and Gentile, but how that has changed (and what it means for you) since Christ has come.

Author Rita Snowden tells this famous story from World War I. On the Western Front in France, there was a group of soldiers who brought the body of a dead comrade to a French cemetery to have him buried. The priest came out to them, and said gently that He is required to ask if their fallen ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Is God When I'm Hurting Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 20, 2007

When suffering, disease, pain comes into our lives we often deal with the feelings of frustratio, anger and questions for God. Several reasons for disease, illness, etc are provided: sin, our environment, the sin of others, as an opportunity to give glor

In Jesus Holy Name March 18, 2007 Text: James 5:7-12 Lent IV - Redeemer “Where is God When I’m Hurting?” Rev. John Stott in his book “The Cross of Christ” has a chapter entitled “Suffering and Glory”. The fact of suffering is the greatest challenge to the Christian faith and has been ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Gentleness & Goodness Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 20, 2010

We live in a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world. There is not even much gentleness or goodness where you might expect to find it: nurses and doctors have become preoccupied with lawsuits and their paychecks, homes are toxic environments, and churches are full of bitter

Do gentleness and goodness seem like qualities on the top of many lists? What do these words mean to you? For some, it might mean being a push-over or a marshmallow… to others, it might be a coveted virtue. Needless to say, these character traits are as scarce as water in a summer Arizona ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Attempting Newness With New Year Resolutions

Contributed by Leo Samuel D G on Apr 25, 2017

In general, new year resolutions become old in a few days and we are back with our old routines. This sermon focuses on how to stand firm in our resolutions 1. Dependence on God 2. Creating the apt environment and 3. Perseverance.

Introduction: Another year has ended. Though there were many sweet moments, there were also bad moments of missed opportunities, broken relationships, etc. We started the year 2016 with an aspiration to achieve great things (resolutions) and started running very hard, but soon we lost track and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:8, Philippians 4:13, Mark 9:27, Ephesians 6:10-12

Denomination: *other

Giving Thanks In Heaven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 7, 2007

Considering the thanksgiving of saints in Heaven assists us to give thanks on earth.

REVELATION 11:15-18 GIVING THANKS IN HEAVEN “The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 28, 2011

We fail to understand the core subject that Jesus kept preaching over and over again, the pivotal subject of the preaching of Jesus was KINGDOM OF GOD.

Kingdom of God! A) Look, it’s me! Acts 1:3” During the forty days after His crucifixion he appeared to the apostles from time to time, actually alive, and proved to them in many ways that it was really he himself they were seeing. And on these occasions he talked to them about the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Church That Was Built By Christ

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 10, 2010

It is indeed a fact that Christ built the church. That is undeniable in its biblical and spiritual premise. However, when considering this subject in a contemporary prism, I feel it necessary to make a comparison through an illustration of modern home

EVANGELIST HERMAN E. WESLEY III The Church That Was Built By Christ Matthew 16:13-18; Psalm 127:1 PRELIMINARIES I think it necessary that when we come together for functions such as this that we spend time sharing lessons that will have a meaningful impact on our ministries and on our service. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

The Message Of Mark Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 11, 2015

Mark is encouraging a minority group of people to live on mission just like our Master did, no matter how difficult it becomes.

The Message of Mark Mark 1:1 Rev. Brian Bill September 12-13, 2015 Recently I shared a very interesting article that led to some great discussion during our staff team time called, “Is Your Church a Cruise Ship or Aircraft Carrier?” You can find the post on the sermon extras tab on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Bala Samson on Apr 29, 2012

The world is operating on jet speed and everybody is living, as though there is no end to this life. They run, sweat and beat themselves to amass wealth but alas many fail to understand that God is preparing us for His Kingdom!

Kingdom of God! A) Look, it’s me! Acts 1:3” During the forty days after His crucifixion he appeared to the apostles from time to time, actually alive, and proved to them in many ways that it was really he himself they were seeing. And on these occasions he talked to them about the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Suffering For Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 30, 2009

This section covers persecution & hostility in the world. Jesus’ disciples would not have life easy. He says that discipleship will be a costly endeavor & whoever chooses to follow Him must be ready to experience & endure the sort of conflict He experie

JOHN 15: 18-27 SUFFERING FOR FOLLOWING JESUS This section centers on the topic of persecution and hostility in the world. Jesus foresaw that His disciples would not have life easy. He says that discipleship will be a costly endeavor and whoever chooses to follow Him must be ready to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist