Sermons on Hostile Environments:

Christ's Lights All Year Long Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2012

Jesus said we should be "the light of the World." But just how and why should we shine that light?

I asked the congregation: “How many of you have already taken down your Christmas lights?” (This was 7 days after Christmas Day, and about a 1/3 raised their hands) “Well, how many of you will take down your decorations NEXT week? (a few more raised their hands). How many of you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Progressive Christianity In Scripture

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 3, 2023

Under the cover of social justice and love, the Progressive Christianity movement rejects New Testament doctrine, substituting its own standards for the moral standards taught by the apostles. This message addresses the error and calls God's people to remain true to Traditional Christianity.

Intro Today we will address a popular movement known as Progressive Christianity. Its adherents describe this movement as being “characterized by a willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity, a strong emphasis on social justice and care for the poor and the oppressed, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-9, James 1:27, Jude 1:1-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Jeremiah 6:16-19, Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 16:25, Isaiah 30:11, 2 Peter 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Graduation Day Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 11, 2007

There comes a time when you are ready to graduate, fly solo, go out and do a ministry apart from the nurturing Christian environment in which you grew. Joshua gives us some help on prospering and remaining faithful.

We had a very exciting and very emotion filled spring. My daughter Beth, my baby, graduated from college. I remember very well when she was about to start classes four years before. She openly wondered if she could actually do college level work. Well, she did indeed and now has a college diploma ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:1-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Great Commission Convolution Of Same Sex Marriage

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Feb 22, 2019

Does the Bible teach that the only way it can help all people face tomorrow in the power of God’s love is by becoming a diverse and inclusive congregation – multiracial, multigenerational and multicultural – offering a warm, non-threatening environment to all?

The enemy has been very successful seducing churches to choose a different path to fulfill the Great Commission by becoming “Open and Affirming / Welcoming” rather than becoming places of supernatural transformation. Many churches see themselves as a place that, no matter where one is on their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, Galatians 3:28-29, Romans 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Revived Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Aug 17, 2019

When we are connected to Jesus we can confidently approach the Holiness of God. This confidence should give us cause to consider how to spur on one another and build an environment of encouragement as we commit to our church fellowship.

Message Hebrews 10:24-25 In Fellowship Together – Being Revived When we talk to people during the week, and they ask us what we do on the weekend, I’m sure there have been times when we have all said, “I am going to fellowship with my church.” Have you ever stopped to wonder what “going to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

5 Star Disciples At Work

Contributed by Scott Maze on Dec 6, 2021

No matter the environment and no matter your boss, you are called to place a steeple at your workplace. Work as unto the Lord! No matter where or how your receive your paycheck, picture taking the Lord’s Supper while at work.

For more than a century, a French company has issued a series of guide books where they award stars to the best restaurants. It’s the Michelin rating system. Here’s a quick run-down of their rating system - Three stars is exceptional cuisine and worthy of a special journey. Two stars is excellent ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

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

Real Christianity: Clothing, Buildings, Money, & Extravagance

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

There is a lot of stuff out there claiming to be Christian, when it's not really Christian. It's a difficult situation for any real Christ follower. On one side you have a culture and society growing progressively more hostile toward Christian values.

There is a lot of stuff out there claiming to be Christian, when it's not really Christian. It's a difficult situation for any real Christ follower. On one side you have a culture and society growing progressively more hostile toward Christian values. On the other side you've got a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, Romans 1:5, Psalm 34:14

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

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

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