Sermons on Human Opposition:

Power In Powerlessness Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 3, 2004

The Christmas story juxtaposes the powerlessness of the human actors with the great saving power of God revealed in the birth of his only Son Jesus Christ.

It’s a terrible thing to feel like your life’s out of your control. Like you’re no longer the master of our own fate. To feel powerless. As I was reading this Christmas story again this week, it struck me that that’s how most of the people in the Christmas story must have been feeling. Joseph has ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Constant Craving

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Feb 12, 2006

Every now and then lust has to do with sex, but most of the time it does not.This one is about those hungers, those cravings, those desires; for things that we know are the opposite of the Lord’s will for us.

5, February 2006 Dakota Community Church Constant Craving Introduction: Begin with the dream. This week I want to continue looking at the issue we began with last week when we looked at the story of Esau. Every now and then lust has to do with sex, but most of the time it does not. I am talking ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Mennonite

The Virtue Of Patience (5 Of 10) Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Feb 23, 2003

Patience is more than the ability to wait in line without getting frustrated. Patience is much deeper than waiting in the doctor’s office without getting irritated. Patience is an active endurance of opposition, not a passive resignation.

A man’s car stalled in the heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to start the engine failed, and a chorus of honking behind him made matters worse. He finally got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, "I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, James 5:7-11

Denomination: Methodist

A Virtuous Cycle Series

Contributed by Kevin Purcell on May 24, 2005

This sermon focuses on Acts 4 but covers chapters 2-4 as it shows how the Christian life goes in a cycle from Spiritual Fulfillment to Ministry to Opposition to Decision whether to quit or continue on back to Spiritual Fulfillment.

A Virtuous Cycle Acts 4:1-31 Introduction During Superbowl XXXVII, FedEx ran a commercial that spoofed the movie Castaway, in which Tom Hanks played a FedEx worker whose company plane went down, stranding him on a desert island for years. Looking like the bedraggled Hanks in the movie, the FedEx ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Correct Some Wrong Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on May 21, 2011

Ministry that Matters requires each of us to help somebody by giving of yourself, by investing some of your resources, and by pressing on in spite of opposition. The third dimension of Ministry that Matters is to correct some wrong. To correct a wrong mea

Sunday, September 21, 2008 “Correct some wrong: Text: Nehemiah 2: 11 – 20 Ministry that Matters requires each of us do something by praying a prayer of concern for others, by praying consistently, by praying a prayer that will alter our conduct, and by praying a prayer that ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Name For Ourselves

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 10, 2007

It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. Christianity, however, teaches just the opposite.

Making a Name for Ourselves Theme: Whose name are we trying to promote: ours, or God’s? INTRODUCTION A. It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. 1. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. 2. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For A Good Room

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Oct 14, 2012

Wealth holds us back from inheriting eternal life: but wealth is anything earthyl that we hold onto as valuable in opposition to things heavenly. We must melt down these idols and consecrate the gold to the temple.

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk. 17:17). There are two alternates to eternal life: eternal death and temporal life. Neither is appealing. Eternal life is worth struggling for. The rich young man asked the Lord what must he do. He understood that attainment of heaven was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: Anglican

Two Words In Prayer Series

Contributed by Monte Brown on May 28, 2013

One might think that the Tribulation Period will be a time period void of prayer and religious activity, however you see that just the opposite is true. There will be prayer in Heaven and there will be prayer upon the earth. History’s greatest p

Sermon outline from Adrian Rogers former pastor of Belleview Baptist Church, of Memphis, TN. The series of messages on End Times for Today will take the words from Revelation chapter by chapter and reveal the blessings promised within these pages. Introduction As we continue our journey ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrifice Of Praise

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jun 19, 2021

The terms praise and sacrifice seem to be opposites of one another. Praise generally bubbles from a happy and a grateful heart. Sacrifice, on the other hand, costs us something. What then does it mean to offer – sacrifice of praise?

Hebrews 13:15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Psalm 49:14 - Offer to God the sacrifice of praise Praise generally bubbles from a happy and a grateful heart. Sacrifice, on the other hand, costs ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 49:14, 1 Chronicles 21:24, Psalm 34:1, Acts 16:23-25, Isaiah 61:3, 2 Chronicles 20:22, Psalm 103:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Holiness Vs A Form Of Godliness

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jan 17, 2024

The word Holy comes from the Hebrew word Kodesh and the Greek word Hagios and these words literally translate as to set apart or separated from the common or ordinary and the opposite of that would be not set apart from, common, and ordinary.

Holiness vs A form of Godliness By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. PRELUDE: - The English way of defining words will often cause an obscure or circular definition which literally means a complicated systems to explain something which cause confusion and we so many times will draw the wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Jeremiah 5:22, Ezekiel 22:25-28, Matthew 7:15-20

Denomination: Apostolic

The Floodgates Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 3, 2023

There is a blessing for those who give and the opposite for those who refuse to give and rob God of what belongs to him. When you give to the Lord, look out, the floodgates of heaven are open to pour out a blessing.

When you give to the Lord, look out, the floodgates of heaven are open to pour out a blessing. Some pastors are not known for being too good at math. One of those pastors who did not excel in math said to his church, if you can’t give one-tenth, then at least give one-fifth. He may not have ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Message 10 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:12-14 – Church Leadership Positions And Practical Matters For Christians Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 31, 2022

In church government there are 5 words translations use for the leadership positions, looked at briefly and then we consider a verse of great practical support. It covers busybodies, disorderly people, the fainthearted, helping the weak Christians, and patience in opposition.

MESSAGE 10 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:12-14 – CHURCH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND PRACTICAL MATTERS FOR CHRISTIANS RESPECT YOUR SHEPHERDS We will continue with the studies in 1Thessalonians, and today we will look at the governing of a church and the shepherd role within the leadership. PART A. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28-29, 1 Peter 5:1-3, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Romans 15:1-3, Acts 20:33-35, 1 Corinthians 8:9, Acts 11:22-26, Romans 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Me Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God wants us to take care of our money and be generous with it. Generosity is the opposite of greed and worshiping money. It doesn't matter how much money we have, we can all be generous.

Let's do a little experiment. I have here a $20 bill. Who wants it? (Pause for response) Okay, now what if I crumple it up? Still want it? (Pause for response) What if I step on it, make it dirty? Still want it? (Pause for response) Of course, you do! Because no matter what I do to it, it's still ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Topics: Charitable Acts, Selfishness, Altruism, Wealth Accumulation

Fish Food For Thought

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on Jun 26, 2002

The scientists tell us for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In our relationship with God for every action there is also a consequence. See how Jonah’s life parallels ours when we go contrary to God’s will

Oskaloosa Evangelical Church Sermon Text: Jonah 1:1-3,17; 2:1, 10 Sermon Title: Fish food for thought Sunday, June 11th 00 Scripture Introduction: I think everyone has their favorite Bible story, and many times we find ourselves able to identify with a character or some specific sets of ...read more

Denomination: *other

Speak The Word Series

Contributed by Tim Pollock on Aug 17, 2015

Many Christians live unhappy, fruitless, worried and negative lives. But God’s plan is exactly opposite, He wants His children not just to achieve victory, but LIVE in it! Scripture provides 3 keys to winning in life.

Introduction As Christians we are ever in a war, never make any mistake about that! There are unseen forces that are constantly after every Bible believing family and individual. At every moment the devil has a demon or several demons and in some cases a legion (1,000 – Mark 5:9) of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-10

Denomination: Baptist