Sermons on Opposites:

Ephraim & Manasseh (Genesis 48)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 31, 2024

Are we flexible enough to allow God to do the exact opposite of what we had expected? Let's look at Genesis 48.

Do we have narrow ideas as to how God should handle things? Are we flexible enough to allow God to surprise us, even when He does the exact opposite of what we may have expected? Let’s look at Genesis 48. What did Israel say to Joseph? What had God told him? After these things, someone said to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Childishness Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Jul 28, 2025

a Christian's goal is to be childlike but unless we grow sp Nice waiting for hope tually we are childish the opposite of loving others

Annual Sermons Volume 1 (Part 1) Bob Marcaurelle bmarcaurelle@charter.net 2003 Lynn Ave, Anderson, SC 29621 Sermon 5 DEALING WITH CHILDISHNESS (1 Cor. 13:11) (My most requested radio sermon) “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are You? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 30, 2024

Explores proclaiming Christ's praises, perceiving His truth, and persisting in faith amidst opposition, emphasizing Christ's all-encompassing, all-sufficient grace.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It's a joy to be with you today, as we gather together in our Father's house, under the banner of His love, to bask in the beauty of His Word and to celebrate the life we share in Him. Today, we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, a book that is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:15-19

Topics: John, Witness

What's Your Legacy? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

Knowing God personally gives us strength to persevere faithfully through weariness and opposition, trusting His grace to sustain and complete the work in us.

Some of us walked in today with tired feet and a tender heart. You’ve been faithful in the little things. You’ve shown up when the scoreboard didn’t seem to change. Maybe you’ve been praying for a prodigal, cheering on a spouse, or steadying a weary mind in the middle of the night. You’re here. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7

Topics: Legacy, Life's Impact

Spiritual Disruption Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Jan 15, 2019

Jesus had a lot of opposition from the spiritual leaders of His day. It makes us ask, If Jesus came to Church today would He be accepted? I read this week that if Jesus preached the message coming out of most pulpits today He wouldn’t have been crucified. Let’s see how Jesus handled this opposition.

Luke 7:11-35 Introduction: Jesus had a lot of opposition from the spiritual leaders of His day. It makes us ask, If Jesus came to Church today would He be accepted? I read this week that if Jesus preached the message coming out of most pulpits today He wouldn’t have been crucified. Let’s see how ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-35, Luke 7:11-17, Luke 7:23, Luke 12:9

Denomination: Church Of God

Remember The Titans!

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 9, 2001

I want us – to remember how a bunch of people, with different talents, personalities and backgrounds OVERCAME great opposition – and came together to do something incredible…

“Remember The Titans!!!” [SHOW THE VIDEO CLIP AT THE END OF THE MOVIE OF THE VICTORY…. THE FINAL PLAY THROUGH THE CELBERATION STOP RIGHT BEFORE THE GIRL TALKS] Read Ephesians 3:7-21 (NLT) Have you ever been on the edge of your seat…waiting in anticipation? You’re reading an exciting novel – ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Flame That Won't Be Quenched Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jun 6, 2005

Despite the growing opposition to the gospel, Paul and Barnabas never stopped preachign the gospel, even at therisk of their lives. They also give a good example of mission strategy.

If you were here two weeks ago you’ll remember how, when Paul and Barnabas got to Pisidian Antioch they first went to the synagogue to speak about Jesus as the promised Messiah, but then when their message was rejected by the Jews they turned to the Gentiles. And the Gentiles gladly received this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Anglican

The Face Of Fasting At A Holy Marriage Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Mar 5, 2003

To fast means to integrate the gospel into human life. It is the unity of the two opposites between the difficulty to overcome the human tendency to evil and the joy of embracing the Word of God.

Once there was a father with a son who was lazy. He tried to convince his son that he should join him in the work on his farm. The son was not convinced. The father was actually worried, how his son would earn his living after his death. Therefore, before his death, the father called his son and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Catholic

She Touched Me

Contributed by Robert Rust on Oct 18, 2000

You will remember last week that Jesus and his disciples had taken off from one shore of Lake Galilee and headed to the opposite side of the lake.

You will remember last week that Jesus and his disciples had taken off from one shore of Lake Galilee and headed to the opposite side of the lake. While they were in the middle of the lake, a storm came up and Jesus calmed the sea. In today's story, we have Jesus and his disciples on the other side ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

The Preacher's Peril

Contributed by A.t. Stewart on Jul 20, 2004

When we preach the Word of God we can expect opposition. Jesus tells us what we must to be remain faithful during these times.

THE PREACHER’S PERIL John 15:26-16:4 CPT- Jesus has warned the disciples in advance about the persecution that will come upon them because of their preaching about Him so they will not stumble (stop faithfully preaching) when it happens. CPS- We are to proclaim faithfully God’s Word despite ...read more

The Limits Of Peace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 21, 2007

The cross of Christ not only brings peace, but also division. When faced with opposition and division, disciples of Christ stand firm while loving and respecting their opponents.

Luke 12:49-56 “The Limits of Peace” INTRODUCTION The night sky was cloudless and filled with stars. Shepherds watched their flocks, while they huddled around a campfire. Suddenly, they were surrounded by a multitude of angels. They were told not to fear because the angels brought them good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Lutheran

Inclining And Applying - Part 2

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Aug 21, 2008

As the Word exposes areas within us that are in direct opposition to the Word of God, we begin to understand the price of inclining to His Word and applying those principles.

Inclining and Applying - Part 2 – Proverbs 2:2 Intro.: Last week we looked at the “inclining” portion of our text. As we set our lives before the Word of God, we will find delight in the eternal Word who lives inside of us. We will also become aware of the bitter war going on within our members. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:2

Denomination: Charismatic

Rugged Individualism And Faith Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 18, 2006

Human arrogance and demonic spirits ally themselves in opposition to even the most elementary spiritual truths. WE NEED GOD AND WE NEED OTHER BELIEVERS

Rugged Individualism and Faith (I Peter 5:10-14) 1. A man came up with a great list of titles for future country music songs. Country Music Song Titles: 1. If You Can’t Live Without Me, Why Aren’t You Dead? 2. I Went Back to My Fourth Wife for the Third Time and Gave Her a Second Chance to Make a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jacob's Deception Of Isaac Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 1, 2017

Jacob's deception of Isaac in Genesis 27:1-45 teaches us God's sovereign, redemptive will is always done, in spite of any person's opposition to it.

Scripture Last week we began a series of sermons on "Isaac's Descendants." In our first lesson we saw that Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. As a young man, Esau despised his birthright and sold it to his twin brother, Jacob. Later, Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, and received the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Murder Mystery

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 10, 2011

Anger, the impulse to destroy, is the direct opposite of love, the force which gives life. This is why anger is equivalent to murder in the eyes of God, who looks on the heart.

Have you ever caught yourself looking at your reflection in a shop window? I have to confess that I sometimes do. Or maybe you're not that vain, or not as self-conscious. Maybe you're one of those blissfully secure people who (once you get your clothes on) never give your appearance another ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed