Sermons on Opposites:

Timely Tips For Troublesome Times From A Transformed Tentmaker To Timid Tim

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Sep 23, 2002

Timothy, like many young people today, faced opposition in his endeavor to live for God. Each chapter of 2 Timothy offers advice from the Apostle Paul to his son in the faith.

Introduction: · Timothy, like many young people today, was trying to serve God. · He faced many obstacles in the ministry. · This was discouraging to him. · Paul, his spiritual father, wrote to encourage him · Each chapter of 2 Timothy offers encouragement. Body: 1. STIR UP---1:6 A. Each of us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Facing A Hostile World

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jul 24, 2003

The world is hostile to God and His people. It was to David, son of Jesse, also. How did he face spiritual opposition and what can we learn for the battle we are called to fight today?

Introduction I read something this week that reinforced a conviction that has been growing in my mind over the past several months. What I read was a news item about a plaque that has been taken away from a tourist centre at the Grand Canyon in the USA. Have any of you been to the Grand ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Pit Knows Everything

Contributed by James Westmoreland on Aug 27, 2005

One of the great challenges in life is to deal with opposition and the knowledge that not everyone likes us. There are other experiences that are very hard for us to deal with and one of them is when we experience a sense of abandonment. It is then that t

Have you ever had the feeling that things were not going your way? That it was going to be a "bad hair" day and not much else was going to go well either? Robert Orben(1) was quoted as saying, "Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not true. Some of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-28

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

The Courageous Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 15, 2008

As the light shines, the hostile opposition to it, & thus to Jesus the light bearer, grows. It was now dangerous for Jesus to appear at the Feast of Tabernacles. Despite the danger Jesus follows His appointed path but with wisdom.

JOHN 7: 1-13 [The 5th Discourse] THE COURAGEOUS CHRIST [Leviticus 23: 33ff] John chapter 7 conveys the reactions of the world to the revelation of Jesus Christ. Again and again throughout this Gospel John has emphasized the difficulty and ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Head-On Collision Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

Immediately after Abram gets "back to basics," a controversy develops. Did you know that "blessing" can lead to dissension? Did you know that walking in faith almost inevitably leads to opposition?

The Head-On Collision Text: Genesis 13:1-18 When a corporation has some bad financial reverses, you are likely to read a press release that says something about getting back to the company’s core business. When a sports team gets outplayed, the coach’s press conference will usually have a statement ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: *other

Take Courage

Contributed by David Mcnally on Jul 15, 2012

We all have to face opposition, 'winds blowing against us', but with faith in Jesus and the courage that only the Holy Spirit can give, we can endure and come through the challenges victorious.

Title: Take Courage! Text: Mark 6:45-52 The context is important here. Immediately before this section of Mark 6 we have verses 30-44 which record the time when Jesus fed 5000 men with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. The disciples had witnessed a great miracle, so why were they terrified ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Alone, Yet Not Alone Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

The title of my message is a paradox, for to say, alone, yet not alone seems to contradict itself. How can two opposites be true? How can one be alone and yet not alone at the same time?

Bjornsen, the great Norwegian poet, who received the Nobel Prize for literature was once asked what incident in his life gave him the most pleasure. He replied that is was an occasion when his house was attacked and his windows broken. This sounds slightly odd and paradoxical, but before you jump ...read more

Scripture: John 16:29-32

Love Makes The Simple Complex Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

Many Christians had no problem with relating to their pagan family and friends by eating this meat offered to idols. Life would have been so simple if other Christians had not taken an opposite view.

Dr. James H. Robinson, a great black preacher in New York, tells of how he use to sit on the steps of the public library in Knoxville. He would watch the white people go in, and he would be filled with resentment because he wanted to read and learn, but the doors were closed to blacks. He came ...read more

Zechariah’s First Vision Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 14, 2021

Message expounds Zechariah's first vision (1:7-17) and applies the encouragement to New Testament believers who encounter opposition and discouragement. An Outline of the book of Zechariah is also discussed.

This is the third message in our study of the book of Zechariah. In the previous messages we learned two truths that provide foundation for our understanding of the visions we encounter in the text today. 1st the THEME of the book is found in the meaning in Zechariah’s name. Zechariah means ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:25, Isaiah 3:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13, Revelation 6:1-17, Hebrews 13:2, Proverbs 21:31, Haggai 2:1-23, Psalm 90:10, Haggai 1:1-15, Job 1:6-7, Zechariah 1:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Christmas That Wasn't Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2024

The Magi were an example of people who have little light who make the most of the opportunity. The Jews and Herod were the opposite--they were clueless as to when their King and Messiah had come.

Back in November, Jeanie and I received a newsletter from an organization called SAT-7. SAT, I assume stands for satellite, because that is the means by which they broadcast the Gospel via television programs into Muslim dominated countries in the Middle East. SAT-7 is the largest provider of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16, John 1:11-13, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:24-26

Denomination: Bible Church

The Lord Of The Breakthrough Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 2, 2025

The Lord of the Breakthrough is not a mere title—it is a revelation of God's nature. When we recognise Him as such, we understand that no limitation is final, no delay is permanent, and no opposition is too great.

THE LORD OF THE BREAKTHROUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Chronicles 14:11 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 45:2-3, Micah 2:13, 2 Samuel 5:20, Psalm 114:1-8, Acts 12:6-10 INTRODUCTION: Life often presents us with barriers—physical, spiritual, emotional, and situational—that seem impossible to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 14:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contrast Of Testimonies Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 3, 2024

Can you picture a contrast of testimonies in your mind? A situation where there was a believer with a good testimony and one with a bad testimony. John contrasts two church leaders and mentions their testimonies that are complete opposites.

Don’t you like the old western cowboy movies when you knew who the good guy was and who was the bad guy. You can pick them out easily in those old movies because the good guy wears the white hat, and the bad guy wears the black hat. This letter makes it obvious who the good guy is and who is the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 3 John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Hardship Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 10, 2021

If you want to face the hardships it takes to have a life that matters for Christ, arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon your sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God’s approval.

George, age 92, and Jane, age 89, were all excited about their decision to get married. They went for a stroll to discuss wedding plans, and on the way, they passed a drugstore. The elderly couple entered the store where George asked to speak to the owner. “We're about to get married,” George ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:20, Hebrews 11:25, Matthew 25:21-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Have You Received God's Love? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Jun 22, 2019

Many of us go through life looking for approval or a sense of belonging; not realizing the fact that this amazing love God has for us is not only unfathomable but it is given to us freely and unconditionally.

I used to wonder why some people had a terrible time making decent choices while others had a smooth sailing kind of life... no storms... not even a tiny ripple. And the reason I kept questioning it is that I was the one who continued to find the most unusual obstacles a human being could possibly ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 8:37, Genesis 1:27