Sermons on Opposites:

Greatness In God's Kingdom

Contributed by Shishir Bhandari on Aug 17, 2004

The Lord’s value system in His Kingdom for greatness is the total opposite of what we have known in this Satan - controlled world so we must become servants of all to become great in God’s Kingdom.

Introduction: The Lord’s philosophy is in reverse with the world’s philosophy. To be great in the world is to put importance on oneself. In the eyes of the world, you are great based on the position or title that preceeds or follows your name. You may be a lawyer, an engineer, a doctor, and that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Side Of The Cross Are You On? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 20, 2005

Titus ministered in an area where the culture influenced the Christian community with immorality, independence, and idleness. These same character traits exist in our culture as well - placing Christians on opposite sides when they don’t need to be.

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in the church was like you? I’ve heard it said before that “church is great – except for all the people.” The fact is, the church is the people – imperfect members of the human race who came to Christ from various backgrounds and dysfunctions. Sometimes I wish ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Spiritual Nobility Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Stephen was in many ways a forerunner to Paul. He boldly confronted the synagogues of foreign Jews in Jerusalem, possibly even entering them to debate their members. Stephen faced fierce opposition, even to the point of physical persecution. It is even

Spiritual Nobility Acts 6:8-15 Intro This passage marks a transition in the book of Acts. Up to this point, Peter has been the dominating figure, fulfilling his calling by taking the gospel to the people. Another figure of importance looms on the horizon: the apostle Paul, who is introduced at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

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

Firing On All Cylinders Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 19, 2008

Finally after years of struggle, Paul sees victory after victory, even amidst tough opposition in Ephesus. It is an affirmation of his apostleship. What happens as God begins to work more through you than on you?

Chapter 19 could be called the High Point in Paul’s ministry. In this chapter he goes to the place he may have wanted to go way back at the beginning: Ephesus. God confirms his authority as an apostle by healing, his reputation as an apostle through mention by demons, vindication of his ministry ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-41

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The First Disciples

Contributed by Carl Greene on Feb 16, 2009

There is often a misconception of the first disciples. Many are lead to believe they didn’t have anything to loose by following Jesus. Quite the opposite is true. These were successful businessmen,likely well educated and of fairly prominent social posi

If you ever have, or every thought of opening your own business, you know there must be a plan. And you probably discovered what most entrepreneurs know … starting a business requires some help… and almost always, its from their friends. (SLIDE) How many remember when the Beatles sang “With a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Methodist

Discovering Your Full Potential

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on May 22, 2010

If Samson is man of extra-ordinary strengths and power, Gedeon is an exact opposite. He is the man hiding on the back stage and afraid of the lime light. His life is a proof that God can use ordinary people like us.

DISCOVERING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL JUDGE 6:1-16 It amazing to see how God can transform a fearful man into a mighty warrior. If Samson is man of extra-ordinary strengths and power, Gedeon is an exact opposite. He is the man hiding on the back stage, afraid of the lime light and prefer the low profile ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Repentant Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 18, 2011

What an amazing paradox! If it is not a paradox it is at least the opposite of what our culture tells us today. The paradox is that Jesus says that the man who mourns will be really happy. The world regards such a statement as utterly ridiculous. Who want

“Blessed Are The Repentant” Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” As we began examining the Beatitudes we noted that there is a definite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Demons Cannot Swim

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 3, 2013

Do you believe in a Devil as powerful as God? There is no un-created being except God. God has no opposite in power and majesty. The proper question is whether I believe in devils. And I Do! (Updated June 2018)

For Those not familiar with an Anglican Service. There are Four Readings before the Sermon is given. Today's Readings were: Job 38:1-18; Psalm 107:1-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 and Mark 5:1-20 A man often walked through the cemetery on his way home from work. One night, ...... unaware that a new ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 8:18-27, 1 John 5:13-21

Denomination: Anglican

The Result

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 19, 2017

Satan’s strategy did not succeed in dividing the church, but the very opposite occurred; peace settled over the assembly as the deacons took charge of some areas of service formerly falling to the apostles. The gospel was preached throughout Jerusalem....

December 22, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson II.D.3.c: The Result (6.7) Acts 6.7 (KJV) 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:7

Denomination: Baptist

You Adulterous People Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 14, 2012

What does spiritual adultery mean? Several things according to this text. 1- Spiritual adultery means friendship with the world 2- Spiritual adultery means opposition to God 3- Spiritual adultery means giving in to the devil

INTRO.- People commit adultery in various ways. Our world is notorious for committing adultery. It seems to happens in Hollywood often. ILL.- Remember actress Sandra Bullock in the award winning movie, “The Blind Side”? And do you remember to whom she was married? She was married from 2005 to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Epistle Of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 4, 2018

Paul, known as the apostle to the Gentiles was successful in converting many of them, and even some Jews. He had been the instrument of God for converting many Gentiles and some Jews in spite of the passionate opposition of the Jewish leaders, during. . .

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS Commentary by J.T. Lowe INTRODUCTION The city of Corinth was famous for its wealth and bustling business community, which was mainly due to its location between the Ionian and Aegean Seas on the isthmus connecting the Peloponese with ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In Integrity Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 5, 2022

When the Lord begins tearing down the walls of opposition and using you to bring glory to Himself, and to see the lost come to Christ; it is at this point that you need to be ever-mindful of how you stand, and be careful to walk in integrity.

With success comes great responsibility. When the Lord begins tearing down the walls of opposition and using you to bring glory to Himself, and to see the lost come to Christ, then you need to be careful that you do not fall into sin. Lawrence O. Richards says, “Early [devotion to God] leads to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:2-23

Denomination: Baptist

#12 Parties, Patches And Wineskins Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 16, 2020

This message describes Jesus' response to the Pharisees because His disciples did not fast. The Pharisees opposition stemmed from a defense of the status quo. Jesus came to smash the status quo and create something new and superior.

#12 Parties, Patches and Wineskins Series: Mark March 15, 2020 Chuck Sligh Several ideas and illustrations for this sermon were adapted from David Dykes’ sermon on SermonCentral.com, Old Whiners or New Wineskins. TEXT: Mark 2:18-22 – "And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Fear Of God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

The word fear in relation to God can mean very opposite things. There is a fear of God which is terror at his might and wrath, and there is a fear of God which is reverence, or worship. There is still another which is knowledge and wisdom of God.

We live in a world where words are weapons. Someone said, "Words are weapons and we must wield them well if we would win." Much of the success of cons and cults is the direct result of their clever use of words. So many arguments are often based on a perverted manipulation of words, but ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:8-10