Sermons on Opposites:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding A Place Of Safety

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 18, 2018

Jesus didn’t promise us a life without pain and suffering. In fact, it was just the opposite. He told his followers that they shouldn’t expect to get along in this world any better than He did.

4-27-04 Title: Finding a Place of Safety Text: “And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Driving With Power Steering Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on May 30, 2020

Pentecost is such an important feast. It's really important that even though I'm unwell I make myself work really hard on writing a sermon... except that is the exact opposite of the message of Pentecost

.............................................................................. For years I have driven cars with power steering. It’s just standard now. But I few years back I visited New Zealand and had to hire a number of cars - and one of them did not have power steering. I don’t know if you can ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Anglican

#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

A Tale Of Two Fish Stories

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 1, 2021

What do these two stories (Jonah and disciples called to be fisher of men) the have in common? The disciples were called to be fishers of people and Jonah got eaten by a fish. Both of these stories have elements of decision, opposition and courage.

A TALE OF TWO FISH STORIES Text: Jonah 3:1- 5, 10 Mark 1:14 – 20 Jonah 3:1-10  The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying,  (2)  "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."  (3)  So Jonah set out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, Jonah 3:10

Denomination: United Methodist

Not Afraid Nor Dismayed

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Jesus looked at all He did through the lens of His hour of suffering to come---His death and resurrection. In spite of the opposition of the Pharisees, Jesus never wavered from His mission---to seek and save the lost.

NOT AFRAID NOR DISMAYED Text: Luke 13:31-35 Luke 13:31-35  At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."  (32)  He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: United Methodist