Sermons on Opposites:

The Pain And Pleasure Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 12, 2012

A person in ministry experiences both, pain and pleasure. From 2 Timothy 4 we can see that Pastor Paul experienced: Pain from Opposition, Pain from Disappointment, Pain from Abandonment and Pleasure of Partnership, The Pleasure of Restoration and The Plea

We had a recital yesterday from our music school. I was looking around at our community, enjoying Sam’s performance. For those of you who do not know him, Sam is a student of the Bangalore Conservatory. He has autism, somewhat rare condition, in which his brain does not function like everyone ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: *other

Imprisonment Created Opportunities To Spread The Gospel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 2, 2018

The apostle faced opposition from those outside the church and misrepresentation from some within. But this did not dissuade or distract him from fulfilling God’s call. Through it all, Christ was being preached, which brought him great delight.

Date: 4/26/18 Lesson # 3 Title: Imprisonment Created Opportunities to Spread the Gospel Text: (Philippians 1:12-14) Scripture: (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV) 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters[a], that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Exercising A Dynamic Faith Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 4, 2012

We have observed dead faith and demonic faith, both of which are useless to us. This lesson focuses in on dynamic faith which is essential. The lesson holds up Abraham and Rahab, two people at opposite ends of the spectrum as examples of proper faith.

1. Some apparent dilemmas: • “Look before you leap” vs. “He who hesitates is lost.” • Proverbs 26.4-5: 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Godly Life In Ungodly Times Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 1, 2012

As our culture and society moves in a direction that does not follow godly principles as communicated to us through the Word of God, how are believers in Jesus Christ to go about living a godly life? As opposition grows to a godly way of living, we have

A Godly Life in Ungodly times A godly life should expect opposition A godly life should expect hard choices Living a godly Life in ungodly times requires that we know Who we believe in Living a godly life brings blessing and peace Slide Intro Good morning. It is hard to believe that the year is ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sheep Among Wolves

Contributed by David Mcnally on Jun 26, 2011

Jesus did not call us to an easy, comfortable life, but one of challenge and opposition, and possibly even suffering and death. He gives us forgiveness of sin and eternal life, but requires us to take up our cross as we follow him.

Jesus would have fallen foul of the Health and Safety laws if he had been around today, and I imagine it would have been hard for him to advertise on TV. Just imagine someone saying today: ‘Come and follow me, and the chances are you will be spat upon, thumped, sworn at, and maybe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit - Part 9 Of 9 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 6, 2017

This final part of the 9-part series examines various ways we can set ourselves in opposition to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit's role as intercessor, and the vitally important question, "How can I know that I have the Holy Spirit in me?"

This nine-part series was originally developed for a class environment, and later adapted for use in a prison ministry conducted via correspondence. Because of that background, questions were developed for each lesson for participants to use in a setting conducive to discussion, or as handouts for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11, Galatians 6:7, Acts 7:51, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:29, Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 7:24-25, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:2-11, John 7:36-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ministry Of Thorns

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 24, 2019

Often people feel like they are disqualified from ministry because they have some weakness or trouble. The very opposite may be true; their weakness may especially qualify them to be used as God best vessel. Our weakness becomes His strength.

THE MINISTRY OF THORNS 2 Cor. 12:7-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: UNTIED SHOE 1. Boudreaux saw Thibodaux on the wharf and noticed one of his shoelaces was untied. “Watch out you don’t trip up over your laces, Thibodaux.” 2. Thibodaux replied, “Yeah, it’s the crazy instructions on these shoes.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Clashing Of Wills On The Way To The Cross Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 20, 2019

Jesus met fierce opposition from ruling class hypocrites whose false narrative about Him was rooted in deep jealousy. By His decision to keep doing His Father's Will for the sake of mankind, love prevailed over hypocrisy.

GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK Study of the Gospel According to Mark As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-44

Jars Of Clay Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 18, 2023

So don’t think you have to be perfect to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact think just the opposite. God uses broken vessels to be heralds of hope. It shows that it is God and not us who has all surpassing power.

We had a family picture. One distant family member who had not seen me for years said they did not realize I was so tall. We looked again at the picture and laughed. I was standing on some sort of small hill and the picture made me look way taller than I really was. Then my uncle swung into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon: Built For This.

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 24, 2024

But if we choose to run to God and rely on His strength to help us, we can not only defeat our opposition, because God has been making us better, stronger and wiser through the process of life. Believers are built for this.

Sermon: Built for This. Scripture Lesson: Numbers 13:26-33 “to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. This was their report to Moses: “We ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:26-33, Romans 10:17, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Methodist

The Church In Transition

Contributed by Donna Kazenske on Dec 13, 2004

In a recent prayer meeting, I had a vision of a river flowing in one direction and suddenly the river made a U-turn and began flowing in the opposite direction. I then saw people who were previously in the river stepping out of the river at the turning po

By: Donna J. Kazenske In a recent prayer meeting, I had a vision of a river flowing in one direction and suddenly the river made a U-turn and began flowing in the opposite direction. I then saw people who were previously in the river stepping out of the river at the turning point. I could see ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:3-5

Denomination: *other

How Does God Do His Work?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Amidst the clouds of doom, gloom and stubborn opposition, God sheds His light to the dark regions of menâs minds. In this passage we learn a little bit more about how the Divine work of God overshadows every difficulty, discouragement or predicament. Alth

1. Amidst the clouds of doom, gloom and stubborn opposition, God sheds His light to the dark regions of menâs minds. In this passage we learn a little bit more about how the Divine work of God overshadows every difficulty, discouragement or predicament. Although God’s purposes may not be clear ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:6-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus’ New Directive For Forgiveness Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 2, 2017

Our Lord comes through crisp and clear on how we are to deal with hurt and abuse. For one thing, our Lord specifically forbids retaliation. Our natural tendency is to want to get even, but that’s just the opposite of what Jesus taught.

Capernaum Lesson: Jesus’ New Directive for Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom For Living From The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 28, 2018

1. Walk in the Way of Christ (vs. 23). 2. Observe our opposition (vs. 23-29). 3. Find help from godly friends (vs. 30-31). 4. Remember the good that government can do (vs. 31-41).

Wisdom for Living from the Word of God The Book of Acts - Part 70 Acts 19:23-41 (Initial reading: vs. 23-29) Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - January 18, 2015 BACKGROUND: *In tonight's Scripture, Paul was on his third missionary journey. His team was reaching many people in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Baptist

Prioritizing Your Relationship With God

Contributed by Delishia Davis on Mar 30, 2016

Regardless of how difficult opposition may rise, remember that Almighty God has a purpose and plan to far exceed anything of the world and its leverages. When you stand firm in the relationship with God, he gives you power to overcome, excel and exceed

“Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.” Psalm 16:8 King David records his most intimate thoughts in the writings of the Psalms. He begins Psalm 16 with a declaration that the Almighty God is in control of his life, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:6-8

Denomination: United Methodist