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

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

Reconstruction: Fortifying Our Vulnerable Places

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

If we are honest with God, there are a lot of things in our lives which are halfway finished. Halfway is one of the most difficult places to be. Now the 4th chapter is about persevering through resistance and opposition. The closer you get to the finish l

Reconstruction: fortifying our vulnerable places Nehemiah 4:7-23 I bumped into some friends I used to play sand volleyball with at Luke’s basketball game last weekend. I hadn’t seen them in awhile. As the course of the conversation unfolded, I asked how they were doing with rebuilding their home. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-23

Denomination: Methodist

Take Pleasure In Pleasing God

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Mar 15, 2009

Seeking personal pleasure is seen as the highest priority of modern culture. In our passage today Paul affirms the opposite to be true: humanity’s chief goal ought to be to take pleasure in pleasing God. The question we are going to address today is ho

TITLE : TAKE PLEASURE IN PLEASING GOD TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Background to the Letter: Chapters 1-3 o The oldest letter in the NT (50 AD) o Written to a Church Paul established himself o The Church was heavily persecuted and many were martyred. First by the Jews and then the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Orthodox

Are We Suffering From An Identity Crisis In The Church?

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

So Jesus, in the midst of growing opposition and surrounded by crowds of people who liked him but did not understand him asked two questions to his disciples in order to get them to understand fully who he is, and who they are in Him, so that they will no

Are we Suffering from an Identity Crisis in the Church? Am Service March 1st 2009 Matthew 16:13-20 Introduction Are you unsure of your role in life? Do you feel like you don’t know the real you? If you answer yes to these questions, you may be experiencing what is known as an identity crisis. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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