Sermons on Opposition To Our Service:

What Does It Mean To Be Commissioned?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 6, 2023

Isaiah’s perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God’s significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

Isaiah 6:1-13 The image of absolution that Isaiah gives advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Name We Claim Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

Early believers were able to face opposition and tribulation because they focused upon their identity, following Jesus. What is our identity?

Sometimes, we get suckered in by the idea that identity and relationship are not important. We buy into Shakespeare’s rhetorical question and answer from Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet: What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: *other

Special Ops

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 9, 2018

A study in the book of Leviticus 21: 1 – 24

Leviticus 21: 1 – 24 Special Ops 21 And the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘None shall defile himself for the dead among his people, 2 except for his relatives who are nearest to him: his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, and his brother; 3 ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

I Really Want To... But! Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 2, 2022

The command to follow Christ as a disciple, as an ambassador, and as a proclaimer of the good news is a command. Yet most of the time we treat our mission in this world as something optional.

I really want to... But! Jesus told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16 NLT) As Christians, we know we are supposed to share our faith. Almost every ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 9:12-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Time To Get Back To Work

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 2, 2023

It appears like everybody needs something from us, family members, friends, bosses at work, the schools that we may attend, our churches, clubs, etc. We wind up racing through life, taking care of the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent.

Repeatedly the important is abandoned. Our problem is not the volume of requests or lack of organizational skills, but values - what is really important to us. Our values and our priorities are reflected in how we use our assets/resources. Frequently our activities give a false representation of ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We Have A Vision Of Goodness?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 4, 2023

Are we focused just on what and who is inside our church doors? Or are we looking, searching and sharing what we have with others so that they may come in?

In this context, vision alludes to the disclosure (prophesy) that the prophets would obtain from God. Where there is obliviousness of God, sin and crime go out of control. The public moral compass of society relies upon the knowing God’s directions, yet it likewise relies upon individuals keeping ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Our Calling

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 25, 2010

Every Christian is privileged to have at least three calls of God on his life. How often we take for granted His calling. How often we turn a deaf ear to His voice. Are you heeding His call today?

Our Calling 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Introduction: Every Christian is privileged to have at least three calls of God on his life. How often we take for granted His calling. How often we turn a deaf ear to His voice. The story is told of years long past when turnpikes were ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Insults

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2017

How do we handle insults and family opposition to us being a Christian?

Intro Are we men and women of God or mice? Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world push us around and tell us to be quiet about our faith? Goal Let’s learn to be courageous disciples. Plan Let’s examine Matthew 10:24-39 and how to stand up against opposition to our faith like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Baptist

Redeem Your Suffering

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 15, 2009

We must guard against the worldly pressures and fears that threaten us to "tone down" the Gospel message.

FEAR! A WORD THAT IS ONLY 4-LETTERS, BUT ONE THAT CAN REAP DEVESTATING CONSEQUENCES. FEAR IS SO POWERFUL THAT IT CAN PARALYZE, CONTROLL, AND MANIPULATE US. FEAR CAN COMPELS US TO DO IRRESPONSIBLE THINGS AND CAN EVEN HINDER US FROM LIVING RESPONSIBLY AND LIVING FRUITLESS LIVES. THIS IS WHY I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Hindered But Not Hopeless Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 11, 2020

There can be no doubt that Paul endured much for the sake of the gospel. From a worldly perspective, one might have thought his efforts had largely failed. However, Paul kept the faith and continued serving the Lord. We should be thankful for his perseverance.

Hindered but not Hopeless 1 Thessalonians 2: 17-20 What precious and powerful words are recorded for our exhortation in these few verses! These words reveal the very heart and soul of the apostle Paul. He, of all men, knew what it was to face adversity and extreme difficulty in ministry. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Building Spiritual Foundations: Lessons From Nehemiah Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 10, 2023

Today, we embark on a journey through the Book of Nehemiah, a powerful story of leadership, faith, and rebuilding.

"Building Spiritual Foundations: Lessons from Nehemiah" Today, we embark on a journey through the Book of Nehemiah, a powerful story of leadership, faith, and rebuilding. As always, we turn to the New Living Translation of the Bible to guide us. 1. Nehemiah's Burden for ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-5, Nehemiah 4:14, Nehemiah 2:4-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sword And Trowel Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 25, 2013

Prayer, preparation, and a passion for the cause of God are the keys to Israel's defense under Nehemiah.

We’re skipping over chapter 3, which consists of a roster of those engaged in the work effort. Nehemiah has his workers carefully organized to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for “rebuild” was also used for the healing of a wound. Nehemiah divides the work into ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Congregational

Challenged In The Temple Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 23, 2018

As Jesus entered the Temple for the second time during Passion Week, He immediately met opposition. The chief priests, scribes, and elders had conspired against Him. As we strive to serve the Lord, the enemy will bring opposition against us too.

Challenged at the Temple Mark 11: 27-33 Our text today continues to follow Jesus through what is commonly referred to as Passion Week. He had triumphantly entered Jerusalem and returned the next day to cleanse the temple. Again, for the third day in a row, Jesus had returned to Jerusalem and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33

Denomination: Baptist

What’s Your Mission On Straight Street? (Third Sunday Of Easter 2019)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 28, 2022

Do you believe that God has a mission for you? Are you listening when God calls you to that mission? Or, do you have some reservations about that mission?

WHAT’S YOUR MISSION ON STRAIGHT STREET? Text: Acts 9:1 - 20 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Our Childhood Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

To persevere during trying times we need to remember our childhood (sonship) in Christ (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 14 Radically Perseverant pgs 358-363)

HoHum: Fred Craddock, while lecturing at Yale University told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal - just the two of them. While they were waiting for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ