Sermons on Opposition To The Faith:

Persecution: The Opening Salvoes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

Religious opposition to the Gospel!

PERSECUTION: THE OPENING SALVOES. Acts 4:1-31; Acts 5:12-42. Soon after the early success of Pentecost, the fledgling New Testament church found herself facing persecution. This is not surprising, and quite in keeping with the pattern of the earlier ministry of Jesus. For example, Herod the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31, Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fear Not, For You Are Valuable PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Trust in God's provision, recognize our worth in His eyes, and courageously live fearlessly for Him, even in the face of opposition and challenges.

Good morning, church family! Today, we'll be diving into a passage from the Gospel of Matthew that will encourage and challenge us. As we begin, let's remember these words from Max Lucado: "Meet your fears with faith." With that thought in mind, let's turn our attention to Matthew 10:24-39: [Read ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Topics: Do Not Fear

False Love Series

Contributed by Michael Thomas on Feb 13, 2004

There is a lot of talk about true love. But what is true love? So much of what passes for true love is really the opposite. In Ephesians 5:3-7 we learn that there is such a thing as false love and that the consequences are serious for those who are fooled

Introduction I want to begin our time together today by telling you the true story of a duke who lived during the fourteenth century named Raynald III. Raynald III lived a life of indulgence and was obese. His Latin nickname was Crassus, which means, “fat.” One day Raynald and his younger brother, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Fear During Crisis

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 2, 2020

Fear is the opposite of faith. We can overcome fear in times of crisis by building up our faith and confidence in the power of God, in the word of God and in the love of God for us.

OVERCOMING FEAR DURING CRISIS Study Text: Exodus 14: 10 - 14. Introduction: - Everyone experiences fear during crisis in their life. There are big fears we are very aware of and little ones we may not even realize we have. - It is very important to understand what fear is and how ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Forward In Faith 2: God Is Faithful So Have Faith In Him Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 26, 2013

There may be many different things you have placed your trust in, but do you show a real trust in God in your everyday life?

Our new series is called, “Forward in Faith.” And this morning I want us to spend a few minutes thinking about the What? How? and When? of faith. Faith is a fundamental requirement of life. All of us have faith in something. When you went to bed last night you had faith in the alarm ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Uncompromising Faith In A Compromising World

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Aug 30, 2023

The stories of Daniel and his friends in the Bible show us how to live an uncompromising faith in a compromising world. They refused to compromise their beliefs, even when faced with death, and they were ultimately rewarded for their faithfulness.

Introduction: Dear Brothers and Sisters. As we gather today, I want to take a moment to invite you to journey back in time, to a world much different from our own, yet one that bears striking similarities to our current day. The Bible recounts the stories of individuals who stood unflinchingly ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:3-21, Daniel 3:8-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Responsibility Of Freedom

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on May 21, 2011

As we move ever closer to the idea of freedom, we must confront the reality that the coin of freedom has two sides: and on the opposite side is responsibility.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 “The Responsibility of Freedom Text: Galatians 5: 1 – 14 When Nelson Mandela, after 27 years in prison, won the election as President of South Africa, standing in the grand Stadium before hundreds of thousands of his people dancing, shouting, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

All Believers Can Be Bearers Of The Word Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 10, 2023

Joel gives the judgement: it’s because of the sin of the Israelites themselves. Just the opposite of the faith and obedience of Mary that Jesus wants in His disciples.

Saturday of the 27th week in Course 2023 I think this brief Gospel gives us words that either Jesus or His Mother could have proclaimed. As usual, there’s a big crowd around Jesus, perhaps hundreds clamoring for attention, for encouragement, for healing or forgiveness. A woman raises her voice and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:27-28, Joel 3:12-21

Denomination: Catholic

Face The World Confident Of God's Judgment

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Nov 8, 2010

What encouragement does God's judgment bring to me to live my faith despite the world's opposition? Parts: A. The world opposes your faith. B. God's judgment encourages your faith.

Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Theme: Face the World Confident of God's Judgment A. The world opposes your faith B. God's judgment encourages your faith Season: End Times 2: Last Judgment Date: November 7, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Big Three Of Christian Living PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 23, 2024

This sermon explores how we can emulate Stephen's unwavering faith, grace, power, and divine wisdom in the face of trials and opposition.

Hello, dear friends. It is indeed a joy to gather with you in this sacred space, where we can pause from the clamor of the world and tune our hearts to the gentle whisper of our Father. We find ourselves today in the company of Stephen, a man of God whose life was a radiant testimony of faith, a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Topics: Living Alignment, Relationship

Faithful In Our Witness Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 3, 2002

A vibrant church is faithful in its witness even through persecution. Lessons for us from peter and John facing the Sanhedirn.

One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22, John 15:18-25

Denomination: Other

Enemies Of Faith - Discouragement

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Mar 14, 2005

Continuing look at enemirs of faith. This week discouragement based upon the Book of Nehemiah. Discouragement that comes through Foes, Friends and False Prophets.

Enemies of Faith – Discouragement Today we continue in our series of enemy to our faith – we have dealt with “The Divided Mind” and “Fear” - now we will look at discouragement using portions of the Book of Nehemiah. The tool used to bring discouragement is the tongue – whether in criticism, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Run The Course Of Faith

Contributed by Sean Lester on Jan 5, 2007

An inspirational message to encourage believers to remain faithful even in difficult and discouraging times.

To Run the Course of Faith Rev. Sean D. Lester Sept. 28, 2003 Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. [2] ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Standing Firm For Truth

Contributed by Leonard Davis on May 29, 2009

If we expect God to use us to do the work of the kingdom, then we will have to be faithful in proclaiming the truth even in the face of opposition and ridicule.

STANDING FIRM FOR TRUTH Why is it so difficult to face up to the truth when things aren’t going very well and to take action to make things right? We see this problem in every area of life. One particular outworking of this refusal to face up to the truth and to take proper action is in the ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Confessing Faith In The Name

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 22, 2013

What a great message we find in the early chapters of Acts. This is our history as followers of Jesus Christ. Our call is to faith and confession in the Name of Jesus.

(Read Acts 3-4 with slides) Lesson: Sharing the gospel is part of the churches identity. It doesn’t matter what the world says we should do, we answer to a higher authority and we must not be silent. Let me see if you agree with me or not here: A church that does not confess its faith is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ