Sermons on Opposition:

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christmas That Wasn't Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2024

The Magi were an example of people who have little light who make the most of the opportunity. The Jews and Herod were the opposite--they were clueless as to when their King and Messiah had come.

Back in November, Jeanie and I received a newsletter from an organization called SAT-7. SAT, I assume stands for satellite, because that is the means by which they broadcast the Gospel via television programs into Muslim dominated countries in the Middle East. SAT-7 is the largest provider of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16, John 1:11-13, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:24-26

Denomination: Bible Church

Contrast Of Testimonies Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 3, 2024

Can you picture a contrast of testimonies in your mind? A situation where there was a believer with a good testimony and one with a bad testimony. John contrasts two church leaders and mentions their testimonies that are complete opposites.

Don’t you like the old western cowboy movies when you knew who the good guy was and who was the bad guy. You can pick them out easily in those old movies because the good guy wears the white hat, and the bad guy wears the black hat. This letter makes it obvious who the good guy is and who is the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 3 John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Dig Another Well Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 11, 2020

When trouble comes, just remember the promises of God and persevere.

On Saturday, May 21, 1927, a New York evening paper contained an expert’s elaborate demonstration of the impossibility of flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The funny thing is, on the first page of that very same paper, was the headline flung across the top in gigantic letters: “LINDBERG HAS ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:12-35, Proverbs 16:7, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Have You Received God's Love? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Jun 22, 2019

Many of us go through life looking for approval or a sense of belonging; not realizing the fact that this amazing love God has for us is not only unfathomable but it is given to us freely and unconditionally.

I used to wonder why some people had a terrible time making decent choices while others had a smooth sailing kind of life... no storms... not even a tiny ripple. And the reason I kept questioning it is that I was the one who continued to find the most unusual obstacles a human being could possibly ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 8:37, Genesis 1:27

Facing Hardship Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 10, 2021

If you want to face the hardships it takes to have a life that matters for Christ, arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon your sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God’s approval.

George, age 92, and Jane, age 89, were all excited about their decision to get married. They went for a stroll to discuss wedding plans, and on the way, they passed a drugstore. The elderly couple entered the store where George asked to speak to the owner. “We're about to get married,” George ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:20, Hebrews 11:25, Matthew 25:21-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Transformed By Truth: Unashamed Of The Gospel Mark 8:38 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 28, 2024

In Mark 8:38 Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him. He warns that if we deny Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.

Transformed by Truth: Unashamed of the Gospel Mark 8:38 (NLT): “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Introduction: A Bold Faith in a Broken ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:38, Romans 1:16, Matthew 10:33, Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Throwing Stones At Blazing Bones Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 11, 2004

Steven’s preaching, like Jeremiah who said the word of God is like fire in my bones, was an outpouring of Spirit filled power. The opposition had no choice but to silence him or submit to his message.

Of all the weapons of mass destruction that have ever been available in the world, words are the most powerful. Of all the forces that shape and change cultures and societies, words are the most powerful. “The tongue has the power of life and death,” says the Proverbs. James warning us of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Enjoying Christ's Epistle Among Us Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 27, 2007

This wonderful passage of Scripture gives us an accreditation of ministry. It seems like there is much that opposes God’s work today just as there was opposition against the labors of the Apostle Paul in his work with Jesus Christ.

Turn your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 3:2-4 Title: Enjoying Christ’s Epistle Among Us Theme: Christ Working In and Through Doris Stump Series: Pillars of the Local Church Listen as I read 2 Corinthians 3:2-4, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Thermodynamics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 19, 2014

When you know the Lord, He turns your pain into praise. He turns opposition into opportunity for the spread of the Gospel if you will take that opportunity to preach the Word to all without prejudice and without price.

Eagles are fascinating birds. Did you know a mother eagle constructs her nest with thorns and jagged rocks? These are the first things she lays down. Then she covers that prickly nest with wool, feathers, and the fur of animals she has killed. That makes the nest soft and comfortable, a nice home ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical Free

It’s Okay If I Say It! Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 20, 2016

Meekness is a hard nut to crack because we tend to think that being a bully is the opposite of being meek, and nobody wants to bullied. (No one wants to be bullies so why do want to be meek?)

Beatitudes Sermon Series: “It’s okay if I Say It!” (4 of 9) Matt 5.5 July 12, 2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A Over the last several weeks the Beatitudes have challenged us to develop the attitude that Jesus demands for His disciples to posses. 1 The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Life Of A Christian Series

Contributed by Bill Walker on Feb 25, 2017

On one extreme you have those who fervently practice what we call Pentecostalism and on the opposite extreme those who embrace only God’s Word as their model for thought and practice.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN Someone has said, “You will never truly know the power of God until you need the power of God.” I think that statement equally applies to God’s Holy Spirit. As we mentioned earlier in this series, too often Christians and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Acting On God's Plan - Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jan 27, 2013

Nehemiah had challenged the people with the plan God had given him and now it was time to put that plan into action. Nehemiah leads the people to move forward and rebuild the wall in spite of and in the face of stiff opposition

Sermon Brief Date Written: January 25, 2013 Date Preached: January 27, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Building with God Sermon Title: Acting On God’s Plan - Pt 2 Sermon Text: Nehemiah 3-4 [ESV] Introduction: Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem lying in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Donkey King

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 13, 2011

In a day when Christians in America are increasingly in a crusading posture to capture more political, social, and economic power, the picture of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey and anticipating intense opposition, rejection, and death makes

Opening illustration: Every spring, hundreds of Hollywood stars gather for the Academy Awards. Very few “slip in the back door:” instead, they make an entrance. They walk down the long red carpet, smiling at the cameras and waving to the people in the stands (who, by the way, all had to apply and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational