Sermons on Opposition:

The Courageous Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 15, 2008

As the light shines, the hostile opposition to it, & thus to Jesus the light bearer, grows. It was now dangerous for Jesus to appear at the Feast of Tabernacles. Despite the danger Jesus follows His appointed path but with wisdom.

JOHN 7: 1-13 [The 5th Discourse] THE COURAGEOUS CHRIST [Leviticus 23: 33ff] John chapter 7 conveys the reactions of the world to the revelation of Jesus Christ. Again and again throughout this Gospel John has emphasized the difficulty and ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah’s First Vision Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 14, 2021

Message expounds Zechariah's first vision (1:7-17) and applies the encouragement to New Testament believers who encounter opposition and discouragement. An Outline of the book of Zechariah is also discussed.

This is the third message in our study of the book of Zechariah. In the previous messages we learned two truths that provide foundation for our understanding of the visions we encounter in the text today. 1st the THEME of the book is found in the meaning in Zechariah’s name. Zechariah means ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:25, Isaiah 3:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13, Revelation 6:1-17, Hebrews 13:2, Proverbs 21:31, Haggai 2:1-23, Psalm 90:10, Haggai 1:1-15, Job 1:6-7, Zechariah 1:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Alone, Yet Not Alone Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

The title of my message is a paradox, for to say, alone, yet not alone seems to contradict itself. How can two opposites be true? How can one be alone and yet not alone at the same time?

Bjornsen, the great Norwegian poet, who received the Nobel Prize for literature was once asked what incident in his life gave him the most pleasure. He replied that is was an occasion when his house was attacked and his windows broken. This sounds slightly odd and paradoxical, but before you jump ...read more

Scripture: John 16:29-32

Love Makes The Simple Complex Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

Many Christians had no problem with relating to their pagan family and friends by eating this meat offered to idols. Life would have been so simple if other Christians had not taken an opposite view.

Dr. James H. Robinson, a great black preacher in New York, tells of how he use to sit on the steps of the public library in Knoxville. He would watch the white people go in, and he would be filled with resentment because he wanted to read and learn, but the doors were closed to blacks. He came ...read more

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

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 Lord Of The Breakthrough Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 2, 2025

The Lord of the Breakthrough is not a mere title—it is a revelation of God's nature. When we recognise Him as such, we understand that no limitation is final, no delay is permanent, and no opposition is too great.

THE LORD OF THE BREAKTHROUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Chronicles 14:11 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 45:2-3, Micah 2:13, 2 Samuel 5:20, Psalm 114:1-8, Acts 12:6-10 INTRODUCTION: Life often presents us with barriers—physical, spiritual, emotional, and situational—that seem impossible to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 14:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

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

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

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

Never Surrender Your Authenticity

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus says let "yes" be yes and "no" be no. Righteousness must exceed the Pharisees. They surrendered their authenticity to appear more religious. This sermon is an encouragement to live in the opposite manner.

Never Surrender Your Authenticity Counterfeiters make over a billion dollars a year, making fake designer clothes and handbags. That billion is from the United States, not the rest of the world. These are not cheap knock offs from street vendors; they are well-made fakes. There's an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Episcopal