Sermons on Overcoming Opposition:

A Virtuous Cycle Series

Contributed by Kevin Purcell on May 24, 2005

This sermon focuses on Acts 4 but covers chapters 2-4 as it shows how the Christian life goes in a cycle from Spiritual Fulfillment to Ministry to Opposition to Decision whether to quit or continue on back to Spiritual Fulfillment.

A Virtuous Cycle Acts 4:1-31 Introduction During Superbowl XXXVII, FedEx ran a commercial that spoofed the movie Castaway, in which Tom Hanks played a FedEx worker whose company plane went down, stranding him on a desert island for years. Looking like the bedraggled Hanks in the movie, the FedEx ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Virtue Of Patience (5 Of 10) Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Feb 23, 2003

Patience is more than the ability to wait in line without getting frustrated. Patience is much deeper than waiting in the doctor’s office without getting irritated. Patience is an active endurance of opposition, not a passive resignation.

A man’s car stalled in the heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to start the engine failed, and a chorus of honking behind him made matters worse. He finally got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, "I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, James 5:7-11

Denomination: Methodist

Making A Name For Ourselves

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 10, 2007

It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. Christianity, however, teaches just the opposite.

Making a Name for Ourselves Theme: Whose name are we trying to promote: ours, or God’s? INTRODUCTION A. It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. 1. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. 2. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Christmas (I Pray You Find These Things) Series

Contributed by Todd Marler on Dec 19, 2018

Do you remember how long it would take for Christmas to come, as a child? It took forever and We could hardly wait. As an adult, it is just the opposite, as Christmas seems to get here faster than ever.

This Christmas (I pray you find this three things) 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Correct Some Wrong Series

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

Ministry that Matters requires each of us to help somebody by giving of yourself, by investing some of your resources, and by pressing on in spite of opposition. The third dimension of Ministry that Matters is to correct some wrong. To correct a wrong mea

Sunday, September 21, 2008 “Correct some wrong: Text: Nehemiah 2: 11 – 20 Ministry that Matters requires each of us do something by praying a prayer of concern for others, by praying consistently, by praying a prayer that will alter our conduct, and by praying a prayer that ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Of The Hour

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 25, 2007

Let’s take a look at Stephen’s life and how it stacks up against ours. 1- Full of grace 2- Did great wonders 3- Met mean opposition 4- Faced with death

INTRO.- ILL.- One Friday morning, a teacher came up with a novel way to motivate her class. She told them that she would read a quote and the first student to correctly identify who said it would receive the rest of the day off. She started with “This was England’s finest hour.” Little Suzy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory Of Son Of Man

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 12, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: The cross is the victory of CHRIST. We rejoice in the CROSS of Calvary for our Salvation. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that the CROSS is the ultimate victory of our LORD JESUS CHRIST opposite to the

I. EXORDIUM: The cross is the victory of CHRIST. We rejoice in the CROSS of Calvary for our Salvation. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that the CROSS is the ultimate victory of our LORD JESUS CHRIST opposite to the world's expectations. IV. TEXT: John 13:31-32 (New ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Looking For A Good Room

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Oct 14, 2012

Wealth holds us back from inheriting eternal life: but wealth is anything earthyl that we hold onto as valuable in opposition to things heavenly. We must melt down these idols and consecrate the gold to the temple.

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk. 17:17). There are two alternates to eternal life: eternal death and temporal life. Neither is appealing. Eternal life is worth struggling for. The rich young man asked the Lord what must he do. He understood that attainment of heaven was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: Anglican

Sacrifice Of Praise

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jun 19, 2021

The terms praise and sacrifice seem to be opposites of one another. Praise generally bubbles from a happy and a grateful heart. Sacrifice, on the other hand, costs us something. What then does it mean to offer – sacrifice of praise?

Hebrews 13:15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Psalm 49:14 - Offer to God the sacrifice of praise Praise generally bubbles from a happy and a grateful heart. Sacrifice, on the other hand, costs ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 49:14, 1 Chronicles 21:24, Psalm 34:1, Acts 16:23-25, Isaiah 61:3, 2 Chronicles 20:22, Psalm 103:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Message 10 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:12-14 – Church Leadership Positions And Practical Matters For Christians Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 31, 2022

In church government there are 5 words translations use for the leadership positions, looked at briefly and then we consider a verse of great practical support. It covers busybodies, disorderly people, the fainthearted, helping the weak Christians, and patience in opposition.

MESSAGE 10 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:12-14 – CHURCH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND PRACTICAL MATTERS FOR CHRISTIANS RESPECT YOUR SHEPHERDS We will continue with the studies in 1Thessalonians, and today we will look at the governing of a church and the shepherd role within the leadership. PART A. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28-29, 1 Peter 5:1-3, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Romans 15:1-3, Acts 20:33-35, 1 Corinthians 8:9, Acts 11:22-26, Romans 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Have The Mind Of Christ Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 5, 2025

In a world obsessed with status, self-promotion, and influence, Jesus calls us to the opposite mindset - releasing our grip on personal rights, comfort, and ambition, so that the glory of God may be revealed through our obedience.

Go! And Have the Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5b–7 (NLT): “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:1, John 1:14, Mark 10:45, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Floodgates Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 3, 2023

There is a blessing for those who give and the opposite for those who refuse to give and rob God of what belongs to him. When you give to the Lord, look out, the floodgates of heaven are open to pour out a blessing.

When you give to the Lord, look out, the floodgates of heaven are open to pour out a blessing. Some pastors are not known for being too good at math. One of those pastors who did not excel in math said to his church, if you can’t give one-tenth, then at least give one-fifth. He may not have ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness Vs A Form Of Godliness

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jan 17, 2024

The word Holy comes from the Hebrew word Kodesh and the Greek word Hagios and these words literally translate as to set apart or separated from the common or ordinary and the opposite of that would be not set apart from, common, and ordinary.

Holiness vs A form of Godliness By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. PRELUDE: - The English way of defining words will often cause an obscure or circular definition which literally means a complicated systems to explain something which cause confusion and we so many times will draw the wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Jeremiah 5:22, Ezekiel 22:25-28, Matthew 7:15-20

Denomination: Apostolic

The Joseph Principle

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 22, 2023

But that principle does not apply to the story of Joseph in Genesis. In fact, the example of how Joseph succeeded and was used by God is the opposite of the Peter Principle. It is enough different that it deserves its own name. It can be called the Joseph Principle.

Alba 6-30-13 THE JOSEPH PRINCIPLE Genesis 50:19-21 Have you heard of the Peter Principle? It was formulated by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull in their 1969 book called The Peter Principle. The Peter Principle is a proposition that states that the members of an organization where promotion ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Give Me Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God wants us to take care of our money and be generous with it. Generosity is the opposite of greed and worshiping money. It doesn't matter how much money we have, we can all be generous.

Let's do a little experiment. I have here a $20 bill. Who wants it? (Pause for response) Okay, now what if I crumple it up? Still want it? (Pause for response) What if I step on it, make it dirty? Still want it? (Pause for response) Of course, you do! Because no matter what I do to it, it's still ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Topics: Charitable Acts, Selfishness, Altruism, Wealth Accumulation