Sermons on World Opposition:

Facing Opposition (Acts 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 15, 2025

Do some love the tongues of Acts 2 but not the example of Acts 4?

Did opposition grow along with increasing church numbers? Were the apostles cowed by hostility or were they bold? How was the atmosphere in local churches? Let’s look at Acts 4. Did both persecution and the number of believers grow? The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It's Me Oh Lord (Standing In The Need Of Prayer) Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Sep 30, 2016

Where do we turn when the world stands against us? Here are some thoughts that come from the early church response to opposition.

There’s an old spiritual song- It’s Me Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer- and that’s how our drama concludes. We began with Peter and John healing the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate and continued as Peter and John stood on trial. Today, we’re going to look at how ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Righteously In An Unrighteous World

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 10, 2009

You and I are called to live blamelessly, shinning as lights in the darkness of a wicked and ungodly world. In spite of the opposition which will arise, it is possible for you and me to live righteously in an unrighteous world.

LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY IN AN UNRIGHTEOUS WORLD EZEKIEL 14:12-23 Introduction: You and I are called to live blamelessly, shinning as lights in the darkness of a wicked and ungodly world. Paul in his second letter to Timothy said that “all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 14:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

Not Of This World Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on May 24, 2007

Part of a series in Philippians, we’re reminded that we’re citizens of heaven.

Not of this World Phil. 3:17-21 Randy Aly, SC.com) Every time a boy went to his playmates house he saw his grandmother studying her Bible. Finally, he asked his friend about it. Why is your Grandmother always reading that Bible? He answered, I don’t know. But I think she is cramming for her ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The World Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

As we try to follow God, know that you are swimming against a strong current of the world's pressures.

Some years ago we went up to Minnesota to visit our daughter, Elizabeth, and she took us out to one of her favorite spots, Interstate Park on the St. Croix River. If that name seems strange, it’s not a place where you have a picnic in the median between northbound and southbound lanes. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, James 4:4, John 16:33

Dealing Wisely With Unbelief & Opposition Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 10, 2021

If we stand for Jesus, we will inevitably face the same kind of opposition that He did. How do we respond? His example gives us a clue as he faces both the unbelief of his own family, and the deadly opposition of israel's leaders.

It’s been more than 20 years ago now since I initiated a lawsuit in the name of the church against the Washoe County School District. As a few of you know, and even fewer of you probably remember, it was about the matter of Equal Access—equal access to public school facilities for churches and ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-15, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 7:6, Matthew 10:16-18, 1 John 2:15-16, Mark 6:3, Mark 3:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Sharing Your Faith In Spite Of Opposition Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 3 of series on Evangelism

Sharing Your Faith In Spite Of Opposition Passing On The Faith 2 Timothy 2:1-13 You may have heard that Lance Armstrong retired from competitive cycling about a month ago. His story is one of the great sports stories of overcoming obstacles. In October 1996 he was diagnosed with testicular ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving Ahead When Opposition Comes Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 11, 2005

When we are on a mission from God and we run into barriers and things don’t seem successful - how do we react? Moses experienced this upon returning to Egypt. We learn how God works with us but keeps on task.

Sometimes we think that battling for the Lord ought to be easy. I mean, here’s a Guy who created the universe by talking! It’s like Bill Cosby said to his son once on The Cosby Show "I brought you into this world and I can take you back out!" We like have a powerful person on our side. The problem ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Shield Of Faith: Faith Is The Opposite Of Knowledge Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 22, 2023

Our believing loyalty to Christ is our shield when Satan sends fiery arrows at us and tries to make us think faith is the opposite of knowledge or that faith in Christ is blind and dumb.

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE LIES OF THE ENEMY Shield of Faith: Faith is the Opposite of Knowledge Ephesians 6:10-18 #armorofGod INTRODUCTION… Francis Shaeffer Quote, youngadults.ccphilly.org/is-faith-the-opposite-of-knowledge/ Francis Shaeffer (1912-1984) was an American theologian and philosopher ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kingdom Building 101: Overcoming The Opposition

Contributed by Joe Harding on Feb 13, 2004

WHEN WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD, OPPOSITION WILL COME AND WE CAN OVERCOME THE OPPOSITION!

KINGDOM BUILDING 101: OVERCOMING THE OPPOSITION NEHEMIAH 4: 1-23 SUPERBOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2004 INTRODUCTION: THOUGHTS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY AND OVERCOMING ALL OPPOSITION TO MAKE IT TO THIS GAME: GO PANTHERS! There once was a not so bright fellow who saw an advertisement for a cruise. The sign ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Opposition From Without (Acts 5) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

THis is a study the waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts.

INTRODUCTION: History of Opposition without: There were about 10 waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts. Nero (54-68) Domitian (81-90) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Decius (249-251) thousands died for refusing to sacrifice to the imperial ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:19-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Sat Opposite The Treasury And Saw! Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jun 2, 2013

During the first week of this month, I feel it is my duty to turn your eyes to God who has rocked you, comforted you and taken care of you thus far.

Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw! Mark 12:44”for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." I have seen well educated people argue with vendors over silly things; during my train travel, I watched a middle aged ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Navigating Opposition Chapter 3-6 Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Feb 11, 2021

Every great work of God involves opposition. How do we handle it and how do we overcome it?

No Limits Week 2 January 31st Plan OUTLINE Navigating Opposition chapter 3-6 (Bryan) Big Idea: Seeing opposition as part of the value of a hard won victory No Limits Week 2 Navigating Opposition Who rebuilt the wall? Priests The High Priest Priests from the surrounding ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:16-19, Romans 16:17-20, Nehemiah 4:11-15, Nehemiah 4:1-3

Denomination: Other

Purity In Our Opposite-Sex Relationships Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Dec 30, 2018

Why our conduct with women matters today, and God's standard for what men call "locker room talk."

“The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace.” Philip Yancey “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:18

Denomination: Baptist

Wrecking Crew ( Fifth Sunday Of Easter 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on May 11, 2022

Nothing in all the world is more important to the world but the Blood of Jesus! Nothing but the blood of Jesus matters because [our own] “ … flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 15:50 NIV).

WRECKING CREW Text: Acts 11:1 -18 Act 11:1-18  Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God.  (2)  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him,  (3)  saying, "Why did ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist