Sermons on African Persecution:

Made To Make A Difference (Acts 4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 14, 2012

This expository sermon series is adapted from Max Lucado's book, Out Live Your Life, and credit for most the series belong to him. Outlines are original. In Acts 4, we see the church was Fearless with Persecution, Faithful with Prayer, and Free with Posse

Made to Make a Difference: Acts 4 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/10/2011 This series is inspired by and portions adapted from Max Lucado’s Out Live Your Life. The early church didn’t have any of the advantages that some ministries boast and depend on today. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-34

Denomination: Christian Church

The Work In Berea Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 1, 2017

Paul believed that the Jews had first claim to the Gospel, for Jesus was first and foremost their Messiah. He had been born a Jew and had come to fulfill the Jewish Scriptures. So, no matter how bitterly Paul might be persecuted by the unbelieving Jews

March 11, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.C.6: The Work in Berea (17:10-14) Acts 17:10-14 (KJV) 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson - Stand In The Face Of Rejection Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 7, 2020

Second Timothy 1:8–18 encourages Timothy to be brave and protective of his faith. Paul reminds his dear friend Timothy that the Spirit of God grants Christians spiritual power. As a result, they should not be afraid to associate with persecuted brothers and sisters.

Lesson: STAND IN THE FACE OF REJECTION INTRODUCTION Second Timothy 1:8–18 encourages Timothy to be brave and protective of his faith. Paul reminds his dear friend Timothy that the Spirit of God grants Christians spiritual power. As a result, they should not be afraid to associate with persecuted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Abandoning Christ Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jan 18, 2021

Life is often a matter of focus? As we follow Christ, we can focus on the struggles and persecution we might endure. Or we can focus on the benefits, eternal and glorious, of continuing to follow Christ. Hebrews 2 encourages us to do the latter.

The Cost of Abandoning Christ Hebrews 2:5-14 A few years ago we had what we called a water bottle outreach at Lazy 5 Recreational Area. It was during one of the music festivals they used to have there, before Covid, on weekday summer evenings. We would hand out water bottles and invitations to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-18, Hebrews 3:14, Isaiah 8:17-18, Psalm 22:22

Denomination: Bible Church

America, Patriotism, And The Fear Of God

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

Peter’s first letter was probably written some time before this terrible persecution. At the time of Peter’s writing, Christians was being slandered and mistreated in isolated places throughout modern day Turkey. He did not live in a “Christian nation.”

Should Christians support the Iraqi invasion? Should American Christians who protested the Vietnam war go to Canada to avoid the draft instead? How are Christians to respond when the Supreme Court hands down decisions that go against God’s Word? Can Christians support former President Obama while ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

We Can Live In Perfect Peace

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Nov 3, 2017

Jesus says the world will treat His followers just like it treated him. But He says that we can have peace in the midst of the persecution. Sadly, we don't see peace operating in the lives of most Christians. Why not?

If you spend any length of time listening to or reading what the media (conservative and liberal) are saying about politics, which is most often focused on President Trump, and social issues like racism, the anthem protests, BLM, the Alt-right, etc., you might believe our country is teetering on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:22-25, John 15:18-20, John 17:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come To The Living Stone. Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 23, 2008

Today we want to look at another stone the bible describes as a Living Stone. In this passage that we will consider today the apostle Peter in writing to this group of people who are severely persecuted wants to remind them and us as well we need to check

Come to the Living Stone. 1 Peter 2:4-8 Introduction The Bible is full of stories about stones: Jacob used a stone as a pillow, Joshua set up memorial stones, David chose 5 smooth stones to fight Goliath, Elijah took 12 stones to build an altar. Today we want to look another stone the bible ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

"patience, The Virtue That Carries A Lot Of Wait"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 10, 2021

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!”

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!” In the Lord’s Prayer we pray: ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Congregational

The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 21, 2015

Regardless of how impressive or unimpressive our educational background is, there will always be people who will try to find ways to belittle our faith. We may face persecution or ridicule for our faith, but when we do, God will be there to protect us.

The events in Acts 26:24-27:8 occur just after Paul has been arrested for the last time. He had an opportunity to speak to King Herod, King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus. Festus didn’t know anything about Moses and the prophets. Agrippa and Herod, on the other hand, were familiar with ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Paul Vs Stephen (About The Resurrection Of Jesus)

Contributed by Je Layugan on Oct 17, 2023

Paul and his friends could not win an argument against Stephen. In the end, Paul had an epiphany which lies in the understanding that God's love extends not only to Stephen and those he once persecuted but encompasses everyone, including himself.

First, I am praying that at the end of this sermon, 1. We would have the desire to experience the deepest significance of Jesus’ resurrection in our lives. 2. We will never think of Paul’s story and Easter, the same way again. [PAUL/SAUL] • Paul was born, in about the same year or a little later ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:55-56, Romans 8:11, Acts 8:3, Acts 9:3-5, Acts 9:17-18, Ephesians 3:2-3, Acts 6:10, 2 Timothy 2:8, Acts 6:1-7, Galatians 1:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Evangelism And Football Series

Contributed by William Jones on Oct 21, 2023

This morning we continue our study in Acts and we will be looking at Acts 17:16-31. In Our passage we see Paul and his band of missionaries and evangelist continue to share God’s Good News with the lost and continue to be persecuted for it

Evangelism and Football By Paul Dietz Evangelism and Football We are now in the midst of one the hottest seasons of the year. No, I'm not talking about the weather and its accompanying temperatures. After all we have just finished having our two weeks of “summer” this past week and autumn is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The Pleasant With The Unpleasant

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? NO there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me. Even though many disciples relished the privilege to preach in the name of Jesus, persecution caused many to quit. They thrived on the

1. Why do you think some people grow tired of their jobs? Every job has its so called good and bad points. Yet, some aspects of service are not always considered as pleasant but nevertheless are necessary. Jesus said, "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Choose Life

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 26, 2012

Those pioneers of faith are our examples. Persecution, assaults, mistreatment, affliction and even death; however, they kept the faith. Verse 19b ...I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Every person choses their own destiny;

Choose Life Deuteronomy 30:19NASB I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, Verse 19 again from the TM Bible- I call ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Opposition: Part 2 Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 13, 2010

Sermon 7 of the series. Ezra is very quick to remind us of the truth that ... 2 Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. While Ezra is recording the opposition to the rebuilding of the temple, he adds materia

The Book of Ezra Study #9 (Ezra 4:6-23) Opposition: Part II INTRODUCTION: 1. In what ways does Christianity go against the flow of society today? 2. What sacrifices do you think Christians have to make for their faith today? 3. What would you do if it were illegal to go to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:6-23

Denomination: Baptist

Learning From God's Providence

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jun 22, 2017

Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. Similarly, St. Paul learned from the Christ that he had persecuted, the things he would suffer as He followed the Christ. Living the Christ life, we will see how suffering aids in redemption.

Trinity 2 2017 Learning from God’s Providence The Collect O LORD, who never failest to help and govern those whom thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 3:13, Luke 14:6

Denomination: Anglican