Sermons on African Persecution:

Power Up! Dare To Believe, Living Right Side Up PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Explore the transformative power of faith, especially during trials, and encourage believers to live righteously and dare to believe, even in challenging circumstances.

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we're going to talk about something that resonates with us all, and that's the power of faith in trials, living right side up, and daring to believe. Our conversation is centered on Hebrews 9:11-14 and Philippians 2:12-13. Hebrews 9:11-14 says, "But when Christ ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14, Philippians 2:12-13

Topics: Faith, Trials, Persecution

We Must Obey Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2023

The world is setting itself against the ways of God and persecution is headed our way. How do we prepare ourselves so we can stand firm in our faith. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read text. Pray. Francis Chan has long been a favorite preacher/author of mine. Over the years he has shared many ideas that are very similar to those of our brotherhood. For instance, there’s a meme where he says, “If the Bible and I don’t agree, I must be wrong.” He has spoken of being ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Counting Blessings Amid Trials Series

Contributed by Peter Ceccardi on Dec 3, 2024

Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Introduction: Theme of Gratitude and Faith in Trials Brethren, as we gather to begin this series, Echoes of Christmas: God’s Unfolding Plan, our hearts are tuned to Thanksgiving. It is fitting that we turn our minds to the matter of gratitude—an act not for days of ease alone but for days of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 107:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamentation Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2024

A warning, and the long-suffering of God.

THE LAMENTATION OF JESUS. Matthew 23:34-39. 1. Context. Matthew 23:13-33. Jesus spares not to warn those who are on the path to ‘the damnation of hell’ (cf. Matthew 23:33), using such expressions as ‘woe unto you’ (eight times), ‘hypocrites’ (seven times), ‘blind guides’ or ‘fools and blind’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:34-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Joy In That City Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jan 9, 2025

Not everything, that we call bad, is bad! There are times when God moves in the lives of others in order to direct the lives of His children.

“Great Joy In That City” Acts 8:3-8 In our text we see the work of the Lord in the life of the believers. Not everything, that we call bad, is bad! There are times when God moves in the lives of others in order to direct the lives of His children. We need to overlap a couple verses from last ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Decadence Of The King Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 24, 2021

Esther lived within the Persian Empire, an environment hostile to the Hebrew people. Although their situation seemed dire, God had a plan to preserve and prosper His people. The opening passage provides insight to the culture in Persia.

The Decadence of the King Esther 1: 1-9 The opening chapter of Esther reveals the ungodly condition of the society in which God’s people were dwelling. It was a culture that possessed and promoted unbridled lusts and insatiable appetites. The people within Media and Persia had one goal in life: ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Seven Churches: Smyrna PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

Jesus knows our suffering, calls us to courageous faithfulness amid trials, and promises eternal life to those who endure with Him.

Some of us walked in today with hearts that feel threadbare. Bills stack up. Doctors call back. Friends pull away. Tears fall in the dark, and worries pace the floor at 3 a.m. You wonder, Does Jesus see this? Does He know my name? Does He care about my pain? Smyrna asked the same questions. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Topics: Smyrna, Church, Persecution

Endurance In Christ Alone PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2025

Amidst a troubled world, Jesus calls us to courageous endurance, promising his presence and transforming our hardships into opportunities to bear witness to him.

Some weeks the headlines feel heavy, don’t they? Nations rattling sabers, markets jumping, storms brewing, friendships fraying. You read another alert on your phone and feel that tug of worry in your chest. Will my kids be okay? Will my job hold? Will the world ever quiet down? You’re not alone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-19

Topics: Endurance, Persecution, Christ

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 2, 2011

Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the righteous to suffer? I mean, I’m

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE INTRODUCTION: Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Servant Is Greater Than His Master

Contributed by Paul Estabrooks on Oct 24, 2012

There are severe forms of persecution, and less severe; but there is no such thing as a non-persecuted Christian!

Introduction Jesus promised his disciples the night before he was crucified that their lot was to be no different than His. Jesus said: “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also!” Persecution Is on the Rise The Pew Research ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-21

Denomination: *other

Obeying God Rather Than Men Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 30, 2016

The Early Church chooses to obey God and accepts the risk.

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 006 TITLE: Obeying God Rather Than Men TEXT: Acts 5:17-29 INTRO: The early church had come through Persecution from without and Problems within. Now: -The Church is thriving. -The apostles are preaching with great power -There is unity in the church, sharing all things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

Act 2:17-18

Contributed by Unknown Bennett T Cortez on Apr 16, 2014

“That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your son and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams, even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth my Spirit and they shall prophesy.”

INTRODUCTION The word “persecution” means the act of persecuting or oppression of inhumane treatment. The subject church persecution essentially deals with the very nature of legalize corporation of the early church. However there’s a greater gift to the world at Pentecost; ...read more

Scripture: John 2:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Strategy For Satan’s Finest Hour-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 11, 2020

6 of ? God furnished, to the apostle John, a picture of Satan’s finest hour. Those who trust Scripture are furnished a clear picture of Satan’s end time strategy. What strategies will mark Satan’s last days? Satan’s strategy for his finest hour Turns...

The STRATEGY For SATAN’s FINEST HOUR--part A,-#VI —Revelation 13:1-18 Attention: I recently watched a portion of a TV show called ‘America’s Top Dog’. It is based on running certain law enforcement K-9 units(trained dogs) thru a standardized timed course. The course highlights each dog’s skillset ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is The Christian Life So Difficult? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 26, 2019

While salvation is delightful, discipleship is often difficult.

Why is the Christian Life So Difficult? July 20-21, 2019 Rev. Brian Bill During the past three weeks away Beth and I had days of delight and days of difficulty. The delightful part had a lot to do with our grandsons Pip and Ezra and their mom Lydia as they spent about a week with us. This time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist