Sermons on Blatant Persecution:

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away."

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 21, 2013

We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that he’s leaving them. Let’s find out why.

“IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY” John 16:1-7 INTRODUCTION: We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working With The Lord's Help Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react with anger, ridicule, and rejection. Nehemiah gives us a great example of how we need to respond when the enemies of God oppose His work.

In this lesson, I would like to look at the leadership of Nehemiah through the hardship and opposition that the people went through. They had opposition from outside and discouragement from inside, yet they got the job done. It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hippolytus Of Rome Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 29, 2022

Hippolytus was elected as a rival bishop of the Roman Church for a while. For these doctrinal differences and the bishops' relaxing of moral standards, Hippolytus bitterly opposed both bishops and Callistus' successors, Urban and Pontianus.

Hippolytus of Rome Who was Hippolytus? I have never heard of this man, and for a good reason – He is a Catholic saint; I am a Baptist. However, he has a part to play in the development of the Catholic Church, and I hope this article provides you with enough information that you can answer the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Christ Crowns Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 20, 2019

THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN REVELATION. SMYRNA WAS A SMALL BUT FAITHFUL CHURCH IN THE FACE OF OVERWEALMING PERSECUTION.

THE CHURCH CHRIST CROWNS 1 REVELATION 2:8-11 MAY 12, 2019 TODAY WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SECOND OF A SERIES OF SEVEN LETTERS THAT GOD DICTATES TO JOHN IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. WE RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY FROM REVELATION CONCERNING THE EVENTS THAT OCCUR AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH, THESE ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Beatitudes - Continued - 4 Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Mar 14, 2016

Blessed are the pure in heart, the peace makers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake

I. Introduction A. Two gas company servicemen, a senior training supervisor and a young trainee, were out checking meters in a suburban neighborhood. They parked their truck the end of the alley and worked their way to the other end. At the last house, a woman looking out her kitchen window ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Unstoppable Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2022

God sent the Holy Spirit to us and into this world to transform it and His mission is unstoppable. No man can stop it, no religion can stop it, no government can stop it and no demon can stop it.

Video: Courage Series AD Sermon: Unstoppable Thesis statement: “The mission of spreading the Gospel to all the earth was unstoppable because it was part of God’s salvation story that has been written and continues to be written“(Caine). God sent the Holy Spirit to us and into this world to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Persevering Crackpots

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 10, 2021

How did Paul respond to his critics ... ? ... Paul "... said, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (I Cor.1:23 NRSV). The true gospel of Jesus Christ removes all crutches that people use to prop up their pretentiousness!

PERSEVERING CRACKPOTS Text: II Corinthians 4:5 - 12, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12  For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 21, 2022

Stephen is called a man full of God’s grace and power, and he performed great wonders and signs among the people. It was this context that opposition arose and Stephen was at the center of the opposition.

Context of Stephens sermon Acts Chapter 6 The context and background of Stephen’s message is found in Acts chapter 6. We are introduced to Stephen in Acts 6 who is chosen among the seven. The first mention is Stephen that he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. After the choosing of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Martha And Mary

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 1, 2022

When Martha brought her stress and complaints to Jesus, he heard her deepest need. He wanted Martha’s soul to catch up to her body.

A journalist with Bon Appetit Magazine asked readers to submit examples of their worst dinner party experiences. A woman names Bea Stein wrote about how the candles on her patio table fell over and set the whole table on fire. Another hostess had 50 guests coming over for brunch when the city ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Catholic

An Outline Of Acts 16:16-24

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 22, 2022

Lydia and others had believed the Gospel. Paul, Silas, Luke, and other members of this team were staying in Philippi to preach and teach. But trouble was just around the corner for these men.

Trouble for the Team in Philippi Introduction: After Lydia and presumably others believed the Gospel, Paul, Silas, Luke, and other members of this team stayed in Philippi to preach and teach. The Church in Philippi grew from this small group (see Paul’s letter to the Philippians) to a great ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Who Should We Obey? Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Oct 5, 2022

As followers of Jesus, we need to share the Gospel courageously and actively with everyone we meet.

WHO SHOULD WE OBEY? Text: Acts 4:13-22 Introduction 1. “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) 2. The question I want us to ponder this morning is should we obey God or people? 3. According to Peter and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:13-22

Denomination: Methodist

Shake The Building Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Oct 5, 2022

The way to deal with persecution is through the power of prayer!

SHAKE THE BUILDING Text: Acts 4:23-31 Introduction 1. Illustration: John Stott has pointed out that “persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value-systems.” That clash is what we are seeing now, and it is ultimately between those who believe, trust, and love the God of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Methodist

An Outline For Acts 6:8-15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 30, 2021

Stephen was a willing worker for the Church in the days of the Apostles. There were some people, including religious leaders, who didn't like him and made plans to do something to him.

An Outline for Acts 6:8-15 Introduction: Stephen was one of the original seven men chosen to assist the apostles (see Acts 6:1-7). He was able to more than just assist in distribution of food, as he performed “great wonders and miracles among the people” and even engaged in dialogue with members ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist