Sermons on Blatant Persecution:

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ministry Of Philip Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 13, 2021

The Persecution of the early church scattered believers all over, everyone witnessed according to their understanding and gifts. Philip landed in Samaria and did wonders and reached many. Read and enjoy.

Acts 8:4-25 Samaria: Philip, Peter, and John 08:04-08 Ministry of Philip in Samaria 08:09-13,17-24 Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer 08:14-25 Ministry of Peter and John in Samaria Happy New Year 2021!. This Part 3 of the ACTS covers the expansion of the Church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Methodist

Time Of Betrayal - Can You Pass The Judas Test?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 15, 2022

We are entering a time like no other, the time of the end. This time will be characterized by wickedness, betrayal and persecution. When Judas shows up in your life, how will you respond?

• I recently came through a terrible years long betrayal • I don’t want to talk about that betrayal today, I am done talking about it. I am praying every single day for the person involved because I care about her and want her to go on and do better and be in a closer walk with the Lord. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Denomination: Charismatic

Despised For The Gospel Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 1, 2018

Jesus revealed that those who were committed to Him should expect difficulty and persecution for their faith. We tend to think He referred to others, but it is applicable to believers everywhere.

Despised for the Gospel Mark 13: 9-13 As we continue to discuss the Olivet Discourse, we are reminded that Jesus had warned of calamities the world would face as the end drew near. There would be many false prophets seeking to deceive, much fighting and war among nations, earthquakes, famine, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

"recycling Our Pain" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

Our scripture for today falls into this category of verses I don’t understand when I first read them. Here it is. Happy are those who are persecuted.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If your right eye offends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 11, 2023

The persecution forced the church to decisions that would unlock the full potential of the Church in terms of scope, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Church at Jerusalem became the Church on the move. We are a part of that movement.

Sermon: Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Scripture: Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:18-21, Acts 8:25-31

Denomination: Methodist

Crazy Happy Satisfaction Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

True joy and happiness are found in living according to God's plan, which includes showing mercy, having a pure heart, being a peacemaker, and standing firm in the face of persecution.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all want - happiness. But not just any happiness, we're talking about the real, deep-down, soul-satisfying happiness. You know, the kind that doesn't depend on how many likes you get on Instagram or whether your crush texts you back. We're talking about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-12

Topics: Divine Joy, God's Plan, Spiritual Happiness, Faithful Living

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bible And Modern Israel

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 15, 2014

A Biblical study considering whether or not modern Israel holds any significance in the eyes of God.

Throughout my life, I have noted that our Nation's foreign-policy has been to support Israel in its struggles with its Arab and Palestinian neighbors. Nearly a half trillion dollars of humanitarian and military aid has been given to Israel to defend the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Church # 1 The Church Of Ephesus Series

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on May 20, 2014

The seven churches and where we are today.

CHURCH # 1 THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS Rev.2: 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Leave Your Enemies To God And Trust In Divine Justice. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 28, 2024

Dealing with enemies and those who seek to harm us can be a challenging and emotional experience.

Dealing with enemies and those who seek to harm us can be a challenging and emotional experience. However, as Christians, we are called to trust in God's justice and leave our enemies in His hands. In this sermon, we'll explore Bible verses that support this principle and provide guidance ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19, Matthew 5:44, Exodus 14:14

Treasure In Clay Jars

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 16, 2022

This sermon focuses on Paul's words to the Corinthians to remind them (and us) that even in the midst of pain and persecution (i.e, being hard pressed on every side), they carry within them the knowledge of God through Christ that can help them be victorious over any situation.

Good morning. Did anybody get to see the exhibit down at the Heinz Center called The Vatican Splendors? In case you were not able to see it, today is the last day and then it is going to move on. It was a traveling show across the United States that hit four or five cities where they took ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 1:18

Denomination: Christian Church

Support From A King Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 3, 2022

Those who spend their efforts to destroy God’s work are fighting for a lost cause. God will Triumph. A little faith overcame opposition. Through faith the Israelites overcame apathy. There is so much we can do as Christians with the Holy Spirit through faith.

The noted 18th century French Philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) was a renowned Atheist. He criticized the Bible and he claimed that “One hundred years from my day, there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker.” A few decades after ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Not Quite A Christian Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 21, 2022

The Savior saved us so we will speak about Him to those He sends us to.

How many of you remember the sermon from last weekend? Me either. Howard Hendricks used to say we have the potential of remembering 10% of what we hear, and that’s just the potential. Another pastor believes we forget 95% of a sermon after 72 hours. For us to remember, we need to hear things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Baptist