Sermons on Blatant Persecution:

Keys To Permanent Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2023

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Only In Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 12, 2022

Progress became a secular god, a new form of hope for secular man in the 19th century, a progress that would lead to freedom. It was not to be.

Monday of 2nd Week in Lent The call of Jesus in Matthew, which we heard at Mass on Saturday, was to “be perfect, as the heavenly Father.” In Luke’s redaction we heard today, the call is to “be merciful, as the heavenly Father.” If we understand that the root meaning of perfection is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:36-38, Daniel 9:4-10

Denomination: Catholic

Fan The Flame Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 6, 2023

Fan the flame of faith so you remain faithful when tough times come.

Fan the Flame 2 Timothy 1:1-12 Rev. Brian Bill June 3-4, 2023 As we kick off the summer, I want to share how God led me to our new series called, “Standing Firm” from the book of 2 Timothy. Initially, I planned to preach through Colossians but as I followed the readings from the Edgewood Bible ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Beatitudes - True, Lasting Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2023

How can we find true, lasting happiness, blessedness? Let's find out in Matthew 5.

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). Poor in Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Created On Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 21, 2022

God created us on purpose for His purposes.

On Tuesday of this week, another world record was broken when the population of our planet topped 8 billion people! I’m not quite sure what baby’s birth put us over the top, or even how they count this, but it’s fair to say humankind has kept at least one of God’s commands which is to “be fruitful ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Baal

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 20, 2023

Maybe we have more Baal worshipers than we know

"Idolatry is an economic issue. When we read about the Israelites worshiping the god Baal in 1 Kings 18, we tend to think of them developing a preference for wooden idol images. But the primary attraction to Baal wasn’t a pretty statue; it was an economic promise. For the nations around ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-10, Revelation 3:17

Denomination: Baptist

Esther: A People Redeemed, Hope Revealed.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 18, 2025

The story of Esther and her place in the history of the Jewish people is fascinating in that it speaks of God's providence all the while not mentioning God. It deepens our understanding of his care for us and for all people. Hope is revealed, what part do we play now?

Esther: A people redeemed, hope revealed. Read Esther 4:9-14 The book of Esther is an account of the redemption of the Jewish people that were residing in the nation of Persia, a nation of 127 provinces. Persia or now days modern Iran stretched from India to the Mediterranean Sea, including ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:9-14, Ephesians 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:1, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Esther 6:9, 1 Samuel 15:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Will Keep His Promise

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Jul 4, 2006

The disciples thought Jesus would return for them in their day, but He did not return. After the cross, the Christians were persecuted for their faith in Jesus and what He did for them at the cross. Many suffered torturous deaths because they would not

Jesus Will Keep His Promise by Greg Johnson http://www.lovinggodfellowship.org Right before Jesus went to the cross to die for our sin, He made a wonderful promise to His followers. He said (John 14:1-3 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contrasting A Defeatist Versus An Overcomer's Attitude

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

As pressed but not crushed, as perplexed but not in despair, as persecuted, but not abandoned, as put down but not put out. Always carrying about in our body the death of the Lord Jesus that the life of Christ may be made manifested in our body. (2 Cor. 4

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21) I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13) Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. (I John 5:4,5) As unknown, yet well known, as dying yet behold we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proof Of Purchase

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Aug 5, 2008

Explore the message that the early Christians recieved to give them hope while facing Nero’s insane persecution. Discover the three proofs of faith which can help you truly know if you are developing as a follower of Christ.

Opening Skit: Stamped For Eternity (available upon request) VIDEO INTRO: PROOF (available upon request) Introduction: We struggle to believe what we cannot see, but we cannot see, because we are not really looking. We all hope for the best most of the time. Even when the odds aren’t quite in our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Suffering For Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 30, 2009

This section covers persecution & hostility in the world. Jesus’ disciples would not have life easy. He says that discipleship will be a costly endeavor & whoever chooses to follow Him must be ready to experience & endure the sort of conflict He experie

JOHN 15: 18-27 SUFFERING FOR FOLLOWING JESUS This section centers on the topic of persecution and hostility in the world. Jesus foresaw that His disciples would not have life easy. He says that discipleship will be a costly endeavor and whoever chooses to follow Him must be ready to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

As Long As I Am In This Tabernacle

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 12, 2010

When the Apostle Peter penned his first letter, his aim was to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution---Something that was happening externally. Three years later, in this letter containing his last words, he writes to

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III AS LONG AS I AM IN THIS TABERNACLE II Peter 1:12-15 Prepared for Delivery at Southwestern Christian College Annual Southwestern Lectureship / Graham-Kennedy-Farmer Auditorium Tuesday, November 24, 1998 • 7:45 p.m. / Keynote Address THE TEXT "Wherefore I will not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-13

Be Happy Blessings Of Revelation Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 30, 2010

When we decide to die for Christ we receive the promise of eternal rest and peace from all the persecution that the world has inflicted on us. We get the blessing of having our righteous deeds follow us to Heaven.

“Series Revelation” Review of the book of Revelation: This writing unveils to us Jesus Christ – “The Beginning and the End” This book presents 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 resurrections of a Beast-like Kingdom, 7 trumpets, and 7 reasons why we as Christians should “Be Happy” through false prophets, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sweet Fruit Of Bitter Times

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

What are trials? 1. The term is used to speak of afflictions and adversities that we encounter in life. 2. These trials are of various kinds. It could be illness, financial reverses, problems at work, persecution for our faith, etc. They come in all sh

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army I. A Proper Attitude Toward Trials (v. 2). A. What are trials? 1. The term is used to speak of afflictions and adversities that we encounter in life. 2. These trials are of various kinds. It could be illness, financial reverses, problems at ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Spreading Flame Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 15, 2009

Paul Harvey said: "Too many Christians no longer are fishermen but keepers of the acquarim." God used the death of Stephen, and persecution to move the church beyond the walls of Jerusalem in order to complete his "mission" stated in Acts 1:8

In Jesus Holy Name August 15, 2006 Text: Acts 8:1,4-5 Series Redeemer “The Spreading Flame” I want to share a story with you so If you choose I’m going to give you permission to close your eyes and visualize the scene I’m about to describe. The first rays of a new ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran