Sermons on Debt Collectors Persecute:

Stephen: A Study Of Martyrdom Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2013

A vivid picture of martyrdom which should encourage the believer to stand fast when facing persecution.

Finally, we come to scene 3 in our study of Stephen. Last time we heard a powerful, spirit-filled message from Stephen. He reviewed several of the OT stories and used the examples of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses to lead up to the point of accusing the members of the Sanhedrin of making the same ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

Prison Of Praise

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Feb 19, 2013

The problem with their story was nothing they said of Paul and Silas was the truth.

Pastor Allan Kircher Shell Point Baptist Church Acts 16:16-26 THE PRISON OF PRAISE Intro: Having lost in a fire virtually everything they owned, the Spafford family made new plans, including a move from Chicago to France. Horatio Spafford planned the trip for his wife and four daughters to be as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Philip And The Ethiopian Lesson 39 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 11, 2019

Persecution scatters the Gospel.

A. INTRODUCTION – ACTS 8:1-4 1. Persecution initiated. Saul held the coats for those stoning Stephen. “. . . I cast my vote . . .” (Acts 26:10). 2. Persecution intensified. 3. Persecution scatters the gospel. B. THE GOSPEL SPREADS TO SAMARIA – ACTS 8:5-6 1. What is significant about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

"When God Stood Up!”

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Aug 25, 2018

While we lie down in the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm, the Good Shepherd may not seem to notice us — we are safe; but when the sheep are among the wolves of Matthew 10:16, the Good Shepherd will run to their help — they are in danger.

“[God] raised [Christ] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places… . He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” - Ephesians 1:20–23 In Mark 16:19 after Jesus spoke to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christ Call’s For Moral Courage Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

SMYRNA WAS A SMALL BUT DEDICATED CHURCH. THEY COURAGEOUSLY FACE PERSECUTION AND ARE REMINDED OF THE PROMISED REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. THE SECOND OF SEVEN IN THE SERIES.

CHRIST CALL’S FOR MORAL COURAGE REVELATION 2:12-17 TODAY WE LOOK AT THE THIRD OF SEVEN MESSAGES THAT GOD GIVES THE CHURCH THROUGH HIS SERVANT JOHN. EPHESUS WAS A CHURCH THAT HAD LOST IT’S FIRST LOVE, SMYRNA WAS A STRUGGLING CHURCH THAT KEPT THE FAITH IN SPITE OF GREAT PERSECUTION. PERGAMOS WAS A ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Enduring Pressure Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

How God used Persecution to bless the church

Acts 8 - 3/19/17 Turn with me this morning to Acts 8.  The book of Acts is the transitional book, leading us from the life and ministry of Jesus and taking us into the church age.  As Jesus ascends back up to heaven, he said to his disciples, "But you will receive power when the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sermon On The Mount (Part Four) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 3, 2019

Today we finish up the beatitudes. They all work together-being poor in spirit causes me to have godly sorrow. Being meek allows me to be merciful and thus-a peacemaker. If I hunger and thirst for righteousness I will be pure in heart. All of these are important in dealing with persecution.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part four) Matt. 5:10-12 Today we finish up the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 2:19-21, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Corinthians 4:11-13, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Hebrews 10:32-36, Hebrews 11:36-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christians Must Be Prepared To Suffer For Christ

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 3, 2019

The Prosperity movement has given Americans a wrong view of God -- that He won’t let Christians suffer. But the truth is that suffering is a vital part of Christianity. Suffering should be viewed as a blessing, a cause for rejoicing, and a sign of future reward.

CHRISTIANS MUST BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST Matt. 24:9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: MAGIC AT THE PASTRY SHOP 1. Two broke and hungry best friends, Dave and John, went into a pastry shop. Dave suddenly whisks three cookies into his pocket with lightning speed. The baker didn't notice. Dave ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Suffering Strikes Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on May 29, 2016

Churches Then & Now: Smyrna – When Suffering Strikes – Revelation chapter 2 verses 8-11 – sermon by Gordon Curley. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Address (8a). (2). Attribute (vs 8b). (3). Approval (vs 9-10a). (4). Accusation. (5). Advice (vs 10). (6). Assurance (vs 11). SERMON BODY: Ill: • “We don’t look alike, we don’t act alike. • We don’t dress alike. • We have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Brethren

Matters Of Life And Death

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jul 4, 2015

Persecution realities of today in many lands

Matters of Life and Death: February 8th, 2015 Pastor Eric J. Hanson: Luke 21:10-19  Jesus warned about persecution.  “They will put some of you to death”.  The Most Persecuted People in the World…  Now let’s consider specific nations. North ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Witness Of Paul Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 13, 2020

The persecutor became the persecuted. The one who was hunting down believers became hunted down. Paul who afflicted suffering on Christians, now suffers as a Christian.

Good morning. We are going to read the post-conversion account of Paul today. • His conversion, which we saw last week, was both miraculous and traumatic. • He was blinded for 3 days and did not eat or drink, until a stranger Ananias came to minister to him. He was restored physically, but more ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Having A Problem?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 13, 2019

a study in the book of Psalms 3

Psalm 3: 1 – 8 Having a problem? 1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:3

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Love Your Haters

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 26, 2014

Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Love Your Haters John 15:17-25 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LoveHaters.html Matthew 5:10-12 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil ...read more

Scripture: John 15:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Eats With Sinners And Tax Collectors: The Parable Of The New Wine Into Old Wineskins Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Sep 12, 2022

The last few weeks we were in the vineyard, working the fields, sweating, watering vines, pruning vines, getting sweaty, talking servanthood, talking pride vs. humility, talking about the kingdom of God pattern in regard to gifts received, timing, all of it.

The last few weeks we were in the vineyard, working the fields, sweating, watering vines, pruning vines, getting sweaty, talking servanthood, talking pride vs. humility, talking about the kingdom of God pattern in regard to gifts received, timing, all of it. Now we’re coming in from the vineyard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Salvation Army

Forgive Us Our Debts: "A River Runs Through It" And The Lord's Prayer Series

Contributed by Bobby Gilles on Nov 3, 2015

Debt traps us in a life of despair. And it goes much deeper than financial debt. Jesus provides the only escape from a deeper, darker debt that is propelling us forward to a day of reckoning.

Good morning. My name is Bobby Gilles; I’m on staff here. For the past few weeks we’ve been preaching through the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer Jesus taught us to pray. Today we arrive at the final two verses: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. and lead ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-13

Denomination: Baptist