Sermons on Defending Persecuted:

Having Faith When Times Are Hard

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 28, 2024

So now that each of us has examined our spiritual faith, what do we do with it? What part does it play in our lives?

Off and on in the past couple of months, we have been talking about faith and how it plays a part, a vital part in our spiritual lives. So now that each of us has examined our spiritual faith, what do we do with it? What part does it play in our lives? Over the next 6 weeks or so I want to take ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12, James 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Eighth And Ninth Beatitudes Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 26, 2022

Like it or not, being persecuted is in Jesus' list of the characteristics of the Christian. If we follow Jesus, it's inevitable that we'll be persecuted. But the persecution proves the genuiness of our faith. And it leads to great reward.

Jesus starts the Sermon on the Mount with nine Beatitudes – sayings that start ‘Blessed are’. Jesus wants us to be blessed – meaning, happy or fortunate. In the Beatitudes, Jesus presents us with the key characteristics of the Christian. Some people have said they’re the blueprint of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Endurance In Christ Alone PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 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

Jesus Before All Else

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 1, 2025

To be a true disciple of Christ, to be assured of eternal life, we must never be ashamed to confess His holy name. We must also be willing to follow Him always, forsaking our own desires and even our family and friends.

I have entitled our message, “Jesus Before All Else.” Author Mike Mazzalongo wrote a book entitled Jesus Above All Else. He says that Jesus told His followers, “in no uncertain terms, that in order to be His disciple they must place Him above all else.” He explains that “above all else” means ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

Sticks And Stones Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Nov 28, 2025

A rhyme from my childhood: “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I wish that were true because so many today are living in a life of distress because of words.

“Sticks And Stones” Acts 14:19-23 A rhyme from my childhood: “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I wish that were true because, so many today are living in a life of distress because of words. In our walk with Paul and Barnabas we see this rhyme in reality. Not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

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

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 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

The Seven Churches: Smyrna PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 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

Murdered For Truth (Acts 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 19, 2025

Why are some so offended by Jesus?

Do people generally despise hearing the truth about their own wrongdoing? Are we afraid to call for repentance? Let’s look at Stephen’s example in Acts 7. How did Stephen defend himself against false accusations? “Is this true?” the high priest asked. “Brothers and fathers,” he said, “listen: The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Contending For The Faith

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 29, 2010

The once for all delivered faith must be kept and contended for if the church is to remain pure and pleasing to God. Jude shows the way.

Jude – Defending the Faith What would you agonize over? What would you fight for with all the resources at your disposal? Today’s study is about doing just that. This little letter of Jude falls in order as the next to last book in our New Testaments. It has a singular focus although it ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Contender

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 24, 2013

Contending for the faith is not winning arguments. It is much harder. It involves difficult things like prayer and displays of mercy.

1. Swedish Military The Swedish military has cut back from around-the-clock-operations to a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule, Monday through Friday only. Sound crazy? It's true. Some people want to be Christians on Sunday (or Sunday morning only) and then just like all other people the rest of the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Plead And Deliver Me

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 26, 2014

To show that GOD is our Lawyer who can both plead our cause, redeem us, revive us and give us life according to His WORDS.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have a Lawyer in Heaven? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD is our Lawyer who can both plead our cause, redeem us, revive us and give us life according to His WORDS. IV. TEXT: Psalms 119:154 (Amplified Bible) 119:154 Plead my cause and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:154

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Islamic Invasion Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 8, 2010

A study of chapter 38 verses 1 through 23

Ezekiel 38: 1 – 23 The Islamic Invasion 1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 38:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Altared - Pt. 3 - Pinky Swear! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 13, 2013

Once prominent in churches. Once prominent in life. Now seldom seen in our buildings. Have they also disappeared from our life? We have been called to live an "Altared" life. Why?

Altared - Pt. 3 - Pinky Swear I. Introduction For some it was padded. For others it folded down. For some a simple rail. For others it was built in and for others it was a separate piece of furniture that often became a display location for offering plates, plastic flowers, and croquette covered ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Call To Arms

Contributed by Jeff Hatos on Jun 29, 2019

How are we Christians to respond to the ungodly laws and actions that are happening in the world?

A Call to Arms 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Firm

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Nov 22, 2021

Just as in sports, your Stance will affect your ability to defend.

Stand Firm The Resurrection of Christ 15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene