Sermons on Defending Persecuted:

We Must Obey Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2023

The world is setting itself against the ways of God and persecution is headed our way. How do we prepare ourselves so we can stand firm in our faith. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read text. Pray. Francis Chan has long been a favorite preacher/author of mine. Over the years he has shared many ideas that are very similar to those of our brotherhood. For instance, there’s a meme where he says, “If the Bible and I don’t agree, I must be wrong.” He has spoken of being ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Trouble Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 2, 2022

If we're going to get in trouble, let it be "good trouble, necessary trouble."

In 2014, ISIS began to retake territory around Mosul, Iraq. Militant began singling out Christians by marking the Arabic letter “n” [IMAGE] on homes and businesses. It stands for Nazrani or, Nazarene, the arabic word for “Christian.” A not-so-subtle to convert or be killed. History is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-10, Acts 8:1-3, John 15:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

An Outline Of Acts 14

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 2, 2022

Acts 14 contains a record of where Paul and Barnabas ministered after they left Cyprus. They worked in Asia Minor, encountering success but also persecution. But no matter what, they never gave up.

Introduction: Acts 14 records several events during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. Some of these events are almost hard to believe but they happened! Once they reached a stopping point, they retraced their steps and returned to Antioch of Syria, reporting all that the Lord had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Learning From Suffering And Pain Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 27, 2023

Jesus promised His followers would suffer trials and persecutions.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine … tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor.” 1 Peter 1:7, NLT “When troubles come your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

How God Uses Evil For Good Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 15, 2023

Three progressive features show "How God uses Evil for Good", describing: 1) Persecution (Act 8:1–3), which stems from 2) Preaching (Acts 8:4-7), which results in 3) Productivity (Acts 8:8).

Acts 8:1-8. [8:1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Other

Waiting On God Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 15, 2023

Wings are found in God's presence.

A. INTRODUCTION “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, NKJV 1. Two kinds of people need wings: a. Devastated, drained of purpose/energy b. Discouraged, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamentation Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2024

A warning, and the long-suffering of God.

THE LAMENTATION OF JESUS. Matthew 23:34-39. 1. Context. Matthew 23:13-33. Jesus spares not to warn those who are on the path to ‘the damnation of hell’ (cf. Matthew 23:33), using such expressions as ‘woe unto you’ (eight times), ‘hypocrites’ (seven times), ‘blind guides’ or ‘fools and blind’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:34-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Joy In That City Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jan 9, 2025

Not everything, that we call bad, is bad! There are times when God moves in the lives of others in order to direct the lives of His children.

“Great Joy In That City” Acts 8:3-8 In our text we see the work of the Lord in the life of the believers. Not everything, that we call bad, is bad! There are times when God moves in the lives of others in order to direct the lives of His children. We need to overlap a couple verses from last ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

Your Choice: Suffer, Or ... - 1 Peter 4:17-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

The reason we must glorify God as Christians rather than being ashamed is because it is time for judgment to begin with God's house.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the degree that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-19

The Relationship Of Believers To Religionsists Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 28, 2024

We live in a world of religion and religionists. The world even looks at believers as religionists, but we aren’t.

So far in chapter 15 of the gospel of John we have talked about: • The relationship of Jesus to the people of the world. • The relationship of Jesus to believers. • The relationship of believers to believers. • The relationship of believers to the world. Tonight, we move into chapter 16 and look ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Counting Blessings Amid Trials Series

Contributed by Peter Ceccardi on Dec 3, 2024

Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Introduction: Theme of Gratitude and Faith in Trials Brethren, as we gather to begin this series, Echoes of Christmas: God’s Unfolding Plan, our hearts are tuned to Thanksgiving. It is fitting that we turn our minds to the matter of gratitude—an act not for days of ease alone but for days of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 107:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jerusalem- Shaken Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 21, 2024

This is the 47th Sermon in the Series "Biblical Cities- Jerusalem".

Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#47] JERUSALEM- SHAKEN Matthew 23:37 Introduction: We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem. The City of Jerusalem is going through a shaking right now. On the 14th, there were explosions visible in the air over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37, Acts 4:23-37

Denomination: Baptist

Samson: Enigmatical Lesson 7

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 29, 2024

Everything outside God’s will is lost time.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Why does God allow persecution? To draw us to Himself. “The children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistine forty years” (13:1). 2. Forty years is wasted time. a. Not for God’s preparation. b. Everything ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1, Judges 14:6, Judges 15:4, Judges 16:4-21

Denomination: Baptist

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