Sermons on Early Martyrs:

Heaven's Just A Stone's Throw Away Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Nov 26, 2005

The story of the first Christian martyr

The story of the first Christian martyr The kingdom of Heaven is at Hand - it is always a stone’s throw away Life is short - to live like Stephen you must: Decide before you go through tough times how you will act and what you will say AC 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eating With The Troops Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 4, 2009

The early church "gathered together to break bread." Why was this activity so critical to them and what can it mean to us?

OPEN: There’s an old saying: “An army marches on… (its stomach).” What that means is: if an army doesn’t feed its men it’s not going anywhere. Without food the troops eventually can’t march, they can’t maneuver, and they can’t fight. So one of the logistical problems for armies has always been - ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did The Early Church Turn The Word Upside Down

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Sep 27, 2006

What caused the early church to turn their world upside down

Why Did The Early Church Turn The Word Upside Down? Acts 17:1-9 Acts 17:6 “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” What a tribute to Paul and Silas! Wherever Paul went, things happened. Souls were saved, people took sides, feelings were stirred, decisions were made, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Very Early In The Morning, Hope Woke Up With The Sun

Contributed by Duane Wente on Apr 18, 2025

The resurrection of Jesus did not wait for the noise of the world—it happened quietly, powerfully, and full of promise... very early in the morning. (A Sunrise Sermon)

### **Introduction:** Good morning! Look around. We are standing in a place of graves. A place of sorrow. A place of mourning… And yet, here we are this morning, greeting the dawn. We are in a place of endings, but watching a beginning. Scripture tells us that very early in the morning, much ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let’s Return To The Early Church View Of Money

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 17, 2024

Spirituality is our business NOT making money. That was the view of the earliest churches. Why did it change?

Let’s return to the early church View of Money 1Timothy Chapter six Michael H Koplitz [Paul supports slavery] 1Tim. 6:1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be 1spoken against. 2 Those who ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Healin' Power - A Case Study Of An Early Apostolic Miracle Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

The marvelous example of the healing of a lame man which we find in Acts 3:1-11 is by no means a mere miracle for the display of power. Rather even this event is a powerful fulfillment of Prophecy in the Messianic Age.

INTRODUCTION The marvelous example of the healing of a lame man which we find in Acts 3:1-11 is by no means a mere miracle for the display of power. Rather even this event is a powerful fulfillment of Prophecy in the Messianic Age: Isaiah 35:1; Mic 4:6; Zeph 3:19 Miracles in the Messianic Age: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How The Early Church Weathered Its First Crisis

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 7, 2006

The early church faced many crises that threatened its very existence but none greater than that posed by the Judaizers.

HOW THE EARLY CHURCH WEATHERED ITS FIRST CRISIS “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Standing As Dead Man Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on May 2, 2007

This message is the first in a series based on the "Martyr’s Oath", and is meant to challange believer’s to live more dedicated to Christ

THE MARTYR’S OATH Standing As A Dead Man Romans 6:1-11 INTRODUCTION: In India there is a Bible Institute run by Dr. Samuel Thomas – a modern day hero of the Christian faith. Each year this Bible Institute has a commencement ceremony where students who have finished their studies are together for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Do People See The Face Of Christ In Us?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 28, 2018

What do you do when you are being ground between the wheels of governments mired in error?

Ss Philip and James 2018 Reformation/Revolution There’s a beautiful icon from the early part of the last millennium that shows a visualization of the Trinity. The Father is pictured looking to His left, and the Son is pictured looking to His right, and the Holy Spirit is right between. The ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-14

Denomination: Catholic

Dying For The Cause

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2009

The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Winning The Peace Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 3, 2011

The saints must remain vigilant even during the thousand years. It is never more necessary to beware of Satan and his dead-enders than when the neighborhood seems safe.

How many of you remember that image of Saddam Hussein being toppled from its central position in downtown Baghdad? I don’t expect there’s anyone in this country who didn’t see it. It played over and over for days. And it really looked liked victory, didn’t it? And of course ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Death In The Family

Contributed by Michael Treston on Jun 10, 2001

Martyrs for jesus come in many shapes and forms

The scripture we read this morning is quite a grim text isn’t it, but in the eastern orthodox church they use this same scripture to celebrate the end of the Christmas story. In that church, they have set aside the 29th of December as a holy day. A holy day where they commemorate the lives of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Willing Waiters

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on May 12, 2009

: The CAUSE of Conflict

A guide at Blarney Castle in Ireland was explaining to some visitors that his job was not always as pleasant as it seemed. He told them about a group of disgruntled tourists he had taken to the castle earlier in the week. "These people were complaining about everything," he said. "They didn’t like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Gathering To Grow Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Nov 30, 2011

We must turn around (‘repent’) from the depth of our self-will… and give ourselves…immerse ourselves (‘be baptized’) in the life of Jesus…now risen and ruling and revealing God’s will.

Gathering to Grow Series: ROOTS Brad Bailey – October 16, 2011 Intro – I want to begin by asking a question: Why are you here? Why are we here together? It’s always good to stop and consider WHY we are doing something… what the purpose is. Because when we loose clarity on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 13, 2013

The Church of Jesus Christ is probably one the longest lasting institutions in the history of mankind. over the next few weeks we get to be a part of it's beginning and hopefully find a way to bring that kind of excitement and power into the church today

I think what we are going to immerse ourselves in today is the beginning of probably the most exciting part of human history, certainly for Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ is probably one of if not the longest lasting institutions in the history of mankind, and over the next few weeks we get ...read more