Sermons on Endurance In Persecution:

The Idol Of Consumerism: Smyrna Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Oct 25, 2009

The church of Smyrna receives Jesus’ unconditional applause because they made hard choices relating to faith-full-ness rather than opting for a more convenient faith.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF CONSUMERISM: SMYRNA REVELATION 2:8-11 Sermon Objective: The church of Smyrna receives Jesus’ unconditional applause because they made hard choices relating to faith-full-ness rather than shop for a more ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Lose Friends And Anger People Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 10, 2010

God prepares his people for persecution so that we will not fall away when proving that there are things in life worth dying for.

Scripture Introduction Dale Carnegie pioneered work in public speaking and was famous for helping others become successful. In 1936 he published How to Win Friends and Influence People; since then it has sold more than 15 million copies. Two of his most famous maxims are, “Believe that you ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Three Aspects Of Kingdom Faithfulness

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 5, 2010

When we live a dedicated life of obedience, we can expect persecution for our faith.

Three Aspects of Kingdom Faithfulness Matthew 5:10-12 INTRODUCTION A. Savonarola, Italian preacher 1. Greatest reformers of church period, condemned personal sin and ecclesiastical corruption. 2. Paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. 3. Biographer said of him: His preaching was a voice of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Enemy Behavior

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 15, 2010

Believers should respond to opposition with love, prayer and a witness for their Savior.

Responding to Enemy Behavior Matthew 5:43-48 INTRODUCTION A. Lifeguard rescuing a drowning person. 1. Suppose it was your best friend or just a casual acquaintance. 2. We would probably risk our life to save them. 3. But suppose the drowning person was a contemptible person, your enemy. 4. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Against The Bullies!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 11, 2016

All bullies have their day, but we must react differently than the bullies though we stand up to them.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Matthew 5:11 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

Cultures In Conflict Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Nov 15, 2016

Christian culture and worldly culture often clash. How do faithful disciples of Jesus Christ respond when cultures come into conflict?

Our text today reflects two cultures that are in great conflict, and even though they were people from different cultures, the conflict arose over the subject of religion. If you’ve been around church at all, you’ve probably heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Methodist

Standing Up To Opposition Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Sep 30, 2016

We praise God when life is good, how do we respond when facing oppostion? We look at the aftermath of the miracle at the Beautiful Gate.

It’s easy to praise God when things are going well, isn’t it? The boss commended you on a job well one. The kids have been unusually obedient this week. All the bills got paid before the money ran out. Life is good, praise God! But what about when times get tough? Will you praise ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living As Exiles - Embracing Our Weirdness

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jan 19, 2017

What we believe and what we practice as those who are in Christ is strange to the world. Let's embrace it

Living as Exiles – Embracing our Weirdness TCF Sermon January 3, 2016 Does anybody really make New Year’s resolutions anymore? It can be a helpful exercise, but for many of us, they just end up being a to-do list for the next week or two, that quickly falls by the wayside in the face of everyday ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20-32, Romans 12:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ultimate Good Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 6, 2017

Trusting God for the good as well as the bad in life, because He will achieve His purpose for the ultimate good in our lives.

Reading the story of the life of David, from the beginning (1 Samuel) until now (end of 2 Samuel), is like reading a man going through a Christian boot camp. • David went through a lot, to be where God wants him to be and do what God wants him to do. God was training His servant. • David went ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Roman Soldiers And Officer

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Mar 30, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:54

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working With The Lord's Help Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react with anger, ridicule, and rejection. Nehemiah gives us a great example of how we need to respond when the enemies of God oppose His work.

In this lesson, I would like to look at the leadership of Nehemiah through the hardship and opposition that the people went through. They had opposition from outside and discouragement from inside, yet they got the job done. It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Responding To Opposition Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 5, 2012

THE PASSAGE BEFORE US THIS MORNING IS THE RESULT OF ACTIVITIES IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. IF YOU WERE TO FLIP THE PAGE BACK INTO CHAPTER 3, YOU WOULD SEE THAT PETER AND JOHN, WHILE WALKING UP TO THE TEMPLE, ENCOUNTER A MAN WHO CANNOT WALK, AND THROUGH THE

RESPONDING TO OPPOSITION ACTS 4:16-22 Proposition: OUTWARD OPPOSITION NEEDS TO BE RESISTED AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Introduction: THE PASSAGE BEFORE US THIS MORNING IS THE RESULT OF ACTIVITIES IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. IF YOU WERE TO FLIP THE PAGE BACK INTO CHAPTER 3, YOU WOULD SEE THAT PETER AND ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:16-22

Denomination: Baptist