Sermons on Endurance In Persecution:

Grace And Peace To You / (Why Mentioned So Often In The New Testament?)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 20, 2012

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen times we hear this exact greeting or a variation in the pages of the New Testament. Why is this the favored greeting of the apostles? Updated April 2022.

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen (18) times... we hear this exact greeting... or a variation of it... in the pages ...of the New Testament It is used as the opening sentence ... from our service ... of Morning Prayer: These words should be familiar: Hear God's Word to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:10, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 13:5, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 1:4-8, Philippians 1:2, Revelation 2:10-15, Ephesians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Grace In The Middle Of Grief Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 30, 2009

Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.

Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon: Encouragement To Press On

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 9, 2025

Paul’s inspiring testimony of commitment forces us to look at our own lives—do we have the strategy we need to overcome our challenges? Or do we let our failures derail our dreams? And what could we accomplish if we were committed enough and had the strength not to give up?

Subject: Encouragement to Press On Text: Philippians 3:7-14 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Love Of God's Discipline

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 19, 2023

In the following sermon we are going to review Hebrews 12:4-11 to find the motive and intended blessings of the Lord’s discipline!

The Love of God’s Discipline Hebrews 12:4-11 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 How does one throw off everything that hinders our walk with God and “run the race, fight the good fight, and finish well” in the face of the debilitating anguish of hardships? Day and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Distraction

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 6, 2017

When we have to cope for the long term, we need to implement God’s template for doing so. Distraction is a key element in this process, but needs to be viewed as part of the whole process.

The Power of Distraction (Philippians 4:1-9) 1. The psychology professor was giving an oral test. She asked, "How would you diagnose a patient who screaming at the top of his lungs one minute, then sits in a chair weeping uncontrollably the next?" A sports-minded young man answered, "He's ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Live According To The Pattern

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 21, 2013

Paul encourages the Philippians and us to live according to his pattern.

Albert Einstein once said, “The universe is not merely more complicated than we can understand. It’s more complicated than we can IMAGINE.” That’s an interesting thing to think about; how this whole Universe was formed by design. What a complex design it is! God had it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Stay Where You Are

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

When we are faced with trials and troubles we must stay where we are, faithful and obedient, loving and being loved.

Stay Where You Are 04/20/08 AM Reading: Psalm 46:1-11 Introduction Over the past couple of meetings in our Wednesday night bible study we reviewed the account found in the book of Numbers (chapters 13, 14) of a lost generation, an entire generation that failed to enter the Promised Land. As many of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Trials

Contributed by Darrell Tucker on May 21, 2004

Every Christian needs endurance; God gives us trials to help us mature and build our endurance for the course ahead.

The Joy of Trials James 1:2-4 I. Do YOU have trials? a. Is there anyone who doesn’t?! i. Chirpy the parakeet – News story about a parakeet that was mistakenly sucked up in the vacuum while his owner was cleaning his cage. ii. Mark Dunn – College roommate whose waterbed seemed to have a hole in it… ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Value Of The Cross

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 6, 2022

This is a promise we can stand on. Jesus, who endured all things for us, offers to us His strength by which we can endure.

Introduction Some years ago, a 14-foot bronze crucifix was stolen from Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had stood at the entrance to that cemetery for more than 50 years. The thieves figured that the 900-pound cross probably brought about $450 and so they cut it off at its base and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Brethren

Stop Watching The Wind

Contributed by Richard Cook on Aug 25, 2009

Teaches us to keep our faith in Christ and to keep our eyes on him; not letting ourselves get distracted by the storms that are raging outside

Matthew 14:22-33 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Vindicate Me, O God

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 2, 2021

Psalm 109 is a prayer that sticks in our throats – quite rightly, for we realize how serious it is. But this Psalm teaches us to realize what’s at stake in this life.

When we open our Bibles we sometimes come across things that are very hard. Some things in the Scriptures we struggle to understand – and some things we struggle to accept. For example, in the Psalms we find in several places words full of violence and hostility. In Ps 58:6 we read, “Break the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Saying 'yes' To Life"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 19, 2010

Saying ‘Yes’ to life basically boils down to asking, “What can I do with the life God has given me?” And then, living into it!!!

Hebrews 11:29-12:2 “Saying ‘Yes’ to Life” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN An author writes, “When my oldest son, Nathan, was a teenager, he told me that he had decided to become a stockbroker, a millionaire by age 30, and ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Buy The Lie

Contributed by Craig Benner on May 19, 2012

Are you for sale? How much is your salvation worth? Many are selling out at a very cheap price, but are losing the most valuable asset.

DON'T BUY THE LIE 2 Tim. 3:12-14 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV) 12 Y también todos los que quieren vivir piadosamente en Cristo Jesús, padecerán persecución. (RVG04) 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

An All-Weather Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 18, 2007

How do "live for Christ"? Do we only do that when things are going our way? Or is our faith deeper and more focused on our love for Him?

OPEN: A young man’s fiancé had broken off their engagement. But a couple of months later, he received the following letter from her: Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Redeem Your Suffering

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 15, 2009

We must guard against the worldly pressures and fears that threaten us to "tone down" the Gospel message.

FEAR! A WORD THAT IS ONLY 4-LETTERS, BUT ONE THAT CAN REAP DEVESTATING CONSEQUENCES. FEAR IS SO POWERFUL THAT IT CAN PARALYZE, CONTROLL, AND MANIPULATE US. FEAR CAN COMPELS US TO DO IRRESPONSIBLE THINGS AND CAN EVEN HINDER US FROM LIVING RESPONSIBLY AND LIVING FRUITLESS LIVES. THIS IS WHY I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-21

Denomination: Free Methodist