Sermons on Endurance In Persecution:

Keys To Permanent Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2023

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Esther: A People Redeemed, Hope Revealed.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 18, 2025

The story of Esther and her place in the history of the Jewish people is fascinating in that it speaks of God's providence all the while not mentioning God. It deepens our understanding of his care for us and for all people. Hope is revealed, what part do we play now?

Esther: A people redeemed, hope revealed. Read Esther 4:9-14 The book of Esther is an account of the redemption of the Jewish people that were residing in the nation of Persia, a nation of 127 provinces. Persia or now days modern Iran stretched from India to the Mediterranean Sea, including ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:9-14, Ephesians 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:1, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Esther 6:9, 1 Samuel 15:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Standing Strong Amidst Trials SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Paul faced numerous challenges and spiritual battles. Despite the relentless attacks from hell, he remained steadfast, tearing down strongholds and liberating the oppressed. His story is a testament to enduring faith and resilience, reminding us that we too can stand strong amidst trials.

One of the things I really love about the Bible is when it gives us a deep look into the lives of its characters. One person who captures my attention is the Apostle Paul. Today, we will take a peek into his life and discover some valuable lessons. In this passage, Paul is on a ship as a prisoner, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:3-5

Topics: Faith, Resilience

Rejoicing In Heaven

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 1, 2014

Christians today can’t get side-tracked thinking about the finish line, because the race is NOT finished for us yet! We must faithfully endure life and continue to tell people about Jesus UNTIL we are face to face with Him!

Rejoicing in Heaven Revelation 19:1-8 Introduction - Share something on my heart this week: -- “My prayer is that God will send faithful men and women to our church to work for His glory in reaching people for Christ.” -- To work, we must be trained, which means faithfulness ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Attitudes For Revival: Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 13, 2023

"Blessed are those who mourn." How does this beatitude instruct us to position ourselves for revival? Is there a mindset here necessary for operating in a revival?

Intro How do we posture ourselves to be used by God? What attitudes of heart invite the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives? We find answers to these questions in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began that sermon in Matthew 5 with the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes he shares eight attitudes of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 2 Corinthians 2:16, Isaiah 57:15, 1 Peter 5:6, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, Proverbs 14:12, Matthew 23:37, Romans 8:18-25, Romans 8:28-29, Luke 6:21-25, Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 126:5-6, Ecclesiastes 7:1-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Ten Ways The Holy Spirit Empowers You With His Faithfulness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 16, 2004

The apostle Paul trained himself to view the perils of his life as opportunities to express his faithfulness to Christ. He came to the place where he could "take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’

Ten Ways the Holy Spirit Empowers You With His Faithfulness (I Thes 5:24) Illustration: Several years ago The New York Times reported that coyotes were repopulating much of the American East. But they were getting mixed reviews. Some people saw them as a threat to domestic animals and regarded ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 5:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Solutions For Jealous Tendencies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 19, 2003

Jealousy creates destructive behavior. The best people of the day were swept up in a wave of jealous retribution. "But the Jews aroused the devout of the city and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district."

The Roots Of Jealousy (Acts 13:42-52) Illustration:JEALOUSY It is the eyes of other people that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither a fine house nor fine furniture. Benjamin Franklin. There is a fable of an eagle which could out fly another, and the other didn’t like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:40-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What You Need, God Has

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Sep 13, 2002

Jesus knew the disciples would face trials, persecution, and death. He knew they would have grief. So he comforted them. And Jesus comforts us as well when we are having problems and face grief.

Series: “What To Do” See also I Don’t Know What To Do; But I’m Disappointed; But I Just Can’t Win; But Life is Too Hard; What You Need, God Has) As I choose this passage to preach, I knew that these three verses were the three from the entire 16th chapter of John that I would concentrate on. In ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Methodist

Imitating Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jul 16, 2007

Seeing selfish ambition, vain conceit, discord, from persecution, Paul called on the church to “conduct themselves in a manner worthy” of their calling and not "of" the world. Just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the sake of others, we also are to offer

INTRODUCTION A. LIFE TODAY IS NOT WHAT CHRIST INTENDED 1. We live in a “dog eat dog” world. 2. “SELF” rules We may view ourselves as did the Pharisee depicted by Jesus who prayed, “God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Nobility Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Stephen was in many ways a forerunner to Paul. He boldly confronted the synagogues of foreign Jews in Jerusalem, possibly even entering them to debate their members. Stephen faced fierce opposition, even to the point of physical persecution. It is even

Spiritual Nobility Acts 6:8-15 Intro This passage marks a transition in the book of Acts. Up to this point, Peter has been the dominating figure, fulfilling his calling by taking the gospel to the people. Another figure of importance looms on the horizon: the apostle Paul, who is introduced at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Heart Trouble

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jul 15, 2014

The Scripture teaches that persecution comes from every side to those who live like Jesus. Living for Jesus is radical. It is intrinsically counter-cultural. To walk like Jesus we walk against the flow of our culture.

Heart Trouble Mark 15:1-20 Jesus before Pilate 1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Huddle And Scatter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 31, 2015

The 1st church at first didn't spread outside of Jerusalem. It took a persecution to scatter believers into the surrounding areas, making the 1st beachheads of the Gospel. This sermon focuses on getting out of the church house and into the world.

Huddle and Scatter Acts Series Chuck Sligh May 31, 2015 (Adapted from a sermon by John Hamby titled “Gathered but Not Scattered” found on SermonCentral.) TEXT: Turn to Acts 8 INTRODUCTION Quotation – I want to read you something by way of introduction, by Tony Evans in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How Will The World End? Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Aug 27, 2017

But there’s much more going on in Revelation 13 than the persecution of a few innocent people by a couple of world-class powers. The book of Revelation, particularly the last half, por-trays in symbolic language the final conflict

Some people think that talk about the end of the world is so much tabloid sensationalism. And in a sense, it is. Every now and then, as I wait in line at a grocery store checkout, I see a headline blaring that the world is about to end. If the line happens to be on the long side, I’ll sometimes ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsurprised By Suffering Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 31, 2025

Those to whom Peter wrote 1 Peter were experiencing persecution for their faith. Peter instructs them not to be surprised. This sermon examines four reasons why people are surprised by suffering, and why they shouldn't be.

Years ago, when my wife and I were expecting . . . And notice that I didn’t say, “when my wife and I were pregnant”. That seems to be a thing these days, with husbands and wives saying, “we’re pregnant”. And I know it’s intended as a way for the husband to express solidarity with his wife, and to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Opposition: Part 2 Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 13, 2010

Sermon 7 of the series. Ezra is very quick to remind us of the truth that ... 2 Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. While Ezra is recording the opposition to the rebuilding of the temple, he adds materia

The Book of Ezra Study #9 (Ezra 4:6-23) Opposition: Part II INTRODUCTION: 1. In what ways does Christianity go against the flow of society today? 2. What sacrifices do you think Christians have to make for their faith today? 3. What would you do if it were illegal to go to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:6-23

Denomination: Baptist