Sermons on Expect Persecution:

Received With Joy, Not Rejected

Contributed by David Zachrich on Aug 9, 2023

Rejection is painful, especially when you had hoped to be warmly received. It is the issue that Jesus addressed while in the Temple days before His arrest, persecution, and crucifixion.

Jesus concluded, “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:33-43 Friends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

The Unique Physique Of The Meek Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on May 19, 2008

If we will trade in our own demands and expectations for Christ’s meekness, we will discover a strength that can change this world.

Living in the Father’s Favor: The Unique Physique of the Meek Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth Intro: As we continue our study of the beatitudes or the blessings, hopefully we will see that the character Jesus calls us to reflects a higher standard than many will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Answers Come Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 15, 2015

When your in the place of ministry, you often find yourself in that place were people expect you to pray for them. Expecting God to answer yes to their request, because you prayed, after all, your a preacher. There are Biblical attributes to prayer.

Title: When Answers Come Foundational Keys to Opening the Gates of Heaven Introduction: When your in the place of ministry, you often find yourself in that place were people expect you to pray for them. Expecting God to answer yes to their request, because you prayed, after all, your a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember What We Are To Do Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Aug 7, 2010

Jesus does not just call us to recognize him or to know him intellectually. Jesus expects us to do something with the knowledge of him. In Mark’s gospel we quickly discover what he expects us to do for Him

A Country Church was having their annual revival meeting. On the first night the preacher preached a message about repentance and the need to return to the Lord. At the altar call, a man came down the aisle saying “Fill me Lord, Fill Me”. The next night the preacher challenged the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Difference Does The Resurrection Make? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Pagans expected nothing to happen after a person dies. Jews expected the faithful to be resurrected at the end of time. And Christians have felt that not only has Christ risen from the grave but His resurrection guarantees His follower's resurrection.

Happy Resurrection Day to Cross Church! Maybe you grew up thinking miracles happened a long time ago, if at all. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to both ancient miracles and modern ones. But if you’re looking for a miracle, you need not look any further than the empty ...read more

Scripture: John 5:28-29, Romans 6:5-11, 2 Timothy 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It can be confusing to understand when to expect God to intervene in our lives in the form of a miracle and when not to expect it. Jesus' encounter with a widow who had just lost her only son can give us some clues.

Two weeks ago we wrapped up the account of the Sermon on the Mount from Luke’s Gospel. This morning we take up the story again of the amazing things that happened as Jesus traveled from town to town in Israel, announcing and demonstrating the kingdom of God. This morning’s text is Luke 7:11-17. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 1) At Work Today! Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Many times in the Gospels, Jesus shows up in ways that people did not expect. He often defies expectations, both then and now, and as we look at three powerful moments in Scripture, we will see how Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways.

Transformed by Truth: The Unexpected Jesus (sermon 1) At work today! Luke 24:13-35, John 4:4-30, Isaiah 55:8-9 Introduction Have you ever had a moment when something or someone completely surprised you? Maybe you expected one outcome, but what actually happened caught you off guard and left you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, John 4:4-30, Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Galatians 3:28, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Follower Or A Fan?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 25, 2018

A good Fan just shows up for the weekly event. Good Fans do that you know! And they will stay a Fan as long as it benefits them. A Follower of Jesus will follow. They will follow him even when there is a crisis, even when they do not fully understand.

For those not familiar with and Anglican Service; there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. The assigned readings for today are Joshua 24:14-25, Psalm 16, Ephesians 5:21-33 and John 6:53-69. A man named Charlie Moore ... moved with his family ... into a new community. He wanted to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, John 6:26, 1 Corinthians 13:12, John 6:51, John 6:53-69  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

"the Power Of Persistent Prayer."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 2, 2025

This timely message focuses on the parables of 'Ask, Seek, and Knock' and the parable of the unjust judge. The message emphasizes the importance of perseverance in prayer and reassures us that God is a loving Father who responds to the cries of His people who call out to Him day and night.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Matthew 7:7-8) (7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (8) “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Luke 18:5-8, Jeremiah 29:13, Hebrews 11:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Jesus Feels About Idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus views turning to other gods, as being sexually immoral to your Husband. Also, the persecution will one day be reversed, and we will rule with an iron rod, if we overcome/conquer.

How Jesus feels about idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Today, we will tackle two of Jesus' messages, to two of the seven churches. The first one, that I'll use as kind of skeleton and starting point, is to the angel and his church in Pergamum. About half way through, I'll add in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-28

James The Servant And Leader

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 21, 2025

We must expect daily to serve others and do so happily even to death. Jesus will provide the grace to enable our service.

Feast of St. James the Greater (Santiago) July 25, 2025 Today’s psalm is anchored in a particular moment of Israelite history. In 539 BC, King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Neo-Babylonian empire and issued a decree that permitted, even encouraged the people exiled to Babylon to return to Judea and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Catholic

Not Quite A Christian Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 21, 2022

The Savior saved us so we will speak about Him to those He sends us to.

How many of you remember the sermon from last weekend? Me either. Howard Hendricks used to say we have the potential of remembering 10% of what we hear, and that’s just the potential. Another pastor believes we forget 95% of a sermon after 72 hours. For us to remember, we need to hear things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

How To Show Love And Acceptance

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 28, 2003

How do you respond to those who alsely accuse? How do you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." This sermon addresses those questions.

Lay Down Your Stones -Show Love and Acceptance- John 8:1-11 The saying goes that confession is good for the soul. I regret to tell that in my younger years I got very mad at my sister who is 4 years older than I. I got so mad at her that I picked up a rock and threw it at her from across the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Privileges Of God's People Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 1, 2014

When we know what have in Christ, we'll live what we love.

The Privileges of God’s People 1 Peter 2:4-12 Rev. Brian Bill November 1-2, 2014 An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which two seemingly contradictory words are used together for effect. Here are some examples. An Actual Reenactment Excruciatingly Joyful – that’s how I felt ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Am With You In The Fire Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jun 29, 2020

When confronted with a choice, we know what Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah chose. Are we a church of Hananiahs, Mishaels, and Azariahs? I pray to God we never have to find out … but if we do, I hope and pray the choice is clear.

Somewhere in the world … right now as I am speaking to you … a Christian has a gun pointed at their head because of what they believe. Somewhere in the world someone is going to lose their head or their life today because they refuse to give up their faith or deny Jesus Christ. Right now, as we ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20, Luke 21:16-17, Luke 12:51-52, Exodus 20:4-5, Daniel 3:15-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist