Sermons on Expect Persecution:

Forever Hopeful Even When Things Don't Go To Plan

Contributed by Roger Whipp on Dec 31, 2014

It is about hope. It is about positive expectation. It is about a Creator God who is at work bringing order out of chaos, joy out of pain, character out of conflict

Forever Hopeful even when things don't go to plan Romans 8: 12-28 - Forever Hopeful Although Paul’s passage is primarily an encouragement to the suffering persecuted church at the time, it should also be an encouragement to today’s church. That includes both the persecuted ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-28

Denomination: *other

From Suffering To Glory

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jul 19, 2017

We will all suffer for we live in a decaying world. Many will persecute Christians simply because they hated Jesus. Regardless, we must look ahead for to be glorified because the time for suffering won't last.

Do we know and understand that God’s creation has/is patiently been waiting for God’s elect? They have been waiting for a long time, in fact for more than a couple millennium. They are waiting for us to join them. They are waiting for the curse to be over. Who then is waiting for us? The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-30

Denomination: *other

"Count Me In!"

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jul 14, 2002

Jesus tells us time and again that if we follow Him, we will be despised and even persecuted by the world. How many of us are willing to stick it out for Jesus even when the going gets tough?

"Count Me In!" How many of you know the amount of our present national debt? As of last night our country was $6,103,548,889,112 in debt. Just to give you and idea of how large a sum of money that is and how fast we are sinking, this country’s deficit increases by an average ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Regular Riot Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 8, 2020

Pagan society and the Gospel do not mix. If we stay true to the Word, we can expect opposition. This opposition highlights that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle.

A Regular Riot (Acts 19:21-40) 1. Sept. 1 2020 (UPI) -- An American Airlines pilot preparing to land in Los Angeles reported an unusual encounter at about 3,000 feet with a "guy in a jetpack." A recording of the conversation between the pilot and air traffic control Sunday evening at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction: Setting Our Sights On The Super 8 Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 2, 2015

Introduction: A Saint & Sinner alike are familiar with these phrases, “Blessed are the . . . poor in spirit, those who mourn, gentle, those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted.”

The Beatitudes: Summer Sermon Series Introduction: Setting Our Sights on the Super 8 (1 of 9) June 7, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Saint & Sinner alike are familiar with these phrases, “Blessed are the . . . poor in spirit, those who mourn, gentle, those ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Saved To Suffer

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Oct 30, 2001

Many times when we present the Gospel we fail to share that there will be times of suffering and persecution for our faith. In this message Pastor Steve shows how that is part of God’s plan.

INTRODUCTION Festo Kivengere, a leading evangelical minister in Uganda, wrote a book called I Love Idi Amin. In this book, he described the history of the church in Uganda, and in the following excerpt he told of the first Christian martyrs in the nation’s history: "Earlier that same year, 1885, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33-34, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Submission: The Duty Of All Christians

Contributed by Joel Santos on Oct 28, 2004

By this time throughout the Empire were suffering increasingly severe persecution. Previously the Roman authorities seem to have regarded Christianity as a movement with Judaism. This meant that it was protected by Law, for Judaism was a legal religion.

Introduction By this time throughout the Empire were suffering increasingly severe persecution. Previously the Roman authorities seem to have regarded Christianity as a movement with Judaism. This meant that it was protected by Law, for Judaism was a legal religion. But officials and common people ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter And John's Preaching Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 4, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threatenings, persecutions and the fear of death; he will speak the truth boldly, in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. Peter and John’s Preaching Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the first lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prophet Jeremiah's Preaching Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 4, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threatenings, persecutions and the fear of death; he will speak the truth boldly, in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. Prophet Jeremiah’s Preaching Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the second lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Vetting S(P)aul (Third Sunday After Easter 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 29, 2022

How do you think it must have taken Saul by surprise to think that he was doing the Lord a favor persecuting Christians when he got chastised by the Lord Jesus Christ?

Vetting S(P)aul Text: Acts 9: 1 -15 Act 9:1-15  Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  (2)  and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Be Joyful Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

James wrote to believers facing tough times. Their troubles ranged from personal trials to disabling doubts, from persecution for following Christ to the lure of respectability in their community and the dangers of spiritual pride.

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:2-1:18. A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:2-8. 1.A.2. Lesson Title: Be joyful LESSON 1.A.2. – BE JOYFUL TEXT – James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

Advance Through Arrest Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Jesus indicates that one of the key ways of getting the Gospel spread would be through the courts. The persecution would lead to opportunities to defend the Gospel before high officials and leaders in high places.

There is a difference between sin and error. It I say 2+2=5 I am in error, but I am not sinning. That is, if my motive is to come to a right answer I am not sinning. If my human fallibility leads me to a wrong answer it is not sin. If I say 2+2=5 in order to confuse a young person so that they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Heaven, We Are Dying To Live There Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 20, 2016

In the midst of all of the persecutions and difficulties of these Christians, there is a blessed relief -- to be with Him for eternity. Our passing from this life is blessed because we Reside in the Lord; Rest from Labors; and will be Rewarded by deeds.

1. Back in 2014, Andy Russell of Tarzana, CA passed away. His three year old grandson, Bobby wanted to know what had happened to his grandfather. His parents told him, "Grandpa was so sick and felt so bad that God did not want him to hurt any more so he sent the angels to get him." Astonished, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Appointed To Affliction Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

As far as possible the Christian is to live peaceably with all men. The ideal is progress without persecution, but the world will not tolerate the Christian conviction, and so there will be tribulation, and we must be prepared to face it if we stand for the truth as we ought.

One of our neighbors had a common but nerve wracking experience. Her little girl did not come home from school at noon. She got worried and went out to look for her, but she was no where around. The mother was just sick with worry as the worst possible thoughts went through her mind. She sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4