Sermons on Expect Persecution:

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Practical Faith "Expecting God’s Best” Series

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 9, 2020

Today's message looks at how we are to by faith expect God's best for our lives through the story of David and Goliath, and how we can by faith expect God's best through tuning into God, thinking on God's promises, and trusting in God's love.

Practical Faith “Expecting God’s Best” The Bible says, “Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT) So the question becomes, “How can we stand before a holy and righteous God after our death?” Is it by being better than we are bad? Is it by keeping the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Foursquare

When The Promise Takes Longer Than Expected

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 14, 2025

The length of the wait does not diminish the certainty of the promise. God’s delays are not denials; they are divine preparations. Every moment of waiting is building you for the day of fulfilment.

WHEN THE PROMISE TAKES LONGER THAN EXPECTED By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Habakkuk 2:2-3 Key Verse: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3, ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Transformation Happens When We Least Expect It PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

God's grace is unconditional, forgiveness is transformative, and we are all called to seek Jesus.

Good morning, family. Today we're going to dive into a familiar story from the Gospel of Luke, but I want you to approach it with fresh eyes and an open heart. This story reminds us of three important truths: God's grace is unconditional, forgiveness is transformative, and we are all called to seek ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Grace, Forgiveness

Facts For The Future

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jan 19, 2009

Peter warned his readers that one day God will judge the world. In light of that fact, Christians are to possess a godly mindset and life. We must live with eternity in view.

Facts For The Future Text: 2 Pet.3: 12 Theme: Peter admonished his readers to realize that... I. THE END IS NEAR 2 Pet.3: 10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Desire Heaven Deeply Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2015

Whether cultural conformity or sever persecution, the book of Revelation is written to brighten their hope, to rekindle their expectation, to stir their hunger for heaven.. Hopeful anticipation is necessary to survival.

Series: Victorious! “Desire Heaven Deeply” Revelation 21-22 Open Today, we finish our sermon series Victorious! We complete our study of the book of Revelation. I need to start this message the same way I started the series – giving you the methodology we have been ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Loves Everyone And Expects Us To Do The Same

Contributed by David Petticrew on Jun 8, 2003

What the story of Jonah teaches us about God’s love and how we should love even our enemies.

X-men video clip: Jean Gray in front of the senate to Magneto’s comments while walking away from Prof. X. OK, so mutants don’t exist, but the attitudes are real. There are no cases of people being persecuted for being able to walk through walls or having adamantium claws that project through ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Who Do You Identify With

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a sermon about persecution and the persecuted church.

“USA! USA! USA!” the chant goes as the United States’ hockey team skates down the ice hoping to score a goal. All Americans wish to see the United States’ hockey team win, even those who don’t like or understand hockey. There is solidarity when our national team is playing. It’s more than a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Expectations Do We Place Upon Others

Contributed by John Knight on May 2, 2002

How our expectation can influence our evangelism

What Expectations Do We Place Upon Others Ephesians 2: 11-13 There are many distinctions in the world gender distinctions racial distinctions ethnic distinctions social distinctions economical distinctions and with the recent Republican and Democrat National Conventions we are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Holiness

What To Expect Leading Up To Jesus' Return?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Who is winning? Churches stand empty or partially filled as compared to last year. How does Jesus expect us to make it through? "Look around and listen!" told his disciples and tells us.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking through the busy city of Jerusalem, the disciples began to comment how impressive this place was. No matter how many times they had been there before, they couldn’t help but be amazed by the great structures that surrounded them: Herod’s palace, the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Be-Attitudes (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 17, 2014

Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them collectively I can see how they all work together. And I believe having all of these characteristics are important in being able to endure persecution.

The Be-Attitudes (part four) Matthew 5:11-12 Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Opens Hearts, And Opposition Comes Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 14, 2011

God directed Paul to Philippi to preach the gospel. Acts 16 reveals both the open hearted reception and the opposition he faced. We should expect the same when we share Christ today.

When God opens hearts he comes into them to dwell. Acts 16 gives us the history of how the gospel was planted in Philippi, how God opened their hearts to hear and obey the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This lesson continues our introduction to the letter of Philippians. Let's read ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pressing On Or Just Pressed

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2009

Remembrance Sunday: living out of others’ expectations for us just makes us feel pressed. Relief from grief comes when you pursue what you know God wants for you.

One place I am quite sure I can stay away from is the National Museum of Beverage Cans. No matter how many times I may travel to and through Nashville, Tennessee, whether it be on Baptist business or as an accidental tourist, I feel quite certain that I can avoid even so much as a swift glance ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 4:1-22

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 4, 2021

Peter and John were arrested after they healed a man born lame, as recorded in Acts 3. Now they're on trial, the next day, before a group of Israel's leaders. What happened next? (This is another outline from a miniseries on Acts I preached several years ago.)

Introduction: In Acts 3, Luke records how Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to observe and take part in the afternoon time of prayer. While on the way there, they saw and then healed a man who had been lame from his birth. Peter preached another message to the crowd who had gathered in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 31, 2011

A study of the letters to the 7 churches - #2 Smyrna

Revelation 2: 8 – 11 The Church At Smyrna 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Calvary Chapel