Sermons on Expect Persecution:

Dying For The Cause

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2009

The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Inspiration

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 20, 2022

Where do you get your inspiration from? Life has a lot of ups and downs so we need inspiration to keep going.

Inspiration – Rev. 11 and 19 LIfe is full of its ups and downs, it’s a fact of life, indeed everyday has something to answer for- some for joy and some – well perhaps best forgotten. Sometimes these situations make us laugh and even sing for joy, other times to just hold our heads in our hands in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:15-18, Zechariah 6:9-15, Psalm 23:1-4

The World, The Test & The Testimony Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Nov 17, 2021

How are we to relate to the world around us? How will the world relate to us? All of these are critical truths Jesus wants His disciples to understand.

I was listening to radio one afternoon recently when I heard story of a young woman in Albania who had come to faith in Christ and was a joyful, radiant Christian, witnessing to her friends about what she had found in Jesus. Then I listened with great sadness & shock to hear that this vibrant ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Denomination: Bible Church

Facing Opposition, Finding Strength

Contributed by Tim Hbc on May 7, 2009

In Acts 4 we see a church alive and on fire. But it is also a church under attack. How did the first believers cope with opposition?

Introduction Once upon a time, an atheist lived in a small town. The atheist wasn’t a bad man, he just didn’t believe. He wasn’t interested in church… and there was only one in the area. It was cold and dead. More of a social club for the deceased. One day the church building caught on fire. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Different Set Of Beatitudes

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 8, 2013

A sermon on the poor, the mourning, the hungry, and the persecuted (Introduction taken from Sermon Central's Adrian Pratt at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/inside-out-and-upside-down-adrian-pratt-sermon-on-christian-love-33979.asp)

HoHum: Inside out and upside down. What on earth was Jesus talking about here? Blessed are the poor? Happy are the hungry? Fortunate are the tearful? I never heard anybody say, “Isn’t this great, I’m starving!” I have never seen a person sobbing their heart out with a smile ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hearing Their Cry Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 12, 2010

1) The Tyrants Boast (Ps. 10:1-11) and 2) The Victims Prayer (Ps. 10:12-18)

One of the most contentious articles that have hit the public square recently has been that of Father Raymond J. de Souza, (National Post • Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010). What he describes as an orgy of violence in Iraq, so far just in this month of November terrorists have set off a series of bombs, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 10:1-18

Denomination: Other

The Blessed Ones

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 26, 2013

The first set of four beatitudes focus on our vertical relationship to God, the second set of four on our horizontal relationship to people. Each of the eight builds upon the other so that there is an amazingly beautiful and compelling progression.

Opening illustration: How good are you at making enemies? No, I didn’t ask how good you are at making friends. That’s easy. Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anybody. But how good are you at making enemies? If you are a child of God and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Encouragement For The Pursued

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Sep 18, 2009

God teaches us a valuable lesson that keeps our spirits going when we become discouraged from the pressures and persecutions of our Christian faith.

Encouragement for the Pursued Prairie Baptist Church – 9/6/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 3 Key verse: Psalms 3:5-6 - 5I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Premise: God teaches us a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Endurance - The Eighth Step To Happiness Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 28, 2008

This sermon is about four steps to build endurance: 1. Recognize the SOURCE. 2. Refuse to RETALIATE. 3. Respond POSITIVELY. 4. Rest in Gods PROTECTION.

Endurance - The Eighth Step To Happiness We have been making our way through a section of scripture know as the beatitudes. The beatitudes are found in Matthew chapter five. Each of the beatitudes begins with the word Blessed. The word blessed in this section of scripture could also be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rest Or Fire

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 6, 2024

This life gives us a choice: Rest or Fire. When we trust in God we can look forward to rest. If we don't, it will be fire. The way I see it, there is really only one good choice!

Alba 3-3-2024 REST OR FIRE II Thessalonians 1:1-10 A father had three very active boys. One summer evening, they were playing cops and robbers in the back yard after dinner. One of the boys "shot" his father yelling, "Bang! You’re dead!" He slumped to the ground. And when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Hebrews 4:1-2, Matthew 13:49-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 1 (This Is A Detailed Study Verse By Verse Of Chapter 1. You Will Need To Analyze, Synthesize, And Then Summarize To Fit Your Need.) Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Sep 4, 2023

Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus encourage the Thessalonians to continue in their faith knowing that God will have vengeance on their persecutors.

2nd THESSALONIANS - Chapter 1 2nd Thess 1:1 “Paul, and Silvanus [Silas], and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:” (KJV) 1:1 Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Alive, But Still In Danger

Contributed by Tommy Davis on May 23, 2009

This sermon confronts the fact that although Christians are alive through Christ, they are still endangered to the prince of this world.

Alive, But Still In Danger A sermon presented by Rev. Tommy L. Davis, Pastor, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, Motts, Alabama Text: John 12:9-11 9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2013

When the child of God is hard-pressed by the wicked, a cry escapes the lips, "How Long?" Let the Christian know that God knows their trials, and that He shall, by His mighty hand, reveal His mercy and grace in His time.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Living While Dying Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 7, 2010

By remaining faithful even in the face of tribulation, we prove the genuineness of our faith and can be assured of eternal life, even in the face of physical death.

I’d like to begin this morning by reading a portion of an article from the January 2008 issue of “Christianity Today” titled “A Victorious Family.” [Read first part of article]. We’ll come back and finish this account of Necati and Semse a little later, but ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist