Sermons on Godly Persecution:

Recycling Our Pain Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Jun 8, 2015

Listen. God never wastes a hurt. What good is a trial if something good doesn’t come from it? Let’s look at the first of two questions I want us to try to answer.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Against The Bullies!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 11, 2016

All bullies have their day, but we must react differently than the bullies though we stand up to them.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Matthew 5:11 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

"Team Extreme" Series

Contributed by Kendall Hicks on Apr 25, 2016

The idea for this series came from a series of the same name that is offered free by Life.Church. You can find it at open.church. There you will find videos, transcripts, outlines, and graphics. This message is loosely based on the life.church series.

INTRO: For the last few weeks, we’ve been a series on the family called “Bless This Home.” During this time, we have taken a few of Jesus’ beatitudes from Matthew 5 and have applied them to our families. You’ll remember that we defined BLESSED as having a much ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Up To Opposition Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Sep 30, 2016

We praise God when life is good, how do we respond when facing oppostion? We look at the aftermath of the miracle at the Beautiful Gate.

It’s easy to praise God when things are going well, isn’t it? The boss commended you on a job well one. The kids have been unusually obedient this week. All the bills got paid before the money ran out. Life is good, praise God! But what about when times get tough? Will you praise ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Celebrating True Freedom Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Oct 14, 2016

We often change the way we use words over time. One such word is freedom. Today we see what it means to really be free. Sermon originally presented on Independence Day.

Our language is constantly changing, words take on new meanings, while a word may mean one thing to this person over here, it might mean something completely different. Sometimes that word takes on different connotation because of something that has happened in our lives. Irene Hannon wrote a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing The Will Of God When Your Faith Is Under Fire - Part 1

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Today Christians all over the world are under fire for their faith. Even in the United States of America, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ...

Background (1 Pet 1:1 NKJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, In this letter, the Apostle Peter is addressing Jewish Christians who had been persecuted and fled their homes and lands. These people were called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doing The Will Of God When Your Faith Is Under Fire - Part 2

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Last time we took our message from the epistle of 1st Peter where Peter encourages his readers how to respond as they lived in a world that hated them because it hated their Savior.

1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Pet 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Pet 4:10 As each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Outline For Acts 6:8-15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 30, 2021

Stephen was a willing worker for the Church in the days of the Apostles. There were some people, including religious leaders, who didn't like him and made plans to do something to him.

An Outline for Acts 6:8-15 Introduction: Stephen was one of the original seven men chosen to assist the apostles (see Acts 6:1-7). He was able to more than just assist in distribution of food, as he performed “great wonders and miracles among the people” and even engaged in dialogue with members ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are Christians Hated By The World? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2021

Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated by the world. Why? And how do we respond?

WHAT DOES THE WORLD THINK OF JESUS? It hates Him. - John 15:18, 21, 22, 23, 24. 1. It’s easy to think of Jesus as a Mr. Rogers’ kind of guy and not think about the fact that they killed Him. He was not eminently likeable. - He called His enemies “vipers” and the “blind leading the blind.” - ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Persevering Crackpots

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 10, 2021

How did Paul respond to his critics ... ? ... Paul "... said, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (I Cor.1:23 NRSV). The true gospel of Jesus Christ removes all crutches that people use to prop up their pretentiousness!

PERSEVERING CRACKPOTS Text: II Corinthians 4:5 - 12, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12  For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Fiery Trials

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 7, 2021

‘Fiery Trials’ 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-19 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Expect ordeals (vs 12) Rejoice in suffering (vs 13-14) Examine your life (vs 15-18) Commit yourself to God (vs 19) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Persecution of Christians around the world has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, • With many Christians being refused help and aid in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Brethren

Jesus Delivers His Church

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 28, 2021

In his church, the Lord Jesus is still doing the good work that He has begun, and He is doing it unstoppably.

Beloved in Christ, I’d be worried if the church was a human effort. If it was up to us alone to defend the church, maintain her unity, or increase her numbers, we’d have reason to be concerned. For the church would certainly follow the path of so many man-made clubs and societies—for a while strong ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42, Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

7th Seal & 1st 4 Trumpets (Revelation 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 30, 2020

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets in Revelation 8.

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets. 7th Seal - Silence Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Whether or not the seals or the scroll is being revealed is unclear, so we will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Progress Of The Church Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

Luke introduces this section by spelling out that signs and wonders had been performed by the Apostles, which were the orders of the day for Apostles ministry. Peter had become an icon of healing.

Acts 5:12-26 Progress of the Church 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles 5:17-19 Apostles Persecuted for Gospel 5:20-26 Apostles Preach the Word Acts 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles St Luke introduces this section ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-26

Denomination: Methodist

The Woman (Revelation 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2020

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon.

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon. The Woman Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: At first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist