Sermons on horrible persecution:

Trusting God In An Unjust World Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 19, 2010

In today's lesson we learn that we can trust God even though the world is filled with injustice.

Scripture We like stories with happy endings. Whether the story is in a book or movie or even in real life, we like stories with happy endings. Sometimes, however, stories don’t have happy endings. Sometimes stories have sad endings. And although we prefer stories with happy endings to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Three Aspects Of Kingdom Faithfulness

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 5, 2010

When we live a dedicated life of obedience, we can expect persecution for our faith.

Three Aspects of Kingdom Faithfulness Matthew 5:10-12 INTRODUCTION A. Savonarola, Italian preacher 1. Greatest reformers of church period, condemned personal sin and ecclesiastical corruption. 2. Paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. 3. Biographer said of him: His preaching was a voice of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Enemy Behavior

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 15, 2010

Believers should respond to opposition with love, prayer and a witness for their Savior.

Responding to Enemy Behavior Matthew 5:43-48 INTRODUCTION A. Lifeguard rescuing a drowning person. 1. Suppose it was your best friend or just a casual acquaintance. 2. We would probably risk our life to save them. 3. But suppose the drowning person was a contemptible person, your enemy. 4. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Life's Two Choices Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Nov 22, 2009

The Bible is clear that there are only two choices when we are confronted with the one true God. Sadly, those choices have been muddied by modern American Christianity. For example, does God hate? For the last 80 years or so the theme of much of the pr

Purpose: To describe the glorious reign of Christ. Aim: I want the listener to understand the consequences of following or not following Christ. REVIEW: 1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past "the things which you have seen" 2:1-5:14 II. Christ’s Vision of the Present "the things which ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:4-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Shiphrah & Puah

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 4, 2013

2 valiant women stood up to the most powerful king, chose to obey God rather than men, and were dream-birthers, possibly bringing to birth the deliverer of all God's people!

SHIPHRAH & PUAH Ex. 1:8-22 (omit 14 & 20) INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: The convert 1. A stereo-type of Jews is that they only think about money. 2. Two Jews -- Abe and Shlomo -- were strolling down the street one day when they happened to walk by a Catholic Church. It had a big sign posted that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Resurrected Redeemer Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 15, 2012

1) Arrest for the Redeemer (Acts 4:1-4), 2) Accusation for the Redeemer (Acts 4:5-7), 3) Apologetic for the Redeemer (Acts 4:8-13)

"Resurrected Redeemer" Acts 4:1-13 (p.911) Everton Community Church September 16, 2012. Conflict began this week with an attack that killed four Americans in Libya, including the U.S. ambassador. It was an organized two-part operation by heavily armed militants that included a precisely timed raid ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-13

Denomination: Other

The Movement Of God Through Pain In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 15, 2012

LAST WEEK AS A CHURCH WE FACED OUR MUTUAL HURT. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL WHO WERE HERE THEN AND ARE HERE TODAY HURT IN VARIOUS DEGREES. WE DIVERTED FROM OUR SERIES HERE IN THE BOOK OF ACTS TO ADDRESS THIS THE ISSUE OF OUR HURT AND THE WHY WE HAVE OUR

THE MOVEMENT OF GOD THROUGH PAIN IN THE CHURCH ACTS 8:2-8 GODLY MEN BURIED STEPHEN AND MOURNED DEEPLY FOR HIM. 3 BUT SAUL BEGAN TO DESTROY THE CHURCH. GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, HE DRAGGED OFF MEN AND WOMEN AND PUT THEM IN PRISON. 4 THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCATTERED PREACHED THE WORD WHEREVER THEY ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bitterness Of Smyrna Series

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 18, 2012

Smyrna was a Church that was under great persecution and uses this ti encourage us to endure sufferings.

The Bitterness of Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 The Church of Ephesus represents the end of the apostolic age and was indicted for losing their love they once had for our Lord. Reference: Rev. 2:7 Tree of life Genesis 2:9 in the mist of the garden Then: Genesis 3:22-24 Guarded by the Cherubims as man ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Philidephia, Mail Call Series

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Nov 5, 2012

A sermon about the seven church in Asia Minor.

Philadelphia, You’ve Got Mail! Revelation 3:7-13 Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Your Mama? Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 14, 2013

The critical question is not: Is your spiritual father Abraham? Rather the critical question is: Is your spiritual mother Sarah or Hagar?

Introduction: A. How many of you are familiar with the children’s book “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman? 1. It has been one of my favorite books since I was a child. B. “Are You My Mother?” is the story about a hatchling bird. 1. His mother, thinking her egg ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Enemy Within The Gates

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

The need to continue to devote ourselves to prayerful preaching.

THE ENEMY WITHIN THE GATES! Acts 5:1-16; Acts 6:1-7. There was opposition to the gospel from the very beginning of the post-Pentecostal phase of the life of the church. After all, Jesus warned us that if there were those who hated Him, there would also be those who hate us, His followers (John ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Of Saul's Witness

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 7, 2014

It seems like the more faithful you are to Christ, the more worldly abuse and persecution you receive.

Last time we saw Saul being relieved of his blindness by Ananias. Saul hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for three days. Before he ate, though, he was baptized. And now begins his ministry. READ v. 19. As I said, Saul has spent three days without food or drink. He was drained and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away."

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 21, 2013

We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that he’s leaving them. Let’s find out why.

“IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY” John 16:1-7 INTRODUCTION: We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible