Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Remember The Earlier Days Series

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 14, 2014

To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you remember the days when you got born again? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 10:32 (New International Version) ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

Taking A Look At Faith

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Dec 8, 2012

When it comes to faith I believe in two things; God can and God cares. Why did the followers of Jesus mentioned in the Hebrew writers' description endure the horrific treatment of persecution? Why did they keep their faith in Jesus as the Son of God eve

Last week we took a look at failure. We discussed that God’s love is unconditional. He doesn't remove love because of your failure or give you some love when you succeed. He loves you because He made you. Paul made his case that even with his failures; God was using Him to unleash His power ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Working With The Lord's Help Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react with anger, ridicule, and rejection. Nehemiah gives us a great example of how we need to respond when the enemies of God oppose His work.

In this lesson, I would like to look at the leadership of Nehemiah through the hardship and opposition that the people went through. They had opposition from outside and discouragement from inside, yet they got the job done. It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Handling Ridicule Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 12, 2015

there will always be people trying to ridicule God and Christianity; how should christians respond?

We return to our study of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. The Israelites wanted a king to rule over them just like other nations. Although God was not pleased with this, God chose a king to teach God’s Chosen People Israel a lesson; and of course, God has preserved His Word for us to learn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Steadfast Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

The church needs to stand up and be counted on in this dark world.

A STEADFAST CHURCH ACTS 7:54 – ACTS 8:4 AS I WAS PREPARING FOR TODAYS MESSAGE I CAME ACROSS AN ILLUSTRATION THAT I FOUND TO BE QUITE INTERESTING, AND APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY’S WORLD. A MAN WHO WAS TAKING A TOUR OF MILITARY CHAPELS, SAID THAT ONE PROBLEM THEY WERE FACING WAS HAVING A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist