Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

Smyrna: Unto Death Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 17, 2021

Whatever the Christians were going through in Smyrna … whatever we are going through in our lives right now … Jesus not only knows what we are going through, He’s experienced it Himself.

Imagine having to hide to do what we’re doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly … or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna is located 35 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Peter's Arrest And Church's Prayer Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 1, 2021

The war between the political and spiritual leaders is an age-old issue. It exists time immemorial. Religious leaders are raised by God, whereas political leaders inherit from their forefathers, are elected by their citizens through democracy.

Acts 12:1-17 Political and Spiritual Powers 12:01-05 Peter arrested and Church at Prayer 12:06-10 Peter released by an Angel 12:11-17 Peter Escapes to Unknown place Acts 12:01-05 Peter arrested and Church at prayer The war between the political and spiritual leaders is an age-old issue. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Love In Bloom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 11, 2019

Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.

Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Through Praise Pt. 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 29, 2019

God desires to interact with us through praise which encompasses prayer and worship as well. We can discover with the help of the Lord joy in the journey of life – even when we face illness, death, persecution, trials and hardship.

Series: We need to find joy in the journey! Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers because storms will blow in and out of our lives. We must put ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 150:1-6, Psalm 145:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Balancing The Books

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 2, 2019

Where is God’s justice and judgement? Why does God delay His judgment? Why doesn’t He vindicate His people now? Is He unable to, or does He not care? Some had seized on the ‘delay’ in the appearance of God’s judgment as an excuse to ignore or reject the idea of God’s judgment.

A Study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians “Balancing the Books!” 2 Thess. 1:5-12 Does it pay to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Peter! Wake Up!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 31, 2016

In the 12th chapter of Acts we see the deliverance of Peter from the hand of Herod. It is an amazing deliverance. James is executed and Peter delivered. Both were ready to die. Shouldn't we be as well?

Acts 12:1-19 (As people look up this Scripture briefly explain the first phrase in the first verse ...) The first verse says, “It was about this time …” The events leading up to Chapter 12 Stephen is martyred Great persecution breaks out Believers are scattered ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You Worth Your Salt?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 3, 2015

3 ways that a Christian can lose their saltiness (Outline and material adapted from Yves I-Bing Cheng at: http://www.meetingwithchrist.com/E023%20You%20are%20the%20salt%20of%20the%20earth%20(2)%20-%20Mt%205(13).htm)

HoHum: Have the children come up front and do Children’s Minute (http://www.sermons4kids.com/pass-the-salt.html) Need a shaker of salt, a brightly colored shirt, a leather belt, and a plastic toy What is this? (Show shaker of salt) Salt makes food more savory, makes it taste better, not so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Gain The Proper Perspective On Suffering” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 27, 2009

If one is going to live according to the principles & promises laid out here by our Lord in the beatitudes, he will suffer rejection from the world. Yet, through it all, he can be doubly blessed.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the qualities found in the lives of those who are truly happy. Not in the temporary, circumstantial sense which the world talks about, but in the eternal, ultimate sense which the world knows nothing about. He tells us that true happiness comes when one gains the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Little Hammers

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 30, 2013

Don't let the clanging bother you.

The Anvil - God's Word by Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1703-1791) Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door, And heart the anvil ring the vesper chime; Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor Old hammers, worn with beating years of time. How many anvils have you had," said I, "To wear and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering With The Savior

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 30, 2013

1. Don’t be surprised by your suffering (vs. 12). 2. Know that we can have joy for the journey (vs. 12-14). 3. Be ready with righteousness (vs. 15-18). 4. Commit yourself to our Creator (vs. 19).

Suffering with the Savior 1 Peter 4:12-19 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Feb. 17, 2013 *Do you like to suffer? -- No, of course not. Only truly warped people like to suffer. *But Christians, we will suffer in this world. Why? -- Sometimes it’s because of our commitment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Salvation Belongs To The Lord

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jul 28, 2018

A look at Psalm 3 and the battle for faith for David in the midst of running from his son.

Salvation Belongs to the Lord Psalms 3:1-8 July 29, 2018 Last week we focused on one verse, Psalm 23:4 ~ in the most famous of Psalms, David wrote, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 7: Obeying The Truth

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 13, 2021

Never underestimate the power of true love.

1 Peter 1:22-25 Introduction As we have seen, Peter is concerned how the believers should conduct their lives in a world that was becoming increasingly hostile to Christians. Peter emphasizes the conduct of individual believers as well as the conduct of the church as a whole. He also emphasizes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

No Pain, No Comfort

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 17, 2018

How do you comfort the comfortable.

No Pain, No Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

Can We Fight Against God?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 21, 2018

If it has been prophesied that the world will get worse and worse until He comes can we fight against God by trying to prevent it?

Acts 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. KJV As I watch the various postings fly back and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Unjust To Ask Such A Sacrifice Of Ezekiel And His Wife? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 20, 2024

The tragic death of Ezekiel's wife is caused by God as a sign for Israel. Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice?

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS? Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice of Ezekiel and his wife? - Ezekiel 24:15-27. - This is just a tough passage, but it’s one that points us to an important truth that often gets overlooked in the American church. Let’s start by unpacking this passage and then we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-27

Denomination: Baptist