Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

When You Are Reviled Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Nov 28, 2023

We are at the end of our series on the Beatitudes here in Matthew chapter 5. It has been a great reminder to hear the good news Jesus gives through the introduction of his Great Sermon on the Mount. We are finishing up this week by reading the second half of the last beatitude.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION OPERATION GREIF The year was 1944. In the runup to Germany’s last major offensive of World War II, Hitler gave orders for English-speaking German soldiers to form a special unit called Panzer Brigade 150. Members of the brigade would pose as American and British ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 3:13-17, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6-7, James 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul’s Witness To The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 22, 2023

The fourth major testimony of Christ's resurrection listed was that of the apostle Paul himself. He was a special and unique witness of the risen Lord.

[RESURRECTION REALITIES SERIES] 1 CORINTHIANS 15: 8-11 PAUL’S WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION [Acts 9:1–8, 17] The first eleven verses of chapter 15 reviews evidence or the proof of Jesus' resurrection, [a truth the Corinthians already believed (vv. 1, 11)]. For it is on the foundation of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

We, The Church, Are The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 18, 2023

Here, the church joins John in giving clear testimony about Jesus. We have a ministry that combines power, with suffering. Through this combo, the world turns, fears God, and gives Him glory. A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation.

This week, we have the privilege of working our way through Revelation 11. This is a rich, complex chapter. It's also a chapter where there's a lot of debate about how to read it. A friend of mine has a study Bible, and his notes told him that the chapter should be read literally. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:1-19

What Happened At Straight Street

Contributed by Sophia Lorena on Feb 23, 2022

In Acts chapter 9, when Saul is persecuting the church, we see the Holy Spirit revealed, as prophesied in the Book of Joel.

A loud, overwhelming voice echoed from the sky ‘WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?’ Saul, the persecutor of God’s people is blinded by a bright light. The zealous man who was persecuting God’s people was suddenly stopped. The message from Jesus to the oppressor is clear; ‘You mess with my people; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church Of Smyrna: Possessing The Wealth Of Heaven (Revelation 2:8-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 18, 2023

Within the city of Smyrna, there existed a struggling Christian community undergoing intense and withering persecution. The Lord Jesus came to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. Even though they were poor, they were, in fact, rich beyond imagination.

In our look at the seven churches of Asia Minor described in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we come to the second church the Lord Jesus addresses in terms of testimony and steadfastness to the Gospel. This is the church in the city of Smyrna, which was located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:36-38, Revelation 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jan 28, 2024

This sermon exposes the blatant attack on religious liberty via the pandemic and the less than adequate response from the church. It encourages us to be watchful and aware of how the enemy is working to silence and control even God's people and what we can do to gain the victory!

Religious Liberty Sermon 2024 (Free Indeed!) It was Patrick Henry that once passionately exclaimed, “Give me liberty, or give me death! The obvious sentiment being that liberty, or freedom is well worth dying for. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that he and the rest of our founding fathers ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Galatians 5:1, Psalm 119:45-48, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Walking In God's Righteous Path Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 24, 2025

we may face attacks from ungodly or spiritually compromised individuals, even those who claim to be Christians.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to remind you that as we walk in God's righteous path, we may face attacks from ungodly or spiritually compromised individuals, even those who claim to be Christians. These attacks can come in many forms, including false accusations, slander, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Twenty-Four Carat Faith

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2025

We don’t have to suffer for our faith. But we do have to live for it. And if we never grate against a sinful world, how true to Christ are we being?

Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. He’s the one who always opens his mouth before his brain has switched into gear and that’s a failing I have a lot of sympathy with. Remember when the disciples were alone on the boat out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and they saw Jesus walking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whom Shall I Fear Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 2, 2025

Things and people that we fear take a variety of forms. Jesus urges us to not fear those who can only do things to us in this life, but to fear Him who has power over eternity - and yet because of His great love, we should not fear Him.

Introduction There are things that all of us fear. What may cause me fear might not be what causes you fear and vice versa. Last night we were visiting with some folks and were reminiscing a bit about one of the fear inducing and adrenaline pumping experiences we had - bungee jumping. Fear, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Change Of Desires Series

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“A Change of Desires” 1 Peter 4:7-11 A sermon for 8/24/25 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter 4 “1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Philippians 3:10, Matthew 6:24, Hebrews 6:5-11, Galatians 1:6-9, Galatians 1:10, 1 Peter 4:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Our Opportunity To Testify

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 13, 2025

We are to live out our faith and testimony despite persecution, rejection, hatefulness and all the world's troubles.

POPE JOHN XXIII, ONCE SAID, “EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST BE CONVINCED OF HIS FUNDAMENTAL AND VITAL DUTY OF BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH IN WHICH HE BELIEVES AND THE GRACE THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HIM.” WE MUST BE A LIVING WITNESS FOR JESUS. THE EVER-GROWING DARKNESS OF THE WORLD TESTIFIES TO ITS NEED TO ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19, 1 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-5, Luke 8:39

Denomination: Free Methodist

Speak Boldly

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Aug 27, 2023

There are times in our lives when we need to speak boldly. The apostle Paul realized that when he asked the Ephesian church to pray for him. He had a specific prayer request. And it was for boldness.

Alba 8-27-2023 SPEAK BOLDLY Ephesians 6:18-20 The night I was going to ask Janine to marry me, I had a plan. I was preaching in North Platte, Nebraska and she had come there for the weekend. She was staying with one of the ladies of the church. My plan was to wait until the end of the evening ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20, Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Family Ties

Contributed by Mike Molenaar on May 9, 2001

True family ties are experienced through our relationship with Jesus Christ. If there is a true tie with Jesus nothing, not even persecution, can break that bond.

John 15:18-27 I’m sure this has been a busy day for many people. Mother’s Day is a time when people do get together with their families. The family unit is important. When you are part of a family, you wear that family name and all the good and bad things of the family come with the name. Legally ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Desire Heaven Deeply Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2015

Whether cultural conformity or sever persecution, the book of Revelation is written to brighten their hope, to rekindle their expectation, to stir their hunger for heaven.. Hopeful anticipation is necessary to survival.

Series: Victorious! “Desire Heaven Deeply” Revelation 21-22 Open Today, we finish our sermon series Victorious! We complete our study of the book of Revelation. I need to start this message the same way I started the series – giving you the methodology we have been ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tragedy Of Covered Sin

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Nov 24, 2011

Sin is a fact of life and is the most horrible thing in the universe. In fact, if it was not for the issue of sin, Jesus had no business dying. Sin is so terrible that God had to surrender his own Son as a scapegoat so that He could be dealt with to elimi

This week, we are looking at the message entitled, “The tragedy of covered sin.” One of the most serious verses in the Bible is found in Proverbs chapter 28 verse 13: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 32:1

Denomination: Pentecostal