Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

The Shadows Series

Contributed by Chad Moore on Oct 21, 2009

Where did that come from? That horrible, sinking feeling you have when something comes out of your mouth that you didn’t expect - that thing is just so “unlike” you. Did you know those words are just a reflection of what lurks beneath the surface? The sca

What Lies Beneath The Shadows 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:16 Everything we think, say and do flows out of our hearts. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 The first big monster is GUILT. Guilt says, “I owe you”. 5This is the message we have heard from ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have Your Way

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 31, 2015

Just step aside, and allow God to take over. Let go and let God! Give up your gloom and doom, and put your future in God's hands. That worry that creases your brow and reminds you continually just how horrible your situation is can be turned into a smile.

Opening illustration: Consider this scenario, the building all around you is burning. You are too far up to jump, because landing on the ground would surely kill you. The flames and smoke have forced you out of the window and onto the ledge. You are hanging onto the ledge to avoid the flames and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Cannot But Speak

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 1, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threats, persecutions, and the fear of death, he will speak the truth boldly in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Peter and John before the High Priest 2. Prophet Jeremiah before the People 3. Paul before the False Prophets Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God who speak ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29, Acts 4:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Heaven Comes Down Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 7, 2011

We experience the renewal of the new heaven and new earth by thirsting for God and overcoming through faith in Jesus.

Christians frequently speak of “going to heaven.” And that is certainly appropriate. But the much more common picture in Scripture is that of heaven coming down to us. In fact the Bible is framed by two instances of heaven coming down to earth. In Genesis God comes down to earth and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens When We Try To Follow Jesus Christ? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 16, 2021

Jesus will... 1. Help us count the cost of following Him (vs. 18-20). 2. Remind us of His sacrifice (vs. 19-20). 3. Stress the urgency of our service (vs. 21-22). 4. Reveal His greatness to us (vs. 23-27).

What Happens When We Try to Follow Jesus Christ? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 8:18-27 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared August 16, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Here in Matthew 8, Jesus has finished His Sermon on the Mount, and great multitudes followed Him down the mountain, on the way to Capernaum. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

Commendable Conduct

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A.

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A. Introduction (2:11-13a) 1. Commendable Conduct Viewed Negatively (:11) a. Description of Such Conduct ("lusts of the flesh") b. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Suffering Church Sunday

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That blood is still being shed. In this sermon we name the top ten persecutors and finish with a look at Paul - the persecutor who became the persecuted.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day. We have heard of believers having boiling water poured down their throats. Other gruesome forms of torture are meted out to Christ’s sheep on a daily basis. The top ten persecutors - (1) North ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

The Joy Of Being A Christian

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 15, 2007

Yes, there are difficulties, sacrifices, trials, and persecution that the faithful Christian will face because of His walk with/in the Lord Jesus. Even then, there is great joy in being a Christian!

The Joy of Being a Christian Theme: No matter your trials it is a joy to be a Christian. Acts 16:25-34 INTRODUCTION A. Being a faithful Christian means there are many trials following in the footsteps of our Christ. 1. That is part of the cost of being in Christ. 2. Such is necessary ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hurry Up, God!

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 15, 2010

David's prayer is that God will hurry up and deliver him from persecution. However, his life also demonstrated submission to God by not taking matters into his own hands.

Psalm 70 As we begin, I want to advise you that this Psalm is a repetition, almost word for word, of the last part of Psalm 40. This theme was so important to David, he included it in two of his Psalms. VS. 1 Hurry Up, God! When we try to rush God’s Timing it is because we feel an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

More Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

Let’s take a look at some more happenings in the early church. 1- Great persecution 2- Genuine mourning 3- Gritty preaching 4- Glorious joy

INTRO.- ILL.- Three churches got together to sponsor a community-wide revival. The churches were Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 5, 2007

In the first church, let’s take a look at what happened and how it relates to the church today. 1- the proclamation of the gospel 2- the persecution of the apostles 3- the proliferation of the church

INTRO.- Church happenings. What is happening in our churches? ILL.- A group of women were talking. One lady said, “Our congregation is sometimes down to thirty and forty on Sunday night.” Another said, “That’s nothing, sometimes our group is down to six or seven.” An old maid added her bit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lower The Nets For A Catch Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2013

Jesus calls us to lower the nets for a catch, even though it means persecution and rejection. We must learn the four steps of evangelization of our surroundings, friends and coworkers.

Third Sunday of Easter 2013 Vatican II About forty years ago, acting on the directions of the Fathers of the Council, a team of expert Scripture scholars and liturgists gave the Church what is called the “expanded Lectionary” for Mass. The exact words of the Liturgy Constitution are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Word From Your Pilot Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 16, 2014

We're strangers in this world and we will encounter difficulty. What has God supplied to help us survive the struggles and sufferings and persecutions we may encounter here?

OPEN: On a Continental flight a pilot began his usual comments to the passengers: “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome on board Continental flight 428. This is your Captain speaking and I have some information about our flight. We've reached cruising altitude of 35,000 ft. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ