Sermons on Jews Persecuted Paul:

God’s Power Through God’s People #8: Stephen Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 5, 2011

A series of character sketches in the book of Acts - Stephen. Also International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Acts 7:54-8:4 – God’s Power Through God’s People #8: Stephen And now, we come to the final sermon, #9, of this series. Since September, we have been studying in the book of Acts, watching how God’s power flowed through His people to make a difference. In the 1st part of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's 1st Mission Ends (Acts 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2025

What mission lessons can we learn from Paul?

How did Paul and Barnabas round out their first missionary journey? Should we always expect both challenges and accomplishments on any similar mission trip? Let’s look at Acts 14. What happened as Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium (modern day Konya, Turkey)? Now it happened in Iconium that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Believe In Jesus (John 20:24-31) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 21, 2022

The goal of the gospel: step up, and be strengthened in your faith. Here, Jesus shows kindness to Thomas, and gives him what he needs to come to full "belief."

Let's start today by rereading last week's passage. John 20:19-22. This is the moment Jesus first reveals himself to all his disciples after rising from the dead: (19) Then, when it was evening on that day-- the first day of the week, and the doors having been shut where the disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Redeem Your Suffering

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 15, 2009

We must guard against the worldly pressures and fears that threaten us to "tone down" the Gospel message.

FEAR! A WORD THAT IS ONLY 4-LETTERS, BUT ONE THAT CAN REAP DEVESTATING CONSEQUENCES. FEAR IS SO POWERFUL THAT IT CAN PARALYZE, CONTROLL, AND MANIPULATE US. FEAR CAN COMPELS US TO DO IRRESPONSIBLE THINGS AND CAN EVEN HINDER US FROM LIVING RESPONSIBLY AND LIVING FRUITLESS LIVES. THIS IS WHY I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Different Set Of Beatitudes

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 8, 2013

A sermon on the poor, the mourning, the hungry, and the persecuted (Introduction taken from Sermon Central's Adrian Pratt at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/inside-out-and-upside-down-adrian-pratt-sermon-on-christian-love-33979.asp)

HoHum: Inside out and upside down. What on earth was Jesus talking about here? Blessed are the poor? Happy are the hungry? Fortunate are the tearful? I never heard anybody say, “Isn’t this great, I’m starving!” I have never seen a person sobbing their heart out with a smile ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Go Thy Way: He Waited For A Convenient Season Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 31, 2020

In this last message for this "Go thy way" series, Felix a Roman governor, talked with Paul about the Christian faith several times. He listened but told Paul "go thy way and I'll talk to you about this when I have the time". Sadly, he never found the time.

Background: Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem, then taken to the Roman barracks (castle, KJV: Acts 21:34, 37, e.g.). Later Paul was sent to the seat of Roman government in Caesarea. He had been tried and accused of charges, serious at the time, but was declared neither guilty nor innocent. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Turning The World Upside Down

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 27, 2010

Paul in Thessalonica

Reading: Acts chapter 17 verses 1-1: Ill: • Several years ago, American Larry Walters, a 33-year-old man; • Decided he wanted to see his locality from a new perspective. • So he went down to the local army surplus store; • And bought forty-five used weather balloons. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Brethren

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

Being Focussed Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jul 19, 2019

In fellowship together we are called to be distinct focussed disciples. Focussed disciples are salt and light – undiluted and not hidden. This focus may lead to persecution, or to people glorifying the Father. No matter the outcome we remain focussed.

Message Matthew 5:10-16 Being Focussed When you become a Christian it doesn’t take too long for you to hear about the Beatitudes. We find them in Matthew 5 … open your Bible to that place … Matthew 5. (Read Matthew 5:3-10) Jesus uses these Beatitudes to introduce what it means to have a kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Encounter Four. Two Thieves. (Includes Discussion Questions At The End)

Contributed by Paul Hardy on May 3, 2022

Jesus tells us exactly what we must do to go to heaven. This encounter between Jesus and the two thieves proves God has a PLAN for your salvation!

How will I INTRODUCE the message? A REAL FAKE As his identity was unknown for a long period of time, the “unsub” (an “unknown subject” in F.B.I. speak, also called a “John Doe”) was called the “Skywayman” by the law and the press, because of his posing as an airline pilot. (In scene 11, Abagnale ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37, John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Along For The Ride Or Engaged For The Reason. Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 30, 2014

THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST, HAS A “CATEGORY” SYSTEM. IN FACT IT IS A TWO CATEGORY SYSTEM. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST WHO ARE “ALONG FOR THE RIDE”. AND THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED FOR A REASON

ARE YOU ALONG FOR THE RIDE OR ENGAGED FOR THE REASON. Acts 18:18-28 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19  They arrived at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 13: The Christian And Governmental Authority

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 18, 2022

What can Peter teach us about how to live the Christian life when the government persecutes us?

The Christian and Governmental Authority 1 Peter 2:13-17 Introduction In the USA, where I live, there is no more odious word in the English language than “submission.” No one here wants to submit. They don’t want to submit to government. They don’t want to submit to their boss. Women don’t want ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Blessed Ones

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 26, 2013

The first set of four beatitudes focus on our vertical relationship to God, the second set of four on our horizontal relationship to people. Each of the eight builds upon the other so that there is an amazingly beautiful and compelling progression.

Opening illustration: How good are you at making enemies? No, I didn’t ask how good you are at making friends. That’s easy. Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anybody. But how good are you at making enemies? If you are a child of God and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Isn’t Fair

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2023

God isn’t fair. God is lavish. Everything is a gift, including our lives, whether short or long.

Do you remember the Palm Sunday five years ago when twin suicide bombings took place in Egypt? One was at St. George’s Church in the Nile delta, and the other was at Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, the seat of the Coptic papacy. It’s one of the oldest Christian communities in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Great Debate

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 6, 2012

In Athens Paul had a great debate with the wisest about the "Unknown God" There are lessons to be learned on how to win the debate.

This week the Presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romeny dominated the media. A lot of poles felt that Romney won the debate. There have been many famous debates over the years. The debate between Abraham Lincoln and Steven A. Douglas is certainly well known. Perhaps the most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Foursquare