Sermons on Joy In Persecution:

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Persecution can and is real. The key is how we approach it. Peter offers 2 lessons of encouragement: We must "Cultivate Christian Love" and "Practice the Lordship of Christ".

INTRODUCTION Persecution is real for the believer. While it comes in many different ways, it is real – The group we’ve been studying about in 1 Peter suffered this horror in much a different way than we do as Christians today: Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering For Jesus Series

Contributed by Allen James on Feb 14, 2010

Final message in Approved series through the Beatitudes explores the idea of being persecuted for righteousness sake.

Suffering for Jesus • Matthew 5:10-12 Two Common Approaches re: Suffering for Jesus: Too Light-hearted about it… Confuse Temptation and Trials with persecution… Introduction: Persecution is more about our spiritual preparation than it is about our personal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

For Righteousness Sake Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Mar 22, 2009

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

INTRODUCTION The preacher of an underground Chinese church tells others of the precautions they must take to avoid government persecution. Each time their church reaches ten to fifteen members, they split to reduce attention. They also alternate meeting places for the same reason. Because phone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bound And Determined Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Mar 30, 2009

Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem, but he is bound and determined to trust God and go, even if it costs him dearly.

“Bound & Determined” Acts 21:1-16 July 6, 2008 Two questions as we begin this morning: how do you know you are really trusting God? What do you do when the will of God involves doing something that will really cost you? I. A Desperate Plea - :1-6 READ VV. 1-3 - This ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Walking Fearlessly Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 9, 2008

How believers fearlessly face persecution.

I’ve been reading a book by an agnostic whose previous book chronicled his project to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. In his latest book he describes his attempt to live according to the Bible. To do so, he had to read it, and he admits, even as one with very little faith: “This is the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Congregational

Who Is Able To Stand? Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Apr 27, 2012

In the final day - 'who is able to stand before the Lord?' This is the question asked after the 6th seal at the end of Revelation 6.

“Who Is Able To Stand?” The Unveiling - #21 of Jerry Watts Revelation 6:9-17 * The last question in verse 17 is our first challenge of today. “Who is able to stand before the Lamb and the One on the throne in their day of wrath?” Just as surely as God sent the flood waters ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Predictably Unpredictable

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Dec 16, 2011

Inconsistency of men being contrasted with the Consistency of God

Predictably unpredictable… Jim Thorpe! Does it ring a bell? Well arguably he was the greatest athlete of 20th century. Blessed with abundant natural talent in those days of amateurism, Thorpe virtually “torpedoed” the competition into submission by winning ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Denomination: *other

Faith To Face Family Series

Contributed by Mark Tonkery on Feb 3, 2012

Faith to face your family when they reject your Christian faith.

Faith to Face Family Text: Hebrews 11:4 Introduction I. Since May 10, 2010 Nurta Mohamed Farah has been imprisoned at her home in southern Somalia because she became a Christian, according to Compass News Direct. According to witnesses, Nurta's family keeps the 17-year-old chained to a tree by day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That Same Old Song And Dance Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 3, 2008

When we are bound by stubborn patterns, we can become hostile when our stubborn ways are exposed.

That Same Old Song and Dance (Acts 7: 1-53) 1. It is natural for all of us to get absorbed in our own worlds; as a result, we often lose sight of the big picture. 2. Our nation’s current economic meltdown is causing us to rethink life and the way we do things in this country. 3. But God’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-53

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Martyr's Testimony Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 10, 2008

God is very good at confusing us and leaving our heads in a spin, but He knows what He is doing, even if we can’t figure it out. But eventually his plan becomes clear, either in the distant future (eternity) or in retrospect (in this life).

The Martyr’s Testimony (Acts 7:51-8:4) 1. According to an AP article yesterday (Nov. 8), "WASHINGTON – The nation’s jobless ranks zoomed past 10 million last month, the most in a quarter-century, as piles of pink slips shut factory gates and office doors to 240,000 more Americans with the holidays ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

2013 - Stay The Course

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on May 17, 2013

2013 will bring many challenges to believers faith and they must realize the testing of that faith is what will strengthen them.

2013: Stay the Course Luke 4:1-12 As I have prayed and thought about the New Year of 2013, I feel in my heart that the Lord is saying this will be a year of testing A testing of our faith in God; our relationship with God; our dependence upon God; our understanding of God We will be tested in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping The Faith When Times Are Tough Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 16, 2012

RECENTLY, SOMEONE SHARED WITH ME A “RULE OF THUMB” FOR THEM PERSONALLY. IT GOES LIKE THIS, “WE ARE ALL PROBABLY ABLE TO HANDLE THREE CRISES IN OUR LIVES AT ANY GIVEN TIME.” WELL, I THINK THAT PAUL IS PROBABLY AT HIS LIMIT HERE! HE HAS TO ADJUST TO A WH

KEEPING THE FAITH WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH Acts 9:19-31 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Signs Of The End Of The Age (2020) Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 8, 2020

Signs of the end of the age - Luke chapter 21 verses 5-38 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Jesus gave some warnings: (A). There will be false messiahs (vs 8). (B). There will be wars (vs 9-10). (C). There will be natural disasters (vs 10-11). (D). There will be persecution (vs 12-18). (E). There will be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (vs 20-24). (2). ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-38

Denomination: Brethren

Lessons In Courage Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Oct 25, 2019

Today I want us to look at some lessons in courage that the Bible describes the Apostle Paul as walking in. You see Paul is also quoted as saying in essence that no matter what comes my way, with Christ I can do all things. Everything He’s called me to do.

ACTS Testifying & Tribulations Dr. Tom Bartlett September 22, 2019 Acts 21:1-40 OUTLINE Lessons In Courage Courage: moving forward in the face of uncertainty And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Other

The Church In Smyrna Series

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 15, 2020

The Church of Smyrna was commended for its loyalty to Christ even though it cost many their lives. Would we be willing to give up our lives if Christ called us to do so - to be loyal to Him

The Church at Smyrna. Rev 2:8-11 Last Sunday we looked at the first of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (also known as the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation) - the Church of Ephesus. Let me just recap for those of you who weren’t with us last week The book of Revelation was written ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Anglican