New Sermon Series Now Available
Everything you need for your next series
AI Sermon Generator
Generate sermon ideas with a safe, secure tool for solid preaching.
Biblical Sermon Calendar
Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching
Sermon Research Assistant
Free custom sermon in 5-10 minutes!
Topical Sermon Calendar
Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year
Funeral Sermon Generator
Create a personalized, heartfelt funeral sermon
Faithful to the Finish
Peter's final call to a young and growing church
Grace and Glory
A short series through the highlights of 1 Peter
Entrusted
Gifts, risk, and the return of the King
Smyrna was a church under the great pressure of persecution.
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION SMYRNA—THE CHURCH UNDER GREAT PRESSURE TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11 Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11
Denomination: Pentecostal
The persecuted church in Philadelphia is part of the true Israel
Unto the Church in Philadelphia, Write Revelation 3:7-13 Introduction Philadelphia was the sixth church which Jesus addresses in Revelation. It was noted for its rich volcanic soil which was good for the raising of grapes. But the presence of volcanic soil also meant that the area was subjected to ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13
Denomination: Independent/Bible
Does persecution often create church growth?
Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more
Denomination: Baptist
Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?
October 14, 2023 After the stoning of Stephen, Saul was out for blood. When his bloodlust could not be satisfied by simply persecuting the Believers in Jerusalem, he expanded his search. Eventually, he focused on Damascus ---- 200 miles away! He went with the intent of bringing back the ...read more
Scripture: Acts 9:1-2, Acts 22:6-11, Acts 26:16-18, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Philippians 3:4-8, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (view more) (view less)
Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist
Prophets primarily are persecuted and perish, not prancing in prosperity.
Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, ...read more
Scripture: Acts 9:16, Philippians 1:28-30, Luke 7:24-26
The world won't have a very high regard or value placed on what God values.
THE OFFSCOURING OF THE EARTH TEXT: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 KJV For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise ...read more
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
Whatever trials you’re going through, Jesus calls you to simply remain faithful to Him.
I have to tell you about my experience this week. This week I did something I’ve never done before. This might surprise you, but up until Tuesday, I had never voted in a voting booth. You see, I turned 18 when I was in Basic Training. From that point forward, I always voted absentee. If you’ve ...read more
Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.
Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17
Paul displayed an attitude which rose above his hard circumstances.
TO LIVE IS CHRIST Philippians 1:20-30 Two elderly women were out driving in a large car and both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I ...read more
Scripture: Philippians 1:20-30
The trial and testing of the faithful
Daniel 3-The Three Faithful Friends of Daniel are Tested I. Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image Set Up for Worship (v.1-7) A. The Image Description (v.1) B. The Call of Image Worship to Leaders (v.2-7) 1. The Leaders ...read more
Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30
The unfolding of the Jews persecution/testing/trials/purifying and the Day of the Lord
Daniel 12-The Great Vision Continues-The End of the Age Unfolded I. The Last Half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 12:1-3) A. The Archangel Michael Stands Still (v.1 a) B. The Unparalleled Great Tribulation (v.1 b) C. The Deliverance of Daniel’s People (Rapture/Resurrection) (v.1c, ...read more
Scripture: Daniel 12:1-13
A unique but Biblical/Historical description of the Great Tribulation
The Great Tribulation While this title has been popularized during the past century and a half by the pre-tribulation rapture theory, which also tagged it with the traditional 3-1/2 year time period, the fact of the matter remains, the Bible does not explicitly indicate an exact length of time ...read more
Scripture: Matthew 24:15-28
Message one about dealing with understanding what is to come if the end times come in our lifetime.
Standing Firm in the End Times (Part 1) Matthew 24:9-14 March 15, 2009 Me: I’ve never been a person who seeks out hard times or rough situations. I’ve had a lot of them, but it’s been those times where I’ve felt God’s presence and His strengthening to help me move on and do what I needed to ...read more
Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14
Denomination: Wesleyan
The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.
READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more
In Acts 4 we see a church alive and on fire. But it is also a church under attack. How did the first believers cope with opposition?
Introduction Once upon a time, an atheist lived in a small town. The atheist wasn’t a bad man, he just didn’t believe. He wasn’t interested in church… and there was only one in the area. It was cold and dead. More of a social club for the deceased. One day the church building caught on fire. The ...read more
Scripture: Acts 4:18-31
Sermon Central