Sermons on Macro Benefits Of Persecution:

Relationships: God, Others, Ourselves

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Nov 2, 2008

Caring attitudes, caring actions, sharing a part of our life, that’s what it’s all about. It’s giving up a part of ourselves so that we can benefit others and dropping the selfish concerns of our sinful past. It’s showing God’s love for us through our a

Introduction A professor of theological ethics opened his class for the semester by reading a letter from a parent to a government official. The parent complained that his son, who had received a good education, gone to all the right schools, and was headed for a good job as a lawyer, had gotten ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Protective Praise

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on May 25, 2024

Have you ever thought about how praising God in the highs and lows can provide a layer of protection against pride (in the highs) or despair (in the lows)? Here we take a look at Hezekiah as an example of why we need to praise God and forget not all His benefits described in Psalm 103:1-5.

Protective Praise Have you ever thought about praise being a protective agent? Psalm 103:1 (ESV) says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” When we bless the Lord in our highs and lows, he provides a layer of protection. From what? Getting too high or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5, Deuteronomy 8:11-20, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 5:5, Romans 7:24-25, 2 Chronicles 32:25  (view more)  (view less)

The Light Of His Presence-Part 1 Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 10, 2020

The remarkable conversion of Saul, in which he put his faith in the Savior he had been so viciously persecuting, unfolds in five phases: 1) Contact (Acts 9:3), 2) Conviction (Acts 9:4), 3) Conversion (Acts 9:5), 4) Consecration (Acts 9:6–8), and 5) Communion (Acts 9:9).

Acts 9:1-9 [1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Other

Greed

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2010

We face price tag moments all the time in everyday life, we’re constantly doing cost-benefit analysis, always asking the question: “is it worth it?”. Because we live in a consumer world and we’re being constantly bombarded: buy this, buy that. And we weig

Greed Luke 12: 16-21 Introduction You’re in Parks Mall or Irving Mall, shopping away, your going from store to store browsing at stuff. Finally something really catches your eye. You’re excited about it, you hold it, you want it. Only one final hurdle remains—the price. So you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

5 Reasons To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 7, 2011

It is fitting to give thanks for: 1) God Himself (Psalm 103:1), 2) God’s Benefits (Psalm 103:2), 3) God’s Forgiveness and Healing (Psalm 103:3), 4) God’s Redemption, love & Mercy (Psalm 103:4), and 5) God’s Satisfaction & Renewal (Psalm 103:5)

"5 Reasons to Give Thanks": Psalm 103:1-5 Thanksgiving. October 9, 2011. Everton Community Church. This week the world mourned the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs. At 56 – he was considered the World’s Leading Technology Innovator. Millions of people around the globe are thankful to Steve Jobs ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Other

Suffering Guaranteed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2018

A study of the Risen Saviour's message to the Church in Smyrna. A study of the cost of following Him as Master.

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Worst Job Description Ever

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 6, 2019

God's appointment is seldom to do easy tasks. God appoints us to do hard things, and He equips us to fulfil what He has appointed us to do.

“Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Second Coming Of Christ - Part 2: A Closer Look At The Lord's End Times Warnings Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 27, 2023

The Lord's warnings... 1. Are about deception (vs. 1-5, 11-12, 23-26). 2. Are about disasters (vs. 6-8). 3. Are about the danger of persecution (vs. 9-10). 4. Seem to have more than one application (vs. 15-21). 5. Should move us to trust in His deliverance (vs. 13-14, 21-28).

The Second Coming of Christ Part 2 - A Closer Look at the Lord's End Times Warnings The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 24:1-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared February 27, 2023) (Edited March 3, 2023) MESSAGE: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 24, as we continue talking about the second ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Warning Of The False Teachers Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 21, 2024

There have been these lying false prophets around through the ages. This would be like in a critical war the soldiers can’t just fight the enemy who wear a different uniform, but within their ranks wearing their same uniform are those who would work to see the enemy win to make a profit.

Peter is writing to the scattered Christians. In his first letter Peter mentions who he is writing to, the scattered Christians of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Peter is writing from a Roman prison and the Lord has told him his execution is near. He writes this last letter to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The End Of The Age Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 30, 2021

As we approach the chaos of the end of the age, stay true to the Lord, stay calm in the crisis, and stay strong in the faith.

To start a discussion on core values, a youth pastor in Saskatchewan, Canada, asked his youth group: “What would you do if your doctor told you that you had only 24 hours to live?” The students talked about being with friends and family, and the discussion seemed headed in the right direction. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14, Revelation 6:1-8, Revelation 6:12, 1 John 2:18, Daniel 9:27, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 13:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:3-5, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1:11, Daniel 11:32-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Important Instructions From Jesus Our King (Part 4) Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 17, 2022

We should love Jesus enough: 1. To confess that He is our Lord (vs. 32-33). 2. To choose the Lord over our family (vs. 34-37). 3. To carry our cross for Him (vs. 38-39). 4. To be fully confident in Him (vs. 40-42).

Important Instructions from Jesus Our King (Part 4) The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 10:32-42 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared February 17, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 10. Most of you know that in this chapter, Jesus was about to send His twelve Apostles out to the lost ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

Transformational Worship

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 4, 2018

If you want to experience life-transformational worship, come to a better altar – the cross of Jesus Christ – with better sacrifices: carry His shame; confess His name; and care for others.

Joanne Weil describes the time her young son asked what was the highest number she had ever counted to. She didn't know, but she asked about his highest number. It was 5,372. “Oh,” she said. “Why did you stop there?” “Church was over,” he replied. (Mike and Amy Nappa, Bore No More! Group ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Dealing Wisely With Unbelief & Opposition Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 10, 2021

If we stand for Jesus, we will inevitably face the same kind of opposition that He did. How do we respond? His example gives us a clue as he faces both the unbelief of his own family, and the deadly opposition of israel's leaders.

It’s been more than 20 years ago now since I initiated a lawsuit in the name of the church against the Washoe County School District. As a few of you know, and even fewer of you probably remember, it was about the matter of Equal Access—equal access to public school facilities for churches and ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-15, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 7:6, Matthew 10:16-18, 1 John 2:15-16, Mark 6:3, Mark 3:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Jesus Predicts His Death Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Think of it: Jesus marshaled no army and He carried no weapon. Jesus never used His miraculous powers to throw the Pharisees off the nearest cliff. Yet, the threat of Jesus was so great, He often made enemies into allies:

A New York Times editorial claims that America’s views on the death penalty are changing. 35 people were put to death in 2014 which was the fewest in 20 years. And 2014 marked a nearly 40 year low in the number of new criminals placed on death row. While the method of execution may have changed, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:7-9, Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

How To Respond To Hardship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 3, 2004

When we look at life from an eternal perspectives it alleviates stress and helps us focus on God’s perspectives rather than our own limited-selfish view-point.

How to Respond to Hardship (John 15:20) Illustration: All the Ethiopian teenager had to do was tell the men who were beating her that she no longer believed in God, and they would have stopped. Yezeshewall was being detained and beaten because of her faith in Christ. But she told her tormentors, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational