Sermons on Macro Benefits Of Persecution:

Three Things To Include In Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 14, 2022

Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright bad. We wonder about the future or our country and the downward direction it is going. But still, in all circumstances we are to look for something for which to be thankful!

Alba 11-10-13 (Revised 11-13-2022) THREE THINGS TO INCLUDE IN THANKSGIVING I Thessalonians 5:18 I Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Servant Is Greater Than His Master

Contributed by Paul Estabrooks on Oct 24, 2012

There are severe forms of persecution, and less severe; but there is no such thing as a non-persecuted Christian!

Introduction Jesus promised his disciples the night before he was crucified that their lot was to be no different than His. Jesus said: “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also!” Persecution Is on the Rise The Pew Research ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-21

Denomination: *other

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

When To Pray Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

Pray when you are suffering, when you have success, when you are sick and when you have sinned

WHEN TO PRAY A pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor tried everything to get the kitten down but it would not move and the tree was too narrow to climb. Finally, he decided to get a rope. He threw the rope up to one of the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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

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

God Always Has A Plan

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Feb 1, 2013

Christians need to learn to look at all the circumstances in our lives, the good and what we consider to be bad circumstances and look at these circumstances the way God does. We need to remember that God uses all of our circumstances to teach us things!

If you’ve been around me for any length of time then you know that I am fond of saying that God always has a plan for each of us. Sometimes we like how His plan unfolds for us and sometimes we can become disappointed in how the plan unfolds. I have also mentioned a Bible study that Diane and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sharing In His Suffering Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 5, 2016

Through our relationship to Christ we share in the fellowship of suffering in general and we Share in His Suffering through: 1) The Father in Suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-4), 2) The Son in Suffering (2 Cor. 1:5-6) & 3) The Saints in Suffering (2 Cor. 1:7)

In his book (and now feature movie), The Insanity of Obedience, Nik Ripken tells about meeting Dmitri in the former USSR. Born of Christian parents, Dmitri found himself and his family living under communism in an area where the nearest church was a three-day walk away. He started teaching his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Other

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Knowing God's Phone Number Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2004

Why did God tell Jeremiah to "call upon" Him? And just how do I "call upon the name of the Lord?"

OPEN: Last year, when Jim Carrey starred in his movie “Bruce Almighty” the writers of the script gave God a phone number that Carrey could dial to talk with the Almighty. But instead of using the 555 prefix that movie makers and TV shows generally give phone numbers – they gave God a 776 prefix. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3, Jeremiah 33:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Shadow, The Substance And The Savior

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2016

A message to encourage believers in difficult times.

"The Shadow, the Substance and the Savior" Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Is Scattered Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 27, 2017

Those who were scattered preached the Gospel everywhere they went. Hundreds of individual evangelists were giving the Gospel to thousands of souls, and the message became known over the whole area.

February 8, 2014 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson II.E.4: The Church is Scattered (8:1-3) Acts 8:1-3 (KJV) 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

“finding Help To Live In An Anti-Christian Culture”

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 14, 2014

In an ever-increasing anti=Christian culture, how are American Christians to respond?

We live in a scary time. During my lifetime, I remember a time when our country was what I would call, “Christianized.” In witnessing, you could start with statements like, “You believe the Bible, don’t you?” or “Where’s your church membership?” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Be-Attitudes (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 17, 2014

Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them collectively I can see how they all work together. And I believe having all of these characteristics are important in being able to endure persecution.

The Be-Attitudes (part four) Matthew 5:11-12 Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ