Sermons on Persecution Endurance:

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

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

Having Done All, Stand Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 29, 2020

Not unlike other churches within the first century, Thessalonica faced much adversity and opposition. They were relentlessly attacked for their faith in Christ. However, Paul encouraged them to remain steadfast in the faith, standing firmly for the Lord.

Having Done All, Stand 1 Thessalonians 2: 14-16 It has been a few weeks since we began to study this powerful letter to the Thessalonian church. Our last encounter revealed Paul encouraging the church to be an imitator of Christ rather than a pretender of the faith. He exhorted them to a life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Satisfaction Under Fire Series

Contributed by Micah Fries on Nov 29, 2003

Learning to live as satisfied Christians, even in the face of great persecution.

A man passed by a cage at the zoo and noticed that in the cage was both a large lion and an active monkey. He saw a zoo worker nearby and asked, ‘How does that work having both a lion and a monkey in the same cage? The worker replied, “It works ok for the most part.” The man spoke back, “ Do they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Just A Little While Longer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

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

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Having Confidence Always

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 30, 2005

In our Christian life there are many issues that test us and cause us to stumble. Sometimes they even have the ability to make us lose our confidence in God. In this passage we are shown how to keep our confidence in difficult circumstances.

Hebrews 10:32-39 Having Confidence Always Scripture Readings:- 1 Peter 4:12-19 Hebrews 10:32-39 Congregation in the Lord Jesus Christ, Have you ever been involved in a “remember the good old days” discussion? That is one of those discussions where you sit with your parents or grandparents and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Missed The Memo

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 2, 2024

Since some believe they can time travel in Jesus they should go back and teach Paul the prosperity gospel as he obviously missed the memo on that.

Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:19-23, Colossians 2:18, Mark 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Gloom, Despair, And Agony On Me Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Aug 5, 2010

What do you do when you have one of those days? Jesus' letter to Smyrna gives us great encouragement in suffering.

How many of you remember the “Hee-Haw” Show in the 70’s-80’s? •How many would never admit to it if you did remember? “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me”. Some of us have one of those days. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

When He Shall Come Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 31, 2025

Signs of Lord's return in nature, society, and Christian opposition.

A. WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF THE LORD’S RETURN? 1. Signs in nature, i.e., “There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes” (Matthew 24:7). 2. Signs in society. Lawlessness, violence, sexual immorality, greed, selfish pursuit, pleasure seekers, rebellion, despair (2 Timothy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:7, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

So Great A Cloud

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 18, 2019

Saints can be great people like Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi … but saints can be ordinary people. People like you and me. People who have given their hearts to Jesus. People that the light of God … the light of the Holy Spirit … shines through.

One day a man and his five-year-old son were walking through a beautiful church. The church was filled with bright light from its many colorful stained-glass windows. As the boy looked at the windows, he asked: “Who are all the people in the windows, Daddy?” “They are saints,” his father ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Grow Through Suffering Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Peter tells us there is no need to fear suffering for it is the path to blessing. It’s was that way for Jesus and He has appointed this the path for every believer.

Zeus ordered the creation of a new goddess because of his sheer boredom. According to In Greek mythology, Zeus had run out of other goddess to seduce, so he had Pandora created. Pandora was given a mysterious box and was told that whatever she did, she was not to open this box. She resisted the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Handcrafted By God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 17, 2012

Is God bending, shaping, or polishing me right now? What’s my attitude: Am I thanking and praising God, or am I complaining about the process? Trials are intended not to provoke us but to prove us. See the present from the perspective of the future. Look

Opening illustration: The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt—and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace And Peace To You / (Why Mentioned So Often In The New Testament?)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 20, 2012

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen times we hear this exact greeting or a variation in the pages of the New Testament. Why is this the favored greeting of the apostles? Updated April 2022.

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen (18) times... we hear this exact greeting... or a variation of it... in the pages ...of the New Testament It is used as the opening sentence ... from our service ... of Morning Prayer: These words should be familiar: Hear God's Word to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:10, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 13:5, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 1:4-8, Philippians 1:2, Revelation 2:10-15, Ephesians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

For Such A Time As This

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 19, 2005

Do you know why you are here in this time?

For Such A Time As This Have you ever wished that you had been born in a different time? Trekkies wish they would had been born three hundred years from now anticipating that much of what is now science fiction will become reality by then. Many young girls wish they had been born in the days of ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Encouraged To Endure Sermon Iv: 5 R's For The Remaining Days Of Our Lives Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

In times when being a Christian is frowned upon by many, Christians have a hope so sure that, despite the frowns, we will spend our remaining days on a high note of reverence for God and readiness for His final victory in Christ.

5 R’s for the Remaining Days of Our Lives When my son and I attended a Braves game at Turner Field, he asked me how it feels to be 80 years of age. “No different than it felt at 70, but, if and when I get to 90 the Lord willing, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17, 1 Peter 4:1-2

The Love Of God's Discipline

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 19, 2023

In the following sermon we are going to review Hebrews 12:4-11 to find the motive and intended blessings of the Lord’s discipline!

The Love of God’s Discipline Hebrews 12:4-11 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 How does one throw off everything that hinders our walk with God and “run the race, fight the good fight, and finish well” in the face of the debilitating anguish of hardships? Day and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-11

Denomination: Baptist