Sermons on Persecution Erupted:

Rough Beginnings Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 11, 2023

In this sermon, we consider the back story of the letters to the Thessalonians - the founding of the church. It's tumultuous beginning helps us to understand a bit of the environment into which the new church was planted and some of the ongoing struggles they faces.

Pre-quals Every story has a back story. We may not always gain insight into the back story, but there are things impact characters and cultures. When George Lucas wrote the original Star Wars series, he had in his mind some of the events leading up to the movie that many of us were first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Show Your Faith

Contributed by Dennis Fox on Oct 22, 2023

Jesus says he will stand for us on Judgment Day. Will you stand up for him now or will you hide in the shadows.

Show Your Faith We’ve found out something interesting. Reality TV has nothing to do with reality. I’m betting that is a shock to no one. Karen and I had watched a reality show about couples who met abroad, until it turned into nothing but a parade of the absurd to the point we couldn’t even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-19, Matthew 10:21-39

Denomination: Other

Rejoice And Be Glad! - Matthew 5:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Jesus’ warnings about persecution were extremely earnest. If we are not prepared ahead of time, we will not be able to endure and remain faithful when serious persecution comes. This message will show you how to prepare.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:12

Rest Or Fire

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 6, 2024

This life gives us a choice: Rest or Fire. When we trust in God we can look forward to rest. If we don't, it will be fire. The way I see it, there is really only one good choice!

Alba 3-3-2024 REST OR FIRE II Thessalonians 1:1-10 A father had three very active boys. One summer evening, they were playing cops and robbers in the back yard after dinner. One of the boys "shot" his father yelling, "Bang! You’re dead!" He slumped to the ground. And when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Hebrews 4:1-2, Matthew 13:49-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus--Crazy Or Victorious?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 18, 2023

It appears here that the relatives of Jesus want to have Him committed to a mental ward.

Saturday of the 2nd week in Course 2023 Today’s Gospel is one of the shortest readings in the Lectionary. If you don’t pay attention, it’s over before you can grasp it. Why? Mark’s community of Rome was under almost constant persecution. So he took mostly Matthew’s Gospel and abridged it, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:2-14, Mark 3:20-21

Denomination: Catholic

Burn Your Bridges

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Sep 25, 2024

There are things that, as Christians, we must burn in our lives. This message looks at people who burned bridges for their faith.

Good morning to the Lord’s beloved! Many people don’t know this, but Julius Caesar was once a rebellious Roman. He first became a champion of the people by leading the Roman military towards the conquest of great foreign lands. He advocated for reforms of an aging Senate and, fearing his uprising, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39, Hebrews 11:1-2, Daniel 3:1-18, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 4:1-6, Acts 4:19-20, Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:52-56, John 14:15, John 14:21, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 3:7-14, Ephesians 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Can Stand On The Great Day Of Wrath? The Church! (Revelation 7:1-8) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 12, 2023

A no-rapture, academically rigorous study of Revelation. We, the church, are the 144,000.

Last week, we saw the beginnings of God's plan for the world starting to unfold. In the first four seals of Revelation 6, we saw pictures of the wrath of God, and the wrath of the Lamb, being poured out on the world through the four horsemen of the apocalypse. They brought with them conquest, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-8

Sufferings Endured Is Not In Vain Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 9, 2025

Let's explore a few biblical examples that illustrate the purpose and value of suffering.

The Bible teaches that sufferings endured for the sake of faith and righteousness are not in vain. These experiences can shape our character, deepen our faith, and lead to eternal rewards. Let's explore a few biblical examples that illustrate the purpose and value of suffering. Job: Suffering ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18

Saul - Paul Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 7, 2025

The most defining experience of your life will be touching/encountering Jesus.

(All Scripture quoted in this lesson is from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted). A. INTRODUCTION: SAUL PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1. Saul was a successful failure. He was going to top of the religious ladder. “Paul was better qualified than all the legalists . . . the best of all . . . born ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Gentle Jesus Meek And And Mild? Really

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 16, 2025

Jesus obviously had not read Dale Carnegie's book "How to make friends and influence people" He hated hypocrisy and called it as it was even if it meant offending the Jewish religious hierarchy

Lk 12:49-56: Gentle Jesus meek and mild? You will probably recall that famous Anglican hymn writer Charles Wesley’s hymn that start with the words “Gentle Jesus meek and mild” I have a great respect for John and Charles Wesley but I would have to say You have to be kidding - as we see in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Anglican

There's No Stopping The Mission Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jan 13, 2007

Stephen had just been stoned, and the church again is faced with persecution but to the extreme order. They the church was being persecuted by the persecutor of persecutors, a man by the name of Saul.

THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MISSION Acts 8:1-4 There is a story told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that happens as being (positive or negative) remarking for the positive “This is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Failure Not Final Sermon Vi: Why Would Anyone Go From Persecutor To Persecuted Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Since many folks in our culture appear to be consumed by hatred - much of it aimed at, but some of it by, Christians - we would be wise to review our Lord's confrontation with and transformation of Paul.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO FROM PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED? You knew that any focus on the theme Failure Is Not Final with the Father had to get around to the persecutor who became the persecuted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-20

The Comeback From Covid 19 #1

Contributed by Brian Harrell on May 28, 2020

As we reopen churches from Covid 19 we will see that life has changed and that opinions wildly differ on the issues. Romans 14 deals with similar food fights that have erupted in the church and how to solve them

The difference between us this is a serious message today about something that could become a serious problem. Have you ever been involved in a food fight? These are the kind of things that spontaneously break out in cafeterias or at summer camp and it’s usually for fun. But in the Bible a food ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-4, John 17:21, John 15:12-13

Denomination: Church Of God

The Comeback From Covid 19 #2

Contributed by Brian Harrell on May 28, 2020

As we reopen churches from Covid 19 we will see that life has changed and that opinions wildly differ on the issues. Romans 14 deals with similar food fights that have erupted in the church and how to solve them

The difference between us #2 this is a serious message today about something that could become a serious problem. The comeback 2020. Last week we read about it. We’re going to read about it again. A food fight that erupted in the Bible that threaten the split apart a church. Romans (ESV) 14:1 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-4, 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Go! And Marvel: The Incomprehensible Riches Of God - Romans 11:33 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 17, 2025

In Romans 11:33, Paul erupts in praise, marveling at the depth of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge. Using this verse, lets seek to grasp the grandeur of our God and respond with hearts full of worship and obedience.

Go! And Marvel: The Incomprehensible Riches of God - Romans 11:33 Romans 11:33 (NLT): “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” Introduction: Standing in Awe Have you ever stood beneath a starlit sky, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33, Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 11:7, 1 Corinthians 1:25

Denomination: Pentecostal