Sermons on Persecution Refines:

From Death To Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 24, 2010

Paul persecuted Christians of the early church with a ferocious intensity. That is until he encountered Jesus. Meeting Jesus turned Paul's life around. He, who was dead, experienced new life.

Acts 9:1-6 “From Death to Life” INTRODUCTION Almost all of us have experienced a life changing event in our lives. The people who worked at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (but missed being at work that morning) share that their lives have been changed. For many of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Heaven, We Are Dying To Live There Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 20, 2016

In the midst of all of the persecutions and difficulties of these Christians, there is a blessed relief -- to be with Him for eternity. Our passing from this life is blessed because we Reside in the Lord; Rest from Labors; and will be Rewarded by deeds.

1. Back in 2014, Andy Russell of Tarzana, CA passed away. His three year old grandson, Bobby wanted to know what had happened to his grandfather. His parents told him, "Grandpa was so sick and felt so bad that God did not want him to hurt any more so he sent the angels to get him." Astonished, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Black Sheep

Contributed by Bala Samson on Feb 15, 2024

There are many out there, when they go through persecutions and problems, blame God and others and sulk, instead of searching themselves for any hidden sins, disobedience or anything else displeasing God.

Black sheep Joshua 7:12'. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction." Friend, now listen to me, there are many out there, when they go through persecutions and problems, blame God and others and sulk, instead of searching themselves ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Rescue Of Righteous Jabez

Contributed by Chuck Brocka on Oct 18, 2000

From Ruinous Restraint to a Radiant Recovery (I Chronicles 4:9-10) Now the reputation of Jabez rose above the respect of his refined relatives: however his mother had little regard as she rather underrated him, relegating him to the rank of wretchedness by referring to him as a remorseful Jab

From Ruinous Restraint to a Radiant Recovery (I Chronicles 4:9-10) Now the reputation of Jabez rose above the respect of his refined relatives: however his mother had little regard as she rather underrated him, relegating him to the rank of wretchedness by referring to him as a remorseful Jabez, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Persevering In Faith: Holding On To God's Promises Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 24, 2024

In Hebrews 10:35-36, the writer speaks to a group of weary believers, who are tempted to throw in the towel and give up their faith in the face of persecution and hardship. Instead of encouraging them to quit, the author urges them to press on, to hold tightly to their confidence in God’s promises.

Persevering in Faith: Holding On to God’s Promises Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) – “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:35-36, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Genesis 21:5, Genesis 41:41, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 119:105  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Missionary Mandate To Love One Another!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 9, 2005

God used Peter to write these words to a church under pressure, persecuted by the local community. Whatever our circumstances, Jesus has issued us with a missionary mandate to love one another deeply ...

This piece of scripture was written by the apostle Peter to a church which was under pressure. Opposition from the local community was high. Violence and persecution towards the church was quite normal. It is a long way from my experience, but the call of God for the church to be Good News is as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Anglican

Prayer For The Good Life Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Aug 17, 2014

Prayer for help each day the godly cease to rise in the glory of Jesus for the glory of the king and the nations and those in persecution must reflect on the new Jerusalem, their redemption and salvation in the grace of the faith of Jesus Christ.

Prayer For The Good Life by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (August 17, 2014) “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalms 12:1, King James Version [David craveth help of God]). Greetings in the Holy Name Of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 12:1-8

Denomination: Friends

The Kind Of Priest We Have

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Nov 17, 2011

Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and they already professed publicly that they did believe. A lot of pressure and persecution was on some of the believers. They need

The Kind of Priest We Have Hebrews 7:11-28 Related Readings: Genesis 14:17-24; Psalm 110; Psalm 27:7-14; Luke 22:24-34; Romans 8:31-39 A Little Review of Where We Are Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:11-28

Denomination: Apostolic

Jesus Walks On Water

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2012

In the mean while, the disciples were in trouble at sea, but it was only a small sample of the hardships that lay ahead for them. In the future, when they went out to preach the Gospel, they were met with hostility and persecution. But it is comforting

Jesus Walks on Water One of my favorite Bible stories is the account of Jesus walking on water. And that is what our Bible lesson is today. I want to tell you the story, even though it may already be familiar to you. It was just after the five ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21, Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Transformed Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Oct 12, 2015

A very religious Saul, on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians, is transformed in an encounter with Christ. Saul, the persecutor becomes Paul, the world's greatest missionary, and people living today can have their lives transformed.

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 010 TITLE: A Life Transformed TEXT: Acts 9:1-8 INTRO: One day a lady was leaving a beauty shop, when she met another lady who said, Mary Smith, I haven’t seen you in years, my how you’ve changed…slimmed down, hair different, clothing style, what a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Threaten

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Dec 14, 2015

The good news gospel of Christ Jesus tested the hearts of the Jewish sect in Jerusalem to threaten believers to persecution but the power of transformation in Apostle Paul made believers out of those who dwelled in disbelief.

THREATEN by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (December 13, 2015) “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Ready For Anything, Come What May Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 18, 2016

The Apostle Paul was ready for anything, for persecution or for death. How did he get that way? How do we get ready to be able to handle what ever may come our way.

January 17, 2016 - Sermon - Acts 21:1-15 - Here is the live audio version: https://catmsermons.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/ready-for-anything/ Today we’re continuing to follow the very dramatic journey of Paul, and we’re nearing the last bend of our tour through the book of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Under Pressure - Symrna Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 4, 2010

Afflicated and poor yet incredibly rich. The church would do well to look at what God calls rich and not hold to the world's opinion of riches. Even in the face of persecution, these Believers hold steadfast.

THE CHURCH UNDER PRESSURE – SMYRNA READING Rev 2:8-11 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Church Of God

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking A Stand Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jun 6, 2015

If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to put him first above anything or anyone else.

Taking A Stand Text: Acts 4:1-22 Introduction 1. Have you ever had to stand up for something you believe in? When we stand, it's normally because there is some sort of opposition facing us. So we have to muster up the courage and take action to stand against that opposition. 2. When I first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Methodist