Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Restructuring The Church For Expansion During A Pandemic Of Presecution

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 12, 2022

Rapid growth, constant persecution and limited resources made the Apostles rethink their future and the future of the church. They reorganized their ministry team to maximze their efficiency and effectiveness. Let;s see how!

Sermon Restructuring The Church For Expansion Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:18-21

Denomination: Methodist

How Jesus Feels About Idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus views turning to other gods, as being sexually immoral to your Husband. Also, the persecution will one day be reversed, and we will rule with an iron rod, if we overcome/conquer.

How Jesus feels about idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Today, we will tackle two of Jesus' messages, to two of the seven churches. The first one, that I'll use as kind of skeleton and starting point, is to the angel and his church in Pergamum. About half way through, I'll add in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-28

How To Build A "Mega" Church!

Contributed by Dwight Jones on Nov 27, 2005

We trumpet high impact ministry with all of its frills. Our services are filled with video clips, movie clips and unfortunately scripture clips. We take more time and efforts refining our delivery than we do making sure that what we are delivering has H

In practically every gathering of ministers there is a subject that comes up; that subject is church growth. “How do we get people to come to church?” We have answered that question with a thousand books and yet by and large we are losing the battle for souls. In spite of our best efforts, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fragments Of Our Lives

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 12, 2018

Our God is concerned about the fragments about what is left. Yield to the will of God, Give him every portion every fragment of your life. Allow him to mold you, to refine you into the image of His Son. Our inadequacy makes room for His sufficiency! Updated July 2021.

Read one of the following Gospel Texts: Matthew 14:13-21 / Mark 6:30-44 / Luke 9:10-17 /John 6:1-14 We have a story before us ... in the Gospel text ...that has been told ... and retold. An event from which ... numerous lessons ... have been drawn. One of the blessings ... of having four ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:3, John 6:1-15, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, James 2:26, Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, John 6:1-14, 1 Kings 17:13, Luke 21:1-4, Luke 9:10-17, James 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Transformed To Be Like Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 2, 2025

God's Spirit is at work in us, refining us, growing the fruit of the Spirit in us. He is transforming us to be like Jesus. How do we sometimes resist this? What does it mean to see each other as ones who are being transformed by the goodness and grace of God?

March 2, 2025 Sermon - “Transformed to Be Like Jesus” Nature is an incredible thing. Most of us have likely had our breath taken away at the site of something in creation. Barbara and I spent our 35th anniversary in Jasper, Alberta and I’m frankly still in awe of the extraordinary beauty of that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:13-15, Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Psalm 34:18-19 - Part 7 - Are You Brokenhearted Or Crushed? Deliverance From Afflictions Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

Hurting people? Yes the world is full of them. Verses for today speak of those who hurt, the broken heartedness and sorrow; of those who are crushed by circumstances and the world. Jesus’ ministry is to the downtrodden. The Lord delivers those who are afflicted, and gives them hope.

PSALM 34:18-19 - PART 7 - ARE YOU BROKENHEARTED OR CRUSHED? DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTIONS We are nearing the end of our study of Psalm with just two more to go. The second half of the Psalm deals with practical issues like teaching and commands. Today the issue is very practical and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Acts 4:11-12, John 14:6, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 11:28, 2 Timothy 3:11-12, 1 Peter 2:19-20, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 9:13, Psalm 31:7, Psalm 119:50, Psalm 119:92, Revelation 21:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learning To See Good In Difficulties

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 14, 2003

Even though many disciples relished the privilege to preach in the name of Jesus, persecution caused many to quit. They thrived on the sense of power as they spoke with the enabling of the Holy Spirit, but disliked the opposition they encountered.

Taking the Pleasant With the Unpleasant (Acts 14:1-8) 1. Why do you think some people grow tired of their jobs? Every job has its so called good and bad points. Yet, some aspects of service are not always considered as important as less enjoyable aspects. Even though many disciples relished the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Submission: The Duty Of All Christians

Contributed by Joel Santos on Oct 28, 2004

By this time throughout the Empire were suffering increasingly severe persecution. Previously the Roman authorities seem to have regarded Christianity as a movement with Judaism. This meant that it was protected by Law, for Judaism was a legal religion.

Introduction By this time throughout the Empire were suffering increasingly severe persecution. Previously the Roman authorities seem to have regarded Christianity as a movement with Judaism. This meant that it was protected by Law, for Judaism was a legal religion. But officials and common people ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saved To Suffer

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Oct 30, 2001

Many times when we present the Gospel we fail to share that there will be times of suffering and persecution for our faith. In this message Pastor Steve shows how that is part of God’s plan.

INTRODUCTION Festo Kivengere, a leading evangelical minister in Uganda, wrote a book called I Love Idi Amin. In this book, he described the history of the church in Uganda, and in the following excerpt he told of the first Christian martyrs in the nation’s history: "Earlier that same year, 1885, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33-34, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Show Love And Acceptance

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 28, 2003

How do you respond to those who alsely accuse? How do you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." This sermon addresses those questions.

Lay Down Your Stones -Show Love and Acceptance- John 8:1-11 The saying goes that confession is good for the soul. I regret to tell that in my younger years I got very mad at my sister who is 4 years older than I. I got so mad at her that I picked up a rock and threw it at her from across the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

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

Advance Through Arrest Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Jesus indicates that one of the key ways of getting the Gospel spread would be through the courts. The persecution would lead to opportunities to defend the Gospel before high officials and leaders in high places.

There is a difference between sin and error. It I say 2+2=5 I am in error, but I am not sinning. That is, if my motive is to come to a right answer I am not sinning. If my human fallibility leads me to a wrong answer it is not sin. If I say 2+2=5 in order to confuse a young person so that they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Be Joyful Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

James wrote to believers facing tough times. Their troubles ranged from personal trials to disabling doubts, from persecution for following Christ to the lure of respectability in their community and the dangers of spiritual pride.

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:2-1:18. A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:2-8. 1.A.2. Lesson Title: Be joyful LESSON 1.A.2. – BE JOYFUL TEXT – James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

We Cannot But Speak

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 1, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threats, persecutions, and the fear of death, he will speak the truth boldly in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Peter and John before the High Priest 2. Prophet Jeremiah before the People 3. Paul before the False Prophets Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God who speak ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29, Acts 4:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peter And John's Preaching Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 4, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threatenings, persecutions and the fear of death; he will speak the truth boldly, in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. Peter and John’s Preaching Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the first lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ