Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Is That All You've Got?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2024

We who follow Christ are responsible to present the message of grace at every opportunity. Many will dismiss our message as foolish talk. We must honestly present the truth to such people, refusing to give up our stand for the truth.

“As [Paul] was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

"Count Me In!"

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jul 14, 2002

Jesus tells us time and again that if we follow Him, we will be despised and even persecuted by the world. How many of us are willing to stick it out for Jesus even when the going gets tough?

"Count Me In!" How many of you know the amount of our present national debt? As of last night our country was $6,103,548,889,112 in debt. Just to give you and idea of how large a sum of money that is and how fast we are sinking, this country’s deficit increases by an average ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Peace In The Puzzle, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2006

Why are the righteous persecuted, and why does Jesus say for us to rejoice when it happens to us? Link included to formatted text version, as well as part 1 and it’s matching PowerPoint.

A ‘Peace’ in the Puzzle, pt. 2 The Gospel of Jesus Matthew 5:9-12 When we are a peacemaker, we are eliminating strife. Tonite, we need to learn how to endure spite. This is the ‘puzzle’ in our title. This sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, by the greatest preacher who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Mutant Generation Series

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Sep 23, 2006

Christians have been transformed (or perhaps you could say mutated by Jesus Christ), and though they stand apart from the world, they still fight to save the world that would persecute and hate them

A "Mutant" Generation (A Hollywood Jesus) -Reverend Antonio L. Torrence I. One of this summer¡¦s most anticipated movies is X-men 3: The Last Stand based upon the marvel comic¡¦s series of Stan Lee. I grew up reading this comic series and what I liked about it was that originally, Stan Lee used ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

God Of Suffering: How We Can Experience God In Struggle And Pain Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Jan 31, 2009

The effects of persecution and struggle caused the church to grow and experience more of God’s power. We can experience God in struggle and pain because He is found in suffering and walks with us through it.

The God of Suffering: How we can experience God in struggle, pain, and suffering. Intro: How do you feel about struggle, suffering, and pain? Explanation: Acts 10-11 1. Peters has a vision for all people…(“all nations”) 2. Everyone is not happy… 3. A new church is born out of struggle Text: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Pentecostal