Sermons on Persecution Refines:

You Follow Me

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Apr 21, 2023

Can someone like Peter be forgiven? Can someone who persecuted the Church like Paul be forgiven? Can someone like me be forgiven? Can any of us be restored and made useable for the kingdom of God?

Lovest Thou Me? John 21:15-23 I have done things in my life that I am deeply ashamed of. Before my own conversion, I had broken every commandment God gave to Moses on Sinai. I lied, cheated, stole, lusted, committed adultery many times, and did not show respect to my parents. I at least ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-23

Denomination: Methodist

Appointed To Affliction Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

As far as possible the Christian is to live peaceably with all men. The ideal is progress without persecution, but the world will not tolerate the Christian conviction, and so there will be tribulation, and we must be prepared to face it if we stand for the truth as we ought.

One of our neighbors had a common but nerve wracking experience. Her little girl did not come home from school at noon. She got worried and went out to look for her, but she was no where around. The mother was just sick with worry as the worst possible thoughts went through her mind. She sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

From Suffering To Glory

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jul 19, 2017

We will all suffer for we live in a decaying world. Many will persecute Christians simply because they hated Jesus. Regardless, we must look ahead for to be glorified because the time for suffering won't last.

Do we know and understand that God’s creation has/is patiently been waiting for God’s elect? They have been waiting for a long time, in fact for more than a couple millennium. They are waiting for us to join them. They are waiting for the curse to be over. Who then is waiting for us? The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-30

Denomination: *other

Power Encounter

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Sep 28, 2024

Saul lived a life in pursuit of persecuting followers of Christ until he had a power encounter with Christ. Then, Saul became Paul and brought the power of God in full persuasion to all who would hear.

POWER ENCOUNTER The Apostle Paul said, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5i PERSUADED BY POWER Paul was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Acts 18:4, Acts 19:8, Acts 9:1-9, John 1:4, Matthew 5:13-16, Numbers 20:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 11, 2025

When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, and self-awareness — but the Bible calls us to something higher and holier: God-examination.

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Church, let’s begin this morning with a question that pierces deeper than any sermon outline or theological argument: When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-4, Psalm 139:23-24, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:8, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Expectations & Excuses

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 7, 2025

In Genesis 3:8-13, the refining of our expectations and removal of our excuses is shown in three ways through 1) God’s Gracious Call (Genesis 3:8-9), 2) God’s Gentle Question (Genesis 3:10-11), and 3) God’s Grace for Our Excuses (Genesis 3:12-13).

Genesis 3:8-13. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-13

Denomination: Other

What You Need, God Has

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Sep 13, 2002

Jesus knew the disciples would face trials, persecution, and death. He knew they would have grief. So he comforted them. And Jesus comforts us as well when we are having problems and face grief.

Series: “What To Do” See also I Don’t Know What To Do; But I’m Disappointed; But I Just Can’t Win; But Life is Too Hard; What You Need, God Has) As I choose this passage to preach, I knew that these three verses were the three from the entire 16th chapter of John that I would concentrate on. In ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Methodist

Ten Ways The Holy Spirit Empowers You With His Faithfulness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 16, 2004

The apostle Paul trained himself to view the perils of his life as opportunities to express his faithfulness to Christ. He came to the place where he could "take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’

Ten Ways the Holy Spirit Empowers You With His Faithfulness (I Thes 5:24) Illustration: Several years ago The New York Times reported that coyotes were repopulating much of the American East. But they were getting mixed reviews. Some people saw them as a threat to domestic animals and regarded ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 5:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Solutions For Jealous Tendencies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 19, 2003

Jealousy creates destructive behavior. The best people of the day were swept up in a wave of jealous retribution. "But the Jews aroused the devout of the city and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district."

The Roots Of Jealousy (Acts 13:42-52) Illustration:JEALOUSY It is the eyes of other people that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither a fine house nor fine furniture. Benjamin Franklin. There is a fable of an eagle which could out fly another, and the other didn’t like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:40-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Will You Sacrifice For The Cause?

Contributed by Michael Wiley on Nov 12, 2008

Across the world, many Christians sacrifice, money, stature, safety, and even their lives for the call of Christ.Here in America, we are unlikely to experience the type and scope of persecution our friends endure. We will not be called upon to give such a

What Will You Sacrifice for the Cause? Michael Wiley November 9, 2008 Matthew 16:24-25 Romans 12:1 Introduction: Begin with the video clip from Ajai Lall – approx 5.5 minutes We were blessed last week by a message from Ajai Lall, Lead Evangelist of Central India Mission. His message and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Nobility Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Stephen was in many ways a forerunner to Paul. He boldly confronted the synagogues of foreign Jews in Jerusalem, possibly even entering them to debate their members. Stephen faced fierce opposition, even to the point of physical persecution. It is even

Spiritual Nobility Acts 6:8-15 Intro This passage marks a transition in the book of Acts. Up to this point, Peter has been the dominating figure, fulfilling his calling by taking the gospel to the people. Another figure of importance looms on the horizon: the apostle Paul, who is introduced at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Now And Forever Series

Contributed by Don Baggett on Mar 2, 2008

This passage opens up by talking about “present sufferings.” This is talking specifically about persecution, but this statement could be applied to anything you might be going through. The message of the verse is that God has something better in store f

This passage opens up by talking about “present sufferings.” This is talking specifically about persecution, but this statement could be applied to anything you might be going through. The message of the verse is that God has something better in store for them who love Him. He is going to reveal ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Baptist

Imitating Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jul 16, 2007

Seeing selfish ambition, vain conceit, discord, from persecution, Paul called on the church to “conduct themselves in a manner worthy” of their calling and not "of" the world. Just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the sake of others, we also are to offer

INTRODUCTION A. LIFE TODAY IS NOT WHAT CHRIST INTENDED 1. We live in a “dog eat dog” world. 2. “SELF” rules We may view ourselves as did the Pharisee depicted by Jesus who prayed, “God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Living Witness Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on May 20, 2007

Peter’s purpose is to tell his audience how to respond and stand fast in the Godly loving lifestyle in the midst of suffering and persecution of their faith. Living for God and not your circumstances! Living a life of hope, holiness and love in the mids

Be A Living Witness (1 Peter 2:11-3:12) Be a Witness: Personally (Holiness) (the key Center, Verse 2:12) 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Save Your Life By Saving It In Gods Presence

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 18, 2016

To show that GOD called us not to believe only but to suffer for His Name's sake and if we try to avoid or save ourselves from trials, persecutions and sufferings here on earth, we will not be saved (advance) in our spiritual life.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you called to suffer for Him? Yes. Philippians 1:29 (Amplified Bible) For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:35

Denomination: Pentecostal