Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Facing The Perilous Times

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Mar 7, 2026

The early church faced persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom—yet they turned the world upside down because they were filled with the Spirit. What is lacking today? The presence of God! Knowledge and human wisdom will not take the Church to the old path. We need the Holy Spirit on our side.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Romans 8:35-39, Acts 1:8, John 8:31-32, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, Matthew 24:12, Revelation 3:16, Revelation 2:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Esther: A People Redeemed, Hope Revealed.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 18, 2025

The story of Esther and her place in the history of the Jewish people is fascinating in that it speaks of God's providence all the while not mentioning God. It deepens our understanding of his care for us and for all people. Hope is revealed, what part do we play now?

Esther: A people redeemed, hope revealed. Read Esther 4:9-14 The book of Esther is an account of the redemption of the Jewish people that were residing in the nation of Persia, a nation of 127 provinces. Persia or now days modern Iran stretched from India to the Mediterranean Sea, including ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:9-14, Ephesians 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:1, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Esther 6:9, 1 Samuel 15:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Beautiful Attitudes Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 1, 2021

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements.

Definitely the crowning explanation of the spirit of the law is Jesus’ commentary on the law in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s the climax of our discussion. Let’s examine some key elements. Jesus begins His commentary on the law with the beatitudes, sometimes called the beautiful attitudes, which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Created On Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 21, 2022

God created us on purpose for His purposes.

On Tuesday of this week, another world record was broken when the population of our planet topped 8 billion people! I’m not quite sure what baby’s birth put us over the top, or even how they count this, but it’s fair to say humankind has kept at least one of God’s commands which is to “be fruitful ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

Only In Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 12, 2022

Progress became a secular god, a new form of hope for secular man in the 19th century, a progress that would lead to freedom. It was not to be.

Monday of 2nd Week in Lent The call of Jesus in Matthew, which we heard at Mass on Saturday, was to “be perfect, as the heavenly Father.” In Luke’s redaction we heard today, the call is to “be merciful, as the heavenly Father.” If we understand that the root meaning of perfection is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:36-38, Daniel 9:4-10

Denomination: Catholic

Beware Of Baal

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 20, 2023

Maybe we have more Baal worshipers than we know

"Idolatry is an economic issue. When we read about the Israelites worshiping the god Baal in 1 Kings 18, we tend to think of them developing a preference for wooden idol images. But the primary attraction to Baal wasn’t a pretty statue; it was an economic promise. For the nations around ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-10, Revelation 3:17

Denomination: Baptist

Fan The Flame Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 6, 2023

Fan the flame of faith so you remain faithful when tough times come.

Fan the Flame 2 Timothy 1:1-12 Rev. Brian Bill June 3-4, 2023 As we kick off the summer, I want to share how God led me to our new series called, “Standing Firm” from the book of 2 Timothy. Initially, I planned to preach through Colossians but as I followed the readings from the Edgewood Bible ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Beatitudes - True, Lasting Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2023

How can we find true, lasting happiness, blessedness? Let's find out in Matthew 5.

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). Poor in Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Attitudes For Revival: Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 13, 2023

"Blessed are those who mourn." How does this beatitude instruct us to position ourselves for revival? Is there a mindset here necessary for operating in a revival?

Intro How do we posture ourselves to be used by God? What attitudes of heart invite the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives? We find answers to these questions in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began that sermon in Matthew 5 with the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes he shares eight attitudes of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 2 Corinthians 2:16, Isaiah 57:15, 1 Peter 5:6, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, Proverbs 14:12, Matthew 23:37, Romans 8:18-25, Romans 8:28-29, Luke 6:21-25, Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Psalm 126:5-6, Ecclesiastes 7:1-3, Ecclesiastes 3:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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

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

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

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