Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Persecuted & Joyful (2 Thessalonians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 1, 2024

Can a church be both persecuted and joyful? Can they be faithful? Let's find out in 2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy encouraged the church in Thessaloniki during persecution. They encourage the saints not to be shaken by those who say that the day of the Lord has begun but to stand firm. They encouraged the brethren to work to earn a living and not live an idle life. Let’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

During Persecution, God’s Word Will Come

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 1, 2022

Jeremiah was to have God by his side through all of his difficulties. There are special rewards for God’s faithful people. However, it is possible that they might not be received during this life.

Jeremiah had been God’s spokesman to Judah for forty years, during the last five kings. He continually urged the people to repent and to act, but nobody would listen to him or do anything. He was not a successful man by the world’s standards, like those who have fortune and fame. He did not gain ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 39:6-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God’s Answer To The World’s Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 11, 2024

The Christian must proclaim what they know ... even under duress! Will we share the simple message, and the hope, of what God has done for us? The Disciples did, and they were not afraid.

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 7 God’s Answer to the World’s Persecution Acts 5:12-25 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ahead, anticipated ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25, John 15:20, Jeremiah 1:8, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purifying Fire Of Trials Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 19, 2006

Our lives are orchestrated by God to refine us.

The Purifying Fire of Trials (I Peter 1:6-9) 1. Life is filled with difficult to answer questions. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat? If the professor on Gilligan’s Island can make a radio out of coconut, why ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Saved You. Then What? (3) Series

Contributed by Herbert Armstrong Bosantog on Nov 13, 2012

What’s next after REPENTANCE? The answer is RIGHTEOUSNESS and HOLINESS. For the Lord shall be like REFINER’S FIRE and SOAP for CLEANSING, PURIFICATION, REFINEMENT, SANCTIFICATION, CONSECRATION, etc… So that we may OFFER to the LORD and OFFERING of RIGHTEO

“You belong to God, my dear children. You HAVE ALREADY WON your FIGHT with these false prophets, because the SPIRIT WHO LIVES in you is GREATER than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NLT) Who are we, but a DIRTY WORM from the dust of the ground? “I am a MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:4

Denomination: *other

You Are A Fundie Bible Thumping Mentally Retarded Crutch Needing Holy Ro... Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 31, 2016

"You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded backwards thinking ignoramoose God loving hypocrite." You believe in Jesus? Jesus, Paul, and Peter says you will face opposition to your faith.

YOU ARE A FUNDIE BIBLE THUMPING MENTALLY RETARDED CRUTCH NEEDING HOLY ROLLING HOMO-HATING DIRT IQ CLOSE-MINDED BACKWARDS THINKING IGNORAMOOSE GOD LOVING HYPOCRITE 1 PETER 4:12-19 You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Pofession To Perfection Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 12, 2005

1 John 2:6 From Profession to Perfection - In the Series on 1 John

From Profession to Perfection Introduction A. The Christian Life Begins with New Birth 1. "My little children" (v. 1) 2. We are born again through faith in Christ (John 3:1-16) B. God Wants Us to Be Confident of Our Salvation 1. Know is found forty times in this epistle 2. The joy of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

The God Burners

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 3, 2010

All vain-glory, ambition, ignorance, and pride, would be done away by one view of Christ in his glory. This awful vision of the Divine Majesty overwhelmed the prophet with a sense of his own vileness. We are undone if there is not a Mediator between us an

Opening illustration: Story of a passionate British underground evangelist in Salalah, Oman. Introduction: In this figurative vision, the temple is thrown open to view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"When Life Throws You A Curve" Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Jan 15, 2015

Christians can rejoice through trials as God refines their faith through them. As a Christian must realize we will face difficulties, and those difficulties are not meanness but strengthen our faith not in ourselves but in

Title: "When Life Throws You a Curve" Big Idea: Christians can rejoice through trials as God refines their faith through them. Text: 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Chastisement Of God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 4, 2015

Disobedience to the Word of God could seriously jeopardize your astute financial planning, business, career and destroy your peace of mind. Caveat! The churning would do good for us!

The churning would do good! Isaiah 30:13”therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant..” I have watched the best flavor come out of any kind of fruit juice and sorbet from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Exiles #1: Elect Exiles: Wait...what?

Contributed by James Jackson on Aug 29, 2018

Part 1 of Exiles: Sustained by Hope in a Hostile World (1 Peter)

If you are a fan of Georgia Tech football, you might consider October 7, 1916 as one of the greatest daysin history. If you are a fan of offense in general, you might feel the same way. Because on October 7, 1916, Georgia Tech delivered the most stunning beatdown in football history to Cumberland ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit As Fire Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 20, 2025

Throughout the Bible, God presents Himself as fire. Fire has many positive and helpful effects that reflect the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives.

Introduction: A. This past week, our nation has watched in horror as parts of the city of Los Angeles were destroyed by wildfires. 1. As of the writing of this sermon on Thursday…25 people had died in the fires, 12,300 structures had been destroyed, and 100,000 people had been evacuated. B. It is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Psalm 139:23-24, Zechariah 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 20, 2016

When we take time to praise God, fear, doubt and frustration fade. Praising God doesn’t mean that our problems aren’t serious or that our problems won’t go away, but praising God forces us to lift our eyes to God.

Have you ever been afraid? It doesn’t have to be an occasion when you were physically scared. It can be an occasion where you were afraid for your health or your finances or even for a loved one. How did you feel? How did you react? There are different ways to react. Some say God is dead. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

The Last Message Of Daniel. From Maccabean Persecution To The End Of Time. Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jun 8, 2015

Here is where the mystery is described but not explained. One moment we are decades before Christ's first coming, the next, we are at the second coming. Dig deep. Find the truth of this passage!

11:35a “And some of those of understanding shall fall,” Even the most righteous, most helpful, most zealous, will be slain. Here is a warning for us today not to assume anything about church members undergoing persecution for the Lord. He takes home whom He will, when He will, for His ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

“finding Help To Live In An Anti-Christian Culture”

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 14, 2014

In an ever-increasing anti=Christian culture, how are American Christians to respond?

We live in a scary time. During my lifetime, I remember a time when our country was what I would call, “Christianized.” In witnessing, you could start with statements like, “You believe the Bible, don’t you?” or “Where’s your church membership?” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist