Sermons on persecution refines: showing 331-345 of 30,444

In The Midst Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 11, 2018

When suffering for righteousness sake, Christ promises to be with us “In the Midst of Suffering”.

Charles Spurgeon once said that true love is measured by the degree to which the one loving is willing to subject (themselves) to crosses and losses, to suffering and self-denials. With love comes responsibility, and that responsibility is grounded in truth. What disturbs and disillusions those on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Other

God Looks At The Heart Series

Contributed by Obeth Jebakumar on Dec 23, 2020

God “tries the heart,” “sees the heart,” “refines the heart,” and “searches the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word “Heart” refers to the center of an individual’s mental, emotional and spiritual life. Put another way, the heart is the “innermost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Acts 13:22

Denomination: Methodist

Kingdom Keys Habakkuk Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 6, 2023

Living in Faith is an action leading to greater faith in Jesus and in the refinement of us

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 12:3, Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:20, Habakkuk 3:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fiery Trials

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 7, 2021

‘Fiery Trials’ 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-19 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Expect ordeals (vs 12) Rejoice in suffering (vs 13-14) Examine your life (vs 15-18) Commit yourself to God (vs 19) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Persecution of Christians around the world has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, • With many Christians being refused help and aid in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Brethren

Knowing God's Phone Number Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2004

Why did God tell Jeremiah to "call upon" Him? And just how do I "call upon the name of the Lord?"

OPEN: Last year, when Jim Carrey starred in his movie “Bruce Almighty” the writers of the script gave God a phone number that Carrey could dial to talk with the Almighty. But instead of using the 555 prefix that movie makers and TV shows generally give phone numbers – they gave God a 776 prefix. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3, Jeremiah 33:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Beatitudes In Isaiah 57 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2014

God wants us to be godly even within an ungodly culture, as defined by Isaiah and generalized into principles by Jesus.

The Beatitudes in Isaiah 57 (Isaiah 57:1-2, 13-21) 1. An interesting story broke from UPI this week: “PORT ST. LUCIE , Fla., May 16 (UPI) --Florida police officers who were attempting to catch a suspected car thief got a little help when an alligator decided to cross the road. Port St. Lucie ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Shadow, The Substance And The Savior

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2016

A message to encourage believers in difficult times.

"The Shadow, the Substance and the Savior" Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Is Scattered Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 27, 2017

Those who were scattered preached the Gospel everywhere they went. Hundreds of individual evangelists were giving the Gospel to thousands of souls, and the message became known over the whole area.

February 8, 2014 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson II.E.4: The Church is Scattered (8:1-3) Acts 8:1-3 (KJV) 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Be-Attitudes (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 17, 2014

Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them collectively I can see how they all work together. And I believe having all of these characteristics are important in being able to endure persecution.

The Be-Attitudes (part four) Matthew 5:11-12 Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thank God For The Fire!

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 2, 2011

In spite of building our lives on Jesus Christ, there will be times we go through the fire. But we will be purified, coming out cleaner, brighter, and tested.

Thank God for the Fire! Community Thanksgiving Service, November 25, 1998 Vallonia, Indiana Introduction: As much as I enjoy contemporary worship, some of the old hymns are being forgotten. Others are reserved just for special seasons. Do "We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing" in May? ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let God Burn Your Field!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 8, 2013

What's in your field?

In the parable of the sower we see that the fields of the heart are affected by many things and even the good field's harvest varies. Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Who Can Endure The Day When He Comes? The One Who Sees Himself As He Is, And The One Who Sees The Lord As He Is.

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 3, 2021

Malachi prepares us for the Final Coming, as he points for to John and Jesus, and shows us what Jesus does as the refiner of silver.

12.5.21 Malachi 3:1–7 (EHV) 1 Look! I am sending my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord, whom you are seeking, will come to his temple! The Messenger of the Covenant, in whom you delight, will surely come, says the LORD of Armies. 2 But who can endure the day ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Lord Is My Refuge

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Aug 18, 2024

In times of trouble we seek peace and safety. Where we seek it makes all the difference in the world.

It always seems that I get a request to preach form the Psalms. Today Psalm 11. The Psalms speak to us – we can almost hear ourselves in the Psalms – praising God – mourning our sin – questioning the world – seeking vengeance on our enemies. Before reading let’s introduce some aspects of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trials: God's Hard Gifts Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 13, 2003

The trials in our life are never easy, but God uses them to refine us into better people.

James 1:1-18 January 12, 2003 Trials - God’s Hard Gifts Last week we looked at the Man James, brother of Jesus. Today, we begin to look at the letter that he left us in the New Testament. Jesus was prophesied to be a man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief; his brother James also had ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: *other

The Message To The Church In Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 18, 2003

Praying for the Persecuted Church on the International Day of Prayer For The Persecuted Church

Revelations 3:7-13 November 16, 2003 The Message To the Church in Philadelphia International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church God’s Economy is not like ours – in his economy big is not always good, and small is beautiful. Last week we looked at the church in Sardis who had a great ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: *other