Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Trusting God In An Unjust World Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 19, 2010

In today's lesson we learn that we can trust God even though the world is filled with injustice.

Scripture We like stories with happy endings. Whether the story is in a book or movie or even in real life, we like stories with happy endings. Sometimes, however, stories don’t have happy endings. Sometimes stories have sad endings. And although we prefer stories with happy endings to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Three Aspects Of Kingdom Faithfulness

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 5, 2010

When we live a dedicated life of obedience, we can expect persecution for our faith.

Three Aspects of Kingdom Faithfulness Matthew 5:10-12 INTRODUCTION A. Savonarola, Italian preacher 1. Greatest reformers of church period, condemned personal sin and ecclesiastical corruption. 2. Paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. 3. Biographer said of him: His preaching was a voice of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Enemy Behavior

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 15, 2010

Believers should respond to opposition with love, prayer and a witness for their Savior.

Responding to Enemy Behavior Matthew 5:43-48 INTRODUCTION A. Lifeguard rescuing a drowning person. 1. Suppose it was your best friend or just a casual acquaintance. 2. We would probably risk our life to save them. 3. But suppose the drowning person was a contemptible person, your enemy. 4. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Remember The Earlier Days Series

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 14, 2014

To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you remember the days when you got born again? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 10:32 (New International Version) ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is God When Life Falls Apart? Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 31, 2014

How can a loving God allow innocent people to be hurt so badly?

- When was the last time a trip to the theater left you truly inspired about God? - Movie "God’s Not Dead" - Here in town - Freshman college student Josh Wheaton's faith is challenged by his philosophy professor, who believes God does not exist. He has to defend God's existence to the entire ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Wants To Give Us Heavenly Happiness (Part 3)

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 7, 2014

Jesus teaches us here that true happiness: 1. comes from having a pure heart (vs. 8). 2. comes from being a peacemaker (vs. 9). 3. can even come from being persecuted (vs. 10-12).

Jesus Wants to Give Us Heavenly Happiness (Part 3) Matthew 5:8-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - March 6, 2013 *Tonight we will take another look at the happiness the Lord wants all of us to have, remembering that the word "blessed" here in the Sermon on the Mount means "happy." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Lose Friends And Anger People Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 10, 2010

God prepares his people for persecution so that we will not fall away when proving that there are things in life worth dying for.

Scripture Introduction Dale Carnegie pioneered work in public speaking and was famous for helping others become successful. In 1936 he published How to Win Friends and Influence People; since then it has sold more than 15 million copies. Two of his most famous maxims are, “Believe that you ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Part 16 - Matthew 10:21-42 - Got To Get A Message To You. Hold On, Hold On! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 22, 2010

Matthew 10:23 says "I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel." Reminds me of that song by the Bee Gees in 1968 "I've Gotta Get a Message to You. Hold on! Hold on!"

Part 16 - Matthew 10:21-42 - GOT TO GET A MESSAGE TO YOU. HOLD ON, HOLD ON! I recently read of a teenager in Florida in America who fled for her life from her Muslim family after she converted to Christianity. Fathima Rifqa Bary says her family will murder her in what is known as an "HONOUR ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:21-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Part 18 - Matthew 10:37-42 - My Family Is Acting Like They Belong To A Cult Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 27, 2010

For some Christians in the world today, the choice concerning family is a different one, especially in some parts of the Muslim world. Battle lines are drawn and it becomes a CHOICE BETWEEN FAMILY AND CHRIST. Becoming a Christian means certain OSTRACISM b

Part 18 - Matthew 10:37-42 - MY FAMILY IS ACTING LIKE THEY BELONG TO A CULT! We came to Sydney to live from the beautiful Whitsundays. Why would anyone leave the Whitsundays and come to the big city? We were Pastors of a great Church of people we had come to love. We had been there for 10 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responding To Opposition Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 5, 2012

THE PASSAGE BEFORE US THIS MORNING IS THE RESULT OF ACTIVITIES IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. IF YOU WERE TO FLIP THE PAGE BACK INTO CHAPTER 3, YOU WOULD SEE THAT PETER AND JOHN, WHILE WALKING UP TO THE TEMPLE, ENCOUNTER A MAN WHO CANNOT WALK, AND THROUGH THE

RESPONDING TO OPPOSITION ACTS 4:16-22 Proposition: OUTWARD OPPOSITION NEEDS TO BE RESISTED AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Introduction: THE PASSAGE BEFORE US THIS MORNING IS THE RESULT OF ACTIVITIES IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. IF YOU WERE TO FLIP THE PAGE BACK INTO CHAPTER 3, YOU WOULD SEE THAT PETER AND ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Roman Soldiers And Officer

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Mar 30, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:54

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away."

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 21, 2013

We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that he’s leaving them. Let’s find out why.

“IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY” John 16:1-7 INTRODUCTION: We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Enemy Within The Gates

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

The need to continue to devote ourselves to prayerful preaching.

THE ENEMY WITHIN THE GATES! Acts 5:1-16; Acts 6:1-7. There was opposition to the gospel from the very beginning of the post-Pentecostal phase of the life of the church. After all, Jesus warned us that if there were those who hated Him, there would also be those who hate us, His followers (John ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational