Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Damascus Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 13, 2023

Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?

October 14, 2023 After the stoning of Stephen, Saul was out for blood. When his bloodlust could not be satisfied by simply persecuting the Believers in Jerusalem, he expanded his search. Eventually, he focused on Damascus ---- 200 miles away! He went with the intent of bringing back the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-2, Acts 22:6-11, Acts 26:16-18, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Philippians 3:4-8, 2 Timothy 4:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

Does persecution often create church growth?

Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Price Of Peace

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus warns his followers that the consequences of following him will be painful and disruptive, and that they’d better be prepared for it.

The disciples were confused. When the Messiah came, peace and righteousness would reign from one end of the earth to the other. All the prophets agreed. And if Jesus was the Messiah as they were all now pretty sure he was, he would be the one who brought it about. He would be the Prince of Peace ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thank God For The Fire!

Contributed by Dwight Mcconnell on Feb 25, 2017

As believers we must learn to rejoice even while going through, trusting the Word that the fire is meant to refine you.

Here we find a particular passage of scripture that we all have at some point heard the story of the 3 hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego. Again I like to reiterate that the stories of the bible are real & true not just fairytales. In this particular passage what ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Anatomy Of A Storm PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 12, 2023

Explores God's power and justice in life's storms, emphasizing that these trials serve to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy to gather together, even if it is in spirit and not in person, as we open God's word and seek His wisdom. Each time we come before the Lord, we come with open hearts and minds, ready to receive His divine instruction. Today, we turn our ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:2-7

Topics: God's Use Of Storms

Grace In The Middle Of Grief Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 30, 2009

Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.

Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Facing Your Fears Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 7, 2013

Face your fears with faith. Trust God who knows the future, because He controls the future to refine and purify His own.

In 1973, Producers hired a young director to make a movie based on Peter Benchley's novel about shark attacks called Jaws. That movie launched Steven Spielberg’s career at the age of 26 with its scary special effects. In fact, the movie was so scary that even to this day millions of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 11:2-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

An All-Weather Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 18, 2007

How do "live for Christ"? Do we only do that when things are going our way? Or is our faith deeper and more focused on our love for Him?

OPEN: A young man’s fiancé had broken off their engagement. But a couple of months later, he received the following letter from her: Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessed Ones

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 26, 2013

The first set of four beatitudes focus on our vertical relationship to God, the second set of four on our horizontal relationship to people. Each of the eight builds upon the other so that there is an amazingly beautiful and compelling progression.

Opening illustration: How good are you at making enemies? No, I didn’t ask how good you are at making friends. That’s easy. Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anybody. But how good are you at making enemies? If you are a child of God and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Different Set Of Beatitudes

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 8, 2013

A sermon on the poor, the mourning, the hungry, and the persecuted (Introduction taken from Sermon Central's Adrian Pratt at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/inside-out-and-upside-down-adrian-pratt-sermon-on-christian-love-33979.asp)

HoHum: Inside out and upside down. What on earth was Jesus talking about here? Blessed are the poor? Happy are the hungry? Fortunate are the tearful? I never heard anybody say, “Isn’t this great, I’m starving!” I have never seen a person sobbing their heart out with a smile ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Higher Love

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jun 28, 2013

A sermon to challenge believers to a closer walk with the Lord.

"Higher Love" John 21:1-25 John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Hanukah

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 26, 2012

Hanukah speaks of persecution followed by the victory of righteousness over evil and the joy that follows.

Hanukah (Daniel 8:9-14, John 10:22) 1. Jewish humorists compare Christmas to Hanukah: Christmas is one day, same day every year. December 25. Jews love Dec. 25th. It's another paid day off work. We go to movies and out for Chinese food, and Israeli dancing. Chanukah is eight days. It starts the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 8:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2013

When the child of God is hard-pressed by the wicked, a cry escapes the lips, "How Long?" Let the Christian know that God knows their trials, and that He shall, by His mighty hand, reveal His mercy and grace in His time.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Wherever You Are - He Is There

Contributed by Sam Schmidt on Jan 14, 2013

The believer can be comforted in knowing, regardless of where this life and our Lord takes us, that God is there and will see us through.

TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (KJV) 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist