Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Are You Willing?

Contributed by Damien Spikereit on Nov 27, 2000

The persecuted church and the crucified Christ demands a response with our lives.

Introduction - Over the past several months I have told you about much of my family. You have heard about my mother, father and some of my sisters. You have even heard about my grandparents, but I haven't told you about all of my family. - I haven't told you that I have a.... - Brother in Cuba ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Satisfaction Under Fire Series

Contributed by Micah Fries on Nov 29, 2003

Learning to live as satisfied Christians, even in the face of great persecution.

A man passed by a cage at the zoo and noticed that in the cage was both a large lion and an active monkey. He saw a zoo worker nearby and asked, ‘How does that work having both a lion and a monkey in the same cage? The worker replied, “It works ok for the most part.” The man spoke back, “ Do they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

From Pretzels To Prayer: Children's Sermon

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 5, 2008

This sermon was used to emphasize the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Children’s Sermon From Pretzels to Prayer Hebrews 13:3 Sermon Objective: To emphasize the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Sermon props: A small bag of Pretzels for every child Hello everyone! I am so glad to see you. I have something special in my treasure box today. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Nazarene

The Blues

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 17, 2006

You can be a "victor" instead of a "victim" in the face of persecution or mistreatment.

Text: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:11). Jesus tells us to rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted. That is kind of strange. Why should we be happy when we are being hurt or wronged or mistreated or ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Koran Burning And All That!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Jun 24, 2012

To trust God to mete out justice when facing persecutions!!!

THE BURNING ISSUE Want to become an international celeb in a jiffy? Go no further than aping the dubious, provocative style of “Pastor” Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center Gainesville who was hell-bent on burning Koran on Sept 11 (for obvious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: *other

"Strong In The Grace Of Christ Jesus"

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Oct 9, 2007

Remaining strong in the Grace of Christ Jesus, even despite persecution.

Have you ever thought about what you would write to somebody if you knew it would be your last letter ever to them? Especially if you were writing to a family member or a close friend…somebody you care for but knew that you would never see again? I’ve heard of parents who, when finding out that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Three Weights Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Aug 10, 2024

Preaching on Smyrna, the persecuted church and how it matters for us today.

Three Weights- Smyrna 7 Church’s of Revelation Series CCCAG 8-11-24 -Scripture- Rev 2:8-11 Introduction- Brief overview of 7 Churches Location/ trade routes Smryna- One of the best sea ports in the ancient world, particularly in the Mediterranean sea. It had direct access to Athens, Greece, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Matthew 10:18-20, Revelation 12:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Few The Proud The Chosen Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on May 20, 2007

Living for God and not your circumstances! Living a life holiness in the midst of unimaginable persecution. If this is the message to these Christians who are under unimaginable persecution, then what is the message for us living in a free society; and

The Few the Proud the Chosen (1 Peter 2:4-10) (Read key Center, Verse 2:9) Christ the Living Stone is Holy! 4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Holiness

Where Is God When I Hurt?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 14, 2025

Is there purpose in our suffering if we are Christians? What can God accomplish through our sorrow?

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Counting The Cost Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 17, 2021

It’s costly to follow Christ, but the cost is worth it.

This week I was working on this message at a McDonald’s when I met a man who told me to keep the sermon short. Did one of you put him up to this? Before leaving, he passed along some words of wisdom: “The brain can only absorb what the seat can endure.” I’m going to take that to heart today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist

Taming A Fiery Tongue

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Sep 14, 2003

The tongue that is itself set on the fire of hell can be tamed and quenched by the refining and sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit, if we will only allow the Lord to do so.

Text - James 3:1-12, RSV 1. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Making A New Man Out Of Jacob Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 25, 2012

Jacob's trials in Haran teach us the Lord sends trials into our lives to test our commitment and to refine us to me more like Jesus.

I have had the privilege to disciple many new believers. I’ve seen and heard many testimonies of new believers, some were private and some were public at times such as baptisms and public testimony. The ones that concern me the most, the ones that I fear will not make it in their walk with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Delay Is Success Postponed (Part 2)

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 6, 2025

Delay is not a curse—it is a classroom. It teaches, shapes, refines, and aligns us with God’s best. If handled properly, it will not destroy your dream; it will fertilise it.

DELAY IS SUCCESS POSTPONED (PART 2) By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 49:8 Supporting Texts: Psalm 102:13, Isaiah 30:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Galatians 6:9, 1 Peter 5:10 INTRODUCTION: In Part 1 of this message, we established that divine delay is not divine denial. It is God’s process of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Intense Trials Of David's Early Life: Victory, Persecution, Battle & Patience

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 24, 2021

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” -1st Samuel 16:1-2

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” -1st Samuel 16:1-2 “So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-2, 1 Samuel 16:1-2, 1 Samuel 16:12-13, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 19:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

1st Peter 1:6-12 Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Jun 7, 2023

This devotion is about what our attitude to persecution needs to be and also about the amazing salvation we have come to possess.

For the Audio Version on YouTube, click on the link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpvbKdQ_9pI For the Audio Version on Spotify, click on the link below ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-41, Philippians 2:12-13, John 1:14, Psalm 16:10, Matthew 12:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible