Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Failure Not Final Sermon Vi: Why Would Anyone Go From Persecutor To Persecuted Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Since many folks in our culture appear to be consumed by hatred - much of it aimed at, but some of it by, Christians - we would be wise to review our Lord's confrontation with and transformation of Paul.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO FROM PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED? You knew that any focus on the theme Failure Is Not Final with the Father had to get around to the persecutor who became the persecuted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-20

There's No Stopping The Mission Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jan 13, 2007

Stephen had just been stoned, and the church again is faced with persecution but to the extreme order. They the church was being persecuted by the persecutor of persecutors, a man by the name of Saul.

THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MISSION Acts 8:1-4 There is a story told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that happens as being (positive or negative) remarking for the positive “This is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Presumption

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 9, 2007

Religion does not create a relationship with God, nor does ritual. It is refinement born of repentance that shapes that relationship. Repent, relate, and receive.

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Famous words supposedly spoken by journalist Henry Morton Stanley somewhere in Tanganyika at the end of his expedition to find the missing explorer. “I presume”. It means, “I think I know what I am doing. Would you please confirm it for me? You look like what I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure Part 1 What’s the main difference between people who achieve and people who are average???? What makes people excel? Why does some people sky rocket while others plummet? Some people can’t be told anything and that is why they are still living their past failures… We need ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part 2 Failure Is A Better Teacher Than Success Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure - 2 Failure is a far better teacher than success. Two great differences between those that fail backwards and those that fail forward. Failing Backwards Failing Forwards Blaming others Taking Responsibility Repeating the same mistakes Learning from each ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part 3 - Judging Others Puts A Curse On Our Life Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure A hiker was charged w/ eating an endangered species while tracking the woods of California. After hearing the man had eaten a condor, the judge quickly passed a harsh sentence of 10 years behind bars. Wouldn’t it be great that if today, you could experience immediate change, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From The Shout To The Story

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 28, 2025

God leads us through the fire not just to refine our faith, but to give us a powerful story of His faithfulness to tell

Introduction: The Story in Your Soul Good morning, church. Every single one of us is a storyteller. We are surrounded by stories. On our phones, we scroll through the curated stories of others—perfect vacations, smiling families, career successes. We tell our own stories about our day, our ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Running With Horses

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 28, 2025

When God asked Jeremiah the question, “If you can't run with men, how will you run with horses?” Is he defining purpose behind the trials of life are we in training for bigger things?

“RUNNING WITH HORSES” TEXT “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?” (Jer. 12:5) PROLOGUE Question: when God asked Jeremiah the question, “If you can't run with men, how will you run with horses?” Is he defining purpose behind the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, 1 Peter 1:7, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:5-11, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Saw The Tears Of The Oppressed.

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

We should pray for those around the world who are persecuted for their faith.

"I Saw The Tears of The Oppressed..." Ecclesiastes 4:1 When we woke up this morning we made a decision that we were going to go to church. Our decision was based upon ruling out the other options that presented themselves to us. Some of us struggled with whether or not to sleep in since it has ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christopher Columbus

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 10, 2005

A sermon for Columbus Day on Faith, Hope, Love and Persecution.

Sermon for 10/9/2005 Christopher Columbus Introduction: A. October 12, Wednesday, is Columbus Day. It is the day that he landed in America. We celebrate it tomorrow so that those who work government or bank jobs can have a long weekend. B. Many of us know, In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The World Hated Me First

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 3, 2018

Why are Christians persecuted for proclaiming a message of redeeming love?

The World Hated Me First John 15:18-25 This passage occurs in the middle of what is called Jesus’ farewell sermon to his disciples which begins proper after Judas goes off to betray Him. Jesus, even before the Last Supper worked to prepare them for what was about to happen. He told them that they ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living For The Will Of God

Contributed by Carl Palatino on Dec 9, 2012

To bear trials, and to the encouragements to a holy life, notwithstanding in persecutions.

LIVING FOR THE WILL OF GOD I Peter 4:1-6 Introduction: 1 Peter chapter 4 relates principally to the manner in which those to whom the apostle wrote ought to bear their trials, and to the encouragements to a holy life, notwithstanding their persecutions. Peter had commenced the subject in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Alien Life Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Aug 5, 2012

How should Christians respond to persecution and to suffering in the world?

This passage introduces the epistle’s section on Christian living and its overall theme. To borrow from Francis Schaeffer, it is “How Should We Then Live?” How should Christians conduct themselves in a world that is nonChristian, i.e. where the citizenry do not acknowledge Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 26, 2019

Blessings and woes in the Gospel, and demonstrating Love under persecution.

THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN. Luke 6:20-31. The Sermon on the Plain is directed towards those who ‘came to hear’ Jesus (Luke 6:17). It was ‘toward His disciples’ that Jesus first lifted up His eyes (Luke 6:20). These are words for those already committed to building upon the rock (Luke 6:47-48). ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"from Pushback To Push Ahead"

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 3, 2021

This message tells the story of persecution and pushback that Peter and John experience after the healing of the lame beggar. Today much persecution is inflicted upon Christians around the world.

Title: “From Pushback To Push Ahead!” Text: Acts 4:1-7 Subject: How did the disciples handle the persecution & pushback of jail time and threats? Complement: they prayed for more boldness and more miracles! Big idea: “The disciples respond to persecution with prayer for more boldness and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational