Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Twenty-Four Carat Faith

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2025

We don’t have to suffer for our faith. But we do have to live for it. And if we never grate against a sinful world, how true to Christ are we being?

Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. He’s the one who always opens his mouth before his brain has switched into gear and that’s a failing I have a lot of sympathy with. Remember when the disciples were alone on the boat out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and they saw Jesus walking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Opposing Opinions Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 8, 2018

God is always against those who are proud, and profit or power driven. He lifts up those who are humble and gracious. We, as His people, must always be the voice of the protection of the planet and the deliverance of the oppressed.

Revelation 18 v. 9 and they shall weep and mourn about her, those kings of the earth who committed fornication with her and grew rich when they see the smoke of her burning. v. 10 they stayed a distance for fear of her torment, saying, “Woe! Woe! The big city of Babylon, the powerful city for in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:9-24

Denomination: *other

Having Confidence Always

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 30, 2005

In our Christian life there are many issues that test us and cause us to stumble. Sometimes they even have the ability to make us lose our confidence in God. In this passage we are shown how to keep our confidence in difficult circumstances.

Hebrews 10:32-39 Having Confidence Always Scripture Readings:- 1 Peter 4:12-19 Hebrews 10:32-39 Congregation in the Lord Jesus Christ, Have you ever been involved in a “remember the good old days” discussion? That is one of those discussions where you sit with your parents or grandparents and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Baptist

Strangers Who Are Brothers Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 7, 2013

A common faith based upon the teaching of the apostles unites us into a spiritual family, even among those believers we have never met.

Strangers Who Are Brothers (Colossians 1:1-2) 1. I knew a man, who, after he retired, found out that his father wasn’t his father. 2. He then met his actual father and family in another state, and began going to family functions there, building relationships with a family he did not know ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In The Modern World, Not Subject To The Modern World Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 11, 2013

Bold preaching of the Truth of Christ may make us unpopular, but it is the only way to image Christ to the world.

Monday of 7th Week of Easter Gaudium et Spes Paul’s first visit to Ephesus, which was destined to be the most influential early Christian community in the area we now call Turkey, did not fit the pattern of his other entries into towns. Usually Paul would go to the synagogue first, preach ...read more

Scripture: John 16:29-33

Denomination: Catholic

Happy Places

Contributed by Monty Newton on May 14, 2013

Happy Christians make for happy places.

Title: Happy Places Text: Acts 16:16-34 Thesis: Happy Christians make for happy places. Introduction It was on one of those old school, whirlwind, whistle-stop political campaigns. A well known politician was riding that train as it passed through a major eastern city. He suddenly produced a $5 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Enemies And Be Perfect! Or ( No One Is Perfect? )

Contributed by Brian B on Dec 8, 2012

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, This sermon highlights some of the things that are expected of those who would be a part of God’s kingdom. Loving your enemies is but one of the things that Jesus commands us to do in a list of things that are are imp

Works Cited/Consulted include J Vernon Magee, Holman Commentary, College Press NIV commentary, various sermon central illustrations, as well as Bible and personal observations. Slides available upon request... brianbyers@live.com Opening Scripture Slide… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Old Tv Series, ‘i Spy’ Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 30, 2013

A study of the Gospel of Mark 12: 12 – 17

Mark 12: 12 – 17 The Old TV Series, ‘I Spy’ 13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:12-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

More Powerful Than Prison Bars Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 2, 2013

The Church prays and Peter is released from prison. (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (A). God sees our trials (vs 1-4): • Man’s persecution • God's sovereignty (B). God hears our Prayers (vs 5-17): • Peter sleeping (vs 5-6) • Peter obeying (verses 7-11) • Peter knocking (vs 12-16) • Peter declaring (vs 17) SERMON ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Brethren

Handling Objections And Criticism

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Feb 27, 2013

Peter might be riding high on the cloud of joy and excitement as he is reporting to the Church of Jerusalem the advancement of God’s Kingdom to the Gentile. But instead of appreciation and recognition, what he received is objection and criticism. Let's se

HANDLING OBJECTIONS AND CRITICISMS Acts 11:1-18 Act 11:1 Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. Act 11:2 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, some of the Jewish believers criticized him. Act 11:3 "You entered the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Little Hammers

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 30, 2013

Don't let the clanging bother you.

The Anvil - God's Word by Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1703-1791) Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door, And heart the anvil ring the vesper chime; Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor Old hammers, worn with beating years of time. How many anvils have you had," said I, "To wear and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering With The Savior

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 30, 2013

1. Don’t be surprised by your suffering (vs. 12). 2. Know that we can have joy for the journey (vs. 12-14). 3. Be ready with righteousness (vs. 15-18). 4. Commit yourself to our Creator (vs. 19).

Suffering with the Savior 1 Peter 4:12-19 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Feb. 17, 2013 *Do you like to suffer? -- No, of course not. Only truly warped people like to suffer. *But Christians, we will suffer in this world. Why? -- Sometimes it’s because of our commitment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Cost Of Service Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 18, 2013

Don't let ridicule, rejection or even death stop you from serving Christ, because in the end it is the only way to live!

Linda, who teaches first grade in Dallas Texas, has an interesting job, especially when it comes to helping children adjust to their first whole day of school. Little Ryan was used to going home at noon in kindergarten; so when it was time to go to lunch with the rest of the class, he got his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Great Help For Hard Times Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 21, 2012

1. Focus on your family right now (2:19-20). 2. Boldly decide to make a difference (2:21-23). 3. Pray for a Godly government (3:1-2). 4. Be prepared for persecution (3:3-15). 5. Have complete confidence in the Lord (3:2).

For Such a Time as This Part 3: Great Help for Hard Times Esther 2:16-3:15 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - June 3, 2012 *There are dark days in the life of every nation. Some of us here tonight remember Pearl Harbor. Living in Florida in the sixth grade, I remember the Cuban ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Response Of Grace Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 15, 2012

These verses could be considered a summary of the core expectations of supernatural living. If we love the way Christ loves us we should be willing to love others. If we have experienced God's grace we are able to, and should want to, pass it on to other

ROMANS 12: 14-21 [CHRISTIAN RELATING SERIES] THE RESPONSE OF GRACE [Luke 6:27-33] [Last week we learned that God calls us to supernatural living which is having our outer life transformed by the inner life being conformed to Christ-likeness. In that text we looked at the believer's duty toward ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Baptist