Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Surprised By Joy Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 14, 2011

We should not be surprised by persecution when it comes, nor by the joy we feel when we suffer for Christ.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who went to the perfume counter and told the clerk he'd like a bottle of Chanel No. 5 for his wife's birthday. 1. The clerk smiled and said, “A little surprise, eh?” 2. “You bet,” answered the customer, “She's expecting a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Actions Speak Louder Than Words Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Mar 23, 2011

Jesus was silent before Herod Antipas and His accusers because He understood that His words would not sway them, but His actions have changed the hearts of millions...

Luke 23:6-12 [ESV] 6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do With Spit In Your Face

Contributed by John Perry on Aug 10, 2011

Jesus tells us how to deal with the attitudes of people & the people themselves that come against us in life. The big picture that Jesus is revealing to us is that we are to be people of a different spirit.

Bunbury Wed pm 10/08/2011 “What to do w/ spit in your face” Intro: We have been focusing for the past two Wednesday nights on this text & so far we have looked at offences & the enemy that delivers the offence to our lives. T/n we want to focus on something that Jesus singles out as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

In The Crosshairs Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 26, 2011

Christians and leaders alike will be criticized and persecuted. Take a look at how Moses dealt with being in the crosshairs.

Introduction: A. The story is told of an elderly lady who came to church one Sunday. 1. An usher said to her “Where would you like to sit?” 2. She said “I would like to sit in the very front row.” 3. He said, “No, ma’am. You don’t want to do that. Our ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Gain The Proper Perspective On Suffering” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 27, 2009

If one is going to live according to the principles & promises laid out here by our Lord in the beatitudes, he will suffer rejection from the world. Yet, through it all, he can be doubly blessed.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the qualities found in the lives of those who are truly happy. Not in the temporary, circumstantial sense which the world talks about, but in the eternal, ultimate sense which the world knows nothing about. He tells us that true happiness comes when one gains the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Dare You To Just ’turn The Other Cheek’ Series

Contributed by David Diyanni on Dec 15, 2009

This is another popular spiritual urban legend. A Christian cannot defend himself since he has to turn the other cheek.

Urban Legends Part 5 “Just turn the other cheek” Matt 5:38-39, Luke 4:28-30, John 18:12, Matt 21:12, John 2:13, Matt 26:53 Urban Legend Debunked A. Today is the last sermon in our ‘urban legend’ series. Next week we are going to start a new sermon series called ‘Character Sketches.” We are going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-39

Denomination: Vineyard

So Built We The Wall Series

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jun 14, 2009

There will always be obstacles and opposition when we attempt things for the Lord. But if we commit it to Him, we will achieve His will.

In 1975, Steven Spielberg shocked America with his classic film, Jaws. Following the story line of Peter Benchley’s novel, a mammoth great white shark terrorized Amity, a fictional New England coastal village. Newspapers in 1975 reported an actual decline in beach tourism during the popular run of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Chains Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Persecution could not stop Paul from getting the message out, in fact he used his chains to glorify God.

Paul’s Chains Philippians 1:12-18 Lat week we talked about Paul’s heart, today we are going to talk about Paul’s troubles. We’re going to see that people cannot stop the spread of the gospel through persecution. In fact God uses attempts to thwart his purpose to actually strengthen what He wants ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

The Transition From "Jews For Jesus” To "Semi-Jews For Jesus” Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009

Sometimes our routines keep God from working, so He brings change and even persecution to awaken us as to what He is doing.

The Transition from “Jews for Jesus” to “Semi-Jews for Jesus” (Acts 8:1-8) 1. People try playing all sorts of tricks. Two friends run into each other while walking their dogs. One suggests lunch. The other says, "They won’t let us in a restaurant with pets." Undeterred, the first guy and his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 24, 2009

Jeremiah is an example of resilience in his refusal to give up when things get difficult.

Title: How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up Text: Jeremiah 1:4-8, 20:7-18 and 32 Thesis: Jeremiah is an example of resilience in his refusal to give up when things get difficult. The Bible in 90 Days Whole Church Challenge We have just completed Week 8 of our Bible in 90 Days Whole ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life In The World Series

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on May 6, 2009

Final sermon in a 3 part series on John 15.

Life in the World Life in the Vine Series, III John 15:18-27 Introduction: Have you ever felt like you have been hostile territory? Let me show you what I mean: Put on LSU jersey and put up LSU banner. Yeah…that is the reaction I expected. I just turned 38, and about half of those 38 years have ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

Overview: Exodus 1

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Apr 8, 2009

This is a more in-depth study than the one we did in Genesis. It is only on chapter 1 of Exodus, and covers the period the Israelites were in captivity in Egypt.

As the book of EXODUS begins, the Israelites are being held as slaves in Egypt. And when the time is ready for God to lead them out of Egypt, He calls a man named Moses to free them. EXODUS is a story of how God protected His people by breaking the chains to captivity they were held under. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:13-14

Denomination: *other

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

Sheep Among Wolves

Contributed by David Mcnally on Jun 26, 2011

Jesus did not call us to an easy, comfortable life, but one of challenge and opposition, and possibly even suffering and death. He gives us forgiveness of sin and eternal life, but requires us to take up our cross as we follow him.

Jesus would have fallen foul of the Health and Safety laws if he had been around today, and I imagine it would have been hard for him to advertise on TV. Just imagine someone saying today: ‘Come and follow me, and the chances are you will be spat upon, thumped, sworn at, and maybe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace And Peace To You / (Why Mentioned So Often In The New Testament?)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 20, 2012

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen times we hear this exact greeting or a variation in the pages of the New Testament. Why is this the favored greeting of the apostles? Updated April 2022.

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen (18) times... we hear this exact greeting... or a variation of it... in the pages ...of the New Testament It is used as the opening sentence ... from our service ... of Morning Prayer: These words should be familiar: Hear God's Word to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:10, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 13:5, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 1:4-8, Philippians 1:2, Revelation 2:10-15, Ephesians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican