Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Trust After Tragedy

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 23, 2020

Trust is easy in the easy times. Tragedy is when you find out if you truly trust.

I was asked how you have trust or faith after tragedy and an hour or so later Pastor Mike asked me to speak tonight. I took that as my cue to speak on that topic. I have been through a few tragedies in my life and never thought of myself as a trauma survivor until I was trained to ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:15, 3 John 1:2, 2 Timothy 4:20, Philippians 2:25-27, John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:12, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:35, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 4:16, Jeremiah 29:10-14, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

If Anyone Had Reason To Boast In The Flesh, It Would Have Been Paul

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 9, 2019

Paul knew what it was like to be a Jew in the highest sense of the term, and had deliberately abandoned it all for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Date: 1/8/19 Lesson #22 Title: If Anyone Had Reason To Boast In The Flesh, It Would Have Been Paul (Phil. 3:4-6) • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6 (NIV) 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna: Riches Within Poverty

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 12, 2020

The second church Jesus instructed John to pen a letter was the church in Smyrna. It was situated within a city of great wealth and affluence, and yet many believers lived in poverty. They were not rich by the world's standards, but they were rich in grace.

Smyrna: Riches within Poverty Revelation 2: 8-11 Today we come to Smyrna, the second church within the series of letters John was instructed to write in the Revelation. It is interesting to note, that of the seven churches, only two received all praise and encouragement from the Lord, with no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Hand Of The Lord Is With Us! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 30, 2017

The Hand of the Lord is with us! 1. When we suffer. 2. When we are saved. 3. When we are separated. 4. When we are sent to new places in life. 5. When we spread the gospel.

The Hand of the Lord Is with Us! Acts 11:19-21 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - March 16, 2014 BACKGROUND: *The Bible often talks about the Hand of the Lord. In the KJV, the phrase "hand of the Lord" is found 39 times, with 36 times in the Old Testament, and 3 in the New ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Fighting God

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 15, 2020

When you read prophecy we may be trying to stop what God has planned for our time thus all of our angst may be in vain.

Acts 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. KJV As I watch the various postings fly back and forth ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:38-39

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When They Come For You

Contributed by Zachariah King on Sep 19, 2013

Persecution in the western world for the name of Christ is coming are you spiritually prepared on how you will react, will you stand firm on the foundation of Christ Jesus?

I have some disturbing news a report that must be shared. American Christians have not tasted persecution on a profound scale here in the west sense the reformation. I have been warning it is coming, this news report confirms my fears The Pentagon has released a statement confirming that soldiers ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daniel - A Furnace Of Fire Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on May 26, 2023

Their loyalty to God could not be threatened or coerced or manipulated. It didn’t exist only when times were good and things were going their way, No!! It was constant, fierce and unshakable:

May 27, 2023 Daniel had said that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold – GOOD – but he also said that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would come to an end – BAD. After a period of time, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and arrogance got the better of him and he “forgot” the role the God of the Universe had ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

More Pentecost

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 12, 2023

Acts 3 & 4 tell the story of a healing miracle and the pushback against the gospel.

Title: “More Pentecost” Text: Acts 3-4 Subject: How does the Holy Spirit speak and act after the events of Pentecost? Complement: He keeps on filling his people for witness! Preaching idea: The Holy Spirit freshly fills God’s people to empower us for witness. Acts 3 One day Peter and John were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18, Acts 13:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Between The Times

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 30, 2023

It is possible to live praising God even before we see his promised redemption.

At one point while preparing this sermon I was tempted just to read the article I picked for my closing illustration and sit down. It’s a sermon in itself, and illustrates exactly what I had to say about this passage of Isaiah. But after thinking it over, I felt that the least I could do was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-13, Isaiah 24:1-6, Isaiah 25:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Judgement Begins With The House Of God

Contributed by Paul Green on Mar 12, 2023

God’s judgement is inescapable. How do you think you will fair on that day? What are the deeds in your life that you will need to give account of? Will they commend you or will they condemn you?

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:67, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 12:10, Ezekiel 9:6, Jeremiah 25:29, Amos 3:2, 1 Peter 4:12-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Giving It All Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 4, 2017

Jesus celebrates the sacrifice of the giver, not the size of the gift.

Beth and I had the joy of serving at the Fall Festival of Fun on Tuesday night. I’m thankful to Sheila Kuriscak and her team for creating this family-friendly outreach. Our job was to greet people as they came in and give kids bags for all their candy. I would estimate that more than 70% of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

For Increasing Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Feb 11, 2024

Paul gives thanks for the church at Thessalonica because they were growing despite persecution. How can we learn to pray from his example?

From time to time, I enjoy reading prayers parents share that were prayed by their children. Here are just a few prayers of thanks that I have come across. Dear Lord, thank you that we can come to church today and thank you that no one got their head crushed or lost their arm on the way here. Dear ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Royalty Or Grunt

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 10, 2024

God being for us does not mean a life of ease and some of those living the high life here may find they are lost.

"God is for us. He's not against us." We sing that phrase as if He is going to make our lives all peachy keen with a ton of whip cream. When in reality it may include stones and whips. I am thankful that the OT prophets, the Apostles and all of the martyrs down the ages cannot ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40, Matthew 7:2-23, 2 Peter 2:15-17, Jude 1:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Drawing Your Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Feb 9, 2025

Using the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we see how to draw lines in the sand that represent standing for truth.

Drawing Your Line in the Sand Book of Daniel Series CCCAG 2-10-2025 Scripture: Daniel 3:8-30 ________________________________________ Introduction: During the Mexican American war, the citizens of the area now known as Texas wanted to be independent from Mexico, so they started a revolution to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:8-30, Romans 5:3-4, Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 119:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Middle Of The Tribulation Part 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 16, 2025

First 3 1/2 years of Tribulation.

Event 53 - Jerusalem will be re-established as the center of Jews, (Rev. 11:8). Event 54 - The world leader will sign a peace pack guaranteeing: 1. Seven years safety to Israel. “We shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (sevens),” (Dan 9:27). 2. Probably arrange for Islam to accept the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-6, Revelation 9:6-11, Revelation 11:12

Denomination: Baptist