Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Dialogue With Job

Contributed by Vicki Williamson on Feb 28, 2022

Today we are going to go back in time and journey together with a man called Job. His name means hated or persecuted.

Job lived in a time when his culture believed that prosperity on earth was connected to a person’s goodness and consequently suffering was connected to an individual’s sin or offensive thoughts, words and behaviour. As a result of these beliefs, false perceptions were formed about the Creator of ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:9-12, Job 42:1-5

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Acts Of The Holy Spirit PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 11, 2024

This sermon explores the power of prayer, God's providence in persecution, and the fulfillment of His promises and prophecies, as illustrated in Acts 4:23-31.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. As we gather together in this sacred space, bound by our shared faith and love for our Lord, let us prepare our hearts to receive the Word. We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment, called together to delve into the profound depths of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Topics: Signs, Wonders

Casting Your Cares Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 6, 2010

Peter wrote to believers who were and would be facing persecution and suffering. His words tell all to give our cares and concerns over in full trust and assurance to our God who cares for us.

Anxious For Nothing Part 3 Casting Your Cares Text: 1 Peter 5:5b-7 [Many of the main thoughts for this series and this sermon are drawn from the writings of John MacArthur in his book : Anxious for Nothing.] Introduction Does anyone really want to worry? Does anyone really want to be so distracted, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peter And The Passion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 13, 2004

The Sanhedrin was up in arms because Peter was making them guilty of "Jesus Blood." It’s not like they could accuse Peter of anti-semiticism... but were they guilty?

OPEN: In Reader’s Digest, a young woman told of being employed as a dental receptionist. She said: I was on duty when an extremely nervous patient came for root canal surgery. He was brought into the examining room and made comfortable in the reclining dental chair. The dentist then injected a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Church? A People Group Series

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Nov 29, 2012

We are a people group with the privilege and the honor of living the Word of God as witnesses. I believe that if we start accepting ourselves as the people group of heaven who are in place on earth to share the Gospel of Jesus as we are empowered by the

I did a google search for why folks find church boring and I came across a forum in wikihow.com called, “How to Stay Entertained in Church.” The post begins with this statement, “Church is always boring, if you don’t think it is, then why are you reading this? This article ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Momentary Troubles To Eternal Majesty

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Jan 2, 2013

God uses trouble to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to educate us. When their good work is done, a glorious recompense will come to us through them. There is a sweet joy and a real value in them. He does not regard them as difficult

Momentary troubles to Eternal majesty “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor. 4:17). If there is one thing that this world is not short of it is troubles and disadvantages. But turning that adversity into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unveiling Of The Kingdom Of God: The Beatitudes (2) Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 18, 2013

The Beatitudes are not a list of "TRY HARDER" principles, but characteristics of Children of God at work in God's Kingdom.

The Unveiling of the Kingdom of God: The Beatitudes (2) Matthew 5:1-12 We have been looking at the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. The word, “Beatitude” is from the Latin word meaning “to bless”, and so The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Self-Indulgence Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 11, 2012

The Second Coming should move us to serve and not be self-indulgent.

When I was about 12 years old I was contacted by our pastor to see if I would be interested in cleaning out the house of a woman who had passed away. I eagerly agreed, thinking that this would be an easy way to make some shekels. I wasn’t prepared for what I found. The entire house was ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

When God Opens Hearts, And Opposition Comes Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 14, 2011

God directed Paul to Philippi to preach the gospel. Acts 16 reveals both the open hearted reception and the opposition he faced. We should expect the same when we share Christ today.

When God opens hearts he comes into them to dwell. Acts 16 gives us the history of how the gospel was planted in Philippi, how God opened their hearts to hear and obey the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This lesson continues our introduction to the letter of Philippians. Let's read ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ready To Suffer Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 15, 2011

If we want to be ready to suffer for Christ, we must arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon our sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God's approval.

Recently, I read about a fictitious manual for Peace Corp volunteers headed for South America. It offers advice on how to handle a chance encounter with an anaconda (a large type of boa constrictor). The advice comes under the heading, “What to Do If Attacked by an Anaconda”: #1) If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Prayer For Power Under Pressure Series

Contributed by Jan Arthur Lee on Jul 30, 2010

In order to become the unified church that builds something together, we need to pray and rely on the power and strength of God the Holy Spirit.

A Prayer for Power Under Pressure Text: Acts 4:23-31 Introduction Good morning! This morning, we’re going to be looking at one of the greatest recorded prayers in the bible. There are many great prayers in the Scriptures, but what sets this one as unique is that it is prayed by a church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: *other

All Saints Day Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 19, 2009

The reason for ’All Saints Day’ and two examples of ’saints’.

ALL SAINTS DAY Many years ago the bishops in England thought that there were so many good people to remember, that one day should be set apart commemorate all who had lived Godly lives, and so November 1st was designated as "All Saints Day". When we think of ‘saints’ there comes to mind a picture ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

"Grace Under Fire"

Contributed by Ken Harris on May 10, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to encourage believers who are experiencing extreme troubles and problems to passionately pray to God for deliverance.

10 May 2009 Mother’s Day 2009 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fortress Chapel Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes Tall-afar, Iraq BIG IDEA: Trials (troubles and problems) will cause a believer to passionately pray to God for deliverance. REFERENCES: Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV) He who finds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:3-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Anticipating Advent: A Working Faith Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2009

Depend on the Lord and be diligent in your work, because Jesus could come at any moment.

Two young boys were spending the night at grandma’s house the week before Christmas. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger one began praying in a loud voice: “I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...” “I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO...” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free