Sermons on Persecution Refines:

The Holy Ghost And Fire

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 6, 2025

John the Baptist declared that Jesus would baptise us with the Holy Ghost and fire. This fire is not destructive like natural fire but purifying, empowering, and refining. It is the fire that burns out sin, fuels passion, ignites purpose, and brings spiritual boldness.

THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 3:11 Supporting Texts: Acts 2:1-4, Luke 24:49, Isaiah 4:4, Acts 10:38, Romans 12:11 INTRODUCTION: The coming of the Holy Ghost is not just a theological concept but a divine encounter that transforms ordinary men into vessels of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

More Precious Than Gold Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 25, 2025

This sermon teaches that our trials are like a refiner's fire, designed by God to prove and purify our faith—which is more precious than gold—so that it will result in praise, honor, and glory at Christ's return.

Introduction: The Purpose of the "Need Be" In our last study, we faced the difficult paradox that we can "greatly rejoice" even while we are "in heaviness." We learned that our trials are temporary—just for a season—and that they are purposeful—there is a "need ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Cajuns, Prophets, And Persian Kings: God's Servants To Bless His People

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 3, 2002

Pentecost 22: Trials, persecutions, and the most difficult moments in life are used by God to deliver us from greater harm and to bless us.

A few nights ago I was sitting in the living room working on the computer. While checking my email, a pop-up ad for Classmates.com appeared. Classmates.com is an Internet company that stores graduation and reunion information for schools and military units. For some reason I decided to look up ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Praying The Hard Prayers Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2003

2d in the series "Patterns for Prayer." The disciples’ prayer in Acts 4:23 gives us a pattern for praying for boldness in the face of persecution.

Introduction Zig Ziglar story of boy that went with his mother to the old general store. He liked to sneak away from his mother and when no one was looking he would dip his finger into the large barrel of molasses. The storekeeper caught him doing this and decided to teach the boy a lesson. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Happy All The Day?

Contributed by William Mouser on Sep 17, 2006

Jesus rebuked his disciples’ inaccurate expectations of his Messiahship, and warns them (and us) that the spiritual life includes persecution and struggle.

Psalm 116:1-9, Isaiah 50:4-9, James 2:14-26, Mark 8:27-38 There is a wonderful hymn by Isaac Watts, usually entitled “Alas, and did my savior bleed.” Those of us who were evangelized and nurtured by the Southern Baptists or those similar to them have probably heard is hundreds of times. What is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Our Portion Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Feb 20, 2006

The Lord warned of persecution on His behalf - this is Our Portion. This passage provides an excellent example of how Christians and the Church should react to it.

OUR PORTION Acts 4:23-31 INTRODUCTION: A. Acts 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 1. There has been quite a bit of fall out over one little healing and the preaching of the gospel. a. In Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Praying Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

The church did not pray for the easing of persecution, but for greater courage and more miracles. They recognizes God’s sovereignty and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled.

CONTEXT • Peter and John healed a crippled beggar in Chapter 3. It drawn the attention of the crowd. • Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus and forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ Name. At least 5000 men were saved (4:4). • The priests and religious leaders were not happy that they were preaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rev'd Up Pt. 7 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 1, 2018

This little church is commended by the Holy and True One. They are going to be greatly rewarded in heaven for staying faithful and not denying his name when persecuted.

Series: Rev’d Up – Book of Revelation Thesis: We need to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ daily so we do not fall asleep at our assigned mission. We need to know He is coming back soon! Having a vision of Jesus will also give us the inner strength to stand for the Gospel in a hostile ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cup I Must Also Drink From

Contributed by Richard Papafio on Aug 15, 2019

We as followers of Jesus would surely face persecutions, slander and some form of attacks. We have to pray for strength to endure and overcome

*May the peace of the Lord be with you* *Topic:* *THE CUP I MUST ALSO DRINK FROM* Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" KJV Beloved, Christ came to drink the from the cup of suffering for our ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:29

Denomination: Charismatic

Obedient Citizens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023

Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.

Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to. Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Firm In Suffering Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon will explore how to maintain unwavering faith and rejoice amidst suffering and persecution, drawing lessons from Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica.

Welcome back church! We’re excited to have you here today as we continue in our series from 1 Thessalonians. As a brief recap, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians were some of the first “epistles” or letters to be written by Paul, and the church in Thessalonica was one of the churches established by Paul ...read more

Topics: Suffering, Unwavering Faith, Perseverance

Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians

Happy New Year Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Aug 28, 2012

People in the world think you are going to be happy if you pursue what you like - your dreams and desires, but Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes what makes us truly happy - O how blessed are...the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek... - you see the c

My message this morning is titled “Happy New Year.” Part of the reason for that is because we are going to take a look at the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “O how blessed are the …” and the word there “blessed” is makarios, which means, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11

Denomination: *other

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Embrace God Intimately Series

Contributed by John Harvey on Sep 22, 2005

In the acronym of GRACE the "E" stands for Embrace God Intimately. Trials will come in each life and it can be considered a time of refining. We must choose the steps to righteous living; repentance, studying scripture and prayer to help us when trial do

THE LIFE OF G.R.A.C.E. “Embrace God Intimately” September 25, 2005 Intro: We have been looking at the Shepherd’s Covenant over the last few weeks and the different aspects that it entails in helping us to live a life of grace. The Shepherd’s Covenant was developed by Focus on the Family to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Are Positive And Negative Ways That Power Is Utilized

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ.

1. Saul abused his religious powers in persecuting Christians, the early church and encouraging others to have Stephen put to death for preaching Christ. Since such a prominent figure as Paul practiced persecution, many people wrongly followed his example by whipping up opposition to growth of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational