Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Instructions For Ministry (Matthew 10:5-42)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 10, 2025

In these verses, Matthew describes the responsibilities given to the apostles by the Lord Jesus. He anointed them with special powers and abilities to show people the power of God but also warned Mark 13;9-13of coming persecution for the cause of the Gospel.

The Lord Jesus gave the apostles specific responsibilities and gifts to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His role as the Promised Messiah would be to not deliver the nation from the bondage of Rome, but to free them and all people from a far worse bondage, that of sin and it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-13, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 21:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Goes To Prison Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 15, 2025

Acts 16:16-40 teaches us that the gospel transforms lives and communities, breaks down barriers, and offers hope even in the darkest situations.

Introduction Jason was locked up in prison in the early 1990s to serve a life sentence. Gang life in prison was so bloody that his unit was nicknamed the “Terror Dome,” and the only way to survive was to stick to your race. The motto was “kill or be killed,” and Jason quickly climbed the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Paul's Resume

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 9, 2024

If they are rolling in the dough to their church or program do not go.

Paul's resume dispels the whole Prosperity Gospel. When these false apostles and prophets have a resume like Paul's I might want to hear what they have to say as that experience will prove they are wrong. Apostles and prophets that brag about their wealth and live the life of a rock ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-10, Matthew 7:21-23, Proverbs 19:17, 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

"a Journey Towards Redemption: Calvary Road" Series

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 28, 2024

The road to Calvary completes Jesus’s destiny, and it’s a road that will fulfill ours as well. Calvary Road is a journey towards our redemption. What we’ll be looking at is not only how Jesus entered on the road for the redemption of our souls, but how we enter on this road as well.

A Journey Towards Redemption: Calvary Road Mark 14:1-15:27 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq8DgUTcbwE Today we’re continuing our Easter Journey. Last week we looked at the road Jesus took as He entered Jerusalem, or the Jerusalem Road. On that road, we saw that it was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Hebrews 12:2, John 18:4-5

Denomination: Foursquare

Providing Comfort From God's Comfort

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Mar 9, 2024

How do we learn to comfort others effectively? It is only from the comfort we receive from God. His supernatural touch described in 2 Cor. 1:3-4 becomes the basis from which we can provide comfort from God's comfort.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV Let’s talk for a moment about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Job 2:13, Romans 8:35, Job 42:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, John 16:33, Galatians 5:25, 2 Corinthians 4:17  (view more)  (view less)

Want To Be An Apostle

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 28, 2024

You do not know what you are asking for and it isn't pretty.

When they started giving out stress cards to recruits in boot camp, I was a bit surprised. If I had gone to submit one of those cards to my TI he would have said, "Son, you're feeling stressed? I don't think you know what stress is." and would have made my life very stressful ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Matthew 7:21-23, Galatians 6:17, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Happens, For Good Or Ill, Jesus Is The King Of Kings

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 24, 2025

The core of the Kingdom fruit is within each believer, and all of us together as His Church.

Friday of the 34th Week Integral 2025 Our Introit psalm today is certainly something the world longs to hear: “The Lord speaks of Peace to His people and his holy ones, and to those who turn to Him.” This is especially true at this time of year, when families all over the U.S. try to get together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:19-33, Daniel 7:2-14, Psalm 85:9

Denomination: Catholic

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

Pass The Test Or Be Retested

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 18, 2017

All Children of God will be tested as to their character, dedication, loyalty, and obedience. This testing refines us, is a witness to the lost, and ultimately keep us from being condemned with the world. If we don't pass, we have to keep taking the test

PASS THE TEST OR BE RETESTED Deut. 8:2,5,15-16; Mal. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 3:12-15 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:2-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

The Resurrection Power: Celebrating Easter Sunday By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Mar 27, 2024

As we fellowship with Christ in His sufferings, we also share in the power of His resurrection. It is through the crucible of trials and tribulations that our faith is refined and strengthened, leading to a greater revelation of Christ's resurrection power in our lives.

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather in joyful celebration to commemorate the most significant event in Christian history – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is not merely a time for bunnies and chocolate eggs, but a time to reflect ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Philippians 3:10-11, Romans 6:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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