Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Serving And Struggling Together Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 10, 2025

It’s worth it to live a worthy life.

Serving and Struggling Together Philippians 1:27-30 Rev. Brian Bill February 8-9, 2025 When we bought our house in Central Illinois, one of the things that came with it was an obnoxious doorbell chime. Not only was the unit big and ugly but when someone rang it, it would blast out Beethoven’s 5th ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Peter: An Unfaithful And A Forgiven Man

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Mar 4, 2025

Peter was a prominent Apostle who had a very close relationship with Jesus. He promised to be faithful to Jesus, even willing to die with Him. But then, Peter denied Jesus three times. How could he do that?

Let’s read Mark 14:66-72. I don't know how you feel when you just read the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. While preparing for this sermon, I felt sad, surprised, and disappointed in Peter. Why is that? Two weeks ago, we discussed how the relationship between a rabbi and his students was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:66-72

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Godliness Over Gain

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 18, 2025

You want a deeper walk with Jesus? That will mean persecution, not prosperity. It may mean sacrifice of health to walk in holiness. Remember, He was rejected and crucified. Apostles often lived in jail or the open field, not mansions.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Someone forgot to tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 10:24-25, Romans 8:16-17, 1 Timothy 6:3-9, Philippians 1:28-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Win A Terrorist To Christ

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2025

From a human perspective, what was required to win Saul of Tarsus to faith in the Son of God? Someone had to outlive, out-love, and outdo the rabid rabbi. That someone was Stephen.

“When they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"jesus Is Lord" Still Is A Revolutionary Affirmation

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 19, 2024

“Call him over,” Jesus commanded. Now the crowd changed its tune. "Take heart; rise, he is calling you."

Thirtieth Sunday in Course 2024 Today’s Scripture lessons lead up well to what I believe is one of the three most important sentences in Mark’s Gospel. Two that immediately come to mind are at the beginning of the work, when Mark states his intention to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, and the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Catholic

Four Kinds Of People In Church

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Aug 29, 2025

In the parable of the four kinds of soil Jesus shows us four kinds of people who are in church and why they reject the gospel..

Book: Sermons from the Four Gospels FOUR KINDS OF PEOPLE IN CHURCH Matt. 13:3-9; 18-23 For free catalog of all sermons see bmarcaurelle@charter.net God knows the way to a person’s heart is through his mind. There is incredible power in words. Hitler launched Germany into a program of world ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist

A Lot Can Happen When The Spirit Moves Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 23, 2024

Opposition confronted Paul everywhere, but when they left, they left a Spirit-filled, Christ-filled congregation.

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter 2024 Our readings this Paschal season from the Acts of the Apostles seem continuous, but there are many verses edited out for length. This week we have read about Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey into the area known as Asia Minor, and you may ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:44-52, John 14:7-14

Denomination: Catholic

Thorns And Roses And Eternal Happiness

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 10, 2024

Whenever we realize that all is not roses, that thorns come along with every life, we have to deal with our duty toward God.

Friday of the Fourteenth Sunday in course 2024 At some point in every person’s life, there comes a realization that all is not well with that life. It may have to do with a really terrible family argument or tragedy. Sometimes it waits around until sexual awakening, and the confusing feelings that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:3-17, Matthew 10:16-23, Hosea 14:2-9

Denomination: Catholic

Pray Purposefully Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 19, 2024

3 more ways to view "Deliver us from evil" (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book, Red Letter Prayer Life; chapter 13 of the same title)

HoHum: Story from Bob Hostetler in Red Letter Prayer Life: Two of my dearest friends in the world, Dave and Becky, told me the amazing story of their mission trip some years ago to the mountain town of San Luis, Honduras. They traveled as part of a combined medical and evangelistic team that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Romans 7:15-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, Ephesians 6:18-19, 1 Corinthians 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Purpose Of Ministry

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 3, 2004

A Wednesday Evening Outline, looking at Why we serve ..... "Often we forget the why of ministry. We work on refining the “hows” of ministry, yet neglect and sometimes forget why we are doing ministry. Paul, in his closing remarks wants to remind us of

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY Romans 15:14-22 INTRODUCTION: In these few verses, as Paul is in the midst of the farewell portion of his letter, he takes time to lay out the function of ministry. Often we forget the why of ministry. We work on refining the “hows” of ministry, yet neglect and sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Poverty Mindset

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Apr 13, 2013

One false concept is that poverty has some mysterious refining qualities. Some believe that it is spiritual to be poor. That is not the way God lives and neither does He want us to live that way. Just look how He blessed Abraham. The Bible teaches us that

THE POVERTY MIND-SET Simply put, being poor is not having enough food, clothing, and shelter for your family. It is an urgent unmet need for more money and material possessions. Being poor can also be described as being without a dream that will take you out of poverty. One false concept is that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:11

Denomination: Charismatic

Sermon On The Mount - Part 7 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 21, 2019

Part 7 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a Galilean hillside as he delivered what is more familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” This part considers blessedness in persecution and insults.

Part 7 - Beatitudes – The Persecuted and Insulted Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) This is Part 7 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a Galilean hillside as he delivered what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 4:15-16, Acts 8:3, Acts 9:1-2, 1 Timothy 1:15, Mark 13:9-13, Mark 13:14-20, Matthew 10:28, 2 Timothy 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"What's So Periloous About The Perilous Generation?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Apr 27, 2005

This message will surprise you. What makes living in the last generation so perilous? It is not so much because of "great persecution,: but more over because of the "great temptations!"

Title of the message: “The Perilous Generation” Introduction: What is to be so perilous about living in the perilous generation? What is it that this generation will have to overcome? I have read the Book of Revelations. I know of the horrors that will ensue following the rapture of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Live To Honor God Series

Contributed by Edward Walker on Nov 6, 2006

It is easy to compromise—to live as the world lives. But, God has called us to courage—to honor Him, regardless of the pressure or persecution this world affords.

Live to Honor God Daniel 1:1-21 Introduction 1. This evening I will begin an intense journey through the Book of Daniel. 2. The Book of Daniel demonstrates that God is in Control—the control of our destinies, of governments, and nations. 3. The nation of Israel and their sin led them into ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Powerful Church

Contributed by Alton Coleman on Feb 4, 2008

In spite of the persecution and opposition it endured, the early church was a powerful church. They experienced and operated in the power of the Holy Spirit daily. The Lord desires no less for His church today.

A Powerful Church Scripture Reading: Acts 4:5-35 Scripture Text: Ephes. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephes. 3:20 [Living] Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:5-35

Denomination: Church Of God