Sermons on Persecution Refines:

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

The "Day Of The Lord” Study In The Scriptures – Additional References Part 7 - Isaiah Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 26, 2022

References to "The Day of the LORD" continue as we look into the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah here). We will see great fear, judgment, scorched men, Israel saved - a remnant, and God's compassion on Israel. God will refine His people. God is compassion.

THE “DAY OF THE LORD” STUDY IN THE SCRIPTURES – ADDITIONAL REFERENCES PART 7 - ISAIAH The DAY OF THE LORD is “The Day of Jehovah” and its usage is always associated with something dire, with judgement, and with events outside the implementation of man. In other words, it is the intervention of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:17-21, Isaiah 14:1-4, Isaiah 14:7, Isaiah 24:1-6, Isaiah 13:12, Revelation 16:9-11, Revelation 6:12-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Build A "Mega" Church!

Contributed by Dwight Jones on Nov 27, 2005

We trumpet high impact ministry with all of its frills. Our services are filled with video clips, movie clips and unfortunately scripture clips. We take more time and efforts refining our delivery than we do making sure that what we are delivering has H

In practically every gathering of ministers there is a subject that comes up; that subject is church growth. “How do we get people to come to church?” We have answered that question with a thousand books and yet by and large we are losing the battle for souls. In spite of our best efforts, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fragments Of Our Lives

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 12, 2018

Our God is concerned about the fragments about what is left. Yield to the will of God, Give him every portion every fragment of your life. Allow him to mold you, to refine you into the image of His Son. Our inadequacy makes room for His sufficiency! Updated July 2021.

Read one of the following Gospel Texts: Matthew 14:13-21 / Mark 6:30-44 / Luke 9:10-17 /John 6:1-14 We have a story before us ... in the Gospel text ...that has been told ... and retold. An event from which ... numerous lessons ... have been drawn. One of the blessings ... of having four ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:3, John 6:1-15, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, James 2:26, Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, John 6:1-14, 1 Kings 17:13, Luke 21:1-4, Luke 9:10-17, James 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Transformed To Be Like Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 2, 2025

God's Spirit is at work in us, refining us, growing the fruit of the Spirit in us. He is transforming us to be like Jesus. How do we sometimes resist this? What does it mean to see each other as ones who are being transformed by the goodness and grace of God?

March 2, 2025 Sermon - “Transformed to Be Like Jesus” Nature is an incredible thing. Most of us have likely had our breath taken away at the site of something in creation. Barbara and I spent our 35th anniversary in Jasper, Alberta and I’m frankly still in awe of the extraordinary beauty of that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:13-15, Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

(Lesson 6) Jeremiah: Built Up For A Call To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God set Jeremiah apart for ministry from His mother’s womb. God later encountered 21 year-old Elijah to call him to a ministry of rejection and persecution.

A. INTRODUCTION: JEREMIAH 1:1-10 1. Father the High Priest. "Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah of the priests that were in Anathoth" (1:1). "They came to Hilkiah the high priest" (II Chron. 34:4). 2. Born in evil days. "Amon . . . did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . sacrificed unto ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Jews? Pt. 1

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Dec 3, 2004

Why are God’s people the most hated and persecuted of all peoples? God has blessed Israel and has certain promises for them! God will bless the nations that bless Israel!

Psalm 83:1-4 From this verse we can glean several facts about Israel and the Jews that make up this nation: · God has always heard Israel’s plea as a people. Vs.1 · God has always helped Israel persevere as a people. Vs. 2-3 · God has always heralded Israel’s place as a nation. Vs. 4 As we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Recycling Our Pain Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 3, 2014

Our scripture for today falls into this category of verses I don’t understand when I first read them. Here it is. Happy are those who are persecuted.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting In The Lord

Contributed by Matthew Davaughn Cox on Apr 9, 2013

Psalm 7:1- O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

We should always trust in God. a. When we trust in God we can’t go wrong. b. Trusting in God is the best thing we can do. c. When we trust in God our life becomes a lot easier. God protects us when we trust him. a.We can trust God to protect us at all times. b. God won’t let anything ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:1

Denomination: *other

Open The Door

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 9, 2020

Emerging from a time of crisis is not easy - and everyone is dealing with that on their own terms. In our text today the Christians in Jerusalem are in a firestorm of persecution and trouble - a time of crisis that became a time of prayer.

Open The Door Acts 12:1–11 Introduction As we enter Phase Two in Louisiana, doors are opening that have not been. More churches are meeting - although with recommended restrictions to keep people as safe as possible from the virus. Emerging from a time of crisis is not easy - and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Church At Antioch Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 25, 2021

The Gospel reached the nations through the persecution of disciples. They became founders of taking the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles. Find out how God used Christians on run for the expansion of the early Church.

Acts 11:19-30 Church at Antioch 11:19-21 Gospel and nations 11:22-24 Barnabas Ministry at Antioch 11:25-26 Believers named as Christians 11:28-30 Response of the Church during Calamities Acts 11:19-21 Gospel reached many nations The expansion of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Methodist

Restructuring The Church For Expansion During A Pandemic Of Presecution

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 12, 2022

Rapid growth, constant persecution and limited resources made the Apostles rethink their future and the future of the church. They reorganized their ministry team to maximze their efficiency and effectiveness. Let;s see how!

Sermon Restructuring The Church For Expansion Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:18-21

Denomination: Methodist

How Jesus Feels About Idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus views turning to other gods, as being sexually immoral to your Husband. Also, the persecution will one day be reversed, and we will rule with an iron rod, if we overcome/conquer.

How Jesus feels about idolatry (Revelation 2:12-28) Today, we will tackle two of Jesus' messages, to two of the seven churches. The first one, that I'll use as kind of skeleton and starting point, is to the angel and his church in Pergamum. About half way through, I'll add in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-28

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bible And Modern Israel

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 15, 2014

A Biblical study considering whether or not modern Israel holds any significance in the eyes of God.

Throughout my life, I have noted that our Nation's foreign-policy has been to support Israel in its struggles with its Arab and Palestinian neighbors. Nearly a half trillion dollars of humanitarian and military aid has been given to Israel to defend the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ