Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Who Can Stand? The Church!, Part 2 (Revelation 7:9-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 21, 2023

A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation. Life is hard now. It will be harder later, and Revelation prepares us to accept that, and to be faithful in tough times.

Last week, we worked our way through the first vision of Revelation 7, which describes the sealing of the 144,000, from the 12 tribes of Israel. I argued that this was a vision of the church. Israel, is the church. The church, is Israel. I gave a few arguments in support of this, but I left out ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Not Quite A Christian Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 21, 2022

The Savior saved us so we will speak about Him to those He sends us to.

How many of you remember the sermon from last weekend? Me either. Howard Hendricks used to say we have the potential of remembering 10% of what we hear, and that’s just the potential. Another pastor believes we forget 95% of a sermon after 72 hours. For us to remember, we need to hear things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Life And Times Of Saul Of Tarsus Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 15, 2023

A sermon examining the life of Saul of Tarsus.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAUL OF TARSUS Acts 8:1-3 (4/16/23) I regularly listen to a radio program called “Unshackled”. This program provides dramatic reenactments that tell the stories of people who were in desperate situations and by the grace of God they had an encounter with Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Of Polycarp At Smyrna: How To Give Up Everything For Christ Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 29, 2023

Many Christians would be killed for their faith in the first few hundred years of Christianity, many of whom lived in Smyrna. Most famous of all these martyrs was a man named Polycarp.

Smyrna as you can see on the map was located on the Aegean sea and was considered the gateway into Europe from the middle east. Smyrna was known for it’s production of fine materials, in fact, Smyrna was known for production of frankincense and myrrh. Primarily for myrrh. And myrrh was a substance ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Victory In The Jaws Of Defeat Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 25, 2025

When you feel defeated, hear God’s message of grace to you, humble yourself before Him, and hope in your ultimate victory.

At first glance, Rolf Klasson, a gray-haired Swede who hobbles around on his walker, looked like an easy target. At least that's what two would-be robbers thought as they threatened him at an ATM machine. One of the thugs waved a knife while the other thug told Klasson to turn over his wallet. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 26:1-6, Ezekiel 26:15-16, Ezekiel 27:1-27, Ezekiel 28:1-19, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Proverbs 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:14, Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 20:7-10, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

(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

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

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

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

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

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