Sermons on Persecution:

Responding To Ridicule

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 18, 2010

When reason fails, some turn to ridicule. They choose laughter over logic. Should the Christian respond? If so, how? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Responding to Ridicule Nehemiah 4:1-3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Responding2Ridicule.html Sanballat has always lived in every time, and taken form in every church. He and others like him believe if God's kingdom is built up it will hurt their cause. They don't want to see it happen. They ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting God In An Unjust World Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 19, 2010

In today's lesson we learn that we can trust God even though the world is filled with injustice.

Scripture We like stories with happy endings. Whether the story is in a book or movie or even in real life, we like stories with happy endings. Sometimes, however, stories don’t have happy endings. Sometimes stories have sad endings. And although we prefer stories with happy endings to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Anything Except Facing My Accountability To God Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 14, 2011

Society at large and individuals in general despise the idea of facing a God who holds them accountable and whose wrath is incurred.

Anything Except Facing My Accountability to God (Acts 14:1-20) 1. Sometimes there is no answer to conflict. It just is. 2. From Reader's Digest: "On his birthday, my husband was stuck driving our six rambunctious children around. As usual, they were yelling, punching, and annoying one another. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Growth In Suffering Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 10, 2011

The Early Church experienced growth in numbers, and growth in depth and growth in community. It also experienced a growth in suffering. Jesus said blessed are those who suffer and are persecuted because of him! This talk encourages the church to proclaim

Although I’ve only seen part of it on YouTube there is a humbling episode from the 1961 British film called, ‘Whistle down the Wind’. A group of Lancashire children have experienced the death of a kitten. They had prayed fervently that the little cat would get well, but instead it died. They ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-32

Denomination: Anglican

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 2, 2011

Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the righteous to suffer? I mean, I’m

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE INTRODUCTION: Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Obey The Mirror! Series

Contributed by Kyle Gray on May 20, 2009

Scripture is like a mirror, we can choose to believe what is revealed or reject it and walk away.

It’s widely understood that though there were many men named James surrounding Jesus, it was indeed James, the half brother of Jesus that authored this book in the NT. He was in fact, a pillar in the early church as Paul tells us in Galatians 2:9 Jesus appeared to him (1 Corinthians 15:7) after ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Enemy Within The Gates

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

The need to continue to devote ourselves to prayerful preaching.

THE ENEMY WITHIN THE GATES! Acts 5:1-16; Acts 6:1-7. There was opposition to the gospel from the very beginning of the post-Pentecostal phase of the life of the church. After all, Jesus warned us that if there were those who hated Him, there would also be those who hate us, His followers (John ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith On The Frontlines Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Dec 12, 2011

We are told in God's word that anyone who seeks to follow Christ should expect persecution. In can come in different shapes and forms but the truth of it is that brothers and sisters around the world are suffering for their faith. What should we expect?

Faith on the Frontlines - Acts 5:12-42 - November 13, 2011 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Hoa Lo prison was constructed by the French in the late 1800’s during the time when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. Translated, the name of the prison means, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: *other

Remember The Earlier Days Series

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 14, 2014

To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you remember the days when you got born again? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 10:32 (New International Version) ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Roman Soldiers And Officer

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Mar 30, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a soldier who have mocked the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD even reached out to the Roman officers and Roman soldiers. IV. TEXT: Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:54

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is God When Life Falls Apart? Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 31, 2014

How can a loving God allow innocent people to be hurt so badly?

- When was the last time a trip to the theater left you truly inspired about God? - Movie "God’s Not Dead" - Here in town - Freshman college student Josh Wheaton's faith is challenged by his philosophy professor, who believes God does not exist. He has to defend God's existence to the entire ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Wants To Give Us Heavenly Happiness (Part 3)

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 7, 2014

Jesus teaches us here that true happiness: 1. comes from having a pure heart (vs. 8). 2. comes from being a peacemaker (vs. 9). 3. can even come from being persecuted (vs. 10-12).

Jesus Wants to Give Us Heavenly Happiness (Part 3) Matthew 5:8-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - March 6, 2013 *Tonight we will take another look at the happiness the Lord wants all of us to have, remembering that the word "blessed" here in the Sermon on the Mount means "happy." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Life Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 7, 2012

A look at the life of Paul, the apostle. From The Story, a 32 week journey through the Bible, inspired by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee.

The Story - 30 May 15, 2011 You may not have known this, but there was time when two of the most famous men in history lived in the same city — the apostle Paul and the emperor Nero. Their lives actually overlapped for a short period of time. Of course, nobody took notice of Paul, he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Conflict Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

When you experience conflict as a result of following Jesus, you are not headed in the wrong direction. Instead that’s a sign you are being faithful to the Gospel.

The Conflict Matthew 10:22-25 Last week we learned if we are going to commit to following Jesus then we need to make sure we know what we’re signing up for because following Jesus can lead to pretty hazardous work. When you follow Jesus, you surrender your will, you surrender your freedom, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:22-25

Denomination: Methodist