Sermons on Persecution:

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away."

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 21, 2013

We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that he’s leaving them. Let’s find out why.

“IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY” John 16:1-7 INTRODUCTION: We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working With The Lord's Help Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react with anger, ridicule, and rejection. Nehemiah gives us a great example of how we need to respond when the enemies of God oppose His work.

In this lesson, I would like to look at the leadership of Nehemiah through the hardship and opposition that the people went through. They had opposition from outside and discouragement from inside, yet they got the job done. It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7th Seal & 1st 4 Trumpets (Revelation 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 30, 2020

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets in Revelation 8.

Let’s look at the final of seven seals and the first four of seven trumpets. 7th Seal - Silence Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Whether or not the seals or the scroll is being revealed is unclear, so we will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Progress Of The Church Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

Luke introduces this section by spelling out that signs and wonders had been performed by the Apostles, which were the orders of the day for Apostles ministry. Peter had become an icon of healing.

Acts 5:12-26 Progress of the Church 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles 5:17-19 Apostles Persecuted for Gospel 5:20-26 Apostles Preach the Word Acts 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles St Luke introduces this section ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-26

Denomination: Methodist

Faith During Uncertain Times

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 13, 2021

Maybe the future of our country looks uncertain; or we are living under oppressive leadership. But when we recognize that God is still on the throne, we find the confidence necessary to carry on with boldness!

I wish to begin our message by sharing something about the time in which Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived. The Nazi regime ascended to power on January 30, 1933. “Two days after Hitler was installed as Chancellor, Bonhoeffer delivered a radio address in which he attacked Hitler and warned Germany ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

An Unfinished Task (Judges 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2025

Do we have unfinished tasks for God? Let's look at Judges 1.

Do we have a habit of quitting before a job is done? Did Israel fail to finish conquering the land? Are we still conquering? Will we endure to the end? Let’s begin in Judges 1. What did God say about the continuing conquest of the land? Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Courage To Rise Above Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 3, 2023

1) Courage from God’s Commission (Joshua 1:1–2). 2) Courage from God’s Promises (Joshua 1:3–6), and 3) Courage from God’s Written Word (Joshua 1:7–9).

Joshua 1:1-9. [1:1] After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, [2]"Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Other

If The World Hates You!

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Nov 25, 2023

Jesus said, if the world hated Me, keep in mind it hate Me first! While not everyone faces physical violence, born again believers, who are not part of this world, can expect to be persecuted for Christ's name sake.

If the World Hates You John 15:18-25 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Over 2,000 years ago the world received one of the best gifts ever given to humanity, a Babe lying in a manger! Despite lacking the “beauty of majesty to attract us to Him” (Isaiah 53:2), having no ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Be Prepared Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Oct 30, 2024

Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared for what was to come, and God's Word still speaks to us in the same way, preparing us for the hatred of the world as we stand strong for Christ.

Be Prepared Text: John 16:1-4 When I was a kid my parents let me watch Saturday morning cartoons. I watched Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, the Flintstones… but my favorite was G.I. Joe… G.I Joe was full of action, and excitement, and danger. And at the end of each episode, there was always a little ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-4, Matthew 13:20-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pearl Haters - Matthew 7:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 9, 2024

If they trample the truth underfoot and become hostile, walk away. The Gospel is for the receptive only.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:6

Jesus Went On Trial And Noone Stood Up To Defend Him. Will You Stand Up And Be Counted?

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Jul 30, 2024

The prophet Isaiah asked the question of the suffering servant “who of his generation protested”? And so we ask the same question “who protested at the time of Jesus' illegal trial and execution?” Of course, the answer to that was no one. No one stood up at the trial to support Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah asked the question of the suffering servant “who of his generation protested”? And so we ask the same question “who protested at the time of Jesus' illegal trial and execution?” Of course, the answer to that was no one. No one stood up at the trial to support Jesus. There ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is My Refuge

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Aug 18, 2024

In times of trouble we seek peace and safety. Where we seek it makes all the difference in the world.

It always seems that I get a request to preach form the Psalms. Today Psalm 11. The Psalms speak to us – we can almost hear ourselves in the Psalms – praising God – mourning our sin – questioning the world – seeking vengeance on our enemies. Before reading let’s introduce some aspects of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Harassed For Jesus Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 20, 2024

A study of the Beatitudes. Jesus begins His sermon on the mount answering the question: "What will it take to make you happy?" His answer, however, is far different from the way most people will answer. In fact, his answers appear to bring sorrow, not happiness.

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS: HARASSED FOR JESUS ILLUSTRATION: In His book, Lords of the Earth, Don Richardson, author of PEACE CHILD, tells the story of Stanley Dale, a MISSIONARY to the Yali Tribe deep in the Irian Jaya JUNGLE of Indonesia in 1968. The Yali, being HEADHUNTERS and CANNIBALS, were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ