Sermons on Persian Empire:

Facing Opposition Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 21, 2018

When we do God's work, we can expect opposition. We don't have to be discouraged. God will finish what He has started.

We started Ezra 1 with the move of God and the edict of King Cyrus, and the start of a long and difficult journey for the exiles returning back to Jerusalem. • In Ezra 2 we have the list of the returning exiles, by families and towns, and the various roles they play. • In Ezra 3 we saw the altar ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:1-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Understanding Hanukkah

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Aug 14, 2007

Outline plus some thoughts which tell the story of Hanukkah and give some applications for Christians from this miracle which the Jews received from God.

UNDERSTANDING HANUKKAH December 17, 2006 Pastor Eric J. Hanson Slide 2: Part of Daniel’s Prophecies • 8:15-20: Medo-Persian Empire • 21-22: Alexander the great and the four generals who divided the Greek empire at the time of his death • 23-24: Introduction to the character and abilities of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 8:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daniel In The Den Series

Contributed by David Blizzard on Mar 10, 2007

Message on Daniel in the den of lions.

DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS – Daniel 6 There is a false idea that if you are saved and serve God that you will not have any problems or difficulties in life. You will have difficulties, but the God who saved you will go with you through them. This chapter is one of the most familiar of the stories ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Lion's Den

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Jun 26, 2008

Daniel is delivered from the lion’s den and the hand of his enemies.

Daniel 6:1-28 Living in the Lion’s Den Daniel had survived many changes in the politics and policies of Babylon. Taken from his homeland of Israel, Daniel had lived through the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, Nergal-sharezer, Labashi-Marduk, Nabonidus, and Belshazzar. Now Cyrus, King of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Beauty On The Beast Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 28, 2015

The rise of two ancient world powers, Rome and Babylon, during the Great Tribulation, only to be destroyed by Christ when He comes again, presents us with a choice. We can choose to pursue this world, which is passing away, or Christ, who reigns forever.

Once upon a time, a really cool young man bought one of the best cars around: a Ferrari GTO. He took it out for a spin and stopped at a red light. An old man on a moped pulled up next to him. The old man looked over at the sleek, shiny car and asked, “What kind of car ya' got there, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Unlikely Help Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 29, 2021

God uses unlikely people to accomplish his purposes and bless the community of faith.

INTRODUCTION • When you look back on your life, have you ever thought about all the people who have helped you to get where you are in both your life and your walk with Jesus today? • We do not get where we are alone; our life is not lived in a vacuum. • I would imagine we can all think about those ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 6:6-12, Ezra 7:12-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Miracle Of Januarius Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 17, 2011

The martyr-bishop Januarius testifies to the truth of the Gospel, and his alleged blood miracle must get the attention of the unbeliever.

19 September 2011 St. Januarius There is a famous passage in the Acts of the Apostles in which the rabbi Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin to leave the early Christian community alone, because if it is God’s will, they would not be able to destroy it, and if it is not God’s will, it would ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

The Search For A Queen (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 10, 2021

God's people were bound in captivity, but they were not forsaken. The Lord was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events that would benefit and prosper them. We see His sovereign hand at work in the selection of Esther as queen of Persia.

The Search for a Queen (Part 1) Esther 2: 1-9 As we studied chapter one, we discovered a detailed picture of what life was like within the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus was a man of great wealth and power. He sought to expand the kingdom, and nothing was off limits in his pursuit to do so, not ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Thy Will Be Done Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 26, 2001

In the book of Esther we will see how moves in the life of his people and places them in a position to take a stand for him. And when they do look out... (Real People - True Stories part 8)

"THY WILL BE DONE" TEXT: ESTHER INTRODUCTION Today we are going to study the book of Esther. If you have never read it, or IF it has been a long time and the details have become a little cloudy get ready because this is an exciting story. There are 5 major characters in this book, and we’ll ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The "Ultimate" Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Mar 30, 2003

Part 1 of 4 in the Ultimate Christ series. This series was used in preperation for and the final installment preached on Easter. The Ultimate Sacrifice shows us just how much God sacrificed for us and why it matters.

The Ultimate Sacrifice INTRODUCTION It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-53, Romans 3:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Is Your Desire?

Contributed by Craig Benner on Mar 6, 2018

Are you guilty of going through the motions at church because you know it is what you should be doing, but your heart is just not feeling it?

DESIRE OR OBLIGATION Psalm 27 Marjorie Goff lived in the same apartment from 1949 to 1979 and only left her residence on 3 occasions during those 30 years. She suffered from agoraphobia. It is literally the fear of fear. About one in twenty Americans suffer from it to some degree. The psalmist ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

In What Sense Is Mary The Mother Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 29, 2014

We will understand better the term Mother of God if we realize that the January 1 feast is really a feast of Our Lord Jesus.

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God–January 1 (Thirteen Days of Christmas) To begin every New Year, the Church gives us a great gift, the Solemnity of Mary in her title “Mother of God.” But even though the feast has Mary in the title, like every Marian celebration, it is really a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:16-21

Denomination: Catholic

Conviction And Salvation For All Mankind.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 19, 2017

The Salvation Army internationally currently has a theme of "The Whole World Mobilising". God has a theme of Salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ. this is a short challenge to pray for people worshipping at places of worship of in Sri Lanka.

Conviction and salvation for all mankind! One of this month’s readings is from Isaiah 45:2-3. New International Version (NIV) 2 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:2-3, Isaiah 46:9-10, Joel 2:28-29

Denomination: Salvation Army

God In The Lion's Den Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Aug 23, 2023

God pulls the UNO reverse card on Daniel’s enemies

It pleased King Darius to set 120 satraps to be over the whole kingdom and over these, 3 governors of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so no that the king would suffer no loss. Daniel 6:1-2 A satrap is a provincial governor in the ancient Persian empire. Daniel was ...read more

"Your King Is Coming”

Contributed by John Newton on May 4, 2025

As he rides into Jerusalem, Jesus is greeted by a crowd of admirers waving palm branches

The ancient world out of which our Scriptures arose was a succession of mighty empires that swept across the Middle East. There had been the Egyptian Empire (1560-1069 BC), followed by the Assyrian Empire (1300-612 BC), after which came the Persian Empire (550-330 BC). But by far the greatest of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal