Sermons on Respond To Persecution:

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Persecution can and is real. The key is how we approach it. Peter offers 2 lessons of encouragement: We must "Cultivate Christian Love" and "Practice the Lordship of Christ".

INTRODUCTION Persecution is real for the believer. While it comes in many different ways, it is real – The group we’ve been studying about in 1 Peter suffered this horror in much a different way than we do as Christians today: Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

How God Uses Evil For Good Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 15, 2023

Three progressive features show "How God uses Evil for Good", describing: 1) Persecution (Act 8:1–3), which stems from 2) Preaching (Acts 8:4-7), which results in 3) Productivity (Acts 8:8).

Acts 8:1-8. [8:1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Other

Knowing God's Phone Number Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2004

Why did God tell Jeremiah to "call upon" Him? And just how do I "call upon the name of the Lord?"

OPEN: Last year, when Jim Carrey starred in his movie “Bruce Almighty” the writers of the script gave God a phone number that Carrey could dial to talk with the Almighty. But instead of using the 555 prefix that movie makers and TV shows generally give phone numbers – they gave God a 776 prefix. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3, Jeremiah 33:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Is Scattered Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 27, 2017

Those who were scattered preached the Gospel everywhere they went. Hundreds of individual evangelists were giving the Gospel to thousands of souls, and the message became known over the whole area.

February 8, 2014 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson II.E.4: The Church is Scattered (8:1-3) Acts 8:1-3 (KJV) 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Be-Attitudes (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 17, 2014

Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them collectively I can see how they all work together. And I believe having all of these characteristics are important in being able to endure persecution.

The Be-Attitudes (part four) Matthew 5:11-12 Today we finish our series on the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Shadow, The Substance And The Savior

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2016

A message to encourage believers in difficult times.

"The Shadow, the Substance and the Savior" Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Beatitudes In Isaiah 57 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2014

God wants us to be godly even within an ungodly culture, as defined by Isaiah and generalized into principles by Jesus.

The Beatitudes in Isaiah 57 (Isaiah 57:1-2, 13-21) 1. An interesting story broke from UPI this week: “PORT ST. LUCIE , Fla., May 16 (UPI) --Florida police officers who were attempting to catch a suspected car thief got a little help when an alligator decided to cross the road. Port St. Lucie ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fiery Furnace

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 25, 2008

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fought fire with faith.

THE FIERY FURNACE (Daniel 3:1-30-fighting fire with faith) INTRODUCTION: Testing-we seldom enjoy it. We don’t like having to endure the challenges that test our knowledge, patience or faith. But, the only way we will find out the value of something is if it’s been tested. Consumer Reports has been ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Must Obey Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2023

The world is setting itself against the ways of God and persecution is headed our way. How do we prepare ourselves so we can stand firm in our faith. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read text. Pray. Francis Chan has long been a favorite preacher/author of mine. Over the years he has shared many ideas that are very similar to those of our brotherhood. For instance, there’s a meme where he says, “If the Bible and I don’t agree, I must be wrong.” He has spoken of being ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Freedom From Fear Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Sep 1, 2008

Fear cripples and paralyzes. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone else, or it could be the fear of not having some material thing. It can also be the fear of pain or even death. But fear of the future or the fear of man is a sin. So, how

Freedom from Fear Revelation 2:8-11 Purpose: To encourage persecuted believers. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a gift. INTRODUCTION: Fear cripples and paralyzes. Fear blocks us from doing what we know to be right. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone else, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Outline Of Acts 7 (Expanded Version)

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 24, 2021

This chapter contains Stephen's reply to the high priest and others who charged and questioned him (see chapter 6). Even though Stephen was martyred for his faith, his testimony still lives on.

Introduction: Acts 7 begins with a question from the High Priest to Stephen, one of the original seven men sometimes called deacons. The rest of the chapter contains Stephen’s review of Israel’s history and his reply to the charge/s against him (see Acts 6) and the response of those who heard him. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Signs Of The End Of The Age (2020) Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 8, 2020

Signs of the end of the age - Luke chapter 21 verses 5-38 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Jesus gave some warnings: (A). There will be false messiahs (vs 8). (B). There will be wars (vs 9-10). (C). There will be natural disasters (vs 10-11). (D). There will be persecution (vs 12-18). (E). There will be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (vs 20-24). (2). ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-38

Denomination: Brethren

Joy For The Journey Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2017

We can rejoice no matter what is going on around us or to us. Paul demonstrates this in the book of Philippians. This sermon is the introduction to a series on the letter to the Philippians.

A. I heard about a waitress who couldn’t get a smile out of her customer no matter how hard she tried. 1. The sad old woman sat there looking miserable, depressed and dejected all through dinner. 2. As the lady paid her bill and was leaving, the waitress warmly said, “Have a nice day!” 3. The ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Do Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 13, 2013

How to do right when you’ve been done wrong (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Be open before the Lord (vs 1-2) (2). Remember God’s Loving Faithfulness (vs 3) (3). Refuse to Listen to Ungodly Advice (vs 4-5) (4). Keep Your Hands Clean and Your Heart Thankful (vs 6-7) (5). Be faithful in Public worship (vs 8) (6). Patiently stand and wait for relief ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

Endure Suffering Patiently Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2015

Suffering is partr of the human condition. We see John addressing two very important questions in minds of those who will receive this letter. The first question “Why all this suffering?” The second: “Is there point to the suffering?"

Series: Victorious! “Endure Suffering Patiently” Revelation 6-7 Open This morning, we’re in our fifth message in our series through the book of Revelation. It comes from Revelation 6-7 so if you’d go ahead and take your Bibles and turn to that passage, it will ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ