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Faithful to the Finish
Peter's final call to a young and growing church
Grace and Glory
A short series through the highlights of 1 Peter
Entrusted
Gifts, risk, and the return of the King
Smyrna was a church under the great pressure of persecution.
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION SMYRNA—THE CHURCH UNDER GREAT PRESSURE TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11 Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11
Denomination: Pentecostal
The persecuted church in Philadelphia is part of the true Israel
Unto the Church in Philadelphia, Write Revelation 3:7-13 Introduction Philadelphia was the sixth church which Jesus addresses in Revelation. It was noted for its rich volcanic soil which was good for the raising of grapes. But the presence of volcanic soil also meant that the area was subjected to ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13
Denomination: Independent/Bible
Prophets primarily are persecuted and perish, not prancing in prosperity.
Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, ...read more
Scripture: Acts 9:16, Philippians 1:28-30, Luke 7:24-26
Denomination: Baptist
Does persecution often create church growth?
Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more
Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?
October 14, 2023 After the stoning of Stephen, Saul was out for blood. When his bloodlust could not be satisfied by simply persecuting the Believers in Jerusalem, he expanded his search. Eventually, he focused on Damascus ---- 200 miles away! He went with the intent of bringing back the ...read more
Scripture: Acts 9:1-2, Acts 22:6-11, Acts 26:16-18, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Philippians 3:4-8, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (view more) (view less)
Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist
Is your light under a bushel?
We are in a time when nearly every day the headlines talk about someone coming out of the closet about their sexual identity or about some skeleton coming out of the closet. Things that were hidden for years are open for all to see and hear. Some of those things should have stayed hidden. People ...read more
Scripture: Matthew 10:33
It’s not the vessel of beauty and art that is honored in God’s house. It’s that vessel that bears the scars of battle and of service that God honors most.
The Honored Vessel Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Pastor Jim May I want to be an honored vessel in God’s House. It’s a privilege and an honor to be used by God in any fashion. I thank him for allowing me that chance. But before I can become a vessel at all there has to be a change in me. Before ...read more
Scripture: Psalm 40:2, Psalm 40:1
Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.
Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17
This sermon addresses the sources of opposition to the work of God.
Friends, Foes & Family Text: Mark 3:20-35 Introduction: Writing to the Corinthians the apostle Paul once commented, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Isn’t that the truth? Last Sunday we saw how Jesus ministry was increasing in ...read more
Scripture: Mark 3:20-35
The patient to endure persecutions is the fruit that flow from divergent receptions, our profession of faith in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures supply the foundation for a godly life. Thus, this three-thought combination takes us from our basis in faith t
ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A GODLY LIFE 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17 Elder Clarence E. Weaver Sr INTRODUCTION When Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy, he was anything but comfortable. He was in prison. Paul was actually put in prison two times. The first time in prison was much like a house arrest where he was being ...read more
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational
As Christians, we need to take a stand for God. It’s not always easy. During GOOD TIMES – When things are going right - We get complacent. During BAD TIMES – When everything seems to be going wrong – We get discouraged … blame God … look to ourselves for
Opening illustration: In her famous book and film, “The Hiding Place” Corrie ten Boom tells the story of a Dutch Christian family, her family, who had a heart for the Jewish people. Her grandfather Wilhelm started a weekly prayer group in 1844 in the city of Haarlem, near Amsterdam for the ...read more
Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30
Paul displayed an attitude which rose above his hard circumstances.
TO LIVE IS CHRIST Philippians 1:20-30 Two elderly women were out driving in a large car and both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I ...read more
Scripture: Philippians 1:20-30
The sixth seal begins to demonstrate God’s direct intervention into world affairs. All of this is just part of God’s plan. The Lord is in the process of fixing what is wrong with our world as only He can do.
Revelation 6:12-17; 13:1-10 Purpose: To describe Satan’s futile efforts to rule the world. Aim: I want the listener to wait confidently for Christ to return. INTRODUCTION: Up to now, the effects of the first five seals, although unparalleled in their impact on the world, could still be ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 6:12-17
Message one about dealing with understanding what is to come if the end times come in our lifetime.
Standing Firm in the End Times (Part 1) Matthew 24:9-14 March 15, 2009 Me: I’ve never been a person who seeks out hard times or rough situations. I’ve had a lot of them, but it’s been those times where I’ve felt God’s presence and His strengthening to help me move on and do what I needed to ...read more
Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14
Denomination: Wesleyan
The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.
READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more
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