Sermons on Scars Of Persecution:

What Is A Real Christian?

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 30, 2021

With cultural Christianity being the norm in America, nominal faith is what people see most often, and it’s what comes to mind when we tell people we’re a Christian. So, what is a "real" Christian? This message points out five traits.

I wish to begin our message this morning by sharing a story by Franklin Graham. He tells us, “Some years ago, I was in a cab when I asked the driver about his faith. He replied that he was a Christian, and I asked him how he became one. I’ll never forget his reply: ‘Oh, I was born a Christian’.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-5, 1 Peter 4:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Biblical Way Of Overcoming Trouble And Crisis

Contributed by Patrick Usifo on Jun 22, 2020

In the period of crisis, believers need to concentrate more on the faithfulness of the Lord instead of our unbelief's and limited means.

Difficult and interesting times are upon us with the coronavirus, outbreak causing untold hardship and pains to many families, not only of the loved ones lost in the heat of the crisis but economic difficulties decimating the base of many families. The story is the same everywhere with people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9, Hebrews 10:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happened At Straight Street

Contributed by Sophia Lorena on Feb 23, 2022

In Acts chapter 9, when Saul is persecuting the church, we see the Holy Spirit revealed, as prophesied in the Book of Joel.

A loud, overwhelming voice echoed from the sky ‘WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?’ Saul, the persecutor of God’s people is blinded by a bright light. The zealous man who was persecuting God’s people was suddenly stopped. The message from Jesus to the oppressor is clear; ‘You mess with my people; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You, The Gospel & Jewish People Ii Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 18, 2022

The Jews are definitely hardened to the Gospel, even yet today. How should we relate to them in light of their general rejection and hostility to the Gospel? Have they been rejected by God forever?

When I first became convinced that Jewish outreach was to be a priority, I made a point of meeting some Jewish people at a Christians United for Israel dinner here in Israel. I met a relatively young Jewish medical doctor there and then a week or so later, boldly called him up at his practice to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:11-36, Genesis 12:3

Denomination: Bible Church

Are You Approved Or Unapproved

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 31, 2022

Are you standing out or should you be standing down?

1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. Paul was not into ecumenicism. The division and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:18-19, Romans 15:20-21, Daniel 4:34

Denomination: Baptist

Going With The Gospel Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 21, 2020

We gather to grow, and we scatter to sow.

Last weekend we focused on the beatitude of Jesus found in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We were encouraged to lament our losses, to be sorrowful about our sins, to cry over the condition of Christians and non-Christians, and to weep for our world. While ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For Bad Times, Part 1 (Mark 13) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jul 13, 2020

When Jesus' disciples asked him about when the end times events would take place, he gave them four things to look for, and one sure sign. Part 1 of 2.

Good morning. Please open your Bibles to Mark 13. And the first thing I need you to do is take your listening guide, and next to the title, write “Part 1.” I realized after we printed the bulletin for this week that there’s too much to cover here for one sermon. In 1988, a former NASA engineer ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living Your Life Worthy Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Apr 15, 2023

This sermon explains how the believer is to live their lives worthy of the Gospel of Christ: by standing firm in one Spirit, striving together, and without fear of persecution.

Living your Life Worthy of the Gospel of Christ Philippians 1:27-30 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 How very sad it is that those who find the Treasure and Pearl in the field and become born again later choose envy, coveting, and self pleasure as their guiding ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

There’s More To The Story

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 19, 2023

It seems that John has finished writing his gospel. But no! He adds another chapter.

For the last couple of Sundays we’ve been reading from John 20—the beloved disciple’s dramatic account of Jesus’ resurrection. We’ve stood with Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb as she mistook the risen Jesus for the gardener. And we’ve been with the disciples in the upper room as they ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Episcopal

When You Are Reviled Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Nov 28, 2023

We are at the end of our series on the Beatitudes here in Matthew chapter 5. It has been a great reminder to hear the good news Jesus gives through the introduction of his Great Sermon on the Mount. We are finishing up this week by reading the second half of the last beatitude.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION OPERATION GREIF The year was 1944. In the runup to Germany’s last major offensive of World War II, Hitler gave orders for English-speaking German soldiers to form a special unit called Panzer Brigade 150. Members of the brigade would pose as American and British ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 3:13-17, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6-7, James 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jan 28, 2024

This sermon exposes the blatant attack on religious liberty via the pandemic and the less than adequate response from the church. It encourages us to be watchful and aware of how the enemy is working to silence and control even God's people and what we can do to gain the victory!

Religious Liberty Sermon 2024 (Free Indeed!) It was Patrick Henry that once passionately exclaimed, “Give me liberty, or give me death! The obvious sentiment being that liberty, or freedom is well worth dying for. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that he and the rest of our founding fathers ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Galatians 5:1, Psalm 119:45-48, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Church Of Smyrna: Possessing The Wealth Of Heaven (Revelation 2:8-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 18, 2023

Within the city of Smyrna, there existed a struggling Christian community undergoing intense and withering persecution. The Lord Jesus came to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. Even though they were poor, they were, in fact, rich beyond imagination.

In our look at the seven churches of Asia Minor described in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we come to the second church the Lord Jesus addresses in terms of testimony and steadfastness to the Gospel. This is the church in the city of Smyrna, which was located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:36-38, Revelation 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Journey Through Acts (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 16, 2024

In Acts 3, the healing of a beggar leads to a homily by Peter, which leads to harassment from the religious leaders.

The Journey: Following Jesus through Acts (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Scripture: Acts 3 Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/9/2017 If you were with us the last couple weeks, you know we began a ten-week journey through the book of Acts. The very first followers of Jesus weren’t what you might expect. ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

We're Marching To Zion

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 16, 2022

Let us concentrate on the fact that we have entered into the heavenly Jerusalem even now rather than all the trials we now face.

We're Marching to Zion Hebrews 12:18-29 In 1707, a hymn-writer named Isaac Watts wrote a hymn beginning with the words “Come ye that love the Lord.” It is a joyful hymn of praise which calls us to reflect on all God has provided for us. It also reminds us of the final goal of our Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul’s Witness To The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 22, 2023

The fourth major testimony of Christ's resurrection listed was that of the apostle Paul himself. He was a special and unique witness of the risen Lord.

[RESURRECTION REALITIES SERIES] 1 CORINTHIANS 15: 8-11 PAUL’S WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION [Acts 9:1–8, 17] The first eleven verses of chapter 15 reviews evidence or the proof of Jesus' resurrection, [a truth the Corinthians already believed (vv. 1, 11)]. For it is on the foundation of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:8-11

Denomination: Baptist