Sermons on Severe Persecution:

How To Show Love And Acceptance

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 28, 2003

How do you respond to those who alsely accuse? How do you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." This sermon addresses those questions.

Lay Down Your Stones -Show Love and Acceptance- John 8:1-11 The saying goes that confession is good for the soul. I regret to tell that in my younger years I got very mad at my sister who is 4 years older than I. I got so mad at her that I picked up a rock and threw it at her from across the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Tested Faith Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 5, 2022

Faith produces worth & approval in those who undergo severe afflictions, adversity & trials. Faithfulness in suffering produces character & virtue, & ultimately it produces a better resurrection

HEBREWS 11:35-40 A TESTED FAITH [LEAVING A LEGACY SERIES] [Romans 8:35-38] Many have been the triumphs faith has obtained against incredible odds and many have been the times when the faithful suffered because they chose to remain faithful. This section deals with many unknown men and women who ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Keys To Lasting Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 4, 2022

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5).

What are the secrets of happiness, not just fleeting merrymaking, but that true, permanent happiness, called blessedness? They are not really so secret, but found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). Poor in Spirit “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lazarus And The Rich Man PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance of compassion and good deeds in our lives, as neglecting these can lead to severe consequences, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.

Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a powerful message from the book of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This passage is a profound illustration of the sin of omitting good deeds, the consequences of ignoring others, and the incredible power of compassion. Before we delve in, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Great Omission

Three Types Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 19, 2022

Suffering for righteous sake has a long tradition, Jeremiah, Amos, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Jesus, Steven, Paul, Silas and Peter. Don't be surprised when you are suffering for Christ.

Are you surprised when you see religious programming on television and you hear someone say that if you have enough faith you will have health, wealth and prosperity? Peter would have been surprised. His message to Christians is don’t be surprised when you experience painful suffering. I hope ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Commendable Conduct

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A.

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A. Introduction (2:11-13a) 1. Commendable Conduct Viewed Negatively (:11) a. Description of Such Conduct ("lusts of the flesh") b. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Joy Of Being A Christian

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 15, 2007

Yes, there are difficulties, sacrifices, trials, and persecution that the faithful Christian will face because of His walk with/in the Lord Jesus. Even then, there is great joy in being a Christian!

The Joy of Being a Christian Theme: No matter your trials it is a joy to be a Christian. Acts 16:25-34 INTRODUCTION A. Being a faithful Christian means there are many trials following in the footsteps of our Christ. 1. That is part of the cost of being in Christ. 2. Such is necessary ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suffering Church Sunday

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That blood is still being shed. In this sermon we name the top ten persecutors and finish with a look at Paul - the persecutor who became the persecuted.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day. We have heard of believers having boiling water poured down their throats. Other gruesome forms of torture are meted out to Christ’s sheep on a daily basis. The top ten persecutors - (1) North ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 5, 2007

In the first church, let’s take a look at what happened and how it relates to the church today. 1- the proclamation of the gospel 2- the persecution of the apostles 3- the proliferation of the church

INTRO.- Church happenings. What is happening in our churches? ILL.- A group of women were talking. One lady said, “Our congregation is sometimes down to thirty and forty on Sunday night.” Another said, “That’s nothing, sometimes our group is down to six or seven.” An old maid added her bit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lower The Nets For A Catch Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2013

Jesus calls us to lower the nets for a catch, even though it means persecution and rejection. We must learn the four steps of evangelization of our surroundings, friends and coworkers.

Third Sunday of Easter 2013 Vatican II About forty years ago, acting on the directions of the Fathers of the Council, a team of expert Scripture scholars and liturgists gave the Church what is called the “expanded Lectionary” for Mass. The exact words of the Liturgy Constitution are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

A Word From Your Pilot Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 16, 2014

We're strangers in this world and we will encounter difficulty. What has God supplied to help us survive the struggles and sufferings and persecutions we may encounter here?

OPEN: On a Continental flight a pilot began his usual comments to the passengers: “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome on board Continental flight 428. This is your Captain speaking and I have some information about our flight. We've reached cruising altitude of 35,000 ft. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Time Of Betrayal - Can You Pass The Judas Test?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 15, 2022

We are entering a time like no other, the time of the end. This time will be characterized by wickedness, betrayal and persecution. When Judas shows up in your life, how will you respond?

• I recently came through a terrible years long betrayal • I don’t want to talk about that betrayal today, I am done talking about it. I am praying every single day for the person involved because I care about her and want her to go on and do better and be in a closer walk with the Lord. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Denomination: Charismatic

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ministry Of Philip Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 13, 2021

The Persecution of the early church scattered believers all over, everyone witnessed according to their understanding and gifts. Philip landed in Samaria and did wonders and reached many. Read and enjoy.

Acts 8:4-25 Samaria: Philip, Peter, and John 08:04-08 Ministry of Philip in Samaria 08:09-13,17-24 Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer 08:14-25 Ministry of Peter and John in Samaria Happy New Year 2021!. This Part 3 of the ACTS covers the expansion of the Church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Methodist