Sermons on Severe Persecution:

Keeping The Faith When Times Are Tough Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 16, 2012

RECENTLY, SOMEONE SHARED WITH ME A “RULE OF THUMB” FOR THEM PERSONALLY. IT GOES LIKE THIS, “WE ARE ALL PROBABLY ABLE TO HANDLE THREE CRISES IN OUR LIVES AT ANY GIVEN TIME.” WELL, I THINK THAT PAUL IS PROBABLY AT HIS LIMIT HERE! HE HAS TO ADJUST TO A WH

KEEPING THE FAITH WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH Acts 9:19-31 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 3: Responding To Persecution With Joy

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 25, 2021

This is study three on a series on 1 Peter

An Exposition of 1 Peter, part 3: Responding to Persecution with Joy 1 Peter 1:6-9 Introduction In the last study, we discovered that Peter has reminded us of the true state of affairs. We have been chosen, and are therefore special to Him. We also saw that this was accomplished by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

But If Not

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 11, 2014

Making a commitment to serve the Lord no matter what.

Daniel 3:16-19 KJV Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Are Our Glory

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 24, 2024

Those who have sowed and nurtured seeds of faith will witness the profound transformation as those they guided to Christ receive heavenly bodies before their very eyes. They will behold the moment when Christ bestows upon them crowns of righteousness, a testament to their faithful labor in His name!

You are Our Glory 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 As we look out into this world with its disdain and violence towards God’s righteousness, we are tempted to feel like being the sheep who are called to proclaim the Good News to the wolves is at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

The God Who Is Worth Suffering For - Matthew 5:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Usually when someone mistreats us because of our righteousness, we think we’re doing well if we simply endure it without getting angry or depressed. But Jesus calls us to far more than that. We are to rejoice greatly! This message will help you do that.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

“finding Help To Live In An Anti-Christian Culture”

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 14, 2014

In an ever-increasing anti=Christian culture, how are American Christians to respond?

We live in a scary time. During my lifetime, I remember a time when our country was what I would call, “Christianized.” In witnessing, you could start with statements like, “You believe the Bible, don’t you?” or “Where’s your church membership?” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

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 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 Purpose Of The Daily Grind Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Nov 12, 2020

Sometimes life doesn't make sense but God has a reason and purpose for everything.

The purpose of the daily grind Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

It Will Be Worth It All!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 17, 2017

The writer of Hebrews seeks to encourage and remind them that those who are faithful to God have always faced persecution, but that the end result will be a glorious victory even beyond their imagination.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Hebrews 11:32-12:3 "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greatest Conversion

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 8, 2022

The conversion of the apostle Paul is one of the most thrilling and inspiring conversions we have ever heard about. Paul truly had a conversion.

Today the modern churches talk about DECISIONS, not CONVERSIONS! Illus: Someone said to a preacher, “Did you have any decisions last week?” The preacher said, “Yes, I had lots of them. Some DECIDED to go to the mountains and some DECIDED they would go to the beach instead of coming to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Be At Peace Series

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Apr 21, 2015

How can we preach peace, when we are living in an age of martyrdom? A message focusing on the body of Christ using two stories of the 21 men martyred in Libya for their faith.

So Send I You Series: Be At Peace Scripture: John 15:18-19; 16:1-2 Twenty-one young men, - the oldest was 42 - forced onto a beach in Libya, and brutally murdered - for no other crime than their faith in Jesus Christ. People of the Cross. Martyred. Saeed Abedini, an American citizen - a ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Wrong Side Of History Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 5, 2020

The HOPE of salvation provided through Christ is still available. Relinquish your IDOLS and rejoice in Him!

The Wrong Side Of History Acts 7:1-60 Ill. Amy and I had the opportunity several years ago to travel to Switzerland with my dad. My dad was born and raised in Switzerland and came to this country when he was 19 years old. On that visit we went to his hometown of Burglen. As we drove around the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Baptist

Faith To Face Family Series

Contributed by Mark Tonkery on Feb 3, 2012

Faith to face your family when they reject your Christian faith.

Faith to Face Family Text: Hebrews 11:4 Introduction I. Since May 10, 2010 Nurta Mohamed Farah has been imprisoned at her home in southern Somalia because she became a Christian, according to Compass News Direct. According to witnesses, Nurta's family keeps the 17-year-old chained to a tree by day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Counting Blessings Amid Trials Series

Contributed by Peter Ceccardi on Dec 3, 2024

Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Introduction: Theme of Gratitude and Faith in Trials Brethren, as we gather to begin this series, Echoes of Christmas: God’s Unfolding Plan, our hearts are tuned to Thanksgiving. It is fitting that we turn our minds to the matter of gratitude—an act not for days of ease alone but for days of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 107:1-9

Denomination: Baptist