Sermons on The Rewards Of The Persecuted:

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Enemy Within The Gates

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

The need to continue to devote ourselves to prayerful preaching.

THE ENEMY WITHIN THE GATES! Acts 5:1-16; Acts 6:1-7. There was opposition to the gospel from the very beginning of the post-Pentecostal phase of the life of the church. After all, Jesus warned us that if there were those who hated Him, there would also be those who hate us, His followers (John ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shiphrah & Puah

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 4, 2013

2 valiant women stood up to the most powerful king, chose to obey God rather than men, and were dream-birthers, possibly bringing to birth the deliverer of all God's people!

SHIPHRAH & PUAH Ex. 1:8-22 (omit 14 & 20) INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: The convert 1. A stereo-type of Jews is that they only think about money. 2. Two Jews -- Abe and Shlomo -- were strolling down the street one day when they happened to walk by a Catholic Church. It had a big sign posted that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Is Our Focus?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 19, 2013

Life is never going to be easy, so sharing the Gospel will not be easy work! Jesus taught us this, the Disciples knew this as truth, so when it comes to sharing Christ will we submit to Him or still remain focused on ourselves?

Where is our Focus? Acts 16:16-40 Introduction The Christian brothers and sisters at Antioch had good reason to rejoice -- They had been at the center of a great controversy; and stood firm in it -- The controversy? Answering, “What must we do to be saved?” Two weeks: We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away."

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 21, 2013

We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that he’s leaving them. Let’s find out why.

“IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY” John 16:1-7 INTRODUCTION: We often wish Jesus was still here today. We envy the disciples who had God in their presence. They could be with him and talk with him-physically. But here we see Jesus telling them that it’s a good thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Movement Of God Through Pain In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 15, 2012

LAST WEEK AS A CHURCH WE FACED OUR MUTUAL HURT. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL WHO WERE HERE THEN AND ARE HERE TODAY HURT IN VARIOUS DEGREES. WE DIVERTED FROM OUR SERIES HERE IN THE BOOK OF ACTS TO ADDRESS THIS THE ISSUE OF OUR HURT AND THE WHY WE HAVE OUR

THE MOVEMENT OF GOD THROUGH PAIN IN THE CHURCH ACTS 8:2-8 GODLY MEN BURIED STEPHEN AND MOURNED DEEPLY FOR HIM. 3 BUT SAUL BEGAN TO DESTROY THE CHURCH. GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, HE DRAGGED OFF MEN AND WOMEN AND PUT THEM IN PRISON. 4 THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCATTERED PREACHED THE WORD WHEREVER THEY ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bitterness Of Smyrna Series

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 18, 2012

Smyrna was a Church that was under great persecution and uses this ti encourage us to endure sufferings.

The Bitterness of Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 The Church of Ephesus represents the end of the apostolic age and was indicted for losing their love they once had for our Lord. Reference: Rev. 2:7 Tree of life Genesis 2:9 in the mist of the garden Then: Genesis 3:22-24 Guarded by the Cherubims as man ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Taking A Look At Faith

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Dec 8, 2012

When it comes to faith I believe in two things; God can and God cares. Why did the followers of Jesus mentioned in the Hebrew writers' description endure the horrific treatment of persecution? Why did they keep their faith in Jesus as the Son of God eve

Last week we took a look at failure. We discussed that God’s love is unconditional. He doesn't remove love because of your failure or give you some love when you succeed. He loves you because He made you. Paul made his case that even with his failures; God was using Him to unleash His power ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Handling Ridicule Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 12, 2015

there will always be people trying to ridicule God and Christianity; how should christians respond?

We return to our study of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. The Israelites wanted a king to rule over them just like other nations. Although God was not pleased with this, God chose a king to teach God’s Chosen People Israel a lesson; and of course, God has preserved His Word for us to learn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Steadfast Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

The church needs to stand up and be counted on in this dark world.

A STEADFAST CHURCH ACTS 7:54 – ACTS 8:4 AS I WAS PREPARING FOR TODAYS MESSAGE I CAME ACROSS AN ILLUSTRATION THAT I FOUND TO BE QUITE INTERESTING, AND APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY’S WORLD. A MAN WHO WAS TAKING A TOUR OF MILITARY CHAPELS, SAID THAT ONE PROBLEM THEY WERE FACING WAS HAVING A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering For The Sake Of The Savior Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Oct 18, 2015

Why must we suffer for doing what is right?

Suffering For The Sake Of The Savior I Peter 3:13-22 Back in April Noman Masih, a 14-year-old Pakistani boy was burned alive by a group of Muslim youths, he later died from his injuries. Noman was targeted because he admitted that he was a Christian. Before he died he said "I have neither enemies, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering: Why? Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Oct 19, 2015

One man's attempt to unravel the Scriptural reasons for suffering, especially the suffering of the people of God. Not an easy task.

SUFFERING, per the BIBLE Another man’s attempt to figure it out… It’s not as easy as we are led to believe. We get sick and right away someone tells us we are being judged of God. Maybe. Another person gets sick, and he is told there is no spiritual significance to the illness. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stand Against The Bullies!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 11, 2016

All bullies have their day, but we must react differently than the bullies though we stand up to them.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Matthew 5:11 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Good Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 6, 2017

Trusting God for the good as well as the bad in life, because He will achieve His purpose for the ultimate good in our lives.

Reading the story of the life of David, from the beginning (1 Samuel) until now (end of 2 Samuel), is like reading a man going through a Christian boot camp. • David went through a lot, to be where God wants him to be and do what God wants him to do. God was training His servant. • David went ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living As Exiles - Embracing Our Weirdness

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jan 19, 2017

What we believe and what we practice as those who are in Christ is strange to the world. Let's embrace it

Living as Exiles – Embracing our Weirdness TCF Sermon January 3, 2016 Does anybody really make New Year’s resolutions anymore? It can be a helpful exercise, but for many of us, they just end up being a to-do list for the next week or two, that quickly falls by the wayside in the face of everyday ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20-32, Romans 12:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational