Sermons on The Rewards Of The Persecuted:

God Isn’t Fair

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2023

God isn’t fair. God is lavish. Everything is a gift, including our lives, whether short or long.

Do you remember the Palm Sunday five years ago when twin suicide bombings took place in Egypt? One was at St. George’s Church in the Nile delta, and the other was at Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, the seat of the Coptic papacy. It’s one of the oldest Christian communities in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Gentle Jesus Meek And And Mild? Really

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 16, 2025

Jesus obviously had not read Dale Carnegie's book "How to make friends and influence people" He hated hypocrisy and called it as it was even if it meant offending the Jewish religious hierarchy

Lk 12:49-56: Gentle Jesus meek and mild? You will probably recall that famous Anglican hymn writer Charles Wesley’s hymn that start with the words “Gentle Jesus meek and mild” I have a great respect for John and Charles Wesley but I would have to say You have to be kidding - as we see in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Anglican

Saul - Paul Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 7, 2025

The most defining experience of your life will be touching/encountering Jesus.

(All Scripture quoted in this lesson is from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted). A. INTRODUCTION: SAUL PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1. Saul was a successful failure. He was going to top of the religious ladder. “Paul was better qualified than all the legalists . . . the best of all . . . born ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Discipleship Is Costly

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Sep 2, 2025

Discipleship is not casual—it’s costly. But the reward is Christ Himself.

Discipleship Is Costly August 31, 2025, Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Discipleship is not casual—it’s costly. But the reward is Christ Himself. Focus Passage: Matthew 16:24-27 Introduction: When I was a kid, I wanted to play the piano. My mom got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Endure For The Gospel

Contributed by Charles Mallory on May 27, 2022

Using Jeremiah's struggle "not to quit" during a period of frustration, persecution, and exhaustion, we can learn to stand firm in adversity and allow God to empower us to keep living out and proclaiming the Gospel.

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR FAITH AND ESPECIALLY MINISTERING IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, IT STILL CAN MAKE US CRINGE, IF NOT BRISTLE INSIDE, WHEN WE HEAR OTHERS DEMAND THAT WE BE MORE TOLERANT, SENSITIVE, PROGRESSIVE AND INCLUSIVE. THE WORLD IS NO DIFFERENT TODAY THAN IT HAS BEEN FOR PAST SOCIETIES, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Chronicles 20:15-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 7: Obeying The Truth

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 13, 2021

Never underestimate the power of true love.

1 Peter 1:22-25 Introduction As we have seen, Peter is concerned how the believers should conduct their lives in a world that was becoming increasingly hostile to Christians. Peter emphasizes the conduct of individual believers as well as the conduct of the church as a whole. He also emphasizes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

There's No Stopping The Mission Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jan 13, 2007

Stephen had just been stoned, and the church again is faced with persecution but to the extreme order. They the church was being persecuted by the persecutor of persecutors, a man by the name of Saul.

THERE’S NO STOPPING THE MISSION Acts 8:1-4 There is a story told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that happens as being (positive or negative) remarking for the positive “This is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Unto Death Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011

Part 2 of 7 in our summer series exploring the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Today's message takes a deeper look at the testimony of the church at Smyrna.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of Americans know very little about SUFFERING for the FAITH. The letter to the church at Smyrna is a reminder that God does not simply offer His ADVICE. God offers His COMPANIONSHIP. about Smyrna... Only one of the seven cities still in existence (modern Izmir, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Having Confidence Always

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 30, 2005

In our Christian life there are many issues that test us and cause us to stumble. Sometimes they even have the ability to make us lose our confidence in God. In this passage we are shown how to keep our confidence in difficult circumstances.

Hebrews 10:32-39 Having Confidence Always Scripture Readings:- 1 Peter 4:12-19 Hebrews 10:32-39 Congregation in the Lord Jesus Christ, Have you ever been involved in a “remember the good old days” discussion? That is one of those discussions where you sit with your parents or grandparents and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Your Ground

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 27, 2005

examining persecution and what we are called to do when we face it.

Stand your Ground – Heb 10:32-39 Gladstone Baptist Church – 12/9/04 pm Read From Jesus Freak p. 167 - Tsehay Tolessa - Ethiopia circa 1980s "They forced my hands under my knees and tied them there. Then they put a stick through these ropes and hung me upside down. They filled my mouth with dirty ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Baptist

Failure Not Final Sermon Vi: Why Would Anyone Go From Persecutor To Persecuted Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Since many folks in our culture appear to be consumed by hatred - much of it aimed at, but some of it by, Christians - we would be wise to review our Lord's confrontation with and transformation of Paul.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO FROM PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED? You knew that any focus on the theme Failure Is Not Final with the Father had to get around to the persecutor who became the persecuted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-20

Love Your Enemies And Be Perfect! Or ( No One Is Perfect? )

Contributed by Brian B on Dec 8, 2012

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, This sermon highlights some of the things that are expected of those who would be a part of God’s kingdom. Loving your enemies is but one of the things that Jesus commands us to do in a list of things that are are imp

Works Cited/Consulted include J Vernon Magee, Holman Commentary, College Press NIV commentary, various sermon central illustrations, as well as Bible and personal observations. Slides available upon request... brianbyers@live.com Opening Scripture Slide… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Final Words Bring Eternal Perspective Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 19, 2024

Final Words Bring Eternal Perspective Series: Fan the Flame (2 Timothy) Brad Bailey – February 18, 2024

Final Words Bring Eternal Perspective Series: Fan the Flame (2 Timothy) Brad Bailey – February 18, 2024 Intro We are continuing is a series… allowing God to speak to us from the Biblical Book called 2 Timothy… chapter 4… verses 1-8. Coming to the final words in the final letter of the Apostle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Matthew 5 - Part 9 - Ever Been Criticised And Abused For Being A Christian? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 29, 2009

Unfortunately for many Christians, compromise is easier than being criticised and no-one would ever know that they are Christians, or if they do know, they are disappointed by the kind of example that is given.

Matthew 5 - Part 8 - Have you ever been criticised and abused for being a Christian? One of my jobs some years ago was working with disabled people. I remember working with a young Christian woman and my job was teaching her how to read. She would readily share her faith to others and I enjoyed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Believes Series

Contributed by John Bugg on Nov 5, 2001

Faith believes that God exists and that He is a rewarder

FAITH BELIEVES Hebrews 11:5-6 Introduction One morning this week, I had an unusual experience. I woke up laughing. I literally woke myself up laughing. Later in the week I was visiting with a lawyer friend of mine and told him about it. He asked me a great question: ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:5-6

Denomination: Baptist