Sermons on Worldly Pressures:

Persecution - What's A Christian To Do?

Contributed by David Simpson on Aug 18, 2014

Persecution of Christians is occurring all around the world. Even in America, some Christians are being pressured and criticized. What is the Christian response to persecution?

Sermon Lanier Christian Church August 17, 2014 David Simpson Persecution - What's a Christian to do? Matthew 5:38-45/1 Peter 4:12-19 Christians have made the news this past week...not for recognizing their noble service...but for suffering...for persecution. Christians in northern ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian Church

Seeking Clear Hearts

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 30, 2004

Relationships are very difficult with the pressure of today’s incredible pace of life. Jesus’ command is that we keep our relationships honest and loving.

Seeking Clear Hearts December 26, 2004 would like to invite you to look at the chart which was handed out. It is rather simple, but helps us all understand how God would have us treat each other when disagreements arise. Please note, I did not say “if” disagreements arise, but “when”. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-18

Denomination: United Methodist

The Foreigner Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 27, 2022

Imagining Jezebel's story - a woman who clung to her power and her gods in the face of enormous pressure. Are the two connected?

My name is Jezebel. I am a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Eshbaal, King of Sidon and the Queen of Israel, the strongest nation in the world from Assyria to Egypt. My father Eshbaal gave me in marriage to Ahab of Israel to strengthen the alliance between our two countries, because although we ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Guarding Our Huddle Time Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Jan 24, 2013

When a married couple has this regular huddle time, they can handle the day’s pressures with calm and confidence. Why is this?

Peacemakers of the Heart Guarding our Huddle Time Introduction: 1. We are commanded to pursue peace (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:10-11). God intended for His children to live a peaceful and sane lifestyle. 1 Timothy 2:2 • Read Psalm 23 2. But if this is to become a reality, we must put in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Bible Church

Prayer Under Fire PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 9, 2024

This sermon explores Daniel's example of perseverance in prayer, power of consecration, and persistence under pressure, encouraging us to apply these lessons in our lives.

Good morning, church family! It's such a joy to gather together in this sacred space, united by our shared love for God and our desire to become more like Christ. There is a certain kind of warmth that comes from being in the company of fellow believers, isn't there? A warmth that is as comforting ...read more

Topics: Prayer, Consecration

Marriage Busters Series

Contributed by Norayr Hajian on Mar 31, 2008

Why is it that the divorce rate in the church is not any better than those outside the church? This message looks at the worldly mindsets that destroy a marriage in or out of the church.

An Associated Press story printed 10 days ago on Valentine’s Day reported a woman who had just celebrated her 50th anniversary. While that is commendable in itself, what made the story unusual was the fact that all 6 of her older siblings had also been married 50 years or more. Collectively, these ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Nazarene

Week 1: Why Bad Things Happen To Good People Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 23, 2021

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure...

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure. We face peer ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The Guiding Principles Of Ministry-Service And Love

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 17, 2021

Jesus honored God by always serving others and loving the kingdom of God. All of us will face tremendous pressure from within and without. Our greatest challenge will be responding in such a way that God is glorified.

Recently I watched a documentary called "The Fake Famous." It highlighted three average “Joes” who manipulate social media by purchasing followers, manipulating algorithms and other technics designed to fool people into believing they were famous and trend setters. Since ministry has gone ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Methodist

Walk In Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 3, 2025

We live in the midst of a rapidly changing culture, one that has no desire for that which is righteous and holy. The church is being pressured to abandon the truths of Scripture in order to conform to the dictates of the culture.

Walk in Righteousness Ephesians 5: 3-7 In our last study, Paul admonished believers to follow the Lord, literally being imitators of God. In order to accomplish such an enormous task, we must walk in the love of Christ the Lord. Those who are purposefully following the Lord and walking in the love ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Laodicea: The Complacent Church PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 21, 2025

Jesus lovingly calls us to reject complacency, pursue genuine relationship with Him, and value what truly matters over worldly success or self-sufficiency.

There’s a kindness in the way Jesus speaks to us. He doesn’t holler from across the street; He knocks at the front door. He doesn’t shove His way into our living rooms; He stands and waits, like the Friend you can trust with the tender truth. You can almost hear the hinge creak as you reach for the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Topics: Vibrancy, Complacency, Church

That I Might Know Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Understand and embrace the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, recognizing that all worldly gains are insignificant in comparison and that our ultimate goal should be to know and serve God.

Good morning, family! We've got some deeply enriching spiritual food to dig into today. We're going to take a deep dive into Philippians 3:7-11. Now these verses remind us of a truth that Watchman Nee once expressed so well, "May the things of this world so lose their power over us that we do not ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Topics: Life's Goal, Christ

Called To Be Holy Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Sep 30, 2011

When life gets tough, the pressure is to compromise your faith walk, but the Bible makes clear that Because we are redeemed children of God, we are to live holy lives.

CALLED TO BE HOLY 1 PETER 1:13-25 Because we are redeemed children of God, we are to live holy lives. INTRODUCTION I was listening to a radio talk show. The topic was how a young man was taking his Catholic high school to court for forbidding him from taking his gay boyfriend to the graduation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Applying Surrender Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Oct 1, 2014

Surrender, Unity, Fighting, The Church

LIFE APP – Applying Surrender James 4:1-12 (p. 848) October 5, 2014 Introduction: In my ministry life I’ve spent a great deal of time talking to people who couldn’t or wouldn’t see any reason to be a part of God’s family, the Church. Almost always ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worship: The Creator Or His Creatures

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 9, 2009

Idolaters worship the things God made rather than God Himself. Is there anything you feel you cannot live without? Is there any priority greater than God? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does God take first place? Do you wor

Opening illustration: Video depicting idol worship (downloaded and edited to reduce duration) ~ puts shame to our worship of the living God. Let us turn to Romans 1 and check out the kind of worship Paul was talking to the Romans about. Apparently this kind of worship was not new, it had gone on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Careful What You Wish For

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 24, 2015

Sometimes we leave God out of our desires and plans. We must always go to God for guidance, especially when we face life’s challenges. Our desire to imitate the world may seem righteous at first, but it will result in destruction.

How many of you have wanted something that someone else has? Well, you’re not alone. Envy and coveting have been around since the beginning of time. One of the Ten Commandments even says, “You shall not covet…” It’s too bad that the Israelites and the elders in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4-20

Denomination: Anglican