Tag: persecution
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Daniel, The Lion’s Den and True Bravery Today (Daniel 6)
It’s one of the Bible’s most famous stories. But this is an invitation to hear it again as if for the first time. It’s not a fairytale; it’s about a real person in real danger — and has real applications for us today. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode), explores Daniel 6. True…
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The “Even If” Faith of the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)
Daniel’s friends refused to compromise. As a result, the tyrant threatened to throw them into a fiery furnace. But they would rather die faithfully than live falsely. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks Daniel 3. It is an invitation to have an “even if” kind of faith today.
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Who are you when absolutely everything is stripped away? (Daniel 1)
Abject calamity. As a youth he was taken, had his named changed, saw his city pillaged, was (probably) castrated, and trained to serve the King who had taken so much from him. What would you do in that situation? This sermon on Daniel 1 is Part 1 in a series on the book of Daniel.
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![When the world hates you because of your faith [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sermon-graphics-and-titles-8.png?w=1024)
When the world hates you because of your faith [Sermon]
Jesus said that the world would hate them. It would also persecute them. That’s serious stuff, both then and now. This sermon explores John 15:18 – 16:4 and offers 5 responses to increasing hostility.
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![Fickle or Faithful [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sermon-sunday-titles-4.png?w=1024)
Fickle or Faithful [Sermon]
Crowds can be fickle. One day they’re yelling “Hosanna!” to Jesus and a few days later they’re crying “Crucify him!” Where are we in the mix? Are we fickle, or faithful? That’s what this Palm Sunday sermon explores with John 12:12-19, along with four practical helps toward faithfulness.
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![Faithfulness is never wasted [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/fasting-11.png?w=1024)
Faithfulness is never wasted [Sermon]
Just because you can’t see the fruit of your labour, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Faithfulness is never wasted. That’s what I explore in this sermon about Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 6:8 – 7:60.
