Martyrs on SermonAudio

This sermon introduces the book of Jude as a critical 'battlefield letter' for the last days, urging believers to earnestly contend for the faith against rising apostasy. The speaker traces the historical and theological context of Jude, highlighting his identity as a humble servant of Christ and his connection to the early church leadership, including his brother James. Key themes include the danger of false teachers who pervert grace into licentiousness, illustrated by biblical examples such as Israel, Sodom, and Korah. The message emphasizes a dual mandate: to defend the truth with conviction while simultaneously exercising compassion to rescue those caught in deception. The sermon concludes with the assurance that God preserves believers from falling, enabling them to stand faultless before His glory with exceeding joy. Questions: Why is Jude called a battlefield letter for the last days? What does Jude mean by "earnestly contend for the faith"? Was Jude the half-brother of Jesus? Why does Jude call himself a servant of Jesus instead of His brother? When did James and Jude become believers in Jesus? Was Antiochus Epiphanes a prototype of the Antichrist? What does Jude teach about apostasy in the last days? How should Christians contend for truth without losing compassion for people? What does "some have compassion, making a difference" mean in Jude 22? What does "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling" mean? Did the resurrection change Jesus' brothers from unbelievers into believers? Why did the risen Jesus personally appear to James? How did James the brother of Jesus die? How did Jude the brother of Jesus die? Was Jude's real name Judas?

The devotional explores the redemptive purpose of severe opposition, illustrating how persecution, far from hindering the gospel, often accelerates its spread. Drawing from the experiences of Paul and Barnabas, it highlights how suffering led to the expansion of the Christian message into new regions, demonstrating that faithful endurance under trial becomes a powerful witness. The preacher emphasizes that the courage and Christlike response of believers under pressure can transform observers, as seen in the historical accounts of martyrs in Rome whose faith moved onlookers to belief. It also reflects on the privilege of accessing Scripture today, underscoring that this access was secured through immense sacrifice, including martyrdom, by those who risked everything to translate and preserve God's Word. Ultimately, the message affirms that when believers respond to opposition with grace and steadfastness, they reveal the transformative power of Christ, turning hardship into a vessel of divine purpose.

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on the public reading of Scripture as an element of worship, not a prelude to the sermon. Arguing that worship includes the whole gathering—call to worship, reading, preaching, singing, prayer, sacraments, and benediction as God-appointed means of grace (per Thomas Vincent and Confession of Faith 22. 5)—he laments that sola scriptura churches often read little Bible aloud and calls for services "swimming in the Bible. " He grounds this in 1 Timothy 4:13 ("the reading" with exhortation and doctrine, as in Acts 13:15; 15:21), Colossians 4:16 and 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (epistles written for public reading), Revelation 1:3's blessing, and Old Testament covenant assemblies (Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Joshua 8), reinforced by Justin Martyr and Tertullian. Theologically, reading is God's covenantal address, identity-forming for the church (Philip Towner), and a means of grace effective through faith, not ex opere operato. Drawing on the Westminster Larger Catechism and Ligon Duncan, he calls hearers to listen with reverent esteem (Isaiah 66:2), conviction it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16–17), humility seeking illumination (2 Corinthians 3; Emmaus), and desire to obey (Psalm 119), with Samuel's receptive "Speak, Lord" posture. Practically, he urges a maximalist lectio continua approach—sequential readings from both testaments—by readers with clear pacing, enunciation, and no interspersed human commentary (OPC BCO), calling congregations to receive the reading as God's direct address with diligence, reverence, and awe.

Revelation 14:1–13 is significant because it presents the Lamb, Jesus Christ, standing victoriously with His redeemed people, contrasting their faithfulness with the rebellion and judgment of those who follow the world and oppose God. The 144,000 represent those who belong to Christ, bearing His name, following Him faithfully, and remaining spiritually pure amid temptation and persecution. The three angelic proclamations warn against worshiping the beast and receiving his mark, announce Babylon's fall, and declare the certainty of God's judgment upon those who persist in rebellion. In the context of "The Lamb's Victory Over Temptations, Transgressors, And Those Who Remain True," the passage reminds believers that Christ has already secured the ultimate victory and calls His people to remain steadfast, obedient, and faithful to Him regardless of worldly pressure. The passage concludes with a profound encouragement to persevere: those who die in the Lord are blessed because their faithful works follow them, while the wicked ultimately face God's righteous judgment.

Jesus in Gethsemane doesn't face death like the calm, steady martyrs, because he isn't dying as an example to follow but as a substitute bearing the full weight of God's wrath. Abandoned by sleeping friends and greatly distressed in his soul, he brings his anguish honestly to the Father and resolves to endure it anyway. The garden isn't mainly a lesson in how to suffer well; it's a window into how far his love went for people who would go on to betray and desert him.

Further Reach of Christ's Reign

This sermon examines the character and conflict surrounding Stephen in Acts chapter 6, highlighting his spiritual maturity as a man full of wisdom, faith, the Holy Spirit, grace, and power. The preacher contrasts Stephen's godly countenance with the violent opposition from religious leaders who accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God. By drawing parallels between Stephen's trial and that of Jesus Christ, the message emphasizes that persecution is an inevitable result of living a godly life in a hostile world. The text underscores the necessity of prayer and the ministry of the word as the foundation for developing such spiritual strength. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to trust God with the consequences of their witness, following Stephen's example of unwavering faith even unto death.

Text: 6:8-15 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: This Sunday we begin a mini-series in the middle of the larger series of Acts. Over the next several weeks we will see the character, sermon, and martyrdom of Stephen. As he came face to face with persecution and death, he was able to stare back because he was full of the grace and power of God. This same power is available to all God's people in Jesus Christ, through whom we, like Stephen, will overcome the world.

Martyrs Memorial.

From the Free Grace Broadcaster, the words of a 17th century Puritan martyr on the subject this quarter: Predestination.

Grace Covenant Baptist Church is a Reformed Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. We are a confessional church subscribing to the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. We adhere to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation; Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria. Find more information about or listen to past sermons from Grace Covenant Baptist Church at https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gcbcwm/

Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 09/4/2026) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in a future show. Topics Include: What Does "The Son of God," and "The Son of Man" mean, as relates to Jesus?/ Why Do Mormons Believe There Was a Need to "Restore" The Gospel?/ Dying for Our Faith, Without Denying Christ//Were Women ever Crucified?/Matt Discusses Foxe's Book of Martyrs/ End-Time Islamic Prophecies?/ September 4, 2026

Imaginary or Exaggerated Sufferings Some suffering is very real. But how often do pride, self-pity, fear, and ingratitude cause us to imagine suffering that isn't there, or exaggerate the trials that are? Eve focused on the one thing withheld instead of God's abundance. She imagined herself deprived and abused. Elijah believed he alone was left. Jacob cried, "All these things are against me," when God was actually working for his deliverance. And there are many other examples. Modern culture can make this worse: correction becomes "abuse," disagreement becomes "gaslighting," discomfort becomes "unsafe," and ordinary hardships become "trauma." The Bible gives another way: humility, sobriety, faith, and thanksgiving. In earlier generations, many Christian families regularly read the Bible together, along with accounts of the sufferings and sacrifices of Christians found in works such as "Foxe's Book of Martyrs." Such examples helped put ordinary trials into perspective and guarded against whining, self-pity, and imaginary or exaggerated sufferings. But today's modern religion of psychology and self-help - so often encouraging or increasing a victimhood mentality - can pour gas on the flames of pride and self-pity!

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on the biblical foundation for Sunday worship, arguing that the Lord's Day is the Christian Sabbath—a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment rooted in the creation ordinance of Genesis 2:1-3, where God rested and sanctified the seventh day as a pattern for mankind. Citing Revelation 1:10 and Mark 2:27, he explains that this day was sovereignly changed to the first day of the week after Christ's resurrection, and Jesus affirmed the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The one-in-seven pattern is embedded in the moral law (Exodus 20:8-11), making it binding for all ages, while the specific day changed from Saturday to Sunday, evidenced by New Testament practices (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) and early church writings like the Didache and Justin Martyr. The term "Lord's Day" parallels the "Lord's Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20) as something belonging to Christ, and the change is grounded in Christ's resurrection appearances on the first day (Matthew 28:1, John 20:19, 26), signifying a positive apostolic appointment that transforms the fourth commandment to commemorate new creation without abolishing its weekly rhythm. The application is that Christians must observe Sunday as a day of cessation from secular work and recreation, dedicated to public and private worship, refreshment, and doing good, continuing until Christ returns, and must ask how to sanctify and devote this day to God.

The sermon exhorts believers to embrace the cost of discipleship by denying themselves and taking up their cross, contrasting the temporary comforts of the world with eternal rewards. It highlights the critical importance of daily Bible engagement for spiritual health, citing statistics on biblical illiteracy and promoting audio Bibles to reach those who cannot read. Through harrowing accounts of missionaries martyred in Peru, the message illustrates that true faith often involves suffering and sacrifice rather than ease or prestige. The preacher warns against the temptation to seek a pain-free Christian life, noting that even Peter was rebuked for desiring glory without suffering. The true story of a kidnapped missionary, Kevin Rideout, in Niger was relayed. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as the only path to eternal life, urging them to live out their faith with urgency and devotion.

What does it mean to truly love Jesus Christ? In a culture where Christianity can easily become comfortable, convenient, and merely outward, 1 Peter calls us back to something deeper: a living faith in Jesus Christ that produces love, conviction, perseverance, and joy. "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him." Peter wrote to believers who had never physically seen Christ, yet they loved Him, trusted Him, and rejoiced in Him—even in the midst of suffering. Their faith was not built upon comfort or convenience, but upon the living Christ. This sermon challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we love Christ Himself, or simply identify as Christian? Has comfort become more important to us than conviction? Would Jesus Christ still be enough if our possessions, relationships, health, security, and worldly comforts were taken away? Are we willing to follow Christ when faithfulness comes with a cost? Through the example of English martyr John Rogers and the teaching of Scripture, we are reminded that love for Christ is not merely an emotion or an intellectual confession. True love for Christ changes what we treasure, how we respond to suffering, how we view sin, and how we live before God. The world will disappoint us. People will leave us. Possessions will fade. Entertainment will become empty. Our bodies will become fragile. But Jesus Christ remains. If you are searching for a Christianity rooted not in cultural expectations or religious tradition, but in the authority of Scripture and the glory of Jesus Christ, this message invites you to look again at the Savior who gave Himself completely for His people. "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him." — 1 Peter

The martyrs are before the throne of the Lord crying out for knowledge of God's judgment. These martyrs are most likely all those killed for Christ from the beginning of the world into the Tribulation period.

Our apologies! There have been problems processing the video that goes with this. This Bible Study continues to examine three lesser-known apostles listed in Acts 1 to illustrate the importance of divine calling and corporate unity within the church. The speaker emphasizes that God calls every believer, regardless of their visibility or prominence, to fulfill His will through faithful service. By analyzing the collective actions of the apostles in Acts, the text highlights how diverse members working together as a team advance the Gospel globally. The message challenges listeners to prioritize faithfulness over personal recognition, noting that unknown believers contribute significantly to the spread of Christianity. Ultimately, the sermon encourages active participation in local church ministries and support for missionaries as essential components of a life that honors God.

3:24 Could you explain what Gog and Magog are? 7:07 Are we living in the Millennium when Satan is let out to deceive the nations? 11:55 Is Jesus lesser than the Father since Jesus was given all authority from the Father? 22:13 What does Jesus mean in John 14:16 that he is going to send a helper? 28:13 Do the martyred saints in Revelation 6:11 have glorified bodies to wear the white robes? 30:56 Will there be a fake Ark of the Covenant when the world submits to the antichrist? 33:10 Is the book Run Over by the Grace Train by Joby Martin okay to read? 34:21 Is there a difference between being a Christian and being saved? 36:15 Can Roman Catholics be saved? 37:58 What are the main differences between Roman Catholics and Baptists and Non-Denominational Christians? 41:18 Mormons consider themselves Christians, why aren't they? 46:27 Can you give advice to Christian men who desire to meet and marry a Christian woman? 51:31 I care for husband with dementia, is it appropriate to lie or withhold information to spare him confusion? 53:38 Did the Holy Spirit indwell Old Testament believers like New Testament believers?

The sermon explores the virtue of Christian courage through five biblical archetypes: the disciple, prophet, philosopher, warrior, and martyr. Using John the Baptist as a central example of a 'burning and shining' light, the text argues for an authentic faith that combines inward spiritual fervor with outward moral witness. It warns against modern anti-intellectualism and reliance on technology or authority for thought, urging believers to think critically according to Scripture. The message emphasizes engaging in spiritual, ideological, and physical battles using the armor of God described in Ephesians 6. Ultimately, it calls Christians to emulate Christ's perfect courage by loving God's glory above personal safety and remaining faithful even unto death.

(1) Israel Watch 8/5/26: We continue to watch the Iran War as the Iranian Islamist Regime continues murdering it's own people. Meanwhile, Israel continues hunting down and destroy those involved in the October 7th, 2023 attacks. And Global Antisemitism grows with a Islamist-Marxist Abdul El-Sayed is nominated for the Senate in the state of Michigan. (2) We urge Ohioans to Vote YES on Issue 3 this November and explain why. (3) Last Days Apostasy on display at Kenneth Copeland's "Southwest Believers Conference" featuring arch-heretick and unhealed "healer" Bill Johnson claiming that speaking "God's words" (not Scripture but personal revelations, etc.) out of our mouths is as powerful as Jesus speaking out of His mouth." And Benny Hinn rebukes us for rebuking heretics. (4) And a funny thing... A glimpse of the Millennial Kingdom as a dog and chicken play together with no foul play. https://bbfohio.com

This week on Wheat Among the Tares, we feature one of our programs in the series, "Those Who Gave Their Lives". We focus on the account of the martyrdom of Anne Askew, one of only two women that were tortured in the Tower of London in the days of Henry VIII, and eventually was burned at the stake in Smithfield in July 1546 at the age of 25 years old. Join us for the story of this remarkable woman and her faith...