Sermons on African Persecution:

Opposition From Without (Acts 5) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

THis is a study the waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts.

INTRODUCTION: History of Opposition without: There were about 10 waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts. Nero (54-68) Domitian (81-90) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Decius (249-251) thousands died for refusing to sacrifice to the imperial ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:19-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Letter To The Smyrna Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Persecution is to be expected by the godly and enduring persecution can bring great spiritual good.

Verse 8 – Jesus introduces Himself as being “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and has come to life.” The importance of this particular self-designation to the Smyrna Church of Christ will be seen when we have studied the challenges facing this congregation. Verse 9 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Is Jesus-Jesus Is Here

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Apr 15, 2014

When we recognize the presence of Jesus, it produces a change. To have the presence of Jesus is to be willing to endure rejection and persecution.

Where Is Jesus—Jesus Is Here Luke 22:47-22:62 4/13/2013 Palm Sunday OT Zech 9:9-10 Luke 19:28-48 If someone were to run up to ask you and say, “where Is Jesus.” What would you say. How many would say, what on earth is wrong with you? He’s seated at the right hand of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 38 – We Look At The Beginning Of Complaints – Inheritance Has Been Lost - Chapter 5:1-2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 24, 2025

Pleading with God to remember, is what Jeremiah fell back to, and this persevering prayer is examined. Reproach overtook the people as they lost everything and were despised. Today we see the same in so many African nations where believers suffer for Christ. A touching message.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 38 – WE LOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF COMPLAINTS – INHERITANCE HAS BEEN LOST - CHAPTER 5:1-2 Chapter 4 has ended and we saw some absolutely horrible things that were happening because the people were downtrodden by Babylon and persecuted by the Edomites. Their ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1, Luke 18:1-8, Matthew 7:7-8, Lamentations 3:61, Hebrews 11:25-26, Lamentations 5:2, Hebrews 10:32-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More To Being A Christian Series

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 8, 2003

A look at the persecuted church

A study of the Book of Revelation < The persecuted Church> #5 Rev. 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Apr 8, 2003

The church under persecution

Growing Pains Acts 5:12-25 Jeff Hughes – April 6, 2003 Calvary Chapel Aggieland I. Introduction a. The church at Jerusalem was going through many changes. Thousands of people had accepted Jesus as their Savior and become a part of the fellowship. These people were one big community of believers, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul's Pain

Contributed by Jordan Wirkkala on Dec 12, 2007

Finding purpose in persecution

Paul’s Pain: Finding purpose in persecution -I went snowboarding for the first time and got hurt pretty bad with all of the constant falling. My wife snowboards and I was hoping to get a little compassion. She would have except for the fact that she could not stop laughing at me. -The pain that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Seven, Part 8

Contributed by David Taylor on Jan 9, 2014

Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted

The Seven, part 8 Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted Revelation 2:8-11 July 7, 2013 Review: We have seen that the Revelation was written to address specific issues with seven churches in Asia Minor at the end of the first century. We saw in chapter one that John describes a portrait of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Addressing The Council (Acts 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 12, 2025

Persecution from within.

Were many Jews in Jerusalem unwilling to accept Paul’s teaching about Jesus? Have many churches repented of doctrinal error or stubbornly hardened their hearts? Let’s review Acts 23. Did Paul speak plainly to the Jewish Council in Jerusalem? Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

More About The Apostles Life Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Feb 14, 2017

Fear not. Persecution promised. Murder promised. God will be with them (YOU).

I. Introduction A. We live in a small town where we have a volunteer Ambulance Corp. We are blessed with many dedicated and fully qualified attendants, who staff our ambulances and give freely of themselves. I was chatting with one of the EMS responders one day and she could hardly stifle a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Baptist

Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Jesus Christ - Part 8 Of 8 Series

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Apr 2, 2010

Part 8 of 8 on the Beattitudes.

The Perfect Standard For Life Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Christ - Part 8 of 8 Reading: Matthew 5v10-12 As we look at this final Beatitude, we come to a very strange contradiction, because it talks about the relationship between persecution and joy. It’s like saying, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Beginning Of Pains (Persecution & Preaching) - Mark 13:9-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 13, 2024

Jesus shows us how every time you are mistreated, it is a golden opportunity … if you read the situation through the lenses of spiritual insight.

Mark 13:9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.11 Whenever you are arrested and brought ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-18

Following In Jesus' Footsteps Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Apr 7, 2006

As Christ’s followers WE should expect persecution and many believers are being persecuted today.

“Following in Jesus’ Footsteps” John 15: 18 – 25; 16: 1 – 4a; Acts 5: 41, 42 Introduction Nov. 26, 2005: Canadians Jim Loney, 41, and Harmeet Sooden, 32, and Briton Norman Kember, 74, and American Tom Fox, 54, all Christian peacekeepers, are kidnapped in Baghdad by a group calling itself Swords ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Opposition And The Work Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 5, 2017

It's Jesus' final evening with his disciples, empty dishes are on the table, feet have been washed, and one of them has gone. But two things have kept recurring in Jesus' conversation. He's leaving. And they must remain connected to the Holy Spirit.

Sermon by Rev Ruth Newmarch After the happiness of Steph and Nic's wedding yesterday, its hard to hear about suffering for our faith. But if you think about it, hardship is mentioned even in the wedding service, 'for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health...'. In today's passage, it is ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Call To Christian Advocacy For Good Governance And Sustainable Development In Africa

Contributed by Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong Kwabena on Apr 5, 2019

Church leaders must pay attention to Christian Advocacy Ministry.

THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN ADVOCACY FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA THE BIBLE, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ADVOCACY The new nation Israel was given instruction about governance, power and justice. The Lord instructed them, ‘you shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed