Sermons on African Persecution:

Smyrna: Grace Under Fire Series

Contributed by David Gauthier on Jun 22, 2001

Jesus Himself identifies with the persecuted church, and offers His grace and words of comfort.

Intro: The Persecuted Church · A prominent national leader in the unregistered Protestant house church movement in China was executed Oct. 14, 1999 by firing squad. · Chechen militants kidnapped a young Baptist deacon and are demanding that his church sell its building and use the money to pay ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

24.4 Peace Is Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 8, 2007

In part four of 24 Jesus discusses the strange link between happiness and Persecution.

24.4 Peace Is The year was 1938, the date was October 6th the place was London England, the speaker was Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and this was the message “We should seek by all means in our power to avoid war, by analyzing possible causes, by trying to remove them, by discussion in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Be A Man Of Purity Even In The Time Of Difficulty

Contributed by Carl Palatino on Aug 11, 2011

Trials, persecution, and danger are only bumps that we climb on to for our spiritual growth.

BE A MAN OF PURITY EVEN IN THE TIME OF DIFFICULTY II Timothy 3:1-5 Introduction: In the last days - The time of the gospel dispensation, commencing at the time of our Lord's death, is peculiarly styled the last days would grievous, troublesome and dangerous. According to Webster time is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

He Lifts Us Up

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 24, 2018

When we are pressed down, perplexed and persecuted, God lifts us up

“He Lifts Us Up!” 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 David P. Nolte Christian people should never be sad or depressed. Christian people should live problem free lives. Christian people should have no failure. Yeah! Right! In a perfect world, ok. But this is a broken, corrupted, dying world where ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Touching The Cloak

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mrs. Thora Mohler, a long-time member of our mostly African-American Baptist church, but proud of her Swedish Lutheran heritage, and devoted to certain tasks in the life of our church.

Anyone who ever counted money with Thora Mohler will tell you that she was a woman with a determination to get things right. She would not let go until she had the right answer. On Mondays, Mrs. Mohler, until recent months, was one of those faithful behind-the-scenes workers our church has, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Our Spiritual Checkup Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 15, 2012

AS WE CONTINUE IN OUR SERIES IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, WE ARE FIRMLY ENTRENCHED IN THE LIFE OF PHILIP. AS WE HAVE NOTED PREVIOUSLY THE ONSET OF THE MINISTRY OF PHILIP WAS THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH. PERSECUTION TO THE EXTENT THAT GENTILE BELIEVERS WERE FO

OUR SPIRITUAL CHECKUP PROPOSITION: INWARD EXAMINATION PROMOTES OUTWARD GODLY INTENTION Acts 8:9-25 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Songs Of Ascent – Part 11 – Psalm 129 – Israel Is The Most Persecuted Nation In History Yet The Lord Is Righteous – Part One Of Three Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

This Psalm of Ascent has its focus on Israel and the constant persecution it endured. We look at the role churches played in this persecution (and Martin Luther). History must NOT be eradicated but we need to learn from it.

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 11 – PSALM 129 – ISRAEL IS THE MOST PERSECUTED NATION IN HISTORY YET THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS – PART ONE OF THREE [A]. THE INTRODUCTION The next Psalm in the Songs of Ascent is not an easy one on which to deliver a message as it is more of a bible study Psalm. Also it ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:16-17, Psalm 129:1-8, Deuteronomy 4:25-28, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Psalm 129:2, Genesis 12:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Digging Deep And Leaning In Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 13, 2023

This sermon is about how to live a vibrant and positive life in the face of Persecution using St. Polycarp and the Smyrna Church as models.

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11; John 15:18-20 Theme: Digging Deep and Leaning In This sermon is about how to live a vibrant and positive life in the face of Persecution using St. Polycarp and the Smyrna Church as models. INTRO: Grace and peace in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, John 15:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:12, Ephesians 6:10-11, Acts 4:23-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

When The Going Gets Tough Love Gets Going Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on May 20, 2007

Living a life of love in the midst of unimaginable persecution. If this is the message to these Christians who are under unimaginable persecution, then what is the message for us living in a free society; and how much more does God expect from us as a re

When the Going Gets tough Love Gets Going 1 Peter 1:22-2:2 (Key Center, Verse 1:22) How Do You Love 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. Exegesis: You obeyed the truth and are now ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Call For Endurance

Contributed by D Marion Clark on May 22, 2017

What do we do in the face of persecution? We endure; we keep the faith. This is the message of Revelation. Whatever comes – and every type of persecution and deception will come – remain faithful to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rev 12:1-13:18 A Call for Endurance 5/21/17 D. Marion Clark Introduction When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whatever Happens Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 22, 2020

Whatever happens Christians should (1) Live godly lives (2) Maintain unity with other believers (3) Not fear persecution from the ungodly. The message focuses on what prepares Christians to faithfully stand firm in persecution.

The world we live in is full of uncertainty. A microscopic virus has upset the status quo of the whole world. Upheaval, discontent and hate suddenly erupts in the streets.i It is too organized to have been purely spontaneous. But people are inflicting pain and violence on other people they don’t ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 8:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Acts 5:41, James 4:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Ultimate Melting Pot Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 25, 2011

That crowd gathered around the throne is made up of African saints drumming and dancing, Lutherans singing Bach and Handel, medieval monks chanting plainsong, Latin American Pentecostals with shouts of triumph, messianic Jews dancing the hora, Southern Ba

There’s been some great stuff in the news over the last couple of weeks... We’ve seen our POW’s coming home and being greeted with almost hysterical adulation... many of our troops are on the way home as well. The bloodbath that many feared didn’t happen, and much though we ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stranger In A Strange Land

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 27, 2010

For Prayer Breakfast given by a Francophone African church. We must respond to immigrants because God commands it, our history demands it, it serves our own best interests, and the Gospel includes it.

Valentine Michael Smith was born on Earth, raised on Mars, and returned to Earth. He never felt fully at home in either place. But his interaction with Earth, when he returned as a young adult, transformed Earth culture and impacted many lives. His most important contribution to Earth was the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Mother’s Impact: A Legacy Of Love And Faith

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on May 8, 2025

As we reflect on Psalm 23, a psalm of guidance, provision, and comfort, we recognize that African American mothers have long embodied these divine qualities, shaping the lives of their sons and daughters with strength, grace, and enduring faith.

Based on Psalm 23 Introduction Beloved brothers and sisters, today we gather to honor and uplift the sacred influence of mothers—a force rooted in love, faith, and unwavering devotion. As we reflect on Psalm 23, a psalm of guidance, provision, and comfort, we recognize that African American ...read more

Denomination: Methodist