Sermons on Church Persecution:

Smyrna: The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

What is the missing element of the church in America today? Suffering. Smyrna receives word from Jesus about The Preeminent Savior, The Persecuted Saints and The Promised Solace.

Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna: The Suffering Church Smyrna was the “Crown of Asia.” Beautiful in appearance, Smyrna was also known for her wealth, commerce and religion. But she was intolerant of intolerance. The more this church was “crushed”, the more fragrant she became. The missing element in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Identify With

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a sermon about persecution and the persecuted church.

“USA! USA! USA!” the chant goes as the United States’ hockey team skates down the ice hoping to score a goal. All Americans wish to see the United States’ hockey team win, even those who don’t like or understand hockey. There is solidarity when our national team is playing. It’s more than a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Wesleyan

Persecuted & Joyful (2 Thessalonians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 1, 2024

Can a church be both persecuted and joyful? Can they be faithful? Let's find out in 2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy encouraged the church in Thessaloniki during persecution. They encourage the saints not to be shaken by those who say that the day of the Lord has begun but to stand firm. They encouraged the brethren to work to earn a living and not live an idle life. Let’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is Your Church Loved

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 27, 2023

Beware of popularity.

If everyone loves your church you are doing something wrong because all that live godly SHALL suffer persecution yet if you are suffering persecution you may be doing something wrong because you may be suffering for your own faults not for the cause of Christ. Check yourself and if you are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10, 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 4:16

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering Church Sunday

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That blood is still being shed. In this sermon we name the top ten persecutors and finish with a look at Paul - the persecutor who became the persecuted.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day. We have heard of believers having boiling water poured down their throats. Other gruesome forms of torture are meted out to Christ’s sheep on a daily basis. The top ten persecutors - (1) North ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

More Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

Let’s take a look at some more happenings in the early church. 1- Great persecution 2- Genuine mourning 3- Gritty preaching 4- Glorious joy

INTRO.- ILL.- Three churches got together to sponsor a community-wide revival. The churches were Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Willing?

Contributed by Damien Spikereit on Nov 27, 2000

The persecuted church and the crucified Christ demands a response with our lives.

Introduction - Over the past several months I have told you about much of my family. You have heard about my mother, father and some of my sisters. You have even heard about my grandparents, but I haven't told you about all of my family. - I haven't told you that I have a.... - Brother in Cuba ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ultimate Warning For Those In Church! Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jun 18, 2019

Just regularly attending a christian church is not a "ticket" to heaven!

Let us continue to worship our Lord by learning again from the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 10………. Let us note again that the Letter to the Hebrews was written to a Christian Church which had mostly Jewish attenders. Read along with me Hebrews 10:26-39… It is important for us to remember again ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Bible And Modern Israel

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 15, 2014

A Biblical study considering whether or not modern Israel holds any significance in the eyes of God.

Throughout my life, I have noted that our Nation's foreign-policy has been to support Israel in its struggles with its Arab and Palestinian neighbors. Nearly a half trillion dollars of humanitarian and military aid has been given to Israel to defend the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Idol Of Consumerism: Smyrna Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Oct 25, 2009

The church of Smyrna receives Jesus’ unconditional applause because they made hard choices relating to faith-full-ness rather than opting for a more convenient faith.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF CONSUMERISM: SMYRNA REVELATION 2:8-11 Sermon Objective: The church of Smyrna receives Jesus’ unconditional applause because they made hard choices relating to faith-full-ness rather than shop for a more ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Philidephia, Mail Call Series

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Nov 5, 2012

A sermon about the seven church in Asia Minor.

Philadelphia, You’ve Got Mail! Revelation 3:7-13 Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Life Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 7, 2012

A look at the life of Paul, the apostle. From The Story, a 32 week journey through the Bible, inspired by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee.

The Story - 30 May 15, 2011 You may not have known this, but there was time when two of the most famous men in history lived in the same city — the apostle Paul and the emperor Nero. Their lives actually overlapped for a short period of time. Of course, nobody took notice of Paul, he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman (Revelation 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2020

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon.

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon. The Woman Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: At first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Doing The Will Of God When Your Faith Is Under Fire - Part 1

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Today Christians all over the world are under fire for their faith. Even in the United States of America, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ...

Background (1 Pet 1:1 NKJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, In this letter, the Apostle Peter is addressing Jewish Christians who had been persecuted and fled their homes and lands. These people were called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible