Sermons on Defending Persecuted:

Made To Make A Difference (Acts 4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 14, 2012

This expository sermon series is adapted from Max Lucado's book, Out Live Your Life, and credit for most the series belong to him. Outlines are original. In Acts 4, we see the church was Fearless with Persecution, Faithful with Prayer, and Free with Posse

Made to Make a Difference: Acts 4 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/10/2011 This series is inspired by and portions adapted from Max Lucado’s Out Live Your Life. The early church didn’t have any of the advantages that some ministries boast and depend on today. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-34

Denomination: Christian Church

The Missionary Mandate To Love One Another!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 9, 2005

God used Peter to write these words to a church under pressure, persecuted by the local community. Whatever our circumstances, Jesus has issued us with a missionary mandate to love one another deeply ...

This piece of scripture was written by the apostle Peter to a church which was under pressure. Opposition from the local community was high. Violence and persecution towards the church was quite normal. It is a long way from my experience, but the call of God for the church to be Good News is as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Anglican

A Life Transformed Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Oct 12, 2015

A very religious Saul, on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians, is transformed in an encounter with Christ. Saul, the persecutor becomes Paul, the world's greatest missionary, and people living today can have their lives transformed.

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 010 TITLE: A Life Transformed TEXT: Acts 9:1-8 INTRO: One day a lady was leaving a beauty shop, when she met another lady who said, Mary Smith, I haven’t seen you in years, my how you’ve changed…slimmed down, hair different, clothing style, what a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Threaten

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Dec 14, 2015

The good news gospel of Christ Jesus tested the hearts of the Jewish sect in Jerusalem to threaten believers to persecution but the power of transformation in Apostle Paul made believers out of those who dwelled in disbelief.

THREATEN by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (December 13, 2015) “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Ready For Anything, Come What May Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 18, 2016

The Apostle Paul was ready for anything, for persecution or for death. How did he get that way? How do we get ready to be able to handle what ever may come our way.

January 17, 2016 - Sermon - Acts 21:1-15 - Here is the live audio version: https://catmsermons.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/ready-for-anything/ Today we’re continuing to follow the very dramatic journey of Paul, and we’re nearing the last bend of our tour through the book of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Under Pressure - Symrna Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 4, 2010

Afflicated and poor yet incredibly rich. The church would do well to look at what God calls rich and not hold to the world's opinion of riches. Even in the face of persecution, these Believers hold steadfast.

THE CHURCH UNDER PRESSURE – SMYRNA READING Rev 2:8-11 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Church Of God

The Kind Of Priest We Have

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Nov 17, 2011

Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and they already professed publicly that they did believe. A lot of pressure and persecution was on some of the believers. They need

The Kind of Priest We Have Hebrews 7:11-28 Related Readings: Genesis 14:17-24; Psalm 110; Psalm 27:7-14; Luke 22:24-34; Romans 8:31-39 A Little Review of Where We Are Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:11-28

Denomination: Apostolic

Jesus Walks On Water

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2012

In the mean while, the disciples were in trouble at sea, but it was only a small sample of the hardships that lay ahead for them. In the future, when they went out to preach the Gospel, they were met with hostility and persecution. But it is comforting

Jesus Walks on Water One of my favorite Bible stories is the account of Jesus walking on water. And that is what our Bible lesson is today. I want to tell you the story, even though it may already be familiar to you. It was just after the five ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21, Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patriotic Christians #3 - For The Love Of Country Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Nov 1, 2020

God has blessed us with a great country. There are assets to celebrate. There are shortcomings to mourn. Jesus looked over Jerusalem and expressed the same emotions that we should display for the United States. In the end, we need to pray for our country, stand strong and defend the USA.

Patriotic Christians #3 For the Love of Country Theme: I believe that God has blessed us with a great country in which to live. There are many assets we should celebrate. There are also shortcomings we should mourn. Jesus looked over Jerusalem and expressed the same emotions that we should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:34-35, Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Or False - Two Ways To Heaven”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 2, 2020

We have arrived at Galatians Chapter 3. Chapters 1-2 Paul’s defense of his apostleship and a strong warning against prejudice. : Chapters 3-4 Paul defends the “gospel” salvation by faith in Jesus, even using Abraham as an illustration of faith.

In Jesus Holy Name March 8, 2020 Text: Galatians Series Galatians 3:10-11 Redeemer “True or False - Two Ways to Heaven” We have arrived at Galatians Chapter 3. With this sermon we turn a corner in our journey through Galatians. This short letter has ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Worry About Yourself Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 14, 2024

Message16 (and final message) in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

Let’s start this morning with a time of confession. By show of hands, how many of you have ever had a mysterious ailment that caused you to turn to Dr. Google or WebMD for a diagnosis? Raise your hand again if you convinced yourself that said diagnosis was likely terminal. Raise your hand again if ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Journey To Rome Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jul 3, 2023

Paul’s final journey begins with his arrest in Jerusalem, defending himself and God to his accusers, and a rough voyage across tumultuous seas to Rome. Paul never gave up hope or stopped sharing his message of God’s grace and love.

Introduction Video Ill.: Acts 27-28, Paul’s Final Journey — Bible Babble — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUFROuIROqE This morning, we are continuing our summer road trip, going along with Paul on his final journey to Rome as recorded in Acts. We started by joining Paul and Barnabas on their ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:1, James 4:13-14, Matthew 24:35-36, Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Warning To Believers

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 26, 2014

I have seen in my own life and in the life of other Christians, something that disturbs me; it’s that we are often more concerned about the things of this life than we are about the things of the life to come.

9-13-04 Title: A Warning to Believers Text: "Let no man beguile you of your reward."-- Colossians 2:18 I have seen in my own life and in the life of other Christians, something that disturbs me; it’s that we are often more concerned about the things of this life than we are about the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:18

Denomination: Baptist

Remain Faithful And Refuse To Compromise Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 5, 2014

A sermon examining the importance of steadfastness.

REMAIN FAITHFUL & REFUSE TO COMPROMISE Revelation 1:9-11 Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was apprehended and persecuted because of his faith in Christ. Once captured, he asked for an hour in prayer, and his request was granted. Polycarp prayed so intently that his guards repented that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist