Sermons on Defending Persecuted:

Smyrna: The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Oct 23, 2008

The letter to the church of Smyrna gives us hope when persecution and suffering come our way.

Smyrna: Persecuted Church Revelation 2:8-11 Intro As we continue our look at the seven churches in the book of Revelation tonight, I want us to take a look at the church of Smyrna. The church at Smyrna was a church under pressure, a suffering church, a church under tremendous persecution. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna: Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 31, 2007

Seven Letters to Seven Churches (2nd in series).

SMYRNA: PERSECUTED CHURCH Revelation 2:8-11 INTRO: The church at Smyrna was a church under pressure, a suffering church, a church under tremendous persecution. The word Smyrna is translated elsewhere at MYRRH. The kings gave to the infant Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Myrrh was a gum ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Revival Follows Persecution

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 23, 2014

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the direst circumstances, it has not only survived but thrived and revived the church.

Opening illustration: Did you know that if one of the arms of a starfish is severed, a new one will grow in its place? In fact, if a starfish is cut up, any piece that contains a part of the central disc will develop into a new starfish. Some oyster fishermen found that out, much to their dismay, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Persecution Of The Church Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 30, 2016

The church persecuted by the world, but is triumphant

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 004 TITLE: The First Persecution of the Church TEXT: Acts 4:1-12 INTRO: After the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at the Feast of Pentecost, Peter preached his first sermon and 3,000 people were saved. Following that, he and John healed a man who had been lame from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Thrive In Persecution

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 29, 2016

Dr. Tow shares six keys to thriving in persecution. Persecution is discussed in context of personal struggle as well as through the lens of our cultural climate.

How To Thrive In Persecution 07-05-15 (www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) In Matt 5:10-15 Jesus said, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-37

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You Ready For Persecution?

Contributed by David Mcnally on Aug 12, 2012

Christians were persecuted by the Jews, then by the Romans, and by the Nazis and the Communists, and by fundamentalist Muslims and others today. Why should we in the West or US, Canada, Autsralia or New Zealand be excused from suffering for our faith?

Gospel reading: Luke 21: 5-19 Sermon: Persecution May the words of my mouth ....... In the Gospels Jesus is recorded as saying some lovely things, that we are loved, that we are forgiven, that we are his friends, but in today's Gospel reading, his words are far from lovely. "They will lay hands ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Real Face Of The Persecuted

Contributed by Darryl Ward on May 22, 2017

What does it really mean to be persecuted for following Jesus today?

Two and a half years ago, Florida charity worker Arnold Abbott made world headlines when he was arrested. His crime? Feeding the homeless. Arnold, who was ninety at the time, had been helping prepare hundreds of meals every week since 1990. In 1991, he founded the Maureen A. Abbott Love Thy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Anglican

Perseverance In The Midst Of Persecution

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Sep 17, 2016

A sermon examining how to keep on when trouble comes your way.

Perseverance In The Midst Of Persecution Acts 4:1-22 Kayla Mueller was a young woman who traveled to Turkey in 2012 to assist Syrian refugees. After some time she entered Syria with her boyfriend and was captured by ISIS. She was forced into marriage to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Following ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Peace & Persecution

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Are you comfortable in being a follower of Christ? Countless Christians around the world face intense persecution for being followers of Jesus, but they're not alone. We share in the struggles of being a Christian. Why is that? Listen to Jesus' call to deny yourself and follow him.

Each year, a Christian organization called “Open Doors” publishes a list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most intensely persecuted for their faith. Physical violence, death threats, execution, imprisonment, rape, neglect, burning of homes, bombing of churches, abandoned by family, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Pray For The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

There are millions of christians in other countries who are facing horrible persecution for their faith. They are family to us and we need to pray for them.

You’ve probably noticed that I am always interested in history. I feel that you just can’t understand the way the world is today without learning how we got here. I was a history major in college. And one expression of that interest is learning about my own ancestors, genealogy. I am blessed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:12

Persecution: The Opening Salvoes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

Religious opposition to the Gospel!

PERSECUTION: THE OPENING SALVOES. Acts 4:1-31; Acts 5:12-42. Soon after the early success of Pentecost, the fledgling New Testament church found herself facing persecution. This is not surprising, and quite in keeping with the pattern of the earlier ministry of Jesus. For example, Herod the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31, Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian Response To Persecution Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 4, 2020

If and when we are persecuted, how shall we resond?

The Christian Response to Persecution Acts 4:23-31 In America, where I live, we formally have freedom to worship and express our religious views. I use the word “formally” because there is increasing erosion to these freedoms. We have not suffered the severe persecution our Christian brothers ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31, Romans 8:28, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Persevering Through Persecution Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 29, 2020

It's always better to obey God.

Persevering Through Persecution Acts 5:17-32 Rev. Brian Bill January 25-26, 2020 Look around you and find eight people. Go ahead and count until you locate eight individuals. By the time you go to sleep tonight, eight people around the world will have died for their devotion to follow Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Preaching Provokes Persecution. Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 28, 2022

‘Preaching Provokes Persecution’ - Acts chapter 14 verses 1-28 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Iconium – Division (vs 1-7). • the apostles experienced conversions (vs 1): • the apostles experienced opposition (vs 2) • the apostles experienced supernatural signs (vs 3): • the apostles experienced God’s guidance (vs 5-6): (2). Lystra – Delusion (vs 8-20). • a healing ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-20

Denomination: Brethren

Who Are These That Persecute The Church

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Apr 23, 2022

Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonians about their problems that they were having, and in his writing he was informing them that judgement was coming.

Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonians about their problems that they were having, and in his writing he was informing them that judgement was coming. The purpose of judgment is to rectify injustices. You see the believers at Thessalonica were suffering fierce persecution and all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist