Sermons on Defending Persecuted:

The Eighth And Ninth Beatitudes Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 26, 2022

Like it or not, being persecuted is in Jesus' list of the characteristics of the Christian. If we follow Jesus, it's inevitable that we'll be persecuted. But the persecution proves the genuiness of our faith. And it leads to great reward.

Jesus starts the Sermon on the Mount with nine Beatitudes – sayings that start ‘Blessed are’. Jesus wants us to be blessed – meaning, happy or fortunate. In the Beatitudes, Jesus presents us with the key characteristics of the Christian. Some people have said they’re the blueprint of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Discontent

Contributed by Kumar Aryal on Oct 26, 2020

We will continue our series from the book of Acts and our text for this morning is Acts 17:16-34. In the beginning of this chapter, Paul was in Thessalonica. He visited the synagogues to dialogue with the Jews there.

Good morning church! What a privilege to come together as a body of Christ to study His word. Let us begin our time with the word of prayer. Prayer: We will continue our series from the book of Acts and our text for this morning is Acts 17:16-34. In the beginning of this chapter, Paul was in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Conversion

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 8, 2022

The conversion of the apostle Paul is one of the most thrilling and inspiring conversions we have ever heard about. Paul truly had a conversion.

Today the modern churches talk about DECISIONS, not CONVERSIONS! Illus: Someone said to a preacher, “Did you have any decisions last week?” The preacher said, “Yes, I had lots of them. Some DECIDED to go to the mountains and some DECIDED they would go to the beach instead of coming to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Watch Out And Take Heed.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 25, 2022

The bookends to this excerpt of Scripture underline the need to be on our guard.

WATCH OUT AND TAKE HEED. Mark 13:9-23. 1. Testimony and Martyrdom. Mark 13:9-13. Jesus warned His disciples that they would face arrests, persecution, interrogation by the synagogue authorities, imprisonment, arraignment before kings and governors – and all because they bore His name. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Outline Of Acts 14

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 2, 2022

Acts 14 contains a record of where Paul and Barnabas ministered after they left Cyprus. They worked in Asia Minor, encountering success but also persecution. But no matter what, they never gave up.

Introduction: Acts 14 records several events during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. Some of these events are almost hard to believe but they happened! Once they reached a stopping point, they retraced their steps and returned to Antioch of Syria, reporting all that the Lord had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Decadence Of The King Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 24, 2021

Esther lived within the Persian Empire, an environment hostile to the Hebrew people. Although their situation seemed dire, God had a plan to preserve and prosper His people. The opening passage provides insight to the culture in Persia.

The Decadence of the King Esther 1: 1-9 The opening chapter of Esther reveals the ungodly condition of the society in which God’s people were dwelling. It was a culture that possessed and promoted unbridled lusts and insatiable appetites. The people within Media and Persia had one goal in life: ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Endure Suffering Patiently Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2015

Suffering is partr of the human condition. We see John addressing two very important questions in minds of those who will receive this letter. The first question “Why all this suffering?” The second: “Is there point to the suffering?"

Series: Victorious! “Endure Suffering Patiently” Revelation 6-7 Open This morning, we’re in our fifth message in our series through the book of Revelation. It comes from Revelation 6-7 so if you’d go ahead and take your Bibles and turn to that passage, it will ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Will Be Worth It All!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 17, 2017

The writer of Hebrews seeks to encourage and remind them that those who are faithful to God have always faced persecution, but that the end result will be a glorious victory even beyond their imagination.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Hebrews 11:32-12:3 "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Doctrine Of Persecution: Suffering For Righteousness’ Sake –biblical Call To Stand Firm In Faith

Contributed by Andrew Craig on Jan 20, 2026

In a world where over 380 million Christians—one in seven believers worldwide—face high levels of persecution and discrimination, this message confronts the reality that suffering for Christ is not optional but expected.

The Doctrine of Persecution: Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake Introduction Over 380 million Christians—one in seven worldwide—face persecution daily. Owning a Bible risks execution. Gathering for worship invites imprisonment. Refusing to deny Christ can cost everything. Persecution is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Revelation 12:11

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Before All Else

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 1, 2025

To be a true disciple of Christ, to be assured of eternal life, we must never be ashamed to confess His holy name. We must also be willing to follow Him always, forsaking our own desires and even our family and friends.

I have entitled our message, “Jesus Before All Else.” Author Mike Mazzalongo wrote a book entitled Jesus Above All Else. He says that Jesus told His followers, “in no uncertain terms, that in order to be His disciple they must place Him above all else.” He explains that “above all else” means ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven Churches: Smyrna PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

Jesus knows our suffering, calls us to courageous faithfulness amid trials, and promises eternal life to those who endure with Him.

Some of us walked in today with hearts that feel threadbare. Bills stack up. Doctors call back. Friends pull away. Tears fall in the dark, and worries pace the floor at 3 a.m. You wonder, Does Jesus see this? Does He know my name? Does He care about my pain? Smyrna asked the same questions. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Topics: Smyrna, Church, Persecution

Sticks And Stones Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Nov 28, 2025

A rhyme from my childhood: “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I wish that were true because so many today are living in a life of distress because of words.

“Sticks And Stones” Acts 14:19-23 A rhyme from my childhood: “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I wish that were true because, so many today are living in a life of distress because of words. In our walk with Paul and Barnabas we see this rhyme in reality. Not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Endurance In Christ Alone PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2025

Amidst a troubled world, Jesus calls us to courageous endurance, promising his presence and transforming our hardships into opportunities to bear witness to him.

Some weeks the headlines feel heavy, don’t they? Nations rattling sabers, markets jumping, storms brewing, friendships fraying. You read another alert on your phone and feel that tug of worry in your chest. Will my kids be okay? Will my job hold? Will the world ever quiet down? You’re not alone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-19

Topics: Endurance, Persecution, Christ

"the Crown Of Life" Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Jul 18, 2023

This city’s unique relationship with Rome made Smyrna a primary target for persecution. Assuring them he knows what they are about to go through, Christ promises them (and us) the crown of life.

To best understand the letter to Smyrna, we need to understand this city’s close relationship to Rome and the Empire. Compared to the others, Smyrna and Rome are the most closely aligned for good reason. Two hundred years before Christ, Rome was at war with Hannibal and the Carthaginians. That ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:7-12

Jerusalem- Shaken Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 21, 2024

This is the 47th Sermon in the Series "Biblical Cities- Jerusalem".

Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#47] JERUSALEM- SHAKEN Matthew 23:37 Introduction: We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem. The City of Jerusalem is going through a shaking right now. On the 14th, there were explosions visible in the air over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37, Acts 4:23-37

Denomination: Baptist