Sermons on Enduring Persecution:

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

Let The Word And The Spirit Recharge You Emotionally, Mentally And Spiritua

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Mar 6, 2004

The joy of the Lord is our strength, energizer and health. What a privilege to draw from the lifespring water of God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Let the Word and the Spirit Recharge You Emotionally, Mentally and Spiritually Illustration: Everyone needs recognition for his accomplishments, but few people make the need known quite as clearly as the little boy who said to his father: "Let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you say ’Wonderful!’" ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

A Peace In The Puzzle, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2006

Why are the righteous persecuted, and why does Jesus say for us to rejoice when it happens to us? Link included to formatted text version, as well as part 1 and it’s matching PowerPoint.

A ‘Peace’ in the Puzzle, pt. 2 The Gospel of Jesus Matthew 5:9-12 When we are a peacemaker, we are eliminating strife. Tonite, we need to learn how to endure spite. This is the ‘puzzle’ in our title. This sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, by the greatest preacher who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Out Doesn't Mean Giving In

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Nov 24, 2000

Have you ever wanted to just give up? Sometimes, wouldn't it seem easier to simply give in? If you have ever felt this way in life, then this message is for you.

I. Text: Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.” A. God expects us to give of ourselves, give of our time, give of our finances. But one thing He doesn’t require of us, and that is to “give in!” 1. God is not in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Reading The Owner's Maual Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Stratton on Nov 14, 2002

Learning how to become strong for the off-road times of life from 1 Timothy

September 7 & 8, 2002 2 Timothy 3:10-17 “Reading the Owner’s Manual” The Ford Motor Company was incorporated and began production of the model A in 1903. As one would expect, they were pretty simple vehicles. There were really very few moving parts, they were open air cars and their top ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Calling An Audible Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Aug 12, 2008

I preach expository messages, and this is from my series on the book of Acts.

“Calling an Audible” Acts 13:44-52 December 2, 2007 Ever been in a church where it was obvious that people had assigned seats? Ever been in a church where they didn’t? That’s a better question, because we all know that we are creatures of habit, and we get ourselves so easily stuck in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:44-52

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Acts 12 - Enduring Hardships Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 5, 2013

Be prepared for challenges. We can expect hardships in life. We can stay on course by praying.

The moment the disciples put their faith in Jesus, they were declaring war against the devil. They have chosen to make a stand for the truth. • The authorities and the people come against what they preach, sometimes out of selfish reasons, sometimes out of intolerance, and at other times, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wherever You Are - He Is There

Contributed by Sam Schmidt on Jan 14, 2013

The believer can be comforted in knowing, regardless of where this life and our Lord takes us, that God is there and will see us through.

TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (KJV) 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Contrasting A Defeatist Versus An Overcomer's Attitude

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

As pressed but not crushed, as perplexed but not in despair, as persecuted, but not abandoned, as put down but not put out. Always carrying about in our body the death of the Lord Jesus that the life of Christ may be made manifested in our body. (2 Cor. 4

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21) I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13) Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. (I John 5:4,5) As unknown, yet well known, as dying yet behold we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stay The Course Series

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 29, 2008

Many people have gone before us and endured hardship and persecution. The Prophets, Job, Peter, Mark Buntain, Rachel Scott, Cassie Burnel, the list goes on of those who have stayed the course through all the trials and challenges.

Many people have gone before us and endured hardship and persecution. The Prophets, Job, Peter, Mark Buntain, Rachel Scott, Cassie Burnel, the list goes on of those who have stayed the course through all the trials and challenges. We can make it through the storm! Not even Hurricane Katrina can ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Such A Deal I Have For You!

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 25, 2005

A sermon about the offerings God and Satan have for each of us.

"LET’S MAKE A DEAL!" Who among you remembers the ‘LET’S MAKE A DEAL’ TV show? It was one of the most popular games shows of its day. Contestants were given some really good money or prizes, but along with each gift came a chance to gamble; gamble on turning that gift into much more, or losing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-39

Denomination: *other

I Know Where You Live

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Nov 25, 2000

This sermon is about living in mainstream society without compromising our faith and values.

"I Know Where You Live" (Revelation 2:13-17) -Rev. A. L. Torrence, Pastor of Cross of Life Lutheran Church The Revelation of John, or the Apocalypse as it is called in Greek unveils to God’s people the hidden things only known to God. It depicts the end of our present age and beginning of a new ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness Sake. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 6, 2018

Persecution the acid test of our faith. Persecuted for righteousness not for anything else.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for they shall be called the children of God - Matt. 5:10 -12 It may seem strange that Jesus passes so quickly from peacemaking in the previous beatitude to persecution—from the work of reconciliation to the experience of hostility. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Endure The Pains Of Childbirth Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Oct 20, 2004

#6 in Romans 8 - What a Way to Live! series. This deals with suffering, and how to let it do its work in us until God brings us to glory.

Romans 8:18-25 – How to Endure the Pains of Childbirth (I would like to credit The Ultimate Blessing, written by Jo Anne Lyon, a Wesleyan pastor and married to one as well, founder of World Hope International, for a lot of the thought processes. As well, Eugene Peterson’s The Message for this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist