Sermons on Expect Persecution:

The Seven, Part 8

Contributed by David Taylor on Jan 9, 2014

Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted

The Seven, part 8 Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted Revelation 2:8-11 July 7, 2013 Review: We have seen that the Revelation was written to address specific issues with seven churches in Asia Minor at the end of the first century. We saw in chapter one that John describes a portrait of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Addressing The Council (Acts 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 12, 2025

Persecution from within.

Were many Jews in Jerusalem unwilling to accept Paul’s teaching about Jesus? Have many churches repented of doctrinal error or stubbornly hardened their hearts? Let’s review Acts 23. Did Paul speak plainly to the Jewish Council in Jerusalem? Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Enemy Behavior

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 15, 2010

Believers should respond to opposition with love, prayer and a witness for their Savior.

Responding to Enemy Behavior Matthew 5:43-48 INTRODUCTION A. Lifeguard rescuing a drowning person. 1. Suppose it was your best friend or just a casual acquaintance. 2. We would probably risk our life to save them. 3. But suppose the drowning person was a contemptible person, your enemy. 4. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

A New Life In Jesus Christ

Contributed by James Dina on Apr 1, 2023

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

A NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST "But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). A new life puts an end to the former way of life. A new life represents a newly born baby who has come ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 16:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Delivers His Church

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 28, 2021

In his church, the Lord Jesus is still doing the good work that He has begun, and He is doing it unstoppably.

Beloved in Christ, I’d be worried if the church was a human effort. If it was up to us alone to defend the church, maintain her unity, or increase her numbers, we’d have reason to be concerned. For the church would certainly follow the path of so many man-made clubs and societies—for a while strong ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42, Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning Of Saul's Witness

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 7, 2014

It seems like the more faithful you are to Christ, the more worldly abuse and persecution you receive.

Last time we saw Saul being relieved of his blindness by Ananias. Saul hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for three days. Before he ate, though, he was baptized. And now begins his ministry. READ v. 19. As I said, Saul has spent three days without food or drink. He was drained and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Living As Exiles - Embracing Our Weirdness

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jan 19, 2017

What we believe and what we practice as those who are in Christ is strange to the world. Let's embrace it

Living as Exiles – Embracing our Weirdness TCF Sermon January 3, 2016 Does anybody really make New Year’s resolutions anymore? It can be a helpful exercise, but for many of us, they just end up being a to-do list for the next week or two, that quickly falls by the wayside in the face of everyday ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20-32, Romans 12:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Imagine?

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 15, 2005

A sermon for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

(Show video clip for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.) It wasn’t long after the church’s first Pentecost that the first follower of Christ was martyred for his faith. With furious opponents gathered around him, Stephen “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.” (Acts ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Do I Deal With Emotional Scars? Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Mar 11, 2019

Romans 12:9-21

SCARS - How Do I Deal with Emotional Scars? January 15, 2023 Romans 12:9-21 Introduction: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” I think that is one of the most powerful phrases in the Bible…it punches me in the chest with its simple power. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Noise Of Battle

Contributed by John Harvey on Nov 2, 2004

In observance of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we must understand that persecution is a battle that is real.

The Noise of Battle International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Intro: Video from Open Doors In the 20th century more believers were martyred for their faith than all the previous centuries combined. An estimated 200 million Christians currently live in areas where their faith in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Growth In Suffering Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 10, 2011

The Early Church experienced growth in numbers, and growth in depth and growth in community. It also experienced a growth in suffering. Jesus said blessed are those who suffer and are persecuted because of him! This talk encourages the church to proclaim

Although I’ve only seen part of it on YouTube there is a humbling episode from the 1961 British film called, ‘Whistle down the Wind’. A group of Lancashire children have experienced the death of a kitten. They had prayed fervently that the little cat would get well, but instead it died. They ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-32

Denomination: Anglican

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 2, 2011

Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the righteous to suffer? I mean, I’m

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE INTRODUCTION: Pastor Lee Strobel commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could only ask God one thing. The Number One response was: “Why is there suffering in the world?” Why does God allow the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Outline Of Acts 21

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 15, 2023

Paul walked into Jerusalem a free man but later found himself pretty much a captive of the Roman government. No matter what, he stayed faithful to the Lord!

1 The journey by sea from Miletus to Ptolemais Text, Acts 21:1-7, KJV: 1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

How To Lose Friends And Anger People Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 10, 2010

God prepares his people for persecution so that we will not fall away when proving that there are things in life worth dying for.

Scripture Introduction Dale Carnegie pioneered work in public speaking and was famous for helping others become successful. In 1936 he published How to Win Friends and Influence People; since then it has sold more than 15 million copies. Two of his most famous maxims are, “Believe that you ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed