Sermons on Expect Persecution:

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

(Preached on July 4th): This message focuses on the first church-wide persecution in Acts. Attention is given to the implications the Gospel has for believers as members of both God's kingdom and a country.

* The difficulty in approaching a July 4th message: - We sometimes "read" America into Scripture when we shouldn't - Bible doesn't reference America as a country of predict the events of July, 1776 * If we're not careful, we end up using today to exalt a nation instead of Christ - We do not worship ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement For The Persecuted

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on May 7, 2007

When we face persecution and rejection for our life in Christ, we can take courage in the fact that one day, we will find out that it was worth it all and much more.

Introduction: We can take courage in the fact that one day, all those who ridicule and persecute us for our faith, if they do not repent, will have to face God. We need to be telling others about Him so they can avoid this encounter. Pressure o Some can take more than others o We all respond ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Growth And Persecution

Contributed by Colin Bain on Jun 26, 2011

A look at the nature and use of power in the early church and how it applies to a believer today

This week in the Arab states, there are ongoing struggles between the official government forces and those who want change. It is a struggle about power. It is a struggle about who has the power. It is a struggle about the legitimacy of those who would rule. At the bottom of the mess, there is the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Feb 27, 2013

Called to live a beatitude kind of life, the hard reality is anyone who lives out the first seven beatitudes is guaranteed at some point to experience the eighth.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus ends the beatitudes by saying “Blessed are those persecuted, reviled, and spoken against.” Would anyone care to get in “the blessed line?” Most of us prefer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying For The Persecuted Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Mar 31, 2014

Prayer was needed for the Thessalonians who were persecuted but still growing in their Christian faith.

Before we read our passage today, let us note again some background. As we can see in a map, Thessalonica is a port in Greece. Let’s open our Bibles to the Book of Acts, Chapter 17:1-15…. And so we note that the Church in Thessalonica was initiated by Missionaries Paul, Silas, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blessed Persecution? Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 15, 2014

1) THIS BLESSING IS NOT FOR ALL PERSECUTION 2) THE PERSECUTION OF BELIEVERS STEMS FROM HATRED OF GOD AND HIS WORD 3) THIS BLESSING BRINGS THE BEATITUDES FULL CIRCLE

Series: The Sermon on the Mount Title: Blessed Persecution? Text: Matthew 5:10-12 INTRODUCTION: This morning, we are concluding our series of sermons on the Beatitudes. (We will be resuming on the Sermon on the Mount after the New Year) The beatitudes are the “Blessed” statements ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Handling Persecution Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 1, 2012

How did Jesus handle persecution?

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus promised an abundant life to his Disciples! But then in John 16:33 Jesus told His Disciples, "In this world you will have trouble!” What did Jesus mean with these statements? How did ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wrath And Persecution

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2018

Belief in Jesus Christ must be accompanied by obedience to His word.

Thursday of Second Week in Easter 2018 Reformation/Revolution When will humans learn that murdering one’s enemies is not only morally sinful, it’s a really, really bad idea just on a secular level. For the first three hundred years of the Church’s existence, the enemies of the Church, from the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:31-36, Acts 5:27-33

Denomination: Catholic

Worthy To Be Persecuted Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on May 30, 2013

Peter and John rejoiced because they were persecuted for the Name of Jesus ... do we act the same today?

Worthy to be Persecuted Acts 5:17-42 Introduction - Set the stage: -- Church was beginning to see full assault persecution -- Peter and John were willing to be bold; to continue proclaiming Jesus -- (Last week) Ananias and Sapphira give us great insight into integrity -- We see that even in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 18, 2019

We must keep speaking even when told not to.

Responding to Persecution Acts 4:1-22 Rev. Brian Bill November 16-17, 2019 Imagine a church that lives on mission by gathering with God’s people, by growing in their faith, by giving what God has given to them and by going with the gospel, all for the glory of God. This church is known as a place ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Power In Persecution

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 14, 2022

Will the power of Acts return when persecution separates the wheat from the chaff? If all you have left is Jesus, will it be enough?

1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

THE BEATITUDES: These teachings are not just suggestions, but the COMMANDS of Christ our Lord about what every disciple ought to be. One of the things that the Church will be in the last days is......PERSECUTED.

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Comforter, And Persecution.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2024

The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus with us, and through us. And to God alone be the glory. Amen.

THE COMFORTER, AND PERSECUTION. John 15:26-27, John 16:1-4. 1. The Coming of the Comforter. John 15:26-27. As we enter this part of our text, it is well to note, first, the certainty of the event: “When the Comforter IS COME” (John 15:26a). But when did the disciples receive the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 15:26-27, John 16:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Persecution Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Dec 4, 2024

It has been said; “You are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready to return into a trial.”

“Great Persecution” Acts 8:1-4 It has been said; “You are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready to return into a trial.” We are reminded by Jesus that trials are part of our lives. Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecution Of The Godly Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 31, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical reasons why some people hate godly people and say unkind things to them.

As followers of Christ, we are not immune to persecution and hatred from others. In fact, the Bible warns us that we will face opposition and hostility from those who reject God and His teachings. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical reasons why some people hate godly people and say unkind ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14, Matthew 5:44