Sermons on Flee Persecution:

"Have A Believer’s Eye For Blessings”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 21, 2022

In our sermon today we will hear our Savior say that those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted are blessed. We need him to open our eyes to see how that can be so!

The prophet Elisha was a wanted man. The king of Aram (a nation to the northeast of the Holy Land) was at war with Israel. Aram is also called Syria and it was pretty much in the same area as modern-day Syria. But Elisha was frustrating all of his battle plans. Through God’s power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Suffering Of The Innocent From The Wicked Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Aug 19, 2025

This sermon explores the biblical theme of innocent suffering, highlighting examples of righteous individuals who endured hardship and persecution at the hands of wicked people, including Jesus' crucifixion. Through these stories, we gain insight into the complexities of human suffering

The Bible is replete with stories of innocent people who suffered at the hands of evil and wicked individuals. These examples remind us that suffering is not always a result of personal sin, but sometimes a consequence of living in a fallen world. Here are few biblical examples: 1. Job's ...read more

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Qualifications For Overseers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 19, 2022

1 Timothy 3:1-7 shows us the qualifications for overseers.

Scripture In chapter 1, Paul wrote about the importance of doctrine. In chapter 2, he wrote about the proper conduct in public worship. And in chapter 3, he wrote about the qualifications for church officers. Paul began chapter 3 with these words, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Reality Of Spiritual Warfare And Understanding The Enemy's Tactics Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 15, 2025

The Bible provides insight into this spiritual warfare, revealing the enemy's tactics

As children of God, we often wonder why we face opposition, lies, and slander from the agents of darkness. The Bible provides insight into this spiritual warfare, revealing the enemy's tactics and God's perspective on these attacks. Why the Enemy Attacks Godly People The enemy, Satan, and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:14-17, Job 1:6-12

Commendable Conduct

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A.

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A. Introduction (2:11-13a) 1. Commendable Conduct Viewed Negatively (:11) a. Description of Such Conduct ("lusts of the flesh") b. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

More Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

Let’s take a look at some more happenings in the early church. 1- Great persecution 2- Genuine mourning 3- Gritty preaching 4- Glorious joy

INTRO.- ILL.- Three churches got together to sponsor a community-wide revival. The churches were Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suffering Church Sunday

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That blood is still being shed. In this sermon we name the top ten persecutors and finish with a look at Paul - the persecutor who became the persecuted.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day. We have heard of believers having boiling water poured down their throats. Other gruesome forms of torture are meted out to Christ’s sheep on a daily basis. The top ten persecutors - (1) North ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 5, 2007

In the first church, let’s take a look at what happened and how it relates to the church today. 1- the proclamation of the gospel 2- the persecution of the apostles 3- the proliferation of the church

INTRO.- Church happenings. What is happening in our churches? ILL.- A group of women were talking. One lady said, “Our congregation is sometimes down to thirty and forty on Sunday night.” Another said, “That’s nothing, sometimes our group is down to six or seven.” An old maid added her bit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Being A Christian

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 15, 2007

Yes, there are difficulties, sacrifices, trials, and persecution that the faithful Christian will face because of His walk with/in the Lord Jesus. Even then, there is great joy in being a Christian!

The Joy of Being a Christian Theme: No matter your trials it is a joy to be a Christian. Acts 16:25-34 INTRODUCTION A. Being a faithful Christian means there are many trials following in the footsteps of our Christ. 1. That is part of the cost of being in Christ. 2. Such is necessary ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Choosing The Contentment Of A Canine

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 3, 2010

There is a major difference between cats and dogs, dogs are so much more content with their lives. This sermon shows us that we must rejoie in our trials, fears and persecution.

CHOOSING THE CONTENTMENT OF A CANINE (All my sermons use illustration found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise stated.) The introduction for this sermon is from Max Lucado’s “Everyday Deserves a Chance” pg. 23-24 “Excerpts from the diary of a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lower The Nets For A Catch Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2013

Jesus calls us to lower the nets for a catch, even though it means persecution and rejection. We must learn the four steps of evangelization of our surroundings, friends and coworkers.

Third Sunday of Easter 2013 Vatican II About forty years ago, acting on the directions of the Fathers of the Council, a team of expert Scripture scholars and liturgists gave the Church what is called the “expanded Lectionary” for Mass. The exact words of the Liturgy Constitution are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

A Word From Your Pilot Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 16, 2014

We're strangers in this world and we will encounter difficulty. What has God supplied to help us survive the struggles and sufferings and persecutions we may encounter here?

OPEN: On a Continental flight a pilot began his usual comments to the passengers: “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome on board Continental flight 428. This is your Captain speaking and I have some information about our flight. We've reached cruising altitude of 35,000 ft. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"recycling Our Pain" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

Our scripture for today falls into this category of verses I don’t understand when I first read them. Here it is. Happy are those who are persecuted.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If your right eye offends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist