Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

Lessons From Philip

Contributed by Neil Richardson on Mar 12, 2008

Even though the believers were scattered through persecution, Philip went about doing good and preaching the good news and leading many to Christ.

Summer Survival: lessons from Philip in Acts 8 Who was he? Not Philip the apostle, but one of the deacons, "seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" who were appointed to distribute food fairly amongst the Jewish and Gentile widows of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Disabled But Equally Empowered

Contributed by William Baeta on Mar 2, 2012

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Romans 8:35.

Theme: Disabled but equally empowered Text: 2 Sam. 9:1-13; Rom. 8:31-39; Mark 5:22-24, 36-43 The George Bush highway, the N1, has been commissioned and it was an impressive commissioning. A group of people, the disabled, however boycotted the commissioning. They complained that facilities for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:22-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Elect Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A message of encouragement to Christians who were being persecuted for their stand. A reminder that as God’s children, we are called and set apart to be a different people.

ILLUSTRATION: THE SLEEP SON A mother watched her son begin to drain of energy as the week went on. By the end of the week he’d lost his desire to get out of bed. She heard the alarm go off through his bedroom door. Apparently he just kept punching the little snooze button on the top. Finally, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Martyrdom--Its Real Meaning Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 27, 2020

What Matthew records of the prophecy given by Jesus about persecutions has been lived out somewhere in the world in every century since the Resurrection.

Tuesday of the 13th week in Course 2020 The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church Today’s news is troubling, and we fear that tomorrow’s will be even worse. Mobs of misinformed and misled millennials have been rampaging across the urban landscapes, tearing down monuments to long-dead role models ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39, Matthew 24:4-13, Luke 1:38

Denomination: Catholic

Trusting The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 27, 2025

The Thessalonian believers gave us a good testimony of genuine faith in Christ. They believed the Scriptures, that it is the Word of God, and they held fast to it as the truth, despite the persecution.

1 Thess 2:13-16 Trusting the Word of God Paul came to the Thessalonians with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. • He thanked God constantly for this – that they received the Gospel with faith and believed it to be the Word from God. • Not as words of Paul or of men but the very Word of God - the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 4:4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Light The Way Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

The sermon explores the idea that the meek, broken-hearted, hungry, peacemakers, merciful, and persecuted are the salt and light of the world, tasked with guiding others towards Christ.

Have you ever been lost? What did you do? How did you find your way again? Share about a time when you were lost. Where were you and what was happening? How did you find your way again? Did you ask someone for help? Did you get out a map? Did you ask Siri for directions? Make the point that you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Topics: Salt And Light, Kingdom Blessings, Spiritual Guidance

"One Thing I Desire”: The Single-Minded Disciple In A Distracted World Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 6, 2026

The great battle of discipleship in the 21st century is not persecution — it is distraction. “One thing I desire…” May it become the defining cry of our discipleship.

“One Thing I Desire”: The Single-Minded Disciple in a Distracted World — Psalm 27:4 (NLT) Introduction: The Tyranny of Too Many Things We live in an age of endless options and constant noise. Notifications never stop. News cycles never rest. Opinions shout. Screens glow. Souls starve. The great ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, Psalm 84:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 1:14, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Got Contentment? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 10, 2023

This sermon explores trusting God in difficult times, understanding His love, responding to persecution, and learning contentment in all circumstances through Christ's strength.

Good morning, beloved. It is indeed a joy to gather with you today, in this sacred space where we come to meet with our Lord, to seek His face, to hear His voice. We are here to lean in, to listen and to learn from His holy Word. Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds to the letter of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Topics: Contentment, Today's World

Prophet Jeremiah's Preaching Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 4, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threatenings, persecutions and the fear of death; he will speak the truth boldly, in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. Prophet Jeremiah’s Preaching Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the second lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Cry A Cry Of Loneliness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 4, 2006

Jesus cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” is a desperate cry of loneliness. I believe this was the worst and the most horrible moment of the crucifixion for Jesus. When sin invaded His life and the Father walked away! He felt totally alone!

“One Cry A Cry of Loneliness” Thesis: Jesus cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” is a desperate cry of loneliness. I believe this was the worst and the most horrible moment of the crucifixion for Jesus. When sin invaded His life and the Father walked away! He felt totally alone! His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter And John's Preaching Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 4, 2018

To establish that the man of God cannot be silent regarding the word of the Lord. Even amidst threatenings, persecutions and the fear of death; he will speak the truth boldly, in the face of dignitaries, dungeons, or degenerated people.

INTRODUCTION Outline. Peter and John’s Preaching Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the first lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Imitating Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jul 16, 2007

Seeing selfish ambition, vain conceit, discord, from persecution, Paul called on the church to “conduct themselves in a manner worthy” of their calling and not "of" the world. Just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the sake of others, we also are to offer

INTRODUCTION A. LIFE TODAY IS NOT WHAT CHRIST INTENDED 1. We live in a “dog eat dog” world. 2. “SELF” rules We may view ourselves as did the Pharisee depicted by Jesus who prayed, “God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are We Here? Pt 1 Series

Contributed by David Lansdown on Jul 23, 2002

There appears to be the themes of persecution in verses 1-3 and evangelism in verses 4-8. But I want to suggest that this entire passage is primarily all about evangelism!

WHY ARE WE HERE? pt 1 Acts 8:1-8 Introduction Two elderly couples were enjoying conversation when one of the men asked the other, ‘Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?’ ‘Outstanding, they taught us all the latest psychological techniques: visualisation, association, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Practioners

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

The Practicing (serving) Church is a: Philanthropic Church, Proclaiming Church,Persecuted Church, Protected Church, Praising Church, Praying Church, and aPowerful Church

(Excerpt from Peter Marshall—"Were you there") ("The [afternoon sun was sliding into its gentle decline] over the City of David. Already pilgrims, and visitors pouring in through [the north and south gates of the Temple; elbowing their way past those milling around in the grand court yards and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-32, Acts 3:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

The Type Of Life That Is Worthy Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD INSPIRE LOYAL SOLIDARITY (TRUE UNITY) AND SUPERNATURAL CALM AS WE STRIVE TOGETHER TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL (WHILE ACCEPTING THE INEVITABILITY OF PERSECUTION)

BIG IDEA: THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD INSPIRE LOYAL SOLIDARITY (TRUE UNITY) AND SUPERNATURAL CALM AS WE STRIVE TOGETHER TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL (WHILE ACCEPTING THE INEVITABILITY OF PERSECUTION) I. (1:27a) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD BE THE INSPIRATION FOR OUR LIFESTYLE A. General Exhortation ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible