Sermons on Horrible Persecution:

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

Hurry Up, God!

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 15, 2010

David's prayer is that God will hurry up and deliver him from persecution. However, his life also demonstrated submission to God by not taking matters into his own hands.

Psalm 70 As we begin, I want to advise you that this Psalm is a repetition, almost word for word, of the last part of Psalm 40. This theme was so important to David, he included it in two of his Psalms. VS. 1 Hurry Up, God! When we try to rush God’s Timing it is because we feel an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

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

Despised For The Gospel Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 1, 2018

Jesus revealed that those who were committed to Him should expect difficulty and persecution for their faith. We tend to think He referred to others, but it is applicable to believers everywhere.

Despised for the Gospel Mark 13: 9-13 As we continue to discuss the Olivet Discourse, we are reminded that Jesus had warned of calamities the world would face as the end drew near. There would be many false prophets seeking to deceive, much fighting and war among nations, earthquakes, famine, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

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

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ministry Of Philip Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 13, 2021

The Persecution of the early church scattered believers all over, everyone witnessed according to their understanding and gifts. Philip landed in Samaria and did wonders and reached many. Read and enjoy.

Acts 8:4-25 Samaria: Philip, Peter, and John 08:04-08 Ministry of Philip in Samaria 08:09-13,17-24 Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer 08:14-25 Ministry of Peter and John in Samaria Happy New Year 2021!. This Part 3 of the ACTS covers the expansion of the Church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Methodist

"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

Time Of Betrayal - Can You Pass The Judas Test?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 15, 2022

We are entering a time like no other, the time of the end. This time will be characterized by wickedness, betrayal and persecution. When Judas shows up in your life, how will you respond?

• I recently came through a terrible years long betrayal • I don’t want to talk about that betrayal today, I am done talking about it. I am praying every single day for the person involved because I care about her and want her to go on and do better and be in a closer walk with the Lord. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Denomination: Charismatic

Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 11, 2023

The persecution forced the church to decisions that would unlock the full potential of the Church in terms of scope, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Church at Jerusalem became the Church on the move. We are a part of that movement.

Sermon: Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Scripture: Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:18-21, Acts 8:25-31

Denomination: Methodist

Crazy Happy Satisfaction Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

True joy and happiness are found in living according to God's plan, which includes showing mercy, having a pure heart, being a peacemaker, and standing firm in the face of persecution.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all want - happiness. But not just any happiness, we're talking about the real, deep-down, soul-satisfying happiness. You know, the kind that doesn't depend on how many likes you get on Instagram or whether your crush texts you back. We're talking about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-12

Topics: Divine Joy, God's Plan, Spiritual Happiness, Faithful Living

You Follow Me

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Apr 21, 2023

Can someone like Peter be forgiven? Can someone who persecuted the Church like Paul be forgiven? Can someone like me be forgiven? Can any of us be restored and made useable for the kingdom of God?

Lovest Thou Me? John 21:15-23 I have done things in my life that I am deeply ashamed of. Before my own conversion, I had broken every commandment God gave to Moses on Sinai. I lied, cheated, stole, lusted, committed adultery many times, and did not show respect to my parents. I at least ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-23

Denomination: Methodist

What You Need, God Has

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Sep 13, 2002

Jesus knew the disciples would face trials, persecution, and death. He knew they would have grief. So he comforted them. And Jesus comforts us as well when we are having problems and face grief.

Series: “What To Do” See also I Don’t Know What To Do; But I’m Disappointed; But I Just Can’t Win; But Life is Too Hard; What You Need, God Has) As I choose this passage to preach, I knew that these three verses were the three from the entire 16th chapter of John that I would concentrate on. In ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Methodist

Last Speech To The Apostles And Intercessory Prayer #2 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 2, 2019

Jesus speaks to His disciples about the trials they will face as they fulfill The Great Commission to take the Gospel to the world. But they would not be alone because He would send them another Helper. The Spirit would give them reasons to rejoice and the power to overcome their foes.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (23-3) LAST SPEECH TO THE APOSTLES AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER John 16 Tom Lowe 12/30/2007 Date: Thursday P.M.—The last week of His life Location: Jerusalem Jesus speaks to His disciples about the trials they will face as they fulfill the Great Commission to take the ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

Denomination: Baptist