Sermons on Labour Persecutions:

The Seven Churches: Smyrna PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2025

Jesus knows our suffering, calls us to courageous faithfulness amid trials, and promises eternal life to those who endure with Him.

Some of us walked in today with hearts that feel threadbare. Bills stack up. Doctors call back. Friends pull away. Tears fall in the dark, and worries pace the floor at 3 a.m. You wonder, Does Jesus see this? Does He know my name? Does He care about my pain? Smyrna asked the same questions. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Topics: Smyrna, Church, Persecution

The Ultimate Good Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 6, 2017

Trusting God for the good as well as the bad in life, because He will achieve His purpose for the ultimate good in our lives.

Reading the story of the life of David, from the beginning (1 Samuel) until now (end of 2 Samuel), is like reading a man going through a Christian boot camp. • David went through a lot, to be where God wants him to be and do what God wants him to do. God was training His servant. • David went ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Little Commission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 30, 2023

As sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16).

THE LITTLE COMMISSION. Matthew 10:1-42. Jesus spoke of a plenteous harvest, ripe for the picking. ‘Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest’ (Matthew 9:37-38). Immediately after this saying, Jesus commissioned His disciples. MATTHEW ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Message 2 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2 - Paul Recounts His Time In Thessalonica And Satan’s Opposition Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 27, 2022

Paul shares his inner thoughts and heartfelt desire with the Thessalonians. His testimony was blameless as he laboured for the believers at Thessalonica, but he always encountered opposition. We look at walking with God.

MESSAGE 2 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 2 - PAUL RECOUNTS HIS TIME IN THESSALONICA AND SATAN’S OPPOSITION THE PERSONAL RECALL {{1Thessalonians 2:1-2 “You yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-19, Acts 16:19-24, 1 Corinthians 4:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Servant Is Greater Than His Master

Contributed by Paul Estabrooks on Oct 24, 2012

There are severe forms of persecution, and less severe; but there is no such thing as a non-persecuted Christian!

Introduction Jesus promised his disciples the night before he was crucified that their lot was to be no different than His. Jesus said: “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also!” Persecution Is on the Rise The Pew Research ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-21

Denomination: *other

Glory Through An Open Door Series

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Aug 6, 2005

Your labour is never in vain, keep praying, keep digging, and keep seeking. There will be a release of Glory.

Isa 64:1-3 “Oh that you would rend the heavens! That you would come down! That the mountains may shake at your Presence.” An Open heaven ~ Jacob received angelic visitation and the Nation of Israel was born Peter had a trance when heaven opened and the Gentiles received Salvation as a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Faithful Reward Hebrews 6:10 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 18, 2024

Hebrews 6:10 assures us that our labour in love does not go unnoticed by God.

God's Faithful Reward Hebrews 6:10 Introduction Today, we delve into the depths of God's faithfulness and His recognition of our efforts through the powerful verse, Hebrews 6:10. This scripture assures us that our labour in love does not go unnoticed by God. Hebrews 6:10 (NLT): "For ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:10, Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 John 3:18, James 2:17, Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Act 2:17-18

Contributed by Unknown Bennett T Cortez on Apr 16, 2014

“That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your son and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams, even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth my Spirit and they shall prophesy.”

INTRODUCTION The word “persecution” means the act of persecuting or oppression of inhumane treatment. The subject church persecution essentially deals with the very nature of legalize corporation of the early church. However there’s a greater gift to the world at Pentecost; ...read more

Scripture: John 2:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Obeying God Rather Than Men Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 30, 2016

The Early Church chooses to obey God and accepts the risk.

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 006 TITLE: Obeying God Rather Than Men TEXT: Acts 5:17-29 INTRO: The early church had come through Persecution from without and Problems within. Now: -The Church is thriving. -The apostles are preaching with great power -There is unity in the church, sharing all things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is The Christian Life So Difficult? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 26, 2019

While salvation is delightful, discipleship is often difficult.

Why is the Christian Life So Difficult? July 20-21, 2019 Rev. Brian Bill During the past three weeks away Beth and I had days of delight and days of difficulty. The delightful part had a lot to do with our grandsons Pip and Ezra and their mom Lydia as they spent about a week with us. This time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Strategy For Satan’s Finest Hour-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 11, 2020

6 of ? God furnished, to the apostle John, a picture of Satan’s finest hour. Those who trust Scripture are furnished a clear picture of Satan’s end time strategy. What strategies will mark Satan’s last days? Satan’s strategy for his finest hour Turns...

The STRATEGY For SATAN’s FINEST HOUR--part A,-#VI —Revelation 13:1-18 Attention: I recently watched a portion of a TV show called ‘America’s Top Dog’. It is based on running certain law enforcement K-9 units(trained dogs) thru a standardized timed course. The course highlights each dog’s skillset ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do With A Slap In The Face

Contributed by John Perry on Jul 27, 2011

What do you with a slap in the face? When Someone treats you badly, betrays you, offends you or humiliates you, what do you do, how do you respond when someone gives you a slap in the face?

Bunbury Wed pm 27/07/2011 “What to do with a slap in the face” Intro: *** As you all know Vergel & Lee have just recently moved into town & a new residence. They are now going through what we all hate about moving – trying to get everything in place / order again! One of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Songs Of Ascent – Part 9 – Psalm 127 – Without The Lord All Labour Is In Vain – And A Look At The Evil Of Solomon Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 19, 2023

The Lord must build the house (be the foundation for your life). There is no other foundation and it is vain to think otherwise. The Psalm says children are a gift from the Lord. We look at the evil of Solomon who was an idolater, but wrote this Psalm early in his life.

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 9 – PSALM 127 – WITHOUT THE LORD ALL LABOUR IS IN VAIN – AND A LOOK AT THE EVIL OF SOLOMON PSALM 127 A SONG OF ASCENTS, OF SOLOMON [A]. SADLY WE WILL CONSIDER SOLOMON WHO WROTE THE PSALM The first things we note here is that this Psalm was penned by Solomon. This ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1, 1 Kings 11:3, 1 Kings 11:1-2, 1 Kings 11:4-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Kings 11:9, Psalm 127:1, Luke 6:47-49, 1 Corinthians 3:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Psalm 127:2, Psalm 31:14-15, Psalm 127:3, Genesis 1:28, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Psalm 127:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Opposition From Without (Acts 5) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

THis is a study the waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts.

INTRODUCTION: History of Opposition without: There were about 10 waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts. Nero (54-68) Domitian (81-90) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Decius (249-251) thousands died for refusing to sacrifice to the imperial ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:19-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Letter To The Smyrna Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Persecution is to be expected by the godly and enduring persecution can bring great spiritual good.

Verse 8 – Jesus introduces Himself as being “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and has come to life.” The importance of this particular self-designation to the Smyrna Church of Christ will be seen when we have studied the challenges facing this congregation. Verse 9 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ