Sermons on Labour Persecutions:

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

Does persecution often create church growth?

Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Damascus Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 13, 2023

Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?

October 14, 2023 After the stoning of Stephen, Saul was out for blood. When his bloodlust could not be satisfied by simply persecuting the Believers in Jerusalem, he expanded his search. Eventually, he focused on Damascus ---- 200 miles away! He went with the intent of bringing back the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-2, Acts 22:6-11, Acts 26:16-18, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Philippians 3:4-8, 2 Timothy 4:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Birth Pains

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 1, 2024

This message unpacks Jesus teaching about how to live as his coming approaches and the church is challenged and persecuted by the secular and pagan culture.

Title: “Birth Pains” Text: Matthew 24:1-14 (The Olivet Discourse) Subject: How do we live for Christ as the age moves toward his return? Complement: We live wisely, fearlessly, courageously, devotedly, missionally…with endurance inspired by his coming. Big Idea; Jesus calls us to faithfulness as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace In The Middle Of Grief Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 30, 2009

Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.

Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Offscouring Of The Earth

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

The world won't have a very high regard or value placed on what God values.

THE OFFSCOURING OF THE EARTH TEXT: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 KJV For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Just A Little While Longer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

Whatever trials you’re going through, Jesus calls you to simply remain faithful to Him.

I have to tell you about my experience this week. This week I did something I’ve never done before. This might surprise you, but up until Tuesday, I had never voted in a voting booth. You see, I turned 18 when I was in Basic Training. From that point forward, I always voted absentee. If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Pleading For The Perishing Cities

Contributed by Meshak Dayanand on Jan 19, 2021

Jesus is looking for people to stand in the gap, who will go for him, let us pray for the Lord of the harvest, that the harvest is ready and plenty but the labourers are few

Luke 19:41-44 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.  For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44, Genesis 18:22-33, Ezekiel 22:30, Matthew 9:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Real Scary Story

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 26, 2025

Psalm 127:1 “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”.

A True Scary Story By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENNING: - We are in the Halloween season people are decorating their houses and yards with all kinds of Halloween décor from giant skeletons and inflatable witches, giant pumpkins and ghost. I am not going to in this message go down the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Denomination: Apostolic

The Danger Of Separating Yourself From God’s Work

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 14, 2025

No believer is called to operate in isolation. The body of Christ is interconnected, and God expects His children to labour together in unity, humility, and submission to His order.

THE DANGER OF SEPARATING YOURSELF FROM GOD’S WORK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Numbers 16:1-35 Supporting Texts: Hebrews 10:25, Romans 12:4-5, John 15:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Psalm 133:1-3 INTRODUCTION: One of the most grievous errors a believer can make is to separate themselves from ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 16:1-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dare To Take A Stand! Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 17, 2008

As Christians, we need to take a stand for God. It’s not always easy. During GOOD TIMES – When things are going right - We get complacent. During BAD TIMES – When everything seems to be going wrong – We get discouraged … blame God … look to ourselves for

Opening illustration: In her famous book and film, “The Hiding Place” Corrie ten Boom tells the story of a Dutch Christian family, her family, who had a heart for the Jewish people. Her grandfather Wilhelm started a weekly prayer group in 1844 in the city of Haarlem, near Amsterdam for the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Endurance - The Eighth Step To Happiness Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 28, 2008

This sermon is about four steps to build endurance: 1. Recognize the SOURCE. 2. Refuse to RETALIATE. 3. Respond POSITIVELY. 4. Rest in Gods PROTECTION.

Endurance - The Eighth Step To Happiness We have been making our way through a section of scripture know as the beatitudes. The beatitudes are found in Matthew chapter five. Each of the beatitudes begins with the word Blessed. The word blessed in this section of scripture could also be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An All-Weather Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 18, 2007

How do "live for Christ"? Do we only do that when things are going our way? Or is our faith deeper and more focused on our love for Him?

OPEN: A young man’s fiancé had broken off their engagement. But a couple of months later, he received the following letter from her: Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing Firm In The End Times (Part 1)

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Apr 27, 2009

Message one about dealing with understanding what is to come if the end times come in our lifetime.

Standing Firm in the End Times (Part 1) Matthew 24:9-14 March 15, 2009 Me: I’ve never been a person who seeks out hard times or rough situations. I’ve had a lot of them, but it’s been those times where I’ve felt God’s presence and His strengthening to help me move on and do what I needed to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

Dying For The Cause

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2009

The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Opposition, Finding Strength

Contributed by Tim Hbc on May 7, 2009

In Acts 4 we see a church alive and on fire. But it is also a church under attack. How did the first believers cope with opposition?

Introduction Once upon a time, an atheist lived in a small town. The atheist wasn’t a bad man, he just didn’t believe. He wasn’t interested in church… and there was only one in the area. It was cold and dead. More of a social club for the deceased. One day the church building caught on fire. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:18-31

Denomination: Baptist