Sermons on Martyrdom:

The Three Faces Of Evil

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jul 11, 2015

We have a choice-be like John or be like Herod. Will we be weak like Herod, easy tempted and easily manipulated, or we will be strong in our moral convictions like John?

How many of you have ever watched a horror movie or read a horror story? It’s not always a pleasant experience, is it? As strange as it might seem, there are actually some horror stories in the Bible, and one of the most famous of its horror stories is the story of the death of John the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

All The Way To The End Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 23, 2023

Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John.

Saturday of 7th Week in Easter 2023 Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John. The apostle John was almost certainly the disciple who lay against Christ’s breast at the Last Supper, and here, right at the last paragraph of his Gospel, he repeats what can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31, John 21:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

The Seventeen Percent Or The Seventy-Two? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 13, 2023

Frodo from Lord of the Rings is great fiction, but Jesus is the Risen King of the Universe.

Sunday After Easter 2023 A couple of years ago, Rasmussen surveyed Americans and found that seventy-two out of every hundred Americans believe that Jesus is Son of God and raised from the dead. Seventeen percent definitely deny that. Thomas the Apostle, after being told of Christ’s physical rising ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Catholic

Unchain The Gospel

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 8, 2019

The unchained Gospel breaks chains.

Unchain the Gospel! 2 Timothy 2:8-15 This letter by Paul to Timothy along with his letter to the Philippians were probably the last two letters he ever wrote. We find Paul chained in prison. As a Roman citizen before his condemnation to death, he had been given some liberty to receive friends and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Standing Tall When It Counts Series

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 30, 2016

Stephen stood alone when it counted and became the first martyr, giving his life as a testimony.

SERIES: Adventures in Acts 007 TITLE: Standing Tall When it Counts TEXT: Acts 6:8-15 INTRO: In the eighth chapter of Acts, we are introduced to a man named Stephen, which means "crown." He was a Greek speaking Jew and a deacon who became the first gospel preacher. He was full of faith and power & ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

There’s More To The Story

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 19, 2023

It seems that John has finished writing his gospel. But no! He adds another chapter.

For the last couple of Sundays we’ve been reading from John 20—the beloved disciple’s dramatic account of Jesus’ resurrection. We’ve stood with Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb as she mistook the risen Jesus for the gardener. And we’ve been with the disciples in the upper room as they ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Episcopal

The Church Of Smyrna: Possessing The Wealth Of Heaven (Revelation 2:8-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 18, 2023

Within the city of Smyrna, there existed a struggling Christian community undergoing intense and withering persecution. The Lord Jesus came to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. Even though they were poor, they were, in fact, rich beyond imagination.

In our look at the seven churches of Asia Minor described in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we come to the second church the Lord Jesus addresses in terms of testimony and steadfastness to the Gospel. This is the church in the city of Smyrna, which was located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:36-38, Revelation 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Look And See If There Be Any Sorrow Like My Sorrow – Focus On Nigeria Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2024

Not all believers are aware of the continuing atrocities against Christians in Nigeria from the hand of wicked Islam. We examine some of this and look at practical issues in martyrdom. We must stand with our fellow Christians being killed and tortured in Nigeria and other nations. Pray for them.

LOOK AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY SORROW LIKE MY SORROW – FOCUS ON NIGERIA There is one certainty in following God, be that 4 000 years ago right up to our current time. It will be a road of sorrow and isolation and persecution. It always has been that way because there is always a war raging. It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:4, Galatians 4:29, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Revelation 2:10, Psalm 22:13-14, Psalm 69:2-3, John 15:18-20, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Hosea 11:8, Romans 8:17-18, Acts 7:55-56, Acts 7:59-60, 2 Timothy 4:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Speech Of Stephen

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Wherever God meets His people is a holy place, not just in the Temple or in a Church building.

STEPHEN’S SPEECH. Acts 7. Standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council in the Temple of Jerusalem, false witnesses alleged that the Christian deacon Stephen had claimed that ‘Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us’ (Acts 6:14). ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stephen’s Faith And Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Oct 28, 2025

Stephen’s life teaches believers how to maintain faith and forgiveness even in the face of hatred, persecution, and death.

STEPHEN’S FAITH AND FORGIVENESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 7:54-60 Key Verse: “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60) Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34; Romans ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stephen Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 11, 2020

If you take away anything from Stephen’s message today, it should be this: Jesus is all you need. Say it with me: “Jesus is all I need.” Say it again: “Jesus is all I need!”

If you saw Stephen on the streets of Jerusalem or in the market, he probably wouldn’t seem very different from you or me. A good man … a good neighbor … a good friend … a hard worker … always ready to help. Maybe a good husband … we don’t know if he was married or not. Lately he had been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, Matthew 10:16-20, 1 Peter 3:15, Matthew 18:20, Acts 7:9-19, Acts 7:27, Acts 7:49-52, Acts 7:54-56, Acts 7:59-60, Acts 8:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

The Love Of God-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 2, 2021

3 of 5. Paul highlighted the necessity of self-giving love to the proper outworking of Christian living. Self-giving love is essential to true Christianity, but How or in What ways is it essential? As A Christian, the Love of God must Humble my...

The LOVE Of GOD-III—1Corinthians 13:1-13 Attention: Lost in the Translation: A husband & wife are at a recognized high-brow restaurant celebrating their anniversary. Looking the menu over, they were shocked to see a dish named, “hickory-smoked road-kill possum jowls in pancake syrup.” They ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What It Means To Be A Witness Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Aug 5, 2018

God wants us to experience His adventure, His miraculous provision and defense, His Word, His will, and, like Jesus, His choice of ending to the story. The story may not be like the storybooks, fairy tales, and superhero movies. It may end in martyrdom.

Revelation Chapter 11 continued 7. and when they have completed their testimony (witness), the beast will come out of the Abusso and make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8. and their bodies will be on the street of the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:7-14

Denomination: *other

Feasting Through Fastiing

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

“Fasting”… topic we don’t hear much about in the church to day - Many of us may think of fasting as for the spiritually elite… those specially gifted… a gift we seek about as much as celibacy or martyrdom. - Many of our initial thoughts, or even experi

“Fasting”… topic we don’t hear much about in the church to day - Many of us may think of fasting as for the spiritually elite… those specially gifted… a gift we seek about as much as celibacy or martyrdom. - Many of our initial thoughts, or even experiences conjure up thoughts of sitting around ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is God When Life Crashes In?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2023

God always works in the life of His people, bringing glory out of our trials. Because He loves us, the pain experienced through our trials will exalt Him.

“As [the mob was] stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist