Sermons on Martyrs:

The Church In Chains Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 16, 2021

Working through the book of Philippians using consecutive expository preaching. Philippians 1:12-18

Series: Philippians Sermon: “The Church in Chains” Philippians 1:12-18 Pastor John Bright Philippians 1 “12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18, Revelation 20:4, Acts 4:18-20, Acts 4:29-31

Denomination: Methodist

The Courage Of The Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

THE CRY OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE CHURCH, IS FOR MEN AND WOMEN COMMITTED TO CHRIST, IN THE FACE OF THE SWORD, TIED TO THE STAKE, IMPRISONED, AWAITING THE AXE, ALL WITH THE SAME COURAGE, NOT TO DENY THEIR FAITH.

THE COURAGE OF THE CHURCH ACTS 4:1-35 OFFERATORY PRAYER HEAVENLY FATHER, IN THE QUIETNESS OF THIS SACRED HOUR, WE HEAR YOUR VOICE CALLING US AWAY FROM THE AFFAIRS OF LIFE THAT OFTEN CLOUD OUR VISION OF YOU. AS WE TURN OUR EYES UPON JESUS, LET THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD GROW STRANGELY DIM IN THE ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Falsely Accused Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 4, 2023

Like Stephen, we need to be bold in the face of opposition.

FALSELY ACCUSED TEXT: ACTS 6:8-15 Introduction 1. Illustration: The author, Antonio Socci, claims the untold story of the 20th century is the murder of 45 million Christians, mostly at the hands of communist and Islamic regimes, and that massacres continue to this day. Drawing heavily from the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Methodist

The Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail Against It Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 18, 2024

The question is not will there be persecution, but will we overcome it by earnestly praying?

THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT Text: Acts 12:1-4 Introduction 1. “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

A Death In The Family

Contributed by Michael Treston on Jun 10, 2001

Martyrs for jesus come in many shapes and forms

The scripture we read this morning is quite a grim text isn’t it, but in the eastern orthodox church they use this same scripture to celebrate the end of the Christmas story. In that church, they have set aside the 29th of December as a holy day. A holy day where they commemorate the lives of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Martyr-Witnesses To The Truth About Human Sexuality Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 1, 2013

It is not an act of love to tell those who are committing grave sin that their actions are OK. We must respect human dignity like the Ugandan martyrs.

Monday of 9th Week in Course 2013 Gaudium et Spes The setting of the Book of Tobit, one of the inspired books of Scripture that came to us only in Greek, is of an exiled family in a land with an oppressive government, one that enforced laws prohibiting certain practices of the Jewish faith. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Character Study Of Stephen – The First Christian Martyr Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 26, 2025

Stephen was a man of faith, wisdom, and courage. He was the first Christian martyr, but his death was not in vain. His legacy lives on as an example of boldness, endurance, and forgiveness.

CHARACTER STUDY OF STEPHEN – THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:1-60 "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'" (Acts 7:59, NKJV) Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Church's First-Century Martyr Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 6, 2024

Acts 6:8-7:60 shows us three ways God makes death into the servant of his believers.

Introduction After the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and Satan’s counter-attack, the first-century church is ready to begin its worldwide mission of telling everyone about Jesus. So far, the church has been composed only of Jews and restricted to Jerusalem. However, the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Always Persecuted Church

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 11, 2024

A message about the first martyr Stephen and the ongoing persecution of the church

Title: “The Always Persecuted Church” Text: Acts 6:8 - 7:60 and 8:1-4 Subject: How does the church react to the stoning of Stephen & subsequent widespread persecution? Complement: …by spreading the word wherever they went. Big idea: _________________________. Persecution becomes a pathway to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60, Acts 8:1, Acts 11:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

He Stood Up For Me

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 27, 2014

Our word “MARTYR” is a transliteration of the Greek word for “WITNESS.” By their lives and by their deaths, the martyrs have borne witness for “JESUS CHRIST, THE FAITHFUL WITNESS.”

TITLE: HE STOOD UP FOR ME SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7:54-60 Can I talk to you this morning from the subject – He Stood Up For Me. Stephen was the President of the Jerusalem Board of Deacons. He was a leader in the church. He seems to have been an eloquent and fiery proclaimer and defender of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Imagine?

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 15, 2005

A sermon for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

(Show video clip for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.) It wasn’t long after the church’s first Pentecost that the first follower of Christ was martyred for his faith. With furious opponents gathered around him, Stephen “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.” (Acts ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Satan's War Against God's Followers Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 8, 2009

The American church has been mostly exempt from persecution for more than 200 years. Could it be that we too have become lazy along the way? The fifth seal talks about those who have died for the Lord rather than live for the world. If you were given th

Revelation 6:9-11; 12:10-17 Purpose: To describe how and why martyrs die. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a privilege. INTRODUCTION: The early church suffered much persecution. But from the death of Severus in 211 until the reign of Decius in 240, about 30 years, the church ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Cross Cost Series

Contributed by Mark Jones on Aug 21, 2011

EOLS: Christian life is at odds with the world and the disciple will face opposition to his walk.

The Cross Cost Mat 5:10-12 (10) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Methodist

Lutheran Identity Series: Grace Alone Series

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Aug 18, 2010

In this Sermon series we explore some of the treasures of our Reformation Heritage and Identity. This Sermon is based upon the struggles facing the First Century Jewish Christians and those leaders of the Reformation. The Value of God Grace comes to the

Sermon 082210 Hebrews 12:4-24 Well, today we are looking at our last “sola” or “alone” statement of the Reformation. This one is “sola gratia” or “grace alone.” Of all the words that we use in the church, the word Grace is among the “big ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Stephen The Perfect Example Of Martyrdom

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where ..

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where they started to stone him. Stones were hurled ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational