Sermons on North African Martyrs:

Night Visits

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 17, 2002

Sermon for Black History Month, incorporating the poetry of recently deceased African poet and statesman Leopold Senghor; focus on imprisonment, liberation, empowerment, and forgiveness.

It was night. Nothing else need be said. That short and simple phrase says it all. It was night. It was night when they visited my bedroom, when I was a child of six, to tell me that my mother would not be coming home for a long time. The stress of giving birth to my brother had been too much; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 8:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Without Hindrance Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 24, 2008

For Lent and for Black History Month, with a focus on Africa: the purposes of God will be accomplished, though not without difficulties and sacrifice. Examples of African Christians to show this truth.

I cannot imagine how Paul did it. Here he is, in prison, chained to a soldier, and he is talking about hope and making plans for the future. How can anyone with half a brain do that? Does he not understand how perilous is his predicament? Chained! Awaiting trial! And yet he can say, “It is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Eulogy Evelyn Reese

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 19, 2019

Eulogy for a 97 year old African American Woman who loved the Lord and was faithful in the church. She sang in the choir for over 50 years.

Evelyn Reese June 10,1922 -July 6, 2019 How long ago was 1922? It was the year President Harding had the first radio installed at the White House. It was the year the first human being was treated with insulin for diabetes. It was the year the Supreme Court upheld the 19th ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Plan Is Bigger Racial Reconciliation Part 2

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 25, 2021

THis message deals with God loving all of humanity and is preached to a congregation predominantly white by and African American as we did a pulpit exchange on the topice of race

God’s Plan is Bigger Genesis 9:1-16 Ephesians 2:11-22 I thank you for the opportunity to be with you this morning as we continue our theme of Racial Reconciliation. Today we consider, a view from the other side. This past week we had the privilege of observing the inauguration of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-16, Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Smyrna: 2nd Church Of Revelation

Contributed by Ed Mcneely on Aug 7, 2002

This is the martyred church. Jesus had no condemnation only encouragement for the suffering they would experience. Many still suffered in and for their faith. Christ is still with us.

THE 2ND CHURCH OF REVELATION: Smyrna 3-3-02 Revelation 2:8-11 The first letter was to Ephesus … representing Apostolic Church – the church from Pentecost until about 110 a.d. If you recalled … Jesus commended that church highly … but warned it about drifting away from its first love: · The love of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Man Named Stephen

Contributed by Paddick Van Zyl on Aug 20, 2014

What do we know about the first martyr for the gospel? Are we willing to lay down our own life, to death, for Jesus?

Sermon By Pr. Paddick Van Zyl 20 Aug 2014 Title: A Man Named Stephen Intro: How does a child of God go from obscurity to waiting on tables, a waiter, to being falsely accused and then become the very first martyr for the gospel? Well, Stephen, can help us on this as we look at his biography ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Snake That Saves Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Apr 2, 2023

The venom of the African black mamba is one of the deadliest poisons. Within minutes of a bite, the central nervous system begins to shut down culminating in convulsions, paralysis, and a suffocating death.

The venom of the African black mamba is one of the deadliest poisons. Within minutes of a bite, the central nervous system begins to shut down culminating in convulsions, paralysis, and a suffocating death. Researchers have discovered that this deadly venom also contains a potent painkiller known ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Kingdom Torn In Two Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Aug 29, 2011

A journey through the Bible in 32 weeks. Inspired by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. A look at the tearing apart of the Israeli kingdom into north and south.

The Kingdom Torn in Two January 16, 2011 The Story - 14 When I think about the Bible, I picture it as one movie or television program which is cut into many parts. It’s like watching a television series or sequels that you don’t want to miss. Remember programs like The FBI, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Of Polycarp At Smyrna: How To Give Up Everything For Christ Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 29, 2023

Many Christians would be killed for their faith in the first few hundred years of Christianity, many of whom lived in Smyrna. Most famous of all these martyrs was a man named Polycarp.

Smyrna as you can see on the map was located on the Aegean sea and was considered the gateway into Europe from the middle east. Smyrna was known for it’s production of fine materials, in fact, Smyrna was known for production of frankincense and myrrh. Primarily for myrrh. And myrrh was a substance ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Dr. King--The Mountain Top

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 8, 2010

This is a message given at a chapel service at a Christian High School where the majority of students were white and I'm an African American sharing my experiences.

Dr. King Reflections by Rick Gillespie- Mobley Go Back To The Mountaintop Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Ephesians 6:10-18 Martin Luther King Jr. was first and foremost a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of the images in his messages came from being grounded in the word of God. He used a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Expect Death At The Birth Of The King

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 24, 2003

how Jesus birth brought about the sword of Herod, and we can expect the same - a sermon for the minor festival of "the Holy Innocents: Martyrs"

Jesus once said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) The pictures we see of Christmas seem to portray the exact opposite. With Mary and Joseph gently hovering over a little baby in a manger, it’s a very ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Transfigured Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 16, 2016

Jesus took three disciples who were transfigured in life they were with Jesus and therefore life was transformed in latter stages. They were died as martyrs.

Text: MARK 9:2-9 Theme: “Be Transfigured” Background: Mark 8 describes Jesus involved in many activities and programs. He taught, did miracles, healed. Mark 9:10ff describes Jesus tells about resurrection, miracles, importance on fasting-prayer. 1. Go to Mountain Mark 9:2 Called, took to High ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Methodist

God Wins But It's Always By God's Calendar

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 21, 2023

The victory is God’s, but sometimes it takes a long time to achieve. And sometimes that victory is only in the willingness of martyrs to give up everything in witness to their faith.

Saturday of the 33rd Week in Course 2023 I recently read an article summarizing statements made by likely voters in one of the state primaries. One of the participants lamented about the state of the nation and asked, “Is there anyone other than me that feels like this is Rome 476 A.D.?” (Of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-40

Denomination: Catholic

The Legacy Of The Elim Missionaries In The Vumba Massacre John 15:13 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 8, 2024

The Elim missionaries who were martyred in the Vumba Massacre left a legacy that is a testament to the power of faith, the resilience of the gospel, and the enduring impact of sacrificial love.

Transformed by Truth: The Legacy of the Elim Missionaries in the Vumba Massacre Introduction: Today, we reflect on the profound sacrifice of the Elim missionaries who were martyred in the Vumba Massacre. The Vumba massacre (also known as the Elim Mission massacre) was a massacre of eight British ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13, Romans 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:9, Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:21, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eulogy Douglas Thomas

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 6, 2016

This is a eulogy for a Christian who loved his family, served his church, and invested himself in the lives of others. Doug was an African American, born in 1943 in a small town in West Va.

In May of 1943, the world was at war and freedom and justice was at stake. In Poland the Germans had crushed the last of the Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising killing thousands of Jews and sending the rest to the Triblinka concentration camp to die. Meanwhile in Alaska, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed