Sermons on Persecuted Church:

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons To Be Faithful To God In Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 18, 2024

There are two different topics to explore in this message: The reasons to stay faithful to God during a persecution, and, the role of deacons (or elders or servants) in the church. All of these come as a result of the faithfulness of the early believers, and should be an encouragement for us.

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 8 Reasons to be Faithful to God in Persecution Acts 5:26-42 and 6:1-7 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:26-42, Acts 6:1-7, Matthew 10:22, Romans 8:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are A Fundie Bible Thumping Mentally Retarded Crutch Needing Holy Ro... Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 31, 2016

"You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded backwards thinking ignoramoose God loving hypocrite." You believe in Jesus? Jesus, Paul, and Peter says you will face opposition to your faith.

YOU ARE A FUNDIE BIBLE THUMPING MENTALLY RETARDED CRUTCH NEEDING HOLY ROLLING HOMO-HATING DIRT IQ CLOSE-MINDED BACKWARDS THINKING IGNORAMOOSE GOD LOVING HYPOCRITE 1 PETER 4:12-19 You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Praying Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

The church did not pray for the easing of persecution, but for greater courage and more miracles. They recognizes God’s sovereignty and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled.

CONTEXT • Peter and John healed a crippled beggar in Chapter 3. It drawn the attention of the crowd. • Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus and forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ Name. At least 5000 men were saved (4:4). • The priests and religious leaders were not happy that they were preaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Movement Of God Through Pain In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 15, 2012

LAST WEEK AS A CHURCH WE FACED OUR MUTUAL HURT. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL WHO WERE HERE THEN AND ARE HERE TODAY HURT IN VARIOUS DEGREES. WE DIVERTED FROM OUR SERIES HERE IN THE BOOK OF ACTS TO ADDRESS THIS THE ISSUE OF OUR HURT AND THE WHY WE HAVE OUR

THE MOVEMENT OF GOD THROUGH PAIN IN THE CHURCH ACTS 8:2-8 GODLY MEN BURIED STEPHEN AND MOURNED DEEPLY FOR HIM. 3 BUT SAUL BEGAN TO DESTROY THE CHURCH. GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, HE DRAGGED OFF MEN AND WOMEN AND PUT THEM IN PRISON. 4 THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCATTERED PREACHED THE WORD WHEREVER THEY ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 13 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 16, 2010

James, in this passage of the book, turns his attention to the topic of PATIENCE. In the mind of James, patience is important to the Christian life. James tells us as followers of Christ, that we are to be patient people, while at the same time defining

A REASON FOR PATIENCE IN PERSECUTION JAMES 5:7-12 INTRODUCTION: James, in this passage of the book, turns his attention to the topic of PATIENCE. In the mind of James, patience is important to the Christian life. James tells us as followers of Christ, that we are to be patient people, while at ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Church In Smyrna - Do Not Live In Fear Series

Contributed by Steven Devroy on Mar 1, 2024

This church was under great persecution

We are excited to be here as we are continuing our sermon series this morning on the seven churches found in the book of Revelations. Last week, we talked about the background of the church in Ephesus and we learned that they were a hard working church that were patient and did not stand for ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How God Uses Persecution Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2013

Stephen's message was God’s final invitation to Israel. If Israel rejected the message, God would turn elsewhere to root and ground His church. Israel DID reject the message; in fact, Israel killed Stephen and launched a savage persecution against the c

The last time we were in our series in the Book of Acts, we saw that Stephen died as a martyr for Jesus Christ. Stephen preached a message just before he died. His message was God’s final invitation to Israel. If Israel rejected the message, God would turn elsewhere to root and ground His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Separation Of Church And State

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 9, 2014

How does all of this "Separation of Church and State" fit in with what the Bible teaches? Should we as Christians lay aside our beliefs if and when the Lord calls us to serve in the government of our nation? God forbid!

Suppose your nation was fighting a war. And … there were great and talented leaders in charge. Your nation had never lost a war and was a dominant power in the world. However, in this nation public opinion was turning against the war and the elected officials who were worried about their ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:18-21

Denomination: Nazarene

The Beat Up Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 8, 2011

The Church at Smyrna is a church which received no criticism from the Lord but much abuse from both the culture and the "congregation" (those who ’say’ they are Jews)

The Unveiling The “Beat Up” or “Bloodied” Church Revelation 2:8-11 * From my observation we live in an increasingly violent culture. Hardly a day passes when we don’t hear of someone being killed or attacked. An honest look at our entertainment would indicate that America has bought into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Perscution Of The Church In Jerusalem

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

The world will always fail in its endeavours to destroy Christianity.

HEROD’S PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM. Acts 12. Baruch the son of Neriah was given a prophecy by Jeremiah which contains a very personal message for ourselves: "Thus says the LORD: I am going to break down what I have built, and pluck up what I have planted-- that is, the whole ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church In The Storm

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Oct 18, 2000

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble.

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble. The gifts in operation in Acts chapters 12 and 13 were the gifts of power: the gift of faith and the gift of working of miracles. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-12

Growing Pains

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Apr 8, 2003

The church under persecution

Growing Pains Acts 5:12-25 Jeff Hughes – April 6, 2003 Calvary Chapel Aggieland I. Introduction a. The church at Jerusalem was going through many changes. Thousands of people had accepted Jesus as their Savior and become a part of the fellowship. These people were one big community of believers, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven, Part 8

Contributed by David Taylor on Jan 9, 2014

Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted

The Seven, part 8 Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted Revelation 2:8-11 July 7, 2013 Review: We have seen that the Revelation was written to address specific issues with seven churches in Asia Minor at the end of the first century. We saw in chapter one that John describes a portrait of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials

Contributed by David Cambridge on Jan 18, 2002

This sermon considers several aspects of persecutions and trials: author, purpose, assurances, response.

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials The Church’s Reaction To Adversity Introduction 1. Since the establishment of the church God’s people have endured various persecutions and trials. Even in times of comparative rest a church may face discouraging trails from a variety of circumstances and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ