Sermons on Persecuted Church:

The Early Church.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Dec 2, 2003

With Peter being the spokesman for the 12 we watch the early church grow spiritually and courageous with its loyalty to Jesus.

The early church. Acts 5:11 -- 40. 12/03/03 In the early chapters of this book we see that the man Peter was a very prominent influence in the early church. Other Saints will become prominent as you read on such as Steven, Philip, and beginning in chapter 13 is the great apostle Paul. With Peter ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:11-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Such on Mar 7, 2011

A closer look at the 7 Churches found in the Book of Revelation and what it means for the church today.

The Suffering Church The 7 Churches of Revelation January 22nd & 23rd Today we continue our series on the 7 Churches of Revelation. Let’s look at Christ’s message to the church at Smyrna. Background: The Smyrna church was 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was called a city of rare ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry Of The Church

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 29, 2010

The ministry of the church includes signs and wonders (the easy part) and also witnessing (the hard part).

The Ministry of the Church Acts 5:12-42 THE EASY PART: WONDERS AND SIGNS (5:12-16) The church triumphed over Satan. They were still: Unified (5:12) Magnified (5:13) Multiplied (5:14) - the first mention of women coming to salvation in Acts. Wonders and Signs authenticated the ministry of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Heroes: X-Men Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 3, 2014

This fun sermon series uses comic-book heroes as modern-day parables, uncovering hidden spiritual messages in the stories of superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Spider-man. Most of these sermons are expository, alliterated and have PowerPoint!

Holy Heroes: X-Men Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 10/27/2013 If you did not make it out to the Halloween Parade in Carlinville, boy you really missed a show! We had over 15 members of the Grove suited up as almost every superhero you can imagine—Superman, Batman, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-80

Denomination: Christian Church

The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Oct 28, 2016

The message to the church at Smyrna. This church had a constant threat of death, but they remained faithful.

I. Introduction A. The city of Smyrna was about 35 miles north of Ephesus 1. It was and still is an important sea port a. The city's name is now Ismir 2. It was the site of the temple to Emperor Tiberious B. As a representative church, Smyrna pictures the time from about 100 AD to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering For Doing The Right Thing Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A call to do the right thing even when that choice brings suffering. Just as Christ was willing to suffer for our good, we should be willing suffer for doing good toward others.

INTRODUCTION A. Every Christian who lives a godly life experiences a certain amount of persecution. - A Teenager is shunned for being a Christian. (Peer Pressure, sex, cheating,) - An Employee may not advance if not willing to take advantage of another. - An Individual may not be invited to a party ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Espionage In The Church

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Dec 28, 2010

Although, because of its vulnerability, the church is constantly under the threat of siege by infiltration, it is not defenseless. It can preserve the faith from corruption and destruction by recognizing and properly dealing with impostors. Those of us wh

Robert "The Master Spy" Hanssen A high-ranking FBI counterintelligence agent, Hanssen caused more damage to U.S. national security than any other spy in our history. According to a key Soviet defector, the information provided by Hanssen was so damaging that the U.S. would have lost WWIII, had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:3

Denomination: Baptist

Church And State Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

What separation does mean is that all true religious faith is a matter of free choice, and so no state power can ever be rightly used to enforce faith or any religious conviction.

Until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, the abuse of power will be a major cause of human suffering. When the country of Chad in Africa became independent in 1960 the Christian missionaries were delighted that the first President was a Baptist. Tambolboye was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Amos - 9 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 4, 2010

God is not seeker sensitive!

Dakota Community Church June 20, 2010 Amos 9 1. God’s warning – locusts, fire, a plumb line & ripe fruit 2. Mercy triumphs over judgment 3. Human opposition to God as judge and to His messengers of judgment Amos 7:10-17 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Mennonite

Everyone Needs Encouragement

Contributed by Paul Estabrooks on Oct 24, 2012

Everyone needs encouragement—even the seemingly strong and mature—but especially those who suffer.

Today, in honor of International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we will stand and kneel with our brothers and sisters in Christ who share our faith but not our freedom. Second Timothy is the Apostle Paul’s final written communication before his death. He was chained to a soldier ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15-18

Denomination: *other

"When God Stood Up!”

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Aug 25, 2018

While we lie down in the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm, the Good Shepherd may not seem to notice us — we are safe; but when the sheep are among the wolves of Matthew 10:16, the Good Shepherd will run to their help — they are in danger.

“[God] raised [Christ] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places… . He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” - Ephesians 1:20–23 In Mark 16:19 after Jesus spoke to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

Made To Make A Difference (Acts 4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 14, 2012

This expository sermon series is adapted from Max Lucado's book, Out Live Your Life, and credit for most the series belong to him. Outlines are original. In Acts 4, we see the church was Fearless with Persecution, Faithful with Prayer, and Free with Posse

Made to Make a Difference: Acts 4 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/10/2011 This series is inspired by and portions adapted from Max Lucado’s Out Live Your Life. The early church didn’t have any of the advantages that some ministries boast and depend on today. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-34

Denomination: Christian Church

Living As The Church

Contributed by Mark Engler on Jan 23, 2015

We can't be the church as individuals, yet in the American church today many have the mentality of being lone rangers. If we are going to be the church that God intended we must be committed to the church and to each other.

Living As The Church Ephesians 4:1-16 INTRO: Have you ever read the Gospels and looked for the church? If you haven’t you should try it sometime. But I can tell you that you will not find much about church in the Gospels. Mark, Luke, and John don’t even mention the church and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Lions' Den

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 25, 2008

Daniel’s unwavering faith got him into trouble.

THE LIONS’ DEN Daniel 6:1-28 INTRODUCTION: Last week, I talked about the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the face of the furious King Nebuchadnezzar. Today, I’ll be talking about the faith of the fourth man in that brigade¾Daniel. He faced a similar test; only he wasn’t facing a fiery ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To The Church Of The Namby Pamby

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Jul 19, 2025

If John could have seen the Church today when writing the Revelation, I think he wouldn't have been quite so biblically polite in the Letter he would send to it.

To the Church of the Namby-Pamby I’ve been somewhat bothered with something lately and can’t seem to get it off of my mind. A feeling that God is pushing us to get things sorted quickly because His return is VERY SOON. Anyone else felt this? Felt the urgency of the church’s mission? Felt like ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: *other