Sermons on Persecuted The Church Of God:

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

Does persecution often create church growth?

Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna--The Church Under Pressure Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Oct 26, 2016

Smyrna was a church under the great pressure of persecution.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION SMYRNA—THE CHURCH UNDER GREAT PRESSURE TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11 Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Feeling Persecuted: Your Not Alone Series

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Feb 27, 2001

God has a way of getting His message out, even if it is uncomfortable for us.

Feeling Persecuted? Your Not Alone Ballard Assembly Pastor Bob Briggs Acts 8:1-8 Lesson 19 I. Persecution is to be expected. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered. Acts 8:1b God has a way of moving His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Summary Report Of The Church Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 3, 2017

The persecution ended when Saul, its most ardent advocate was converted and became a witness for Christ. The “church” was at peace.

March 19, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: A Summary Report of the Church (9:31) Scripture 31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Introduction ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31

Denomination: Baptist

The Re-Established Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on May 22, 2012

THE PASSAGE BEFORE US TODAY IS ONE OF TRANSITION. WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH AFTER THE ISSUE INVOLVING THE SIN OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. THIS PASSAGE IS ALSO THE INTRODUCTION WHICH WILL LEAD THE CHURCH INTO A MAJOR TIME

THE RE-ESTABLISHED CHURCH The Pre-Curser of Persecution Acts 5:12-16 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution And Renewal: Why Opposition To The Church Could Signal Revival

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Jun 22, 2025

Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in the persecution of Christians across the globe. In some countries, believers face brutal oppression — imprisonment, physical violence, even martyrdom.

Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in the persecution of Christians across the globe. In some countries, believers face brutal oppression — imprisonment, physical violence, even martyrdom. Even in Western societies that pride themselves on tolerance and pluralism, there is an escalating ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 4:4, Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 5:41, John 15:20, Matthew 28:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

"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

When The Church Is Scattered

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2021

Studying the response of the first church when persecuted can encourage a proper response to disruption of services in the modern church in the West.

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” [1] Fairmeadows Church met at seven o’clock each Wednesday evening for a prayer meeting. One evening, rather than going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Life And Times Of Saul Of Tarsus Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 15, 2023

A sermon examining the life of Saul of Tarsus.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAUL OF TARSUS Acts 8:1-3 (4/16/23) I regularly listen to a radio program called “Unshackled”. This program provides dramatic reenactments that tell the stories of people who were in desperate situations and by the grace of God they had an encounter with Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Empire Strikes Back Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 27, 2008

Exposition of Acts 12:1-17 regarding the attack of Herod on the church and the churches response to persecution

Text: Acts 12:1-17, Title: The Empire Strikes Back, Date/Place: NRBC, 3/30/08, AM A. Opening illustration: Ignatius Kung was ordained as a Bishop of Shanghai in 1949, shortly after the communists took over China. The Chinese government pressured him to align his loyalties to the "Chinese Catholic ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Firm In The Face Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 24, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore biblical examples of individuals who suffered for righteousness' sake, and how God rewarded them for their faithfulness.

As followers of Christ, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of persecution. Jesus Himself warned us that we would face opposition and hatred from the world, but He also promised that God would reward us for our suffering (Matthew 5:10-12). In this sermon, we will explore ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, Revelation 1:9-11

God’s People Are A Persecuted People

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 9, 2015

God’s People Are A PERSECUTED People

Daniel 3:8-30 1: God’s People Are A PERSECUTED People from discrimination in the workplace ……….to government mandates against our beliefs….. to imprisonment, physical torture and even execution. 1. The Reason For It. (a) They were persecuted for their STANDARDS. 12 ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:8-30

Denomination: Holiness

The Model Church – 2 Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Nov 12, 2019

The early church was a dynamic, growing church that turned the world of its day upside down! In spite of incredible opposition and terrible persecution.....

Follow us on: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityHarvestAGChurch/featured INTRODUCTION: The early church was a dynamic, growing church that turned the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:6, 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Letter To The Smyrna Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Persecution is to be expected by the godly and enduring persecution can bring great spiritual good.

Verse 8 – Jesus introduces Himself as being “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and has come to life.” The importance of this particular self-designation to the Smyrna Church of Christ will be seen when we have studied the challenges facing this congregation. Verse 9 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ