Sermons on Persecution Against The Church:

Huddle And Scatter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 31, 2015

The 1st church at first didn't spread outside of Jerusalem. It took a persecution to scatter believers into the surrounding areas, making the 1st beachheads of the Gospel. This sermon focuses on getting out of the church house and into the world.

Huddle and Scatter Acts Series Chuck Sligh May 31, 2015 (Adapted from a sermon by John Hamby titled “Gathered but Not Scattered” found on SermonCentral.) TEXT: Turn to Acts 8 INTRODUCTION Quotation – I want to read you something by way of introduction, by Tony Evans in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

"i May Be Persecuted, But I Am Not Forsaken."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 22, 2022

"When Christians face discouragement and faint as a result of opposition and persecution, it's an opportunity for us to show what God can do. Even when we are weak, God is powerful enough to handle any situation and use us as an example of his strength and might."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) ( 8) "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;" (9) " Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" (10) ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10, Psalm 118:6, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:38, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Romans 8:35-37, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Matthew 5:10-11, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

I Will Build My Church: Covenant

Contributed by Ricky Sinclair on Sep 6, 2019

Jesus said 'I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

I. Church covenant – what does it mean? Agreement. 1. Church covenant is a commitment that brings us believers into a special relationship with God and with each other. 2. God decides the terms of His covenant. 3. God does not negotiate with anyone concerning allegiance to Him. B. God puts ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21

Denomination: *other

Jesus Practioners

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

The Practicing (serving) Church is a: Philanthropic Church, Proclaiming Church,Persecuted Church, Protected Church, Praising Church, Praying Church, and aPowerful Church

(Excerpt from Peter Marshall—"Were you there") ("The [afternoon sun was sliding into its gentle decline] over the City of David. Already pilgrims, and visitors pouring in through [the north and south gates of the Temple; elbowing their way past those milling around in the grand court yards and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-32, Acts 3:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

The Four Last Things And Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 16, 2019

Many today, seeing Western culture disintegrate as it abandons Christian living and teaching, tell us that serious Christians need to flee the cities and establish new Christian communities of virtue.

Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Course 2019 Saints Severinus, Exuperius, & Felician The sources tell us that Marcus Aurelius “was Roman emperor from [AD] 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 24:16

Denomination: Catholic

"Assailing The Gates"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Feb 6, 2004

The church doesn’t exist to protect the camp; but to move against the foe.

“…I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” This statement by Jesus, in context, is a response to Peter’s confession of Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, there in Matthew 16:16 A proper exegesis of this passage would have to include the whole passage, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Orthodox

I Have Three Or Four Things Against You

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jul 17, 2009

Our generation of churches has been more bountifully blessed by God than in any other generation. Along with the blessings comes responsibility.

Andrew Jackson, one of our first presidents, was known as a man of few words. One day, his wife was unable to attend Sunday services and she asked what the minister’s message was about. Jackson said, "Sin." She said, "Well, what did he have to say about it?" He said, "He was against it." That ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Noise Of Battle

Contributed by John Harvey on Nov 2, 2004

In observance of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we must understand that persecution is a battle that is real.

The Noise of Battle International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Intro: Video from Open Doors In the 20th century more believers were martyred for their faith than all the previous centuries combined. An estimated 200 million Christians currently live in areas where their faith in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing Joy In Persecution, Part I Series

Contributed by Joe La Rue on Aug 1, 2008

A consideration of how we can experience joy even in the midst of persecution, when we are persecuted for the RIGHT REASON.

Title: Experiencing Joy In Persecution, Part I: Persecuted For The Right Reason Series: The Joy of the Christian Life (Sermon # 3) Text: Phil 1:12-13 Date Preached: Aug 3, 2008 COPYRIGHT © Joe La Rue, 2008 (All Rights Reserved) Introduction A. An “oxymoron” is a figure ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hold On! Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011

Part 6 of 7 in our summer series exploring the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Today's message examines the letter to the Church at Philadelphia.

Opening: On the top of your notes... How many doors are in this room/sanctuary portion of the building? Don’t turn and count... just take a guess... write it down. (WB ~ 20/NR ~ 12). How do you know that? I’m told ppl who are bored w/ sermons count all types of things... pews... ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Someone Sins Against You Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 25, 2006

When someone sins against us, we’re to talk first, then take others, then tell it to church, then treat as an unbeliever. But goal is always restoration.

What to Do When Someone Sins Against You Matthew 18:15-17 Rev. Brian Bill 11/26/06 One Sunday morning a wife tried to wake her husband up for church. He kept his eyes closed and said, “I don’t want to go to church; they don’t like me there.” She tried again, this time pleading with him to get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

More Pentecost

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 12, 2023

Acts 3 & 4 tell the story of a healing miracle and the pushback against the gospel.

Title: “More Pentecost” Text: Acts 3-4 Subject: How does the Holy Spirit speak and act after the events of Pentecost? Complement: He keeps on filling his people for witness! Preaching idea: The Holy Spirit freshly fills God’s people to empower us for witness. Acts 3 One day Peter and John were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18, Acts 13:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Upon This Rock I Build My Church

Contributed by Tamiko Stewart-Carter on Apr 3, 2006

The Gates of Hell will not prevail against the church, even if hell gets in you

Upon this Rock I build my church and the Gates of Hell Shall not prevail against it! Even if hell gets in you!! Prophetess Tamiko Stewart – Sunday, March 26, 2006 – Living Word Matthew 16:13-19 • God’s purpose will get accomplished! • Peter had revelation knowledge! • Peter means “Rock” • Hades ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Church Needs Gate Shakers Today

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 8, 2003

Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church but where are the Gate Shakers today?

"We need some gateshakers" Luke 4:44 – 5:11 Want to describe this situation to you if I may. Jesus has been preaching in the synagogue to the religious people of his day, this would be the modern day church, and afterwards the people pressed upon him. Now I don’t know what the message ...read more

Denomination: Baptist