Sermons on Persecution Of Christians:

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

The Eighth And Ninth Beatitudes Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 26, 2022

Like it or not, being persecuted is in Jesus' list of the characteristics of the Christian. If we follow Jesus, it's inevitable that we'll be persecuted. But the persecution proves the genuiness of our faith. And it leads to great reward.

Jesus starts the Sermon on the Mount with nine Beatitudes – sayings that start ‘Blessed are’. Jesus wants us to be blessed – meaning, happy or fortunate. In the Beatitudes, Jesus presents us with the key characteristics of the Christian. Some people have said they’re the blueprint of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Defending The Faith Sermon I: God Needs No Defenders But Our Christian Faith Does Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 6, 2020

In times of upheaval when attacks against Christians by unbelievers and scoffers are ramped up, mature Christians persevere in their devotion to Christ and defend their Faith in a spirit of God's love and mercy.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE --- GOD NEEDS NO DEFENDERS BUT OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH DOES In a recent episode of the TV Program Family Feud the question put to 100 women was: “If you arrived in heaven and found that there were no men there, what would you say” . . . and the number one ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-4, Jude 1:20-25

The Transition From "Jews For Jesus” To "Semi-Jews For Jesus” Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009

Sometimes our routines keep God from working, so He brings change and even persecution to awaken us as to what He is doing.

The Transition from “Jews for Jesus” to “Semi-Jews for Jesus” (Acts 8:1-8) 1. People try playing all sorts of tricks. Two friends run into each other while walking their dogs. One suggests lunch. The other says, "They won’t let us in a restaurant with pets." Undeterred, the first guy and his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul's Chains Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Persecution could not stop Paul from getting the message out, in fact he used his chains to glorify God.

Paul’s Chains Philippians 1:12-18 Lat week we talked about Paul’s heart, today we are going to talk about Paul’s troubles. We’re going to see that people cannot stop the spread of the gospel through persecution. In fact God uses attempts to thwart his purpose to actually strengthen what He wants ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Love In Bloom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 11, 2019

Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.

Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Always Has A Plan

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Feb 1, 2013

Christians need to learn to look at all the circumstances in our lives, the good and what we consider to be bad circumstances and look at these circumstances the way God does. We need to remember that God uses all of our circumstances to teach us things!

If you’ve been around me for any length of time then you know that I am fond of saying that God always has a plan for each of us. Sometimes we like how His plan unfolds for us and sometimes we can become disappointed in how the plan unfolds. I have also mentioned a Bible study that Diane and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Unto The Church In Smyrna, Write Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 13, 2013

The church made perfect by suffering

Unto the Church in Smyrna, Write Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction Last week, we examined the letter the Lord directed John to send to Ephesus. This week we will examine the letter sent to Smyrna. As we will see, the situation in Smyrna was quite different than that of Ephesus. Jesus addresses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Smyrna: Unto Death Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 17, 2021

Whatever the Christians were going through in Smyrna … whatever we are going through in our lives right now … Jesus not only knows what we are going through, He’s experienced it Himself.

Imagine having to hide to do what we’re doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly … or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna is located 35 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Koran Burning And All That!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Jun 24, 2012

To trust God to mete out justice when facing persecutions!!!

THE BURNING ISSUE Want to become an international celeb in a jiffy? Go no further than aping the dubious, provocative style of “Pastor” Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center Gainesville who was hell-bent on burning Koran on Sept 11 (for obvious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: *other

Important Instructions From Jesus Our King (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 8, 2022

Jesus wants us to: 1. Strive to be like our Savior (vs. 24-25). 2. Focus on fearing the Lord (vs. 25-28). 3. Be encouraged by how much God treasures us (vs. 29-31). 4. Overcome our fears with faith (vs. 31). 5. Take a bold stand for our Savior (vs. 32-33).

Important Instructions from Jesus Our King (Part 3) The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 10:24-33 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared February 8, 2022) MESSAGE: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 10:24. In this chapter, Jesus was about to send His Apostles out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Influence

Contributed by Andy Grossman on May 29, 2014

The Christian is the salt and light and has more influence than he can imagine

“Christian Influence” June 1, 2014 Matthew 5:10-16 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-16

Denomination: Holiness

Christian Conduct

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Apr 30, 2024

Paul waned the Philippian Christian's conduct to represent the Gospel

Christian Conduct Philippians 1:27-2:4 Good morning. The Greek word which is translated as “conduct” means “to live as a citizen.” According to the US Army Human Resources Command webpage, the Army Good Conduct Medal was established in June 1941. It is awarded for excellent behavior, efficiency, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessings Of A Christian

Contributed by David Rogers on Mar 30, 2005

A sermon that examines the beattitudes and the blessings that we recieve from them.

Blessings of a Christian Matthew 5:1-16 How many today do not assume the blessedness of a Christian. What I mean by this is can people look at us and know that we are disciples of Christ? If not then it is time for us to examine our life and ask God to be our guide. To many today say hey I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist