Sermons on Persecution Refines:

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

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

Praying Through Persecution Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 13, 2019

Your suffering guarantees your present faith and your future fate.

A. 1 PETER 4:12-19 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer – God’s Prescription For Persecution Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 19, 2023

Message 12 in a series through James that helps us explore the relationship between faith and works in our lives. James was the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

There is a phrase we often use in our culture – we saved the best for last. I don’t know if the last part of James 5 is the BEST section because it is hard to measure that quantifiably. But one I can say for certain is that it is no doubt one of the most debated sections of the book of James and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Results Of The First Church’s Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 4, 2024

The 1st church scattered under persecution – but they were not defeated – nor were they afraid! They had a drive to proclaim what Jesus had done outside their safe place, exactly as Jesus said they would.

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 10 The Results of the First Church’s Persecution Acts 8:1-25 Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7) No Wed night for adults this week – resuming Mar 13th! (Ecclesiastes) Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trials And Persecutions Drive Us Onward.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jul 6, 2022

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles. They travel through the Antioch region. I call it, “The Antioch calling.” Paul preaches while going back into history, He points out how men and women of God were terribly mistreated. But they kept living...

Trials and Persecutions Drive Us Onward. Acts 14:1-25TPT In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles. They travel through the Antioch region. I call it, “The Antioch calling.” Paul preaches while going back into history, He points out how men and women of God were terribly mistreated. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-25, Isaiah 14:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Persecution--Coming To A Church Near You? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 14, 2021

We have two challenges: to make faith in Our Lord known and to so act that Americans turn back to Christ and the Church and repent and are healed. And at the foundation of that effort, we must pray, pray, pray.

Feast of St Agnes 2021 Saint Agnes was martyred in the persecution of Diocletian, right about the year of our Lord 303. Now we in the United States tend to think in terms of four to eight years, the length of a presidential administration. But just imagine what life was like in the last half of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-12, Hebrews 7:25-28, Hebrews 8:1-6, Psalm 40:7-17

Denomination: Catholic

Why Are We To Prepare Ourselves For Persecution?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Mar 30, 2025

We should not be afraid of what may happen to us because of our faith. Trust in God to help guide us through what we may face.

Why Are We to Prepare Ourselves for Persecution? Matthew 10:16-42 In verses sixteen - eighteen: The resistance of the Pharisees would resemble assaulting wolves. The only expectation that the disciples have is to seek their Shepherd for assurance. We might even confront comparable aggression. Like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unshaken: Standing Firm In The Face Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Sandeep Samson on Apr 8, 2025

As we head into the era of chaos where the the world is in crisis, with War and battle zones drawn, frequent natural disasters across nations, political upheavals and unrest, Injustice, pride, selfishness and Godlessness prevails. Christians face rampant persecution.

I. Stand Firm in Conviction Core Verse: Daniel 3:16-18 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fleeing Persecution (1 Samuel 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2025

Should we walk away from those who don't want to hear the Gospel, or flee those who persecute us for it? Let's begin in 1 Samuel 21.

Are there situations to walk away from or even flee? What if people refuse to listen to the Gospel or worse, persecute us? Is mercy more important than sacrifice? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 21. Did David understand that eating the shewbread, putting hunger ahead of the letter of the law, was innocent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness Sake. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 6, 2018

Persecution the acid test of our faith. Persecuted for righteousness not for anything else.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for they shall be called the children of God - Matt. 5:10 -12 It may seem strange that Jesus passes so quickly from peacemaking in the previous beatitude to persecution—from the work of reconciliation to the experience of hostility. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of And The Oppostion To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Aug 15, 2008

the power of the gospel causes opposition

The Power Of And The Opposition To The Gospel Acts 19:21-41 Our text records the story of a riot in Ephesus instigated against Paul and the new church there. Although Paul was not at the center of the action, it must have been an unforgettably frightening ordeal. Most of us have never had to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom Isnt Free, Persecution Comes To The Church.

Contributed by H. Junior Beasley on Jun 7, 2014

Speaks of the Positive Mindset that comes from being ready to suffer persecution.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Free, Freedom what does that mean? Freedom is a Paradox Word. In the Midst of Suffering there is Joy…….Generosity in poverty…Power in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fiery Trials

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 16, 2011

Standing up for Christ in difficult times

Reading: 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-19. • We’ve noted in past studies that every Christian who lives a godly life; • Will at some stage experiences a certain amount of persecution. • That’s part of the package! i.e. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 12. • The apostle Peter has already dealt with this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Brethren