Sermons on Persecution Refines:

Having A Problem?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 13, 2019

a study in the book of Psalms 3

Psalm 3: 1 – 8 Having a problem? 1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:3

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Christ Call’s For Moral Courage Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

SMYRNA WAS A SMALL BUT DEDICATED CHURCH. THEY COURAGEOUSLY FACE PERSECUTION AND ARE REMINDED OF THE PROMISED REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. THE SECOND OF SEVEN IN THE SERIES.

CHRIST CALL’S FOR MORAL COURAGE REVELATION 2:12-17 TODAY WE LOOK AT THE THIRD OF SEVEN MESSAGES THAT GOD GIVES THE CHURCH THROUGH HIS SERVANT JOHN. EPHESUS WAS A CHURCH THAT HAD LOST IT’S FIRST LOVE, SMYRNA WAS A STRUGGLING CHURCH THAT KEPT THE FAITH IN SPITE OF GREAT PERSECUTION. PERGAMOS WAS A ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

When Suffering Strikes Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on May 29, 2016

Churches Then & Now: Smyrna – When Suffering Strikes – Revelation chapter 2 verses 8-11 – sermon by Gordon Curley. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Address (8a). (2). Attribute (vs 8b). (3). Approval (vs 9-10a). (4). Accusation. (5). Advice (vs 10). (6). Assurance (vs 11). SERMON BODY: Ill: • “We don’t look alike, we don’t act alike. • We don’t dress alike. • We have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Brethren

Enduring Pressure Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

How God used Persecution to bless the church

Acts 8 - 3/19/17 Turn with me this morning to Acts 8.  The book of Acts is the transitional book, leading us from the life and ministry of Jesus and taking us into the church age.  As Jesus ascends back up to heaven, he said to his disciples, "But you will receive power when the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Places To Find Joy Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Mar 12, 2009

Paul teaches us from prison where true JOY can be found

PLACES TO FIND JOY: In relationships with other believers Philippians 1:1-8 Philippi was located in the area of Macedonia –now the northern most province of GREECE/ bordering Albania In ancient times it was in a gold mining area. After 400 B.C., Philip II of Macedon seized the mines, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-8

The Witness Of Paul Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 13, 2020

The persecutor became the persecuted. The one who was hunting down believers became hunted down. Paul who afflicted suffering on Christians, now suffers as a Christian.

Good morning. We are going to read the post-conversion account of Paul today. • His conversion, which we saw last week, was both miraculous and traumatic. • He was blinded for 3 days and did not eat or drink, until a stranger Ananias came to minister to him. He was restored physically, but more ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Matters Of Life And Death

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jul 4, 2015

Persecution realities of today in many lands

Matters of Life and Death: February 8th, 2015 Pastor Eric J. Hanson: Luke 21:10-19  Jesus warned about persecution.  “They will put some of you to death”.  The Most Persecuted People in the World…  Now let’s consider specific nations. North ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sermon On The Mount (Part Four) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 3, 2019

Today we finish up the beatitudes. They all work together-being poor in spirit causes me to have godly sorrow. Being meek allows me to be merciful and thus-a peacemaker. If I hunger and thirst for righteousness I will be pure in heart. All of these are important in dealing with persecution.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part four) Matt. 5:10-12 Today we finish up the beatitudes. And in looking at them I can see how they all work together-Being poor in spirit causes me to mourn (have godly sorrow). Being meek (kind, gentle and humble) allows me to be merciful. If I hunger and thirst for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 2:19-21, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Corinthians 4:11-13, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Hebrews 10:32-36, Hebrews 11:36-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Philip And The Ethiopian Lesson 39 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 11, 2019

Persecution scatters the Gospel.

A. INTRODUCTION – ACTS 8:1-4 1. Persecution initiated. Saul held the coats for those stoning Stephen. “. . . I cast my vote . . .” (Acts 26:10). 2. Persecution intensified. 3. Persecution scatters the gospel. B. THE GOSPEL SPREADS TO SAMARIA – ACTS 8:5-6 1. What is significant about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

1 John 3:1-10 Series

Contributed by Zak Saenz on Mar 14, 2025

1 John 3:1-10

1 John 3:1-10 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. The world does not know those who believe in God and who believe in Jesus. They don't understand why ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-10, Galatians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23

Denomination: Bible Church

Counting Blessings Amid Trials Series

Contributed by Peter Ceccardi on Dec 3, 2024

Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Introduction: Theme of Gratitude and Faith in Trials Brethren, as we gather to begin this series, Echoes of Christmas: God’s Unfolding Plan, our hearts are tuned to Thanksgiving. It is fitting that we turn our minds to the matter of gratitude—an act not for days of ease alone but for days of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 107:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven Churches: Smyrna PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2025

Jesus knows our suffering, calls us to courageous faithfulness amid trials, and promises eternal life to those who endure with Him.

Some of us walked in today with hearts that feel threadbare. Bills stack up. Doctors call back. Friends pull away. Tears fall in the dark, and worries pace the floor at 3 a.m. You wonder, Does Jesus see this? Does He know my name? Does He care about my pain? Smyrna asked the same questions. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Topics: Smyrna, Church, Persecution

The Reward Of Work –ephesians 4: 28

Contributed by Joshua Boateng on Nov 1, 2012

Hard work does not kill, it only refines

In my life, I sold ice cream, chilled water, eggs, banana and bread when I was a teenager. I worked in my dad’s Pharmacy for 8 years. I did National service after Advanced levels and after university and supported my aging parents sometimes. During my National service we had just planted a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Blessing Paradox Part Ii: Persecution, Preservation, Illumination, Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 9, 2014

Part II of the series

Last week, we started this two part "mini-series" of messages in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, commonly known as The Beatitudes. To the unsaved, they would seem to be insane at first glance: you will be happy if you are poor, if you weep, if you are a 98 pound weakling, if you give ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-16

Denomination: Bible Church

God Wants Us To Pray To Escape From Persecution. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 22, 2019

Scripture says that a true believer will be persecuted in many ways. Some are mocked for their faith, some are tortured, some are put in prisons and some are killed for their faith.

Even Apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:12 that "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. In John 15:20, Jesus also said that whoever follows Christ will be persecuted. In Luke 6:22-23 we know that Jesus mentioned 4 types of persecution that the people may ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:20, Romans 8:35