Sermons on Persecution:

Opposition From Without (Acts 5) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

THis is a study the waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts.

INTRODUCTION: History of Opposition without: There were about 10 waves of persecution following after the Jewish persecution of the church chronicled in Acts. Nero (54-68) Domitian (81-90) Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Decius (249-251) thousands died for refusing to sacrifice to the imperial ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:19-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Persecution Then And Now: Are You Ready To Fight For The Faith?

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jul 9, 2015

How many of you have ever been in a fight over your faith? Has someone every attacked you, insulted you, hit you, or tried to get you fired over your faith in Jesus Christ? If you have a real faith, it will happen! Today Christians are being persecuted!

Persecution Then and Now: Are you ready to fight for the faith? By Kelly Durant 7-12-15 Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 2. How many of you have ever been in a fight over your faith? Has someone every attacked you, insulted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29

Denomination: Salvation Army

Imprecise Thinking

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jan 20, 2013

Persecutions & Martyrdom. It's origin and hos to deal with them

Stone The Gods - 12 years before Paul consented to stoning - Stephen’s death by stoning - Now he was being stoned - Stone the man who healed the cripple World does not appreciate its benefactors Martyrdoms Martyr Gk. “witness” - 70 million over 2000 years - Every day 400 are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Joy When Facing Persecution For Christ

Contributed by Richard Wagner on May 9, 2008

It is a privilege to face trials which grow us in our sanctification. The book The Heavenly Man is used as an illustration.

This story is a little bit convoluted but the message is important. Our son Tommy graduated 8th grade in May of 2007. One of his eighth grade teachers was Tim Bratt. Tim is a solid Christian man who lives his faith. During that year they read The Heavenly Man and discussed and reported on it in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

"Remember": The International Day Of Prayer For The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 12, 2012

The sermon was originally preached by Rev. Steven Simala Grant of Laurier Heights Baptist Church (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada); I have added a point and tweaked others to make it work in my parish.

“REMEMBER”: A SERMON FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH HEBREWS 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3) Remember my chains. Grace be with you. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Nazarene

For The Sake Of Righteousness And Me Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 7, 2022

As we unpacked the final of Jesus' beatitudes we will see that persecution is both a given and a gift.

For The Sake Of Righteousness And Me Matthew 5:10-12 SO – Maple Grove are you ready? OKAY THEN – let’s do this! It’s Thursday night… the night of His arrest. • Jesus’ has washed their feet in the upper room, telling them to, “go and do likewise” • HE - has given them a new command to love each ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are A Fundie Bible Thumping Mentally Retarded Crutch Needing Holy Ro... Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 31, 2016

"You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded backwards thinking ignoramoose God loving hypocrite." You believe in Jesus? Jesus, Paul, and Peter says you will face opposition to your faith.

YOU ARE A FUNDIE BIBLE THUMPING MENTALLY RETARDED CRUTCH NEEDING HOLY ROLLING HOMO-HATING DIRT IQ CLOSE-MINDED BACKWARDS THINKING IGNORAMOOSE GOD LOVING HYPOCRITE 1 PETER 4:12-19 You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Life Worth Living

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Dec 6, 2023

A look at the upcoming persecution of Christians.

A Life Worth Living If you would, open your Bible to Esther 4. Today, we`re going to talk about something a little different than normal. The book of Esther is one of my favorites in the Bible and if I could, I would preach a whole series going through the Book of Esther. Before we begin reading ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

More To Being A Christian Series

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 8, 2003

A look at the persecuted church

A study of the Book of Revelation < The persecuted Church> #5 Rev. 2:8-11 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 poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Pain

Contributed by Jordan Wirkkala on Dec 12, 2007

Finding purpose in persecution

Paul’s Pain: Finding purpose in persecution -I went snowboarding for the first time and got hurt pretty bad with all of the constant falling. My wife snowboards and I was hoping to get a little compassion. She would have except for the fact that she could not stop laughing at me. -The pain that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Growing Pains

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Apr 8, 2003

The church under persecution

Growing Pains Acts 5:12-25 Jeff Hughes – April 6, 2003 Calvary Chapel Aggieland I. Introduction a. The church at Jerusalem was going through many changes. Thousands of people had accepted Jesus as their Savior and become a part of the fellowship. These people were one big community of believers, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven, Part 8

Contributed by David Taylor on Jan 9, 2014

Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted

The Seven, part 8 Smyrna: Comfort for the Persecuted Revelation 2:8-11 July 7, 2013 Review: We have seen that the Revelation was written to address specific issues with seven churches in Asia Minor at the end of the first century. We saw in chapter one that John describes a portrait of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Addressing The Council (Acts 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 12, 2025

Persecution from within.

Were many Jews in Jerusalem unwilling to accept Paul’s teaching about Jesus? Have many churches repented of doctrinal error or stubbornly hardened their hearts? Let’s review Acts 23. Did Paul speak plainly to the Jewish Council in Jerusalem? Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Fearlessly Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 9, 2008

How believers fearlessly face persecution.

I’ve been reading a book by an agnostic whose previous book chronicled his project to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. In his latest book he describes his attempt to live according to the Bible. To do so, he had to read it, and he admits, even as one with very little faith: “This is the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Congregational