Sermons on Persecution:

The Story Must Be Stopped Series

Contributed by Tim May on Apr 26, 2015

The indwelling of the Spirit gives people a conviction to proclaim a truth even in the face of unrelenting persecution and pressure. In the heat of the pressure will you continue to proclaim truth in the resurrected one?

INTRODUCTION: Recently I have been reading a book titled The Speed of Trust. While reading this book I came across this interesting fact. I found interesting because it makes me think about the condition of the Christian church these days. I am trying to decide if people have lost trust in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

His Joy In Suffering For Them Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 9, 2018

Paul suffered persecution, hardship and imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the congregations which were under his spiritual care in Asia Minor, Greece and Rome.

7/12/18 Tom Lowe Title: IIIA1? His Joy in Suffering for Them? (Colossians 1:24) • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” follow associated verses. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Colossians 1:24 (NIV) (Text) 1:24: Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24

Denomination: Baptist

Silencing The Rooster.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 6, 2021

What do you do when the heat is on, and persecution present. Peter denies the word who became flesh. Peter denies his association with God.

Silencing the Rooster. Matthew 26:74-75NKJV As a child, being a slave on a plantation, Booker T. Washington was awakened every morning by the crowing of a rooster. And he hated it. Every morning the rooster would start making its loud racket before the sun even came up. Eventually, the rooster ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:74-75, Matthew 27:15-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Received With Joy, Not Rejected

Contributed by David Zachrich on Aug 9, 2023

Rejection is painful, especially when you had hoped to be warmly received. It is the issue that Jesus addressed while in the Temple days before His arrest, persecution, and crucifixion.

Jesus concluded, “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:33-43 Friends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church Scatters Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Sep 29, 2023

Beginning with the stoning of Stephen, a great persecution began against the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. Saul created havoc for the church, entering homes and hauling men and women to prison.

September 30, 2023 Beginning with the stoning of Stephen, a great persecution began against the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. Saul created havoc for the church, entering homes and hauling men and women to prison. He would later describe his activities this way: • Acts 26:9-11 - I too was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Acts 26:9-11, Acts 11:19, Acts 11:23

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Ready For Anything. Called, Prepared And Sent - Matthew 10.1-23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Mar 23, 2025

JESUS Calls and Empowers HIS disciples and sends them out as HIS Apostles with HIS Power and Authority. Called, Chosen, Commissioned and Preparation for Rejection, Opposition and Persecution.

2025.03.30. Sermon Notes. READY FOR ANYTHING. MATTHEW 10.1-23 CALLED, PREPARED and SENT William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: JESUS Calls and Empowers HIS disciples and sends them out as HIS Apostles with HIS Power and Authority. Called, Chosen, Commissioned and Preparation for Rejection, Opposition ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-26, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Matthew 19:28, Revelation 21:14, Romans 1:16, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Matthew 4:17, Exodus 4:10-12, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 1:3-6, Philippians 1:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Should They Hate Us?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 18, 2001

Using the backdrop of the hatred that resulted in the terrorism attacks on America, this sermon asks why anyone would hate Christians?

OPEN: I remember when I was in 2nd grade. I was in class the day that it was announced to us that the President of the United States had been assassinated. A sniper had murdered John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, and the nation was in tumult. I remember many things about that day. The way the class ...read more

Scripture: John 15:17-21, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Are Reviled Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Nov 28, 2023

We are at the end of our series on the Beatitudes here in Matthew chapter 5. It has been a great reminder to hear the good news Jesus gives through the introduction of his Great Sermon on the Mount. We are finishing up this week by reading the second half of the last beatitude.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION OPERATION GREIF The year was 1944. In the runup to Germany’s last major offensive of World War II, Hitler gave orders for English-speaking German soldiers to form a special unit called Panzer Brigade 150. Members of the brigade would pose as American and British ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 3:13-17, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6-7, James 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commendable Conduct

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A.

COMMENDABLE CONDUCT--ESPECIALLY SUBMISSION TO EVERY APPROPRIATE HUMAN AUTHORITY--IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO PERSECUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO GLORIFY GOD (2:11-3:12) A. Introduction (2:11-13a) 1. Commendable Conduct Viewed Negatively (:11) a. Description of Such Conduct ("lusts of the flesh") b. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 5, 2007

In the first church, let’s take a look at what happened and how it relates to the church today. 1- the proclamation of the gospel 2- the persecution of the apostles 3- the proliferation of the church

INTRO.- Church happenings. What is happening in our churches? ILL.- A group of women were talking. One lady said, “Our congregation is sometimes down to thirty and forty on Sunday night.” Another said, “That’s nothing, sometimes our group is down to six or seven.” An old maid added her bit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suffering Church Sunday

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 5, 2007

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That blood is still being shed. In this sermon we name the top ten persecutors and finish with a look at Paul - the persecutor who became the persecuted.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day. We have heard of believers having boiling water poured down their throats. Other gruesome forms of torture are meted out to Christ’s sheep on a daily basis. The top ten persecutors - (1) North ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

More Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

Let’s take a look at some more happenings in the early church. 1- Great persecution 2- Genuine mourning 3- Gritty preaching 4- Glorious joy

INTRO.- ILL.- Three churches got together to sponsor a community-wide revival. The churches were Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Being A Christian

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 15, 2007

Yes, there are difficulties, sacrifices, trials, and persecution that the faithful Christian will face because of His walk with/in the Lord Jesus. Even then, there is great joy in being a Christian!

The Joy of Being a Christian Theme: No matter your trials it is a joy to be a Christian. Acts 16:25-34 INTRODUCTION A. Being a faithful Christian means there are many trials following in the footsteps of our Christ. 1. That is part of the cost of being in Christ. 2. Such is necessary ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lower The Nets For A Catch Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 7, 2013

Jesus calls us to lower the nets for a catch, even though it means persecution and rejection. We must learn the four steps of evangelization of our surroundings, friends and coworkers.

Third Sunday of Easter 2013 Vatican II About forty years ago, acting on the directions of the Fathers of the Council, a team of expert Scripture scholars and liturgists gave the Church what is called the “expanded Lectionary” for Mass. The exact words of the Liturgy Constitution are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

Hurry Up, God!

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 15, 2010

David's prayer is that God will hurry up and deliver him from persecution. However, his life also demonstrated submission to God by not taking matters into his own hands.

Psalm 70 As we begin, I want to advise you that this Psalm is a repetition, almost word for word, of the last part of Psalm 40. This theme was so important to David, he included it in two of his Psalms. VS. 1 Hurry Up, God! When we try to rush God’s Timing it is because we feel an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5

Denomination: Baptist