Sermons on Persecutions:

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"recycling Our Pain" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

Our scripture for today falls into this category of verses I don’t understand when I first read them. Here it is. Happy are those who are persecuted.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If your right eye offends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry Of Philip Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 13, 2021

The Persecution of the early church scattered believers all over, everyone witnessed according to their understanding and gifts. Philip landed in Samaria and did wonders and reached many. Read and enjoy.

Acts 8:4-25 Samaria: Philip, Peter, and John 08:04-08 Ministry of Philip in Samaria 08:09-13,17-24 Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer 08:14-25 Ministry of Peter and John in Samaria Happy New Year 2021!. This Part 3 of the ACTS covers the expansion of the Church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Methodist

A Word From Your Pilot Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 16, 2014

We're strangers in this world and we will encounter difficulty. What has God supplied to help us survive the struggles and sufferings and persecutions we may encounter here?

OPEN: On a Continental flight a pilot began his usual comments to the passengers: “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome on board Continental flight 428. This is your Captain speaking and I have some information about our flight. We've reached cruising altitude of 35,000 ft. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Time Of Betrayal - Can You Pass The Judas Test?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 15, 2022

We are entering a time like no other, the time of the end. This time will be characterized by wickedness, betrayal and persecution. When Judas shows up in your life, how will you respond?

• I recently came through a terrible years long betrayal • I don’t want to talk about that betrayal today, I am done talking about it. I am praying every single day for the person involved because I care about her and want her to go on and do better and be in a closer walk with the Lord. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Denomination: Charismatic

Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 11, 2023

The persecution forced the church to decisions that would unlock the full potential of the Church in terms of scope, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Church at Jerusalem became the Church on the move. We are a part of that movement.

Sermon: Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Scripture: Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:18-21, Acts 8:25-31

Denomination: Methodist

Crazy Happy Satisfaction Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

True joy and happiness are found in living according to God's plan, which includes showing mercy, having a pure heart, being a peacemaker, and standing firm in the face of persecution.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all want - happiness. But not just any happiness, we're talking about the real, deep-down, soul-satisfying happiness. You know, the kind that doesn't depend on how many likes you get on Instagram or whether your crush texts you back. We're talking about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-12

Topics: Divine Joy, God's Plan, Spiritual Happiness, Faithful Living

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

Going With The Gospel Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 21, 2020

We gather to grow, and we scatter to sow.

Last weekend we focused on the beatitude of Jesus found in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We were encouraged to lament our losses, to be sorrowful about our sins, to cry over the condition of Christians and non-Christians, and to weep for our world. While ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Baptist

Paul & Barnabas On The Move: The Holy Spirit Spreads The Gospel Against Demonic Oppression

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 19, 2021

So we’ve gone from Jesus Christ, alive from the dead, commanding his rag tag band of followers to make disciples of the whole world. They set out to do that in Jerusalem but faced severe persecution.

So we’ve gone from Jesus Christ, alive from the dead, commanding his rag tag band of followers to make disciples of the whole world. They set out to do that in Jerusalem but faced severe persecution. So they fled off into the roman empire preaching the gospel wherever they went. Peter, Philip, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1, Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Salvation Army

Filled With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 5, 2009

Stephen was a man who existed in the state of being filled with the Spirit. He preaches a powerful sermon and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the throne of God. Why is Jesus standing?

6. The Book of Acts June 28th, 2009 Filled with the Spirit We first meet Stephen in Acts 6. The church has been growing substantially and as it grows so do its needs. Many of these new issues should not be taking up the Apostles’ time. Their time is to be dedicated to prayer and to the ...read more

Denomination: *other

Rejoice In Suffering Series

Contributed by Chris Zeller on Jul 12, 2008

Christians must rejoice when they suffer for christ

Rejoice in suffering 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 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. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Re-Established Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on May 22, 2012

THE PASSAGE BEFORE US TODAY IS ONE OF TRANSITION. WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH AFTER THE ISSUE INVOLVING THE SIN OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. THIS PASSAGE IS ALSO THE INTRODUCTION WHICH WILL LEAD THE CHURCH INTO A MAJOR TIME

THE RE-ESTABLISHED CHURCH The Pre-Curser of Persecution Acts 5:12-16 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are My Brothers?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 26, 2009

Our brotherhood is in Christ, and cannot exclude other Christians.

January 27, 2009 Who are my brothers The passage I just proclaimed from the third chapter of Mark is one that has caused volumes of ink to be spilled. When I talk Church with my non-Catholic friends, they frequently bring up our alleged “worship” of the Blessed Virgin Mary and then these lines ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

Denomination: Catholic

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational