Sermons on respond to persecution:

"When God Stood Up!”

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Aug 25, 2018

While we lie down in the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm, the Good Shepherd may not seem to notice us — we are safe; but when the sheep are among the wolves of Matthew 10:16, the Good Shepherd will run to their help — they are in danger.

“[God] raised [Christ] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places… . He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” - Ephesians 1:20–23 In Mark 16:19 after Jesus spoke to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

Mystery Babylon: The Church Moves From Persecuted To Persecutor. Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jul 9, 2015

The influence of Babylon turns the simple organization of Jesus into a world power that does untold damage to its surroundings. The true church survives and is persecuted.

SEVENTEEN: THE GREATEST DECEPTION of the AGES (so far) c. 300 A.D. Pagan Rome rises and falls. Its history is clearly heralded by many. And as a true child of Babylon it plays its part well. Its hatred of and persecution of both Jews and Christians is well documented. Rome's ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 7, 2022

The world is watching how we as Jesus-followers respond to those who have authority over us. Does what they see enhance the cause of Christ or damage it?

Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority Living-Hope 1 Peter 2:12-23 We are in this section of our study of 1 Peter called, ‘Somebody’s Watching Us.’ The theme verse in 1 peter 2:12. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Price Of Freedom

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 25, 2012

We must understand that Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom from sin and the clutches of Satan. The price of our freedom from sin was paid in blood. How do we respond to that sacrifice will ultimately determine our eternity too!

Opening illustration: When I talked to some young men shortly before D-day during Gulf War II, I observed that they were scared. None of them wanted to die. However, the vast majority expressed their conviction that the cause for which they were fighting was right and worthy of the risk. Queen ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Fight With Satan's Minion, Beast #1 (Revelation 13:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 17, 2023

Satan responds to his losses, by summoning Beast #1 from the sea. Beast #1 =Human power structures, used to attack Christians and deceive people into giving allegiance to the Beast, rather than Jesus.

Today, we begin working our way through Revelation 13. We will cover roughly half today, and the other half next week. Many Christians today find chapter 13 to be one of the most interesting, and thought-provoking, parts of the entire book of Revelation. We will hear about two beasts, summoned ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-10, Daniel 7:1-8

How To Handle An Unjust Attack (Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

This is the 2nd part of message begun previous week. This sermon comforts believers with assurance that God is working things together for their good and instructs them on how to respond to unjust attacks from other people.

pt. 2 Matt. 10:29-31 10/30/16 Last weeki we introduced our text in Mark 10:29-31. “So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:29-31, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Matthew 5:10-48, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Gideon;man Of Purpose

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 14, 2011

God will rise up men and women for His purposes. We have to be willing and ready to accept that call and respond properly so that the kingdom of God will grow.

Gideon; Man of purpose Judges chapter six Introduction- Turn to Judges chapter six. We are going to take a look at Gideon this morning, and the conversation he has with God. The story runs from chapter six to chapter eight. We cannot read all those verses this morning, so let me set this up for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-39

Denomination: Nazarene

Jelly Beans

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 1, 2013

A sermon on Romans 12:17-21 on the Christian's response to evil (Outline and material adapted from Mark Copeland's sermon titled "Responding To Evil" at: http://executableoutlines.com/ro2/ro12_17.htm; Jelly Bean illustration came from Sermon Central)

HoHum: Day after day John Jr. came home from school complaining about a classmate who sat behind him in 5th grade. "Bob keeps jabbing me when Miss Smith isn’t looking. One of these days, when we’re out on the play ground, I’m going to jab him back,” John Jr. said. After ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter Sermon 2023

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Apr 8, 2023

After responding to various theories that doubt the resurrection of Jesus Christ and showing the evidence of Jesus' resurrection, today we will discuss the impact of Jesus' resurrection on us.

Jesus has risen! He is risen indeed! Let's read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8,19-23,51-58. In the past Easter services, I have responded to some theories that deny Jesus's resurrection, like the Fainting Theory, which states that actually, Jesus was not dead yet, but they thought he did; the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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