Sermons on Scars Of 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

Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Jesus Christ - Part 8 Of 8 Series

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Apr 2, 2010

Part 8 of 8 on the Beattitudes.

The Perfect Standard For Life Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Christ - Part 8 of 8 Reading: Matthew 5v10-12 As we look at this final Beatitude, we come to a very strange contradiction, because it talks about the relationship between persecution and joy. It’s like saying, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Beginning Of Pains (Persecution & Preaching) - Mark 13:9-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 13, 2024

Jesus shows us how every time you are mistreated, it is a golden opportunity … if you read the situation through the lenses of spiritual insight.

Mark 13:9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.11 Whenever you are arrested and brought ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-18

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

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

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

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

More About The Apostles Life Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Feb 14, 2017

Fear not. Persecution promised. Murder promised. God will be with them (YOU).

I. Introduction A. We live in a small town where we have a volunteer Ambulance Corp. We are blessed with many dedicated and fully qualified attendants, who staff our ambulances and give freely of themselves. I was chatting with one of the EMS responders one day and she could hardly stifle a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Baptist

Following In Jesus' Footsteps Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Apr 7, 2006

As Christ’s followers WE should expect persecution and many believers are being persecuted today.

“Following in Jesus’ Footsteps” John 15: 18 – 25; 16: 1 – 4a; Acts 5: 41, 42 Introduction Nov. 26, 2005: Canadians Jim Loney, 41, and Harmeet Sooden, 32, and Briton Norman Kember, 74, and American Tom Fox, 54, all Christian peacekeepers, are kidnapped in Baghdad by a group calling itself Swords ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Balancing Act

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 3, 2026

God's justice system provides a way to bring balance back into a community or relationship scarred and broken by violenve.

One Monday in April, Carl Hailey took the M16 automatic rifle he had gotten hold of from an old Marine Corps buddy, sneaked into the Ford county courthouse, and hid in a closet. Two hours later, as Billy Cobb and Pete Williams were being escorted from the jail to the courthouse for their bond ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-6, Numbers 35:9-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hit Me Instead!

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Feb 13, 2002

I don`t advise you to try doing what I did - only if God is prompting you!

HIT ME INSTEAD. One evening the phone rang. It was a woman whom I had visited from time to time. She wasn`t a Christian; in fact she was very dubious about the whole business of Christianity - she couldn`t see what relevance someone who lived 2,000 years ago could possibly have to her today. I`d ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Matthew 5:11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Can You Imagine?

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 15, 2005

A sermon for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

(Show video clip for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.) It wasn’t long after the church’s first Pentecost that the first follower of Christ was martyred for his faith. With furious opponents gathered around him, Stephen “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.” (Acts ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cross Cost Series

Contributed by Mark Jones on Aug 21, 2011

EOLS: Christian life is at odds with the world and the disciple will face opposition to his walk.

The Cross Cost Mat 5:10-12 (10) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Methodist