Sermons on Severe Persecution:

Lessons From A Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 14, 2014

The Church at Smyrna was a suffering church. They had experienced past afflictions and were going to encounter sever trials so they are encouraged to endure. A suffering church needs to look to their Lord and look to their future.

Lessons from a Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

The Four Last Things And Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 16, 2019

Many today, seeing Western culture disintegrate as it abandons Christian living and teaching, tell us that serious Christians need to flee the cities and establish new Christian communities of virtue.

Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Course 2019 Saints Severinus, Exuperius, & Felician The sources tell us that Marcus Aurelius “was Roman emperor from [AD] 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 24:16

Denomination: Catholic

Least Of The Apostles

Contributed by Victor Yap on Mar 17, 2025

Acts 9

THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES (ACTS 9:1-9) Do you have zeal for religious, political and social causes? Here are some quotes on zeal: Let a good man do good deeds with the same zeal that the evil man does bad ones. Jewish Proverb Zeal without knowledge is fire without light. Thomas Fuller. Nothing ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fiery Trial

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 9, 2015

THE FIERY TRIAL

DANIEL 3:14-30 THE FIERY TRIAL It has been customary to count ten major persecutions in the early church, Persecution under Nero (c. 64-68). Traditional martyrdoms of Peter and Paul. Persecution under Domitian (r. 81-96). Persecution under Trajan (112-117). Christianity is outlawed but ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:14-30

Denomination: Holiness

Prayer – God’s Prescription For Persecution Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 19, 2023

Message 12 in a series through James that helps us explore the relationship between faith and works in our lives. James was the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

There is a phrase we often use in our culture – we saved the best for last. I don’t know if the last part of James 5 is the BEST section because it is hard to measure that quantifiably. But one I can say for certain is that it is no doubt one of the most debated sections of the book of James and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reality Of Christian Persecution (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 24, 2010

A sermon examining the persecution that Christians have endured throughout history.

THE REALITY OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION (Part 2) Acts 4:1-4 (Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, August 13th, 2025) Here in America we are blessed to possess religious freedom. For the most part, we are able to share the Gospel without the fear of being imprisoned for doing so. However, when we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

As Sheep Among Wolves

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 27, 2025

Jesus gives His followers advice on how to respond, and even reply, in the face of persecution. He also assures them that they will be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish their mission.

I have entitled our message today, “As Sheep Among Wolves.” The title is based on the very first verse of our passage, where Jesus told His followers, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (v. 16). Now, I am going to go ahead and start with an exposition. The word sheep ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pilgrim's Path Part-8 The Persecuted

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 24, 2009

We, like those pilgrim forefathers of the Church in America and the Early Church, are called to be fools for Christ!

The Pilgrim’s Path Part-8, Mathew 5:1-12 The Persecuted Introduction One hundred Puritans sail across the ocean on the “Mayflower” and in New England find a home where they can serve God according to the dictates of their conscience. Persecution in England being continued, men cross the Atlantic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian Church

The Blessing That No One Wants: Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 19, 2011

This beatitude speaks of a blessing no one wants – the blessing that comes to those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.

“The Blessing No One Wants: Blessed Are The Persecuted.” Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for right-eousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Did Not Quit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 21, 2016

Christian service requires stamina to stay the course despite opposition.

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Views Of Persecution And Power Encounters

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2001

Paul Views of Persecution and Power Encounters

Paul Views of Persecution and Power Encounters Paul, as many Christian leaders in Africa, have not been strangers to persecution, misunderstandings, and imprisonment for the sake of the truth. Part of the promise of living Godly in Christ Jesus involves abuse. Just as Paul suffered persecution so ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:5-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Boldness Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 3, 2013

In this lesson we examine the boldness of John the Baptist in Luke 3:18-20 and learn several truths about bold Christians.

Scripture We are studying the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke in a sermon series I am calling, “To Seek and To Save the Lost.” The first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel deal with the prophecies and births of John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ, and then what happened to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:18-20, John 6:25-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stnding Up For Those Who Are Persecuted

Contributed by John Crowe on Oct 29, 2015

A short outline by Randel Everett, founder and President of the Wilberforce Alliance

Why should churches in the West defend fellow Christians who are being persecuted? 1. We are commanded to do so (Hebrews 13:3). 2. We are following in the ministry example of Jesus (Luke 4:18). 3. Because the proclamation of the good news of Jesus is hindered in closed societies (Romans ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Inspiration

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 20, 2022

Where do you get your inspiration from? Life has a lot of ups and downs so we need inspiration to keep going.

Inspiration – Rev. 11 and 19 LIfe is full of its ups and downs, it’s a fact of life, indeed everyday has something to answer for- some for joy and some – well perhaps best forgotten. Sometimes these situations make us laugh and even sing for joy, other times to just hold our heads in our hands in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:15-18, Zechariah 6:9-15, Psalm 23:1-4