Sermons on Severe Persecution:

The Gospel Of John: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

Arguably with no other book, is there a larger disconnect between academic, scholarly understanding, and the way the church reads it. The intro is designed to bridge part of that gap, and explain my own approach to John.

First of all, a note on my approach: This series uses a literary/narrative approach to John, along the lines proposed by scholars like Adele Berlin, Frank Kermode, Robert Alter, or Charles Talbert, to name just a few. I assume that the author/narrator of John-- who I call "AJ"-- had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:22, John 12:42-43, John 16:1, John 2:23, John 6:66  (view more)  (view less)

Judgment Of God And Peace On Earth Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Sep 24, 2015

Several mini-messages speaking of things to come. The millennium, the final judgment, peace, and more...

The Judgment of God It is not a popular subject today. The pendulum of preaching has swung far away from hell-fire brimstone to a sentimental reading of Scripture that is just as diabolical as the enemy's first questionings of the truth of God. We have changed, church. The Scriptures have not. Here ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Hand Of God - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Shell Osbon on Dec 31, 2007

This message will consider several ways that God’s hand is upon the life of every Christ-follower.

01.15.06 PM Smyrna Assembly of God Pastor Shell Osbon “The Hand Of God - Part 3” Ecclesiastes 9:1 Eccl 9:1 Solomon says, “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all, that the righteous & the wise & their works are in the hand of God.”Intro Solomon tells us that he’s ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Letter #2 "Dear Smyrna: Keep On Keeping On!" Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 16, 2011

Sermon Series on the 7 letters to the churches in Revelation with help from Pastor Ken D. Trivette

Two Things: Commends Commands The History of Smyrna: Acts 17:5-8 Smyrna--means bitter which origins come from "myrrh" that is a perfume that comes from being crushed and beaten. Polycarp--was the pastor at Smyrna and martyred, burned alive in A.D. 155. 1) Jesus Commends Smyrna: Vs. 9-10 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting On A Word During Suffering Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 7, 2013

It is no strange thing when the godly encounter persecution by those who refuse to yield to God & His Word. May the understanding that God has brought His servants before us through persecutions minister comfort & encouragement to us in our own tribulatio

PSALM 119: 81-88 [The Ministry of The Word Series] WAITING ON A WORD DURING SUFFERING [John 16:33] We have arrived at the eleventh section of the 22 letter alphabetic Psalm. Here the psalm reveals the dark and dreary midnight of a distraught soul. The psalmist is in anguish. His soul faints ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:81-88

Denomination: Baptist

Danger And Opportunity Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Philip’s story: persecution to opportunities for evangelism to building bridges to baptism and the Holy Spirit.

Danger and Opportunity: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 8:1-25 Intro: Do any of you read Chinese? I wonder if you can read the characters on the screen behind me and translate them for us. (Chinese word for crisis; two distinct characters, put together these = “crisis”) What is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Demonstrating Christ's Lordship Series

Contributed by Ronald Thorington on Jan 1, 2008

The believer demonstrates Chris’t lordship through the persuasion, purpose, persecution and power of obedience.

#17 7-29-07 Demonstrating Christ’s Lordship Introduction; 1) Late week many of you made a public confession of Christ’s lordship. 2) How are you now demonstrate that you have indeed made Christ you Lord. Not just by confessing Christ as Lord Not just by bowing the knee Not by being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Rejoicing Always

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Oct 25, 2006

Trials and persecutions notwithstanding, Paul keeps the focus on rejoicing both in his life and in the church.

REJOICING ALWAYS “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul referred to “rejoice”, “rejoiced” or “rejoicing” ten times. The church had much that tended to discourage it. It was not an affluent congregation. It was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Serving Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Sep 19, 2006

There is a necessity of having serving and compassionate leaders in the face of persecution and a dying world in need of a savior.

Society today has placed its seal of approval on single parent households and homosexual adoption. The laws allowing such activity give evidence of such a stamp of approval. The ideas of familial leadership have begun to fail quickly. Sociologists and experts in family studies have just recently ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalms 64

Contributed by Joe Mack Cherry on Jan 29, 2011

Waiting on God isn't easy, especially when you are being persecuted by others.

Psalms 64 By Joe Mack Cherry I. Background – Basis for the Psalm A. Different Ideas 1. Haman and Mordecai – Esther (David wrote after a dream) 2. David and Saul at Masrob – II Sam. 22: 5 (Syriac Version) 3. Daniel and the Babylonian Captures – ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 64:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Witness: Shares #10 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 24, 2019

To be a success as a Christian witness is to do the will of God everyday and in every way regardless of the persecution or the outcome.

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most respected leaders of modern history. A Hindu, Gandhi nevertheless admired Jesus and often quoted from the Sermon on the Mount. Once when the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:13-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sleeping Saints And The Unstoppable Kingdom

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Nov 30, 2023

They had imagined the persecution to lessen because of Saul’s conversion, instead it got worse.

Sleeping Saints and the Unstoppable Kingdom December 3, 2023 Acts 12:1-4 NIV “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-4, Acts 12:5, Acts 12:6-7, Acts 12:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hold Fast Thy Crown Series

Contributed by Adam Deibert on May 7, 2004

The church of Smyrna shows us today how to live a victorious Christian life in the face of persecution and trial.

It has been said that there have been more Christian martyrs in recent years than there were during the time of the Caesars. According to a study done by Regent University, in 1999, nearly 164’000 Christians worldwide were martyred for their faith, and in 2000 that number was closer to 165’000. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Prayer Of Broken Spirit Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 15, 2013

Hannah's prayer to God is a great template of how we can turn to God in times of affliction and persecution.

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 11, 2013 Date Preached: July 14, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series In 1 Samuel Sermon Title: The Prayer of a Broken Heart/Spirit Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1 [HCSB] Introduction: This morning I want to begin a series from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Redeemer : The First Christmas

Contributed by Vicki Williamson on Dec 19, 2017

Several 100 of years before the first Christmas, God promised the redeemer would come.

Several 100 of years before the first Christmas, God promised the redeemer would come. God declares through His prophet Isaiah a promise to a people who say they are God's chosen yet they have turned away from the Living God. Let us read Isaiah 59:20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion (Jerusalem), ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:12-13, Luke 2:25-32, Luke 2:10-14