Sermons on The Persecuted Church:

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons To Be Faithful To God In Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 18, 2024

There are two different topics to explore in this message: The reasons to stay faithful to God during a persecution, and, the role of deacons (or elders or servants) in the church. All of these come as a result of the faithfulness of the early believers, and should be an encouragement for us.

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 8 Reasons to be Faithful to God in Persecution Acts 5:26-42 and 6:1-7 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:26-42, Acts 6:1-7, Matthew 10:22, Romans 8:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are A Fundie Bible Thumping Mentally Retarded Crutch Needing Holy Ro... Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 31, 2016

"You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded backwards thinking ignoramoose God loving hypocrite." You believe in Jesus? Jesus, Paul, and Peter says you will face opposition to your faith.

YOU ARE A FUNDIE BIBLE THUMPING MENTALLY RETARDED CRUTCH NEEDING HOLY ROLLING HOMO-HATING DIRT IQ CLOSE-MINDED BACKWARDS THINKING IGNORAMOOSE GOD LOVING HYPOCRITE 1 PETER 4:12-19 You are a fundie Bible thumping mentally retarded crutch needing holy rolling homo-hating dirt IQ close-minded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Praying Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

The church did not pray for the easing of persecution, but for greater courage and more miracles. They recognizes God’s sovereignty and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled.

CONTEXT • Peter and John healed a crippled beggar in Chapter 3. It drawn the attention of the crowd. • Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus and forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ Name. At least 5000 men were saved (4:4). • The priests and religious leaders were not happy that they were preaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Uses Persecution Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2013

Stephen's message was God’s final invitation to Israel. If Israel rejected the message, God would turn elsewhere to root and ground His church. Israel DID reject the message; in fact, Israel killed Stephen and launched a savage persecution against the c

The last time we were in our series in the Book of Acts, we saw that Stephen died as a martyr for Jesus Christ. Stephen preached a message just before he died. His message was God’s final invitation to Israel. If Israel rejected the message, God would turn elsewhere to root and ground His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Church In Smyrna - Do Not Live In Fear Series

Contributed by Steven Devroy on Mar 1, 2024

This church was under great persecution

We are excited to be here as we are continuing our sermon series this morning on the seven churches found in the book of Revelations. Last week, we talked about the background of the church in Ephesus and we learned that they were a hard working church that were patient and did not stand for ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 13 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 16, 2010

James, in this passage of the book, turns his attention to the topic of PATIENCE. In the mind of James, patience is important to the Christian life. James tells us as followers of Christ, that we are to be patient people, while at the same time defining

A REASON FOR PATIENCE IN PERSECUTION JAMES 5:7-12 INTRODUCTION: James, in this passage of the book, turns his attention to the topic of PATIENCE. In the mind of James, patience is important to the Christian life. James tells us as followers of Christ, that we are to be patient people, while at ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Movement Of God Through Pain In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 15, 2012

LAST WEEK AS A CHURCH WE FACED OUR MUTUAL HURT. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ALL WHO WERE HERE THEN AND ARE HERE TODAY HURT IN VARIOUS DEGREES. WE DIVERTED FROM OUR SERIES HERE IN THE BOOK OF ACTS TO ADDRESS THIS THE ISSUE OF OUR HURT AND THE WHY WE HAVE OUR

THE MOVEMENT OF GOD THROUGH PAIN IN THE CHURCH ACTS 8:2-8 GODLY MEN BURIED STEPHEN AND MOURNED DEEPLY FOR HIM. 3 BUT SAUL BEGAN TO DESTROY THE CHURCH. GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, HE DRAGGED OFF MEN AND WOMEN AND PUT THEM IN PRISON. 4 THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCATTERED PREACHED THE WORD WHEREVER THEY ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials

Contributed by David Cambridge on Jan 18, 2002

This sermon considers several aspects of persecutions and trials: author, purpose, assurances, response.

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials The Church’s Reaction To Adversity Introduction 1. Since the establishment of the church God’s people have endured various persecutions and trials. Even in times of comparative rest a church may face discouraging trails from a variety of circumstances and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Persecution Can Be Good

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 30, 2021

We grow soft and cold without it. Sometimes it takes the fire of persecution for us to seek the fire of God.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Expect Persecution, Not Prosperity

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 13, 2022

You will be confused and doubting God when things fall apart if you are awaiting a golden age when God has promised persecution.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13, John 15:18-20, 1 Peter 4:12-19, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

How To Thrive In Persecution

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 29, 2016

Dr. Tow shares six keys to thriving in persecution. Persecution is discussed in context of personal struggle as well as through the lens of our cultural climate.

How To Thrive In Persecution 07-05-15 (www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) In Matt 5:10-15 Jesus said, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-37

Denomination: Charismatic

Made Perfect In Persecution

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 21, 2020

The people in this part of the Hall of Faith may receive far more rewards than those in the other part.

Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution Makes Perfect Series

Contributed by James Jack on Jan 8, 2010

Like Paul, we must be prepared to suffer to present others perfect in Christ

Colossians 1:24 – 2:5 Richard Wurmbrand was a Christian pastor in Romania in the middle of the communist era. In 1945 there was great conference run by the communists where one by one the church leaders of Romania got up and pledged allegiance to Stalin and the communist system. Although ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Church In The Storm

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Oct 18, 2000

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble.

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble. The gifts in operation in Acts chapters 12 and 13 were the gifts of power: the gift of faith and the gift of working of miracles. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-12