Sermons on The Persecuted Church:

Growth Through Oppression

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2014

Are you really ready for radical growth?

Exodus 1:8-12 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Life Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 7, 2012

A look at the life of Paul, the apostle. From The Story, a 32 week journey through the Bible, inspired by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee.

The Story - 30 May 15, 2011 You may not have known this, but there was time when two of the most famous men in history lived in the same city — the apostle Paul and the emperor Nero. Their lives actually overlapped for a short period of time. Of course, nobody took notice of Paul, he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman (Revelation 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 20, 2020

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon.

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon. The Woman Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: At first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Doing The Will Of God When Your Faith Is Under Fire - Part 1

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Today Christians all over the world are under fire for their faith. Even in the United States of America, Christians are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ...

Background (1 Pet 1:1 NKJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, In this letter, the Apostle Peter is addressing Jewish Christians who had been persecuted and fled their homes and lands. These people were called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doing The Will Of God When Your Faith Is Under Fire - Part 2

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Last time we took our message from the epistle of 1st Peter where Peter encourages his readers how to respond as they lived in a world that hated them because it hated their Savior.

1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Pet 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Pet 4:10 As each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 21, 2022

Stephen is called a man full of God’s grace and power, and he performed great wonders and signs among the people. It was this context that opposition arose and Stephen was at the center of the opposition.

Context of Stephens sermon Acts Chapter 6 The context and background of Stephen’s message is found in Acts chapter 6. We are introduced to Stephen in Acts 6 who is chosen among the seven. The first mention is Stephen that he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. After the choosing of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Apostle Peter's 2nd Sermon, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 8, 2004

Acts Series: 16th Sermon--The Promises, The Prophets, and The Persecutions.

The Apostle Peter’s 2nd Sermon, pt. 2 Acts 3:11-21 Sermon followed a great miracle… Read 11-19 3 pts.: desired a murdered/denied the Lord/must decide to repent! Continuing… v. 19-20 Peter makes 2 promises, if they will repent: 1. Their sins will be blotted out 2. Jesus will return and set up His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Steaven Snow on Nov 12, 2004

A Sermon on the Faithfulness of Smyrna

Chapter 4 The Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 continues Christ’s address to the Seven Churches. He speaks to the church in Smyrna. This church was the church that was headed by the martyr Polycarp, a disciple of John’s in the second century. It was one of only two churches addressed in a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Church? A People Group Series

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Nov 29, 2012

We are a people group with the privilege and the honor of living the Word of God as witnesses. I believe that if we start accepting ourselves as the people group of heaven who are in place on earth to share the Gospel of Jesus as we are empowered by the

I did a google search for why folks find church boring and I came across a forum in wikihow.com called, “How to Stay Entertained in Church.” The post begins with this statement, “Church is always boring, if you don’t think it is, then why are you reading this? This article ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Christ's View Of Persecution

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on May 5, 2005

To inform believers that persecution is part of the Christian life.

DATE JESUS CHRIST’S VIEW OF PERSECUTION Matthew 5:9-13; Acts 4:15-21. INTRODUCTION: (Mat 5:13) "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." The N.T. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Part 5 - Smyrna: The Church Rich In Christ Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 30, 2020

Smyrna was a poor church, brutally persecuted, but Rich In Christ. What was Christ's word to them?

Smyrna: The Church Rich in Christ Watch this message at https://youtu.be/J2xJJ2xzEKQ www.gracecommunity.com What do you say to somebody who is suffering? How do you counsel people who are going through great times of sorrow and tribulation? We’ve been party to suffering in our country lately. What ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, James 2:5, Romans 2:29, Psalm 56:11, John 16:33, 1 John 4:5, Hebrews 7:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Faithful Unto Death Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011

Part 2 of 7 in our summer series exploring the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Today's message takes a deeper look at the testimony of the church at Smyrna.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of Americans know very little about SUFFERING for the FAITH. The letter to the church at Smyrna is a reminder that God does not simply offer His ADVICE. God offers His COMPANIONSHIP. about Smyrna... Only one of the seven cities still in existence (modern Izmir, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Your Faith...persecuted,hated?

Contributed by Lorraine Greeff on Apr 30, 2021

Jesus warns us in the bible that we will be hated for our faith in Him, yet He promises to be there.

YOUR FAITH…PERSECUTED, HATED? The Christian persecution we read about in Scripture and history books is not a thing of the past. It still exists. Today, in the 21st century, we are living in a time when persecution against Christian believers is the highest in modern history. According to Open ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:20-31

Denomination: Charismatic

Finding Blessing In A Persecuting World

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Feb 13, 2022

A sermon about the blessings and woes found in the Sermon on the Plain, with particular focus on the persecution of Christians today.

The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany February 13, 2022 M. Anthony Seel, Jr. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Luke 6: 17-26 Finding Blessing in a Persecuting World In our gospel lesson, Jesus says to us today, Vv. 22-23 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran