Sermons on The Persecuted Church:

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness Sake. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 6, 2018

Persecution the acid test of our faith. Persecuted for righteousness not for anything else.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for they shall be called the children of God - Matt. 5:10 -12 It may seem strange that Jesus passes so quickly from peacemaking in the previous beatitude to persecution—from the work of reconciliation to the experience of hostility. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Church’s Context Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 23, 2010

When times are tough, pray in faith, because you are fogiven. Persevere with hope, because God is faithful. And provoke one another to love, because Jesus is coming. These core values of faith, hope, and love will keep the church on track.

Not too long ago, a real estate listing in Dallas had the simple headline: “Converted Church.” In other words, what had once been a church facility is now somebody’s house. The listing under the heading had this description: “The altar has been adapted for use as a granite and stainless steel ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Growth In Suffering Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 10, 2011

The Early Church experienced growth in numbers, and growth in depth and growth in community. It also experienced a growth in suffering. Jesus said blessed are those who suffer and are persecuted because of him! This talk encourages the church to proclaim

Although I’ve only seen part of it on YouTube there is a humbling episode from the 1961 British film called, ‘Whistle down the Wind’. A group of Lancashire children have experienced the death of a kitten. They had prayed fervently that the little cat would get well, but instead it died. They ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-32

Denomination: Anglican

# 2 - Letter To The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Apr 28, 2025

This sermon deals with the letter to the Church at Smyrna

Letter # 2 – To the Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8 – “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:” The First and The Last In the letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus begins by introducing Himself with the phrase, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Revelation 1:8, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Matthew 5:11-12, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 2:17-24, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:38-39, Luke 22:31-32, Matthew 28:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 20:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Power Of And The Oppostion To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Aug 15, 2008

the power of the gospel causes opposition

The Power Of And The Opposition To The Gospel Acts 19:21-41 Our text records the story of a riot in Ephesus instigated against Paul and the new church there. Although Paul was not at the center of the action, it must have been an unforgettably frightening ordeal. Most of us have never had to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Bitterness Of Smyrna Series

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 18, 2012

Smyrna was a Church that was under great persecution and uses this ti encourage us to endure sufferings.

The Bitterness of Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 The Church of Ephesus represents the end of the apostolic age and was indicted for losing their love they once had for our Lord. Reference: Rev. 2:7 Tree of life Genesis 2:9 in the mist of the garden Then: Genesis 3:22-24 Guarded by the Cherubims as man ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Fear Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Sep 1, 2008

Fear cripples and paralyzes. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone else, or it could be the fear of not having some material thing. It can also be the fear of pain or even death. But fear of the future or the fear of man is a sin. So, how

Freedom from Fear Revelation 2:8-11 Purpose: To encourage persecuted believers. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a gift. INTRODUCTION: Fear cripples and paralyzes. Fear blocks us from doing what we know to be right. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone else, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Can We Fight Against God?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 15, 2009

Prophecy is coming true? Are you mad about it and trying to stop it?

Acts 5:38-39 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. KJV As I watch the various postings fly back and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:38-39

Denomination: Baptist

Rooted And Grounded Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 20, 2011

To remain faithful in the face of pressure, we need to be grounded in our identity as followers of Christ, with knowledge, obedience, and love.

We spend one Sunday a year praying for persecuted Christians around the world. Of course there’s the “Martyr of the Month” column in the newsletter, and occasionally our bulletin inserts will highlight a trouble spot or a new martyr. But that’s all the time most of us spend ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Dedicated Are You To Christ?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 2, 2009

The Church needs some fresh blood. Are you willing to give it?

2 Tim 3:12-13 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. KJV "It must be understod that there are no nominal, halfhearted, lukewarm Christians in Russia or China. The price ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian, Come Out Of The Closet!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 24, 2016

Is your light under a bushel?

We are in a time when nearly every day the headlines talk about someone coming out of the closet about their sexual identity or about some skeleton coming out of the closet. Things that were hidden for years are open for all to see and hear. Some of those things should have stayed hidden. People ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:33

Denomination: Baptist

The Scattering Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 6, 2020

Even if the future of the church in America looks like VERSES 1-3, God can still bring about VERSE 8.

The Scattering Acts 8:1-8 My favorite movies are those with plot twists at the end. When what happens at the end of a movie, you never saw coming at the beginning. And when the ending is revealed it's kind of like, "oh, everything makes sense now." I think the first time I vividly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Philadelphia

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 1, 2017

The Messenger to the CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA identifies Himself by saying, “THESE ARE THE WORDS OF HIM WHO IS HOLY AND TRUE.” These are divine attributes. Deity is delivering the message to the church of brotherly love.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 6-19-15 Lesson: II.F: The Church at Philadelphia (3:7-13) Revelation ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Be The Church Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

It’s good to get a time of refreshing…What does God want for our church in 2009? You know, we’ve been going through the book of John for the last year and a half having just finished it before the holidays. And the book of John ends with Jesus preparing His disciples for His ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Dead Church - Sardis Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Mar 16, 2012

A look at the 5th church, the 'dead' church in Sardis.

The Dead Church ~ Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 March 18, 2012 I want to warn you, for a moment I’m going to start out a little morbid. How do you know when a person is dead? This is not a trick question, it’s a serious question. We determine whether there is a heartbeat and whether there ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist