Persecution on SermonAudio

This sermon explores the inevitability of opposition faced by Christians, rooted in the world's rejection of Jesus and its warped moral standards. It explains that believers are attacked because they represent God's truth and have been chosen out of the world, leading to a sense of distance and hostility in social and professional spheres. The message reframes this conflict as a spiritual courtroom drama where the Holy Spirit acts as a witness for Christ and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. While acknowledging the genuine pain and sorrow inherent in the Christian life, the sermon emphasizes that this suffering is temporary and purposeful. It concludes with the assurance of ultimate victory, urging believers to find peace in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world and that their current sorrow will turn into eternal joy. View this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJqzZ-I5uNw

Our mission to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth has always involved affliction and persecution, but we don't usually think of that as a good thing. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Paul tells us that we're ordinary jars of clay full of the extraordinary treasure of the gospel. It's definitely a mismatch, and our fragility shows it, but it's when our persecution brings out our weakness that God reveals his strength.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. 20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Pastor Michael McGee

Temple Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia Pastor Michael A. Reid, Jr. Sermon Series: Acts Sermon: "The First Persecution of the Church" Scripture: Acts 4:1-22 Original Sermon Date: February 25, 2026