Persecution How Christians Survive It Persecution Some will

Persecution • Some will die - Acts 7; Rev 2: 10; Acts 8: 13;

Persecution • Greek: To pursue with ill intent. • English: To injure, grieve, or

Persecution • SURVIVING the pain - Mark 10: 28 -31

Persecution comes w/the Kingdom • New churches - Acts 14: 22 • Evangelists -

Persecution comes w/the Kingdom • Pilgrims of the Dispersion - 1 Pet 1: 1

Persecution follows Principle & Duty • The Principle - Matt 5: 10 -12 •

Persecution followed Jesus • Governments - Matt 2; Acts 5: 29 • Religious leaders

Persecution followed Jesus • Character assassination - John 8: 45 -48; 10: 17 -20;

Persecution for Righteousness • We must be willing to accept extremely difficult circumstances -

• LET GOD HANDLE IT He will bless in the end (Luke 23:

• REJOICE IN THE REWARD Heaven’s Glory (Matt 5: 12; 1 Pet 4:

• PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTOR Jesus commands it (Matt 5: 44 -45; Rom

• PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTOR Vindication. NOW! (Psa 69: 22 ff) Trust the

Persecution • Identifies us with Jesus (1 Pet 4: 13 -16) • Indicates direction

Hear : gospel of Christ – Acts 2: 14; Rom 10: 17 Believe: Jesus

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Persecution How Christians Survive It

Persecution • Some will die - Acts 7; Rev 2: 10; Acts 8: 13; 9: 1 -2; 1 Tim 1: 12 -13

Persecution • Greek: To pursue with ill intent. • English: To injure, grieve, or afflict; to surround, hem in & attack with cruelty & evil intent; to harass.

Persecution • SURVIVING the pain - Mark 10: 28 -31

Persecution comes w/the Kingdom • New churches - Acts 14: 22 • Evangelists - 2 Tim 3: 10 -13 • Be Prepared - 2 Tim 3: 14 -17

Persecution comes w/the Kingdom • Pilgrims of the Dispersion - 1 Pet 1: 1 • Expect it - 1 Peter 4: 12; John 15: 18 -20 • Faith purifier - 1 Peter 1: 6 -7; 5: 10

Persecution follows Principle & Duty • The Principle - Matt 5: 10 -12 • The Duties - Matt 5: 1 -9 – Not all persecution is blessed - 1 Pet 4: 15 – Only persecution “for righteousness’ sake” is blessed - 1 Tim 6: 11; 2 Tim 2: 22; 3: 16; Jer 23: 6; 2 Cor 5: 21

Persecution followed Jesus • Governments - Matt 2; Acts 5: 29 • Religious leaders - Matt 26: 59; 27: 1 • Military - Matt 27: 27 • Neighbors - Matt 27: 40 • Family - John 7: 1 -5; Matt 10: 34 -36

Persecution followed Jesus • Character assassination - John 8: 45 -48; 10: 17 -20; 1 Cor 4: 12 -13

Persecution for Righteousness • We must be willing to accept extremely difficult circumstances - Matt 13: 21 • HOW ARE WE BLESSED? - Matt 5: 10 – Giving priority to our souls - Matt 10: 27 -28

• LET GOD HANDLE IT He will bless in the end (Luke 23: 46; 1 Pet 2: 23; 3: 9; 1 Sam 25: 32, 39)

• REJOICE IN THE REWARD Heaven’s Glory (Matt 5: 12; 1 Pet 4: 13; Rom 8: 18) Father’s Glory (1 Peter 4: 16, 19) Christ’s Glory (1 John 3: 2 -3; Phil 3: 20 -21)

• PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTOR Jesus commands it (Matt 5: 44 -45; Rom 12: 14) The faithful do it (Luke 23: 34; Acts 7: 60; 2 Tim 4: 16)

• PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTOR Vindication. NOW! (Psa 69: 22 ff) Trust the Lord’s wisdom (2 Tim 4: 14 -15; cf. Gal 6: 7 -8; Rom 2: 6 -10)

Persecution • Identifies us with Jesus (1 Pet 4: 13 -16) • Indicates direction (1 Pet 3: 14 -16: 1: 3 -6) • Carries a great promise (Matt 5: 12)

Hear : gospel of Christ – Acts 2: 14; Rom 10: 17 Believe: Jesus is Lord /Christ – Rom 10: 9 -10 Confess: what is believed – Matt 10: 32 -33; Acts 8: 37 Repent: change of heart – Acts 2: 38; 17: 30 Baptized: forgiveness of sin – Acts 2: 38; 22: 16; Mk 16: 16