Studies

Persecution and Opposition

John 15:18-21
~ If they persecuted Jesus, they WILL persecute you also.

Matthew 5:11
~ People will say FALSE THINGS about you.

Mark 10:29-31
~ You will receive a hundred-fold blessings PLUS persecutions.

John 8:48-50
~ If people accuse Jesus of being demon possessed they will accuse true Christians of the same thing.

2 Timothy 3:12
~ Persecutions are GUARENTEED as a part of the Christian life.

NOTE: If persecution stops, it will be because we've stopped preaching the true gospel.

2. OPPOSITION & PERSECUTION USUALLY COME FROM:

1 Peter 4:1-5
~ OLD FRIENDS· They think it is strange that you do not do the things you used to and they heap abuse on you.

Matthew 12:22-28, 21:42-46, 23:1-36
~ RELIGIOUS PEOPLE· They were threatened by Christ's challenging teachings and instead of repenting they got angry.

Matthew 10:34-39
~ FAMILY MEMBERS· Some parents do not agree with your commitment to God. They want you to compromise and 'water down' your hardline stance.

• NB: Do not withdraw from them - only keep Jesus first.

3. OPPOSITION IN THE FIRST CENTURY:

Acts 8:1-3 9:1-2
~ How do your persecutions COMPARE to what the early church went through ?

Hebrews 11: 35-38
~ Will you remain faithful to Christ NO MATTER WHAT the suffering ?

2Corinth 11:23-29
~ Paul received 195 lashes; 3x he was beaten with rods; 1x he was stoned; 3x he was shipwrecked; was imprissoned frequently; went without food and clothes and often times without sleep - because of his love for Jesus.

• What are your reasons for saying Christianity is hard ?!!

4. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS HANDLE OPPOSITION ?

Acts 4:27-29
~ Pray for BOLDNESS.

Matthew 5:10-12
~ Rejoice and LEAP FOR JOY.

Matthew 5:43-48
~ Pray for YOUR PERSECUTERS.

Acts 5:38-42, 18:5-11 1
~ NEVER STOP PREACHING the truth.

• God will support you and be with you.

Corinth 4:16-18
~ ENDURE the persecution. Persecution moulds our characters.

CONCLUSION:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
~ Do not lose heart because our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us AN ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all.