Nov. 05, 2023
Kingdom Blessings series: 11-5-23
Persecuted for Righteousness
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
True Persecution occurs when two IRRECONCILABLE
“VALUE SYSTEMS” Collide! Charles R. Swindoll
Matthew 5:11–12 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15:18–21 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also… 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
- _____ % of World Population lives with Religious Restrictions!
WHAT CAN I DO for PERSECUTED Brothers & Sisters?
1. ABOUT THEM
1 Corinthians 12:24–27 God has put the body together... 25 that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it... 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
- Persecution exists in ____ countries out of 195 countries!
A Biblical Definition of Persecution is “any experienced from the world resulting from one’s identification with Christ.”
SOURCES OF PERSECUTION:
A. Rule
Acts 7:54-59 - Stephen is Stoned by Jewish Religious Extremists.
B. Rule
Acts 19 - Leader of the Silversmiths in Ephesus drives Paul out of the city.
C. Nationalism Rule
Acts 17:5–7 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house.”
D. Paranoia
Acts 12:1–2 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
E. Corruption & Crime
Acts 12:3-4 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also… 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison,
F. Pressures
Matthew 10:34–36 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
2 Timothy 3:12 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- VOM App (Voice of the Martyrs) Persecution.com
- OpenDoorsUSA.org / ChristianFreedom.org
2. FOR THEM
Ephesians 6:18–20 18 …be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
3. FOR US
Luke 12:48 For everyone who is been given much, much will be demanded.
- icommittopray.com
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