The Persecuted Church | Session 4 | Blessed are the Persecuted… Big Ideas: · Persecution in America? · 4 Aspects of Persecution Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. The essence of the persecution arises when the Spirit of God in you is at war with the spirit of the world in others. Persecution Here and Now: 4 Aspects of Persecution: 1. The Reality of It- 1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 2. The Reason for Persecution: 3. The Root of Persecution: First, the opposition will come from the world that is in the church. Acts 20:28-31 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. “A cat who sits on a hot stove will most likely not sit on a hot stove again. He is likely to not sit on a cold one either.” -Mark Twain Second, opposition will come from the world that is in the world. 4. Rejoicing in Persecution: First, we can rejoice because the kingdom is ours. Second, we can rejoice because we receive a great reward. Third, we can rejoice in persecution because we are in good company! Take Away: 1. How would you define persecution for Christ’s sake? Have you ever experienced persecution? What was your response? 2. What is the difference between how the American church views persecution and how the underground church views it? What are the hidden blessings of persecution? What should be the blessings of religious freedom? 3. Become informed and involved in helping or praying for the persecuted church through some of the resources we have given you. 4. Mediate on Matthew 5:10–12 and Matthew 16:24–26. How is the Holy Spirit within you different from the spirit of the world around you? Resources: · https://frontlinesinternational.org/ (Frontlines, International: 10% of what is given goes to overhead. All the rest to the Persecuted Church. Bible distribution, being present with them, connecting with the American church their story, things like safe houses, planting the church and discipleship.) · The Calling, A Challenge to Walk the Narrow Road-Brother Andrew · Their Blood Cries Out- Paul Marshall · The insanity of God - https://www.nikripken.com/ · Foxes book of Martyrs · Night of a Million Miracles-Brother Andrew · Voice of the martyrs - https://www.persecution.com/