Persecution is not in vain

Power and Persecution

Power in fellowship

Sent them out two by two

God gave us the church and fellowship in teamwork as we serve him on mission

Power over Satan and his works

Christ is for us and empowers us on our mission

1 John 4:4 greater is he that is in us

Romans 1:16 power of the gospel message

Expectation and Persecution

Expect that God will take care of us

God will provide their protection, food and shelter (not two tunics/blanket)

Have a contentment with what God does provide for you (do not move from the first place that welcomes you)

Matthew 6:28-34 take no thought

Expect that many people and places will reject us

God will take care of them just as he did Sodom and Gomorrha

We just shake off our feet and move forward

It is a testimony of their unworthiness

It is also a sign of our moving forward to a place that is worthy

Joy and Persecution

Joy that our gospel work is causing fear in the enemies of the gospel

This is the reason for persecution

Acts 5:41 counted worthy

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 worthy of the kingdom

Joy that the cause goes forward even in the face of persecution

Herod could not stop God’s mission even by killing God’s man

When Jesus would endure the ultimate persecution, the disciples knew that the mission would go forward

When the disciples suffered persecution the rest knew that the mission went forward