MY GOD WILL HANDLE THAT

Weekly Theme: God Defends His Message

Word for the Week is Enemies (Believers): Christians must expect to face many enemies on account of their faith. Jesus Christ made it clear that such opposition was the inevitable result of commitment to him. Nevertheless, Christians are called upon to love their enemies.

Memory verse: Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Essence of the Text: Saul brought havoc on the church but God stopped him.

Proposition: Christians can be sure of two things the world’s persecution and God’s persecution.

Objective: I want those in attendance to work on trusting God in the midst of persecution.

Sermon Passage: Acts 9:1-2

Acts 9:1–2 NKJV

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

I. Christ’s Church is Persecuted

Jesus Predicted it

Matthew 10:17 NKJV

17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

Luke 21:12 NKJV

12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES

Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:13 NKJV

13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Peter and John arrested preaching Christ

Acts 4:3–4 “3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

All the Apostles Arrested

Acts 5:17–18 “17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.”

Apostles Beaten

Acts 5:40 “40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”

Stephen was stoned in

Acts 7:56–60 “56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Young man named Saul 7:58 consented to Stephen’s death

That young man Saul in

Acts 8:1 NKJV

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:3 NKJV

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

IN OUR TEXT

Acts 9:1–2 NKJV

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

REMEMBER JESUS WORDS

John 15:20 NKJV

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

BY NOW YOU MAY BE ASKING, What happens when the gospel is hindered? Are the people of God defenseless to opposition?

II. Christ’s Church is Preserved

How?

GOD WILL PRESERVED HIS CHURCH

REMEMBER THE WORDS OF JESUS

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

“. . . on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Acts 9:3–7 NKJV

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

Remember the Word of God

Leviticus 19:17–18 NKJV

17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Romans 12:14 NKJV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:17 NKJV

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Rely on the Spirit of God

Romans 12:19 NKJV

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Remember Ephesians 6:12 “we don’t wrestle against flesh & blood”

What is your response when you are provoked?

SPEAK LIKE PETER

Acts 4:18–20 “18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.””

TALK LIKE DAVID WHEN HE told King Saul, “May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and loyalty. I wasn't willing to lift my hand against the Lord's anointed, even though the Lord handed you over to me today"

THEY MAY

DEFY BUT GOD DEFENDS

HINDERED BUT GOD WILL HELP

PERSECUTE BUT GOD PROTECTS

FIGHT BUT GOD WILL FIGHT OUR BATTLES

OPPOSED AND OBSTRUCT BUT GOD WILL OVERRUN THEM

REPEL BUT GOD WILL RESIST

CHALLENGED BUT GOD WILL CAUSE THEM TO CEASE

BLOCKED BUT GOD WILL BREAK DOWN