Preparing for the International Day of Prayer

The Reason For Persecution

There is nothing that we go through as a Christian that Christ does not allow, so we must remember that there is a reason when we go through persecutions.

The Life that we Live

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV 1900

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

1 Peter 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Romans 1:28 KJV 1900

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

The Savior that we Follow

John 15:18–23 KJV 1900

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

John 15:18-

Mark 13:13 KJV 1900

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The Resources For Persecution

Since persecution is the expected end, Christ gives us what we need to by victorious in them.

The Strength of Christ

2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2

Hebrews 12:3 KJV 1900

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

The Faithfulness of Christ

Romans 8:35–37 KJV 1900

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

The Responce To Persecution

If we respond biblically to persecutions instead of worldly, we have to opportunity to bring Glory to Christ.

To Respond in the Love of Christ

Matthew 5:44 KJV 1900

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Romans 12:17–21 KJV 1900

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

To Rejoice in our Relationship with Christ

Romans 5:3 KJV 1900

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Luke 6:23 KJV 1900

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

To Remember the Promises of Christ

Revelation 6:9–11 KJV 1900

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Our Responce To Persecution