Untitled Sermon

The Certainty of Persecution

v.16 - As Sheep in the midst of wolves

Not a problem; the plan

Expect it. Will, will, will, will.

vs. 34-39 Jesus came to upset things.

What is persecution?

legal action against you

physical assalt

FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL AND THE NAME OF JESUS

What do we do about it?

We are wise and inocent. v. 16

We are fearless vs. 26-31

We preach Christ in the face of it all. vs. 32 & 33

Are we in it now?

YES and NO

Yes

Socially: In that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Christians to share their faith and be accepted.

Legally: Adoption and fostering is hard for Christian families.

Economically: Law students have been dismissed and schools not recognized.

No

Pandemic restrictions are not persecution.

Socially: All of society is locked down.

Legally: What is being restricted is public gatherings not the proclomation of the Gospel.

Economically: We have access to the same financial opportunities that every other organization has access to.

Some will say...

We are forsaking the gathering.

To forsake is to reject an opportunity that is before you.

If we don’t gather, we are not the church.

This is not an argument from Scripture.

Yes, we should gather at every available opportunity.

That we can’t now doesn’t make us less that the bride of Christ.

These lockdowns are unnecessary.

Submit to the authorities. 1 Peter 2; Rom 13

Weren’t Jesus and the early church anti-establishment?

Give to ceasar what is ceasar’s.

Churches are being fined and policed.

Not for proclaiming the name of Christ or the Gospel.

1. Expect persecution.

2. Know it when you see it.

3. Don’t imagine it where it is not present.

4. Keep Calm and Carry On. (Moral poster, British Gov. 1939 on the eve of WWII, forgotten and rediscovered in 2000)