Standing Firm in Faith Amidst Persecution

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Challenges of Faith

In our journey of faith, we may face challenges, ridicule, and even professional setbacks due to our association with Jesus. This is especially true for teachers and leaders in the church who are tasked with discussing topics that point out sins. However, these challenges should not deter us but rather strengthen our resolve to proclaim the truth without conforming too much to the culture. [45:10]

2 Timothy 1:8 - "So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced because of your faith. How did you respond and what can you do differently next time to stand firm in your faith?

Day 2: Living in Truth and Righteousness

As believers, we are called to seek God's will, follow what is right, love Jesus, and be rooted in truth. This is not just a passive state of being but an active pursuit that requires us to stand up for Jesus and be loyal to Him, even in the face of opposition. The current time is opportune for sharing Jesus with as many people as possible. [55:31]

Ephesians 5:8-10 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."

Reflection: What is one way you can actively seek God's will and live in truth and righteousness today?

Day 3: Persevering Through Persecution

Persecution can either drive someone away from Jesus or drive them to Jesus. Committed individuals who were persecuted for their faith spread the message of Jesus further by starting new chapters in different locations. Persecution cannot stop the church because the people of God will continue to carry the message wherever they go. [39:59]

Acts 5:41 - "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

Reflection: How can you use a recent or current experience of persecution or hardship to further spread the message of Jesus?

Day 4: Counting the Cost of Following Jesus

Choosing to follow Jesus may come with personal costs and mistreatment. Despite the government's attempts to suppress the church in Iran, the church continues to grow. This is a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of believers who count the cost and choose to follow Jesus regardless. [49:32]

Luke 14:28 - "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"

Reflection: What personal costs have you experienced or are you willing to endure for the sake of following Jesus?

Day 5: Standing Firm Amidst Opposition

As the church grows and gains momentum, it may face opposition from various people, organizations, and governments. Persecution is described as a clash of irreconcilable value systems. However, believers are called to stand firm in their faith, knowing that the message of Jesus' resurrection and the opportunity for forgiveness and new life is worth any opposition. [28:42]

1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

Reflection: How can you stand firm in your faith today, despite any opposition you may face?

Sermon Summary

The sermon begins with the speaker discussing the challenges faced by teachers and leaders in the church, particularly when discussing topics that point out sins. The speaker emphasizes the need for prayers for these individuals to proclaim the truth without conforming too much to the culture. They also acknowledge that believers may face ridicule, exclusion, and even professional setbacks due to their association with Jesus. The speaker encourages the congregation to expect mistreatment if they value truth and righteousness and live for Jesus.

The speaker then emphasizes the importance of being clear and convinced of what is good, true, and right, and that Jesus is above all and the Lord of all. They encourage the church to seek God's will, follow what is right, love Jesus, and be rooted in truth. The speaker also discusses the importance of standing up for Jesus and being loyal to Him, even in the face of opposition. They encourage the listeners to have a goal of sharing Jesus with as many people as possible and highlight that the current time is opportune for that.

The speaker then discusses how persecution can either drive someone away from Jesus or drive them to Jesus. They give examples of how committed individuals who were persecuted for their faith actually spread the message of Jesus further by starting new chapters in different locations. The speaker emphasizes that persecution cannot stop the church because the people of God will continue to carry the message wherever they go.

The speaker also discusses the growth of the church in Iran despite the government's attempts to suppress it. The government is shocked and frightened by the increasing number of Iranians accepting Jesus, leading to the arrest, interrogation, and torture of Christians. However, these actions have not been able to stop the church from growing. The speaker then presents the first next step, which is to count the cost of following Jesus. They emphasize that while salvation is free and everyone is welcome, choosing to follow Jesus may come with personal costs and mistreatment.

The sermon concludes with the speaker addressing the need to stop the momentum of something that is out of control, using examples such as weeds in a yard or a fire. The speaker relates this concept to the tension that arises as the church grows and gains momentum, with various people, organizations, and governments wanting it to stop. The speaker then takes a quick overview of persecution, which is described as a clash of irreconcilable value systems.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the reasons given in Acts 4:2-3 for the arrest of Peter and John?
According to Matthew 13:20-21, what happens to those who receive the word with joy but have no root?
What does 2 Timothy 3:12 say about the experience of those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus?
In the sermon, what are some of the challenges mentioned that teachers and leaders in the church face when discussing topics that point out sins? [45:10]

Interpretation Questions

How does the reaction of the authorities in Acts 4:2-3 reflect the broader theme of persecution discussed in the sermon?
What does Matthew 13:20-21 suggest about the importance of having deep roots in faith, especially in the context of facing persecution?
How does 2 Timothy 3:12 align with the speaker's message about the inevitability of persecution for those who live for Jesus? [42:22]
Why might persecution either drive someone away from Jesus or drive them to Jesus, as discussed in the sermon? [38:12]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced ridicule or exclusion because of your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [45:10]
The speaker emphasized the importance of being clear and convinced of what is good, true, and right. How can you cultivate a deeper conviction in your faith this week? [54:17]
Considering the current cultural climate, what are some practical ways you can stand up for Jesus and be loyal to Him, even in the face of opposition? [45:48]
The sermon mentioned the growth of the church in Iran despite severe persecution. How can this example inspire you to share your faith more boldly in your own context? [40:32]
The speaker encouraged the congregation to count the cost of following Jesus. What personal costs have you experienced or might you expect in your journey of faith? How can you prepare yourself to face these challenges? [41:12]
How can you support and pray for persecuted Christians around the world? Consider specific actions you can take, such as using resources like Open Doors USA or Voice of the Martyrs. [49:36]
The sermon highlighted the importance of prayer in the face of persecution. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, especially for those who are suffering for their faith? [50:44]

Sermon Clips

1. "I think it has to be that the people like you and I are absolutely crystal clear and convinced of what really is good and true and right and that Jesus okay and only Jesus is going to be above all and over all and through all that he truly is the Lord of all." [54:17]

2. "When those who are committed to the mission of Jesus spread the message of Jesus in the face of opposition wherever they go, guess what happens? Same thing every time, the church is Unstoppable." [54:54]

3. "I know guys who are kind of moving away from certain topics so that their words don't get misinterpreted... any of our teachers are going to need your prayers going forward that we would proclaim the truth that we would not become too much like the culture that we actually live in that we would preach and teach Jesus whether it is popular or not." [43:34]

4. "Listen if you value things that are true and right and you live for Jesus you should expect some kind of mistreatment because things are not going to get easier to be a follower of Jesus going forward... there's going to come a dividing Point really between those of us who kind to see the church for networking opportunities and a place for our kids to do something and available to me when I want and then those of us who actually embrace our part in the church's mission." [45:10]

5. "The fastest growing Church in the world is in the Islamic Republic of Iran followed by places like Afghanistan Somalia and many African countries where it's actually illegal and a risk to worship the difficulty is actually driving people to Jesus." #!!40:32!!#

6. "Jesus also taught that the decision to follow him May at times come with a personal Cost... he said all who want to live a Godly life #!!42:22!!# in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." #!!42:22!!#

7. "God took something that was actually intended to stop the church and he turned it into a way to actually spread the message further because you could burn down a building you could legislate meeting times and actually locations but you cannot stop the church okay the people of God carrying the message of Jesus wherever they go." (#!!37:37!!#)

8. "Persecution is opposition experienced because of one's identification with Jesus that includes maybe some of these things ridicule ostracism imprisonment torture and possibly execution." #!!28:42!!#

9. "Persecution by the way is what happens when you have a clash of two irreconcilable value systems... that message okay that way of life was a threat to a whole lot of people around them and much like happens for a lot of us in our own life when we get threatened by something we don't like we fight back or we punch right this is where persecution comes from." #!!27:34!!#

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