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1/22/17 “PERSECUTION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” – Pastor Shane Idleman
If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.
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Complete Sermon Notes
Persecution – What You Need to Know
AUDIENCE WATCH: Persecution – A Price to Pay for Being a Christian (John MacArthur)
INTRO: DOES GOOD HAVE A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR OUR LIFE?
“The preacher promises a bed of roses for those who come to Christ, but those who are in Christ are evidently sitting on a painful bed of thorns.” Ray Comfort
“When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die” (Bonhoeffer).
What if promotional material for the Navy SEALS read, “Limited time to be stationed on Coronado Island. Free luaus, snorkeling, and cruises with nightly excursions–all paid for by the United States Navy.” How many would jump at the opportunity? How many would be shocked, disappointed, and disillusioned when they found out what really was involved?
Here is the key: our relationship with God does not hinge on trials, difficulties, and persecution – it hinges on who He is. He is our foundation in the midst of the storm. He is our peace in the midst of fear. He is our comfort in the midst of anxiety.
God ascribes to Himself names that we can identify with when trials approach:
Jehovah Jireh–our provider.
El Shaddai–all powerful
Jehovah Shalom–our peace.
Jehovah Rohi–our Shepherd.
Jehovah Nissi–our victory and our strength.
Jehovah Tsidkenu–our righteousness.
Jehovah Shammah–“He is there” in the darkest times. He will never leave nor forsake.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Please don’t misunderstand: God blesses His people–we should pray for, enjoy, and encourage His blessings. But a wonderful, comfortable life is not always a blessing – the presence and power of God in our lives is: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
Strength in the midst of the storm is a true blessing.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy [speaking offensively about God].
ACTS 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
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By Westside Christian FellowshipIf you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.
Tweet
Complete Sermon Notes
Persecution – What You Need to Know
AUDIENCE WATCH: Persecution – A Price to Pay for Being a Christian (John MacArthur)
INTRO: DOES GOOD HAVE A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR OUR LIFE?
“The preacher promises a bed of roses for those who come to Christ, but those who are in Christ are evidently sitting on a painful bed of thorns.” Ray Comfort
“When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die” (Bonhoeffer).
What if promotional material for the Navy SEALS read, “Limited time to be stationed on Coronado Island. Free luaus, snorkeling, and cruises with nightly excursions–all paid for by the United States Navy.” How many would jump at the opportunity? How many would be shocked, disappointed, and disillusioned when they found out what really was involved?
Here is the key: our relationship with God does not hinge on trials, difficulties, and persecution – it hinges on who He is. He is our foundation in the midst of the storm. He is our peace in the midst of fear. He is our comfort in the midst of anxiety.
God ascribes to Himself names that we can identify with when trials approach:
Jehovah Jireh–our provider.
El Shaddai–all powerful
Jehovah Shalom–our peace.
Jehovah Rohi–our Shepherd.
Jehovah Nissi–our victory and our strength.
Jehovah Tsidkenu–our righteousness.
Jehovah Shammah–“He is there” in the darkest times. He will never leave nor forsake.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Please don’t misunderstand: God blesses His people–we should pray for, enjoy, and encourage His blessings. But a wonderful, comfortable life is not always a blessing – the presence and power of God in our lives is: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
Strength in the midst of the storm is a true blessing.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy [speaking offensively about God].
ACTS 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.