ACTS – The Persecuted Church
-suffering honorably & faithfully well-
Acts 6 - 8
- Pastor Trevor, July 09, 2023
I. A Healthy Church is Prepared to be a Persecuted Church
- is the church in the West ready and prepared for persecution
- do we know how to suffer honorably and faithfully well for Jesus
II. Spiritual Opposition Operates through Lies and False Perceptions
- devil “god of this age” blinds the world of the Gospel of Christ
- will make false claims/accusations against Christians/Church
III. Respond in the Spirit’s Fullness
- full of faith, grace, God’s power, Spirit’s Wisdom
- in the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
IV. Respond with Truth Guided in the Spirit’s Wisdom
- truth proclaimed needs to be in the right spirit of heart, at the right time, and, with words led by the Spirit’s promptings
V. Respond Knowing Jesus is with You & Heavenly Glory is Coming
- you’re not alone, Jesus knows the suffering being faced
- the glory of Jesus embraces you and will reward you
VI. Respond by Praying Forgiveness over Your Persecutors
- the power of Christian forgiveness transforms lives
- the devil’s adversaries become heaven’s advocators (Saul to Paul)
VII. The Cost for Christ Pays Off!
- suffering for Jesus plants Kingdom seeds for the Gospel to grow
- the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church – Tertullian
VIII. Implication / Application / Reflection
- How did Jesus speak to you through today’s message?
- Do you fear opposition against your Christian faith? Why or Why Not?
- What ways are you standing against the crowd living for Jesus?
- Facing spiritual opposition requires us to be Spirit-filled. What ways are you able to ‘ready yourself’ now so you may respond at any time in the fullness of the Spirit?
- Pray for the persecuted church around the globe. Pray for your spiritual walk with Jesus to be strengthened in these trying times.
God bless!