Walk Like Jesus in Persecution January 15, 2017

Definition of Persecution Coming from the word “dioko” – “pursue, chase”, and literally refers to the result of pursuing. The hatred and affliction that follows the witness and holy life of God’s people in a hostile world.

Different Kinds of Persecution

Different Kinds of Persecution Random Violence

Different Kinds of Persecution Random Violence Wounds of an enemy

Different Kinds of Persecution Random Violence Wounds of an enemy Wounds of a friend

Exciting Reports:

How did they treat Jesus How did they treat Jesus? All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. Luke 4:28-29

Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Luke 5:21 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to Their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Luke 5:30

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious. Luke 6:11

Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them. Luke 8:37

When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say. Luke 11:53-54

Jesus At the Cross Arrested Rejected by his disciples Mocked and Ridiculed Blindfolded and Hit Crown of thorns Mocked and Ridiculed Beard pulled from his face Beating over the head Teased by wearing an elegant robe Scourging Carrying the cross The crucifixion Suffering on the cross for 6 hours

How did Jesus respond to the persecution How did Jesus respond to the persecution? He still did good to help others.

He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch Out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. Luke 6:10

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Luke 13:31-33

How did Jesus respond to the persecution? He still spoke the truth.

Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. Luke 11:42

Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Luke 11:43

And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. Luke 11:46 Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. Luke 11:47

How did Jesus respond to the persecution How did Jesus respond to the persecution? He humbled Himself and submitted to the Father’s will at the cross. Herod plied him with many questions but Jesus gave him no answer. Luke 23:9

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:33-34

What does persecution mean for us? Evidence that we belong to Jesus.

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20 Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. II Timothy 3:12

What does persecution mean for us? We are not alone:

Others were tortured and refused to be released Others were tortured and refused to be released. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:35-38

Tertullian said “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

How should we respond to persecution?

Rejoice: Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. Luke 6:22-23

Don’t worry about what to say:

When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Luke 12:11-12

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:44

Follow Jesus example to keep on doing what is good and speaking the truth.

Remember those who are mistreated and in prison Remember those who are mistreated and in prison. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3

Have Hope We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Corinthians 4:8-9 Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Romans 8:35

Concluding Challenge We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. II Thessalonians 1:3-4