Persecution Lesson Four - Joy in Persecution

Persecution – For Review 1. When witnessing to someone who would persecute you, what aspect of the Gospel might be helpful?

Persecution – For Review 2. In his speech before the Sanhedrin, what did Gamaliel understand that so many Christians miss?

Jimmy is still a virgin at the ripe old age at of 17. I say still because almost all of Jimmy’s high school friends are sexually active. Jimmy feels excluded and persecuted because he want to wait until he is married. Joy in Persecution and Suffering 1. What could you tell Jimmy to remind him that he can be joyful in persecution?

Matthew 5: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Joy in Persecution and Suffering

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Joy in Persecution and Suffering

2. Comment on this statement: It isn’t the suffering but the cause that makes us a martyr. Joy in Persecution and Suffering

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who The Hidden Glory of the Cross comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if The Hidden Glory of the Cross we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Jimmy has been getting s from his cousins in Chicago and Atlanta. They are both facing some of the same struggles as Jimmy. 5. What if any comfort or purpose might his cousins’ struggles offer? The Hidden Glory of the Cross

2 Corinthians 1: We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under The Hidden Glory of the Cross great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then The Hidden Glory of the Cross many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Jimmy and his cousins pray for each other regularly that they may resist temptations and give a faithful witness. 4. What added joy does Paul see as Christians prayer for each other? The Hidden Glory of the Cross

Christian martyrs: 70M (since origin) 20th Century: 45.4M Atheists: 31,689,000 Muslims 9,121,000 Ethnoreligionists: 7,469,000 Christians: 5,538,000 Quasi-religionists 2,712,000 Mahayana Buddhists: 1,651,000 Hindus: 676,000

Romans 14:8 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 5. What is the worst anyone can do to us? 6. What comfort does Paul offer even if people do the worst? The Hidden Glory of the Cross

Jimmy said that he would rather die than face his friends on Monday morning. They all have enjoyed a wild weekend of fun and frivolity. He didn’t do anything. 7. What might be some forms of persecution that could be worse than death ? The Hidden Glory of the Cross

Mary, the mother of Jesus, and our friend Jimmy may have something in common. Mary was a teenage mother, who could have been stoned if the village found out her condition. She could have been disowned by her family or divorced by her husband. 8. Where did she find her joy? The Hidden Glory of the Cross

Joy in Persecution and Suffering Luke 1: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those

Joy in Persecution and Suffering who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant

Joy in Persecution and Suffering Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 9. Name one reason – outside of her God – that Mary had to rejoice.

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 10. Of all the things that God had taken from Mary, what had he given to her?

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 11. What did Mary know from all her Bible stories? What might be one she thought of?

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 12. How might Mary’s helpless condition – physically, socially, and spiritually – have actually helped her?

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 13. Imagine for a moment that Mary’s condition – physically, socially, and spiritually – was BETTER. How might Mary have actually been worse off?

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” 14. As we carry our cross of persecution or any kind of suffering over the rest of our days. What comfort does Holy Week offer us?

Joy in Persecution and Suffering 15. Where did Mary find her joy? 16. The next time you are persecuted or forced to endure suffering where can you find your joy?

Persecution Lesson Four - Joy in Persecution