1. ARE WE THAT FAR REMOVED FROM PERSECUTION? “What More Shall I Say…”
“…the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings…” (1Peter 5:12-13)
1Peter 1:1-7 “Various trials”
1Peter 1:13 “Prepare your mind for action”
1Peter 2:19-21 “Bear up under sorrows”
ARE WE THAT FAR REMOVED FROM PERSECUTION?
“What More Shall I Say…”
Hebrews 11:32-40

2. “How long , O Lord, holy and true…” Revelation 6:9-10
“ I know your tribulation” “Do not fear what you are about to suffer”
Revelation 3:5, 10, 12, 21 “Overcome”
2Timothy 3:10-12
“Scum of the earth…”
2Corinthians 11:24-26
“chains and imprisonment”
“was not ashamed of my chains” (2Tim.1:16)

3. A Unique Attitude: Rejoiced In Spite Of Oppression
James 1:2-4
1Peter 3:14
Philippians 1:29
2Corinthians 12:10 Content With Weaknesses
Romans 8:35-37
“overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us…”

4. WHY? What Was The Motivation Behind Persecution
Acts 9:1ff
Moral/ Lifestyle
Political
Religious
Financial
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you…for the sake of the Son of Man…”
Luke 6:22

5. “Do Not Fear Their Intimidation”
1Peter 3:13-18
“Like a roaring lion…”
1Peter 5:8-11 Be Alert & Watchful
Satan Remains Engaged In Warfare Against The Children of God:
Rev. 12:17
Satan Will Use Every Tool Available:
Subtle & Not So Subtle
“But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren…”

6. Double Standard Exists
If One Does Not Agree With “Settled” Issues Of Society; Viewed As Bigoted, Biased, Ignorant, Intolerant, etc..
Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-4
1John 3:13 “Do not be surprised if the world hates you…”

7. “I Won’t Back Down…”
While Society May Have Changed; We Must Hold Our Ground: Grounded In Truth
2Corinthians 10:3-5
2Thessalonians 2:15
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of this world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19