1. The Sect Everywhere Spoken Against

2. Opposition to truth is not new Gn.3, rejected God, accepted satan Gn.4, rejected God’s correction Gn.6, rejected society’s ethics Ac.2... 3 1. Persecution flares up 2. Ridgedale 3. Homosexuality: Ro.1 Ac.2... 3 1. Persecution flares up 2. Ridgedale 3. Homosexuality: Ro.1

3. I. Satan’s Snare (2 Tim.2:26) : Opposition

4. Luke 2:34-35 1. Evidence Jesus is Messiah: opposition DeceiverSamaritan Talmud: He is alluded to only as “So and So” “That man” “Absalom” “the hung” “the son of Pandera” Demon

5. Luke 2:34-35 1. Evidence Jesus is Messiah: opposition 2. “Thoughts…revealed” Jesus, the litmus test ▪ Determines where people stand before God ▪ Some hate Him ▪ Some re-invent Him

6. Acts 24:5, 14 1. Sect (as Sadducees, 5:17) 2. Nazarene (insult) Acts 28:22 “But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” Small town Galilee Gentiles Held in contempt Small town Galilee Gentiles Held in contempt

7. I. Satan’s Snare: Opposition II. Why The Attacks?

8. 1. Not because attackers try too hard to obey God. Ps.2:1-3; Lk.19:14 2. Not because Bible is unclear about homosexuality (cf. Gn.3, 4, 6) 3. Not because Bible is unclear about with- drawing from impenitent, 1 Co.5; 2 Th.3 4. Not because of great knowledge, Ac.19:32 5. Not because of faith 6. Not because of love for God / Bible / Christians. Lk.23:1-5

9. Web quotes Love neighbor. [Jude 22-23] Do not judge. [Mt.7:1] Do not hate. [Lk.6:22, 27] W/o sin, cast first stone. [Pr.17:15] Jesus. [Mt.7; Mt.19; 1 Co.6]

10. I. Satan’s Snare: Opposition III. What Should We Do? II. Why The Attacks?

11. 1. Prepare Expect opposition. 1 Pt.1:6-7; 4:3-4, 12 Hate sin, love sinner. 1 Pt.2:12 (Ep.4:15) Know the text. 1 Pt.3:15

12. 1. Prepare 2. Pray Courage. Jn.15:18-20... Ac.28:15 Convictions. 2 Tim.1:12 Consistency. 1 Jn.1:6

13. 1. Prepare 2. Pray 3. Persevere …strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” – Ac.14:22

14. 1. Prepare 2. Pray 3. Persevere 4. Praise Mt.5:10-12 Ac.5:41 PRAISE puts us in good company PERSECUTION says we’re doing something right

15. Lk.14:26 “Hate” – they view it so Mt.7:6