1. GAL 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

2. I AM CRUCIFIED Romans 8:13 – “but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live.”

3. Christ liveth in me A place prepared – John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

4. By the faith of the Son of God NOT A BLIND FAITH (Rom 10:17) – Eyes wide open always looking and listening – 2 Tim 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

5. 2 Tim 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” Some Christians are struggling today because they have found out that their faith has caused them to lose their friends, jobs, clubs, social life, and many times family members. Why Should Persecution Be Abnormal?

6. Suffer? Every Christian, without exception, is called to suffer for the gospel's sake. – 1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf..” There is no godliness out of Christ

7. What would be considered “ ABNORMAL ”? The definition of “abnormal” is to deviate from what is normal or usual in a way that is undesirable or worrisome. How can we as a religious people avoid persecution? They were able to do it in the first century. 2 Tim 4:3 Isaiah 30:10 Prophecy not unto us right things 2 Thess 2:12 “who believed not the truth” Matthew 7: 22 have we not prophesied in thy name?

8. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS As a Christian we are promised many things, and one of these is persecution. – I have some bad news, It is not going to get any better 2 Tim 3:13 Wax worse and worse Bible tells us that we will be hated because of him 2 Tim 3:12; Mark 13:13 Don’t be surprised if struggles find you once you make your commitment to Christ. 1 Peter 4:12 You have not been promised an easier life 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;”

9. Jesus was hated Isaiah 53:3 John 15: 18,19,20 Christians are hated because of the truth – Gal 4:16 We make those of the world feel uncomfortable – Jude 3 Should it not be so? We speak of eternal rewards, of one losing their soul. Acts 24:25 more convenient season? He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the 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.

10. All who desire to live Godly Persecution is what one should expect when obeying the gospel Paul was shown things which he must suffer Acts 9:16 Did Paul count the cost? Do we count the cost today? Oh can we say we are ready brother Luke 6:26 Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you. Luke 24:32 “And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

11. 1 Cor 11:1 When Paul says “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” He is saying Christ Lives in Him He is saying he is willing to suffer – Phil 3:8 Paul understands the life of a true Christian Why should persecutions be abnormal? They are not! They are the Norm DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHRISTIAN? THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST HEAR….ROMANS 10:17 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BELIEVE….JOHN 8:24 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST CONFESS….ROMANS 10:9-10 THE BIBE SAYS ONE MUST REPENT….LUKE 13:3 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BE BAPTIZED….ACTS 22:16 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BE FAITHFUL..REV 2:10 THIS IS ALL IT TAKES TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND TO SUFFER PERSECUTION. THIS IS THE LIFE WE NOW LIVE GAL 2:20 DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHRISTIAN? THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST HEAR….ROMANS 10:17 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BELIEVE….JOHN 8:24 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST CONFESS….ROMANS 10:9-10 THE BIBE SAYS ONE MUST REPENT….LUKE 13:3 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BE BAPTIZED….ACTS 22:16 THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BE FAITHFUL..REV 2:10 THIS IS ALL IT TAKES TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND TO SUFFER PERSECUTION. THIS IS THE LIFE WE NOW LIVE GAL 2:20 DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? Phil 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12. 2 TIM 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”