V Life Walk V With Bryan Eason
Encouragement for the Spiritual Journey
“ Standing Strong in Persecution ” Pt. 2
1 Thessalonians 2:14-3:13 (Series Standing Strong)
I. What Persecution is: The Harassment and Suffering which people and institutions inflict upon others for living out their faith.
Illustrations 1. 3.
2. 4.
Reasons people persecute Christians
Some despise the preaching of the gospel. ILL. Frankie Post
Some people are evil and hostile to all men.
Satan is at work trying to stop us all the time.
II. How to Stand Strong
1. Know that it is part of being a Christian We Should _______ it
appointed for afflictions ” (3:4) “for in fact we told you before when we were with you we
would suffer tribulation -Just as it happened
2 Timothy 3:12 “All that Desire to Live a Godly Life will Be Persecuted”
ILL Jesus Speaking to Apostles
John 15:20 “If they persecute me .. they will persecute you.”
II. We should Realize that we are in the Presence of Good ________
(14) for you Brethren became imitators of the churches of God Which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things the from your own countrymen Just as they did from the Judeans (15) Who Killed both the Lord Jesus and Their own prophets, and have persecuted us Who was Persecuted
1. The Churches 2. The Prophets
Heb 11:37 - They were stoned they were sewn in two they were tempted, were slain with a sword. They wondered about in sheep skin, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
3. The Apostles 4. Jesus
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you”
III. Realize the Fate of those who Persecute Christians (2:16)
“so as always to fill up the measure of their sins ; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost”
“Fill up sins” = Reached the limit “wrath has come” = judgment is imminent
ILL. Days of _______ ILL Days of ________
The Characteristics of those who will receive the wrath of God
1. Hate the message of ________
John 3:36 “ Whoever believes the Son has eternal life , but whoever rejects the son will not see life but the wrath of God’
2. Lives are expressed by ______
IV. Understand the Importance of Having Other Christians as Encouragers (3:1-5) (1)Therefore When We could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, (2) and sent Timothy Our Brother and Minister of God, and our Fellow Laborerer in the Gospel of Christ to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith.
Reason we need other Christians
Satan is at work tempting us to quit
(5) “Lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
ILL. Church and Small Groups
V. Know that your Witness is the Greatest when You are Standing _______________ (3:6-8) That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the Tempter had gotten the best of you and that all our work had been useless. 6 Now Timothy has just returned, bringing the good news that your faith and love are as strong as ever. He reports that you remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly comforted, dear brothers and sisters, in all of our own crushing troubles and suffering, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in the Lord. (NLT)
POINT - STAND STRONG IN THE FAITH Ill. Allah or JESUS
VI. Keep your Eyes Focused in the Heavens and the Lords ____________ (2:19 3:13)
19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again.
13 As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to him.
ILL. Prisoners of War