Persistence in the face of Persecution

Text: Acts 5:14-42

Pushback

When God is at work, there will always be resistance.

Multitudes were believing in the Lord Jesus

The religious leaders became jealous

The apostles were arrested and jailed

Providence

God is always at work in the circumstances of His people

An angel released the apostles

The angel instructed them to preach again

The apostles returned to preaching

Power Politics

The systems of this world will always be hostile to the gospel

The apostles were apprehended

The apostles were questioned

The apostles were flogged

Principled Perseverance

Obey God rather than man, but make sure the emphasis is on the saving work of Jesus

The apostles would not stop preaching about Jesus

Persecution Party

True persecution is cause for rejoicing, not complaint!

All opposition is NOT persecution

All who desire to live a godly life will face persecution (2 Tim 3:12)

To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing (1 Peter 4:13)

Footnotes:

When we start complaining about persecution, we are more

likely focused on self than on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So preach Christ that you expect and welcome persecution.

I’m not sure it’s truly persecution if it is not the result of

sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Persist Preaching

NEVER STOP SHARING the news of Jesus’ death for sin, and His resurrection to life And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42)