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.”
I AM CRUCIFIED
• Romans 8:13
– “but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds
of the body ye shall live.”
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.”
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.”
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?
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
What would be considered “ABNORMAL”?
They
were
able
to
Isaiah
30:10
Matthew
2 Thess 2:12
7: 22“who
have
do
it
in
the
first
Prophecy
not
unto
we
believed
not prophesied
not the
century.
2
Tim
4:3
us
right
things
in thy
truth”
name?
• 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?
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS
• As a Christian we are promised many things,
and one of these
is persecution.
1 Peter
4:12
– I have some bad news, It is not going to get any
“Beloved,
do3:13
not
be
surprised
better 2 Tim
Wax
worse
and worse at the
fiery
among
which
• Bibleordeal
tells us that
we willyou,
be hated
because of
him 2 Tim
3:12;you
Markfor
13:13
comes
upon
your testing, as
• Don’t be surprised if struggles find you once
though
some
strange thing
were
you make
your commitment
to Christ.
1 Peter
4:12
happening
to you;”
• You have not been promised an easier life
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
• Isaiah 53:3
Jesus was hated
• John 15: 18,19,20
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it
• Christians are hated because of the truth
hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own;
–
Gal
4:16
but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the
• We
make
the hates
worldyou.
feel uncomfortable
world,
because
of those
this theof
world
– Jude 3
• Should it not be so? We speak of eternal rewards,
of one losing their soul.
• Acts 24:25 more convenient season?
All who desire to live Godly
•Luke
Persecution
is what
one they
should expect
when
24:32
“And
said
to
one
obeying the gospel
“Did
not
our
burn
•another,
Paul was shown
things
which
he heart
must suffer
Acts
9:16
within
us
while
He
talked
with
us
• Did Paul count the cost?
oncount
thethe
road,
and while He
• Do we
cost today?
• Oh
can we saythe
we are
ready brotherto us?”
opened
Scriptures
• Luke 6:26 Woe unto you when all men shall speak
well of you.
1 Cor 11:1
DO
YOU3:8
HAVE“Yea
WHAT IT
TAKES TO BE A CHRISTIAN?
Phil
doubtless,
and
I
count
all
• BIBLE
When
Paul
says
“BeHEAR….ROMANS
yethat
followers
of10:17
me, evenin
Phil
4:11
Not
I speak
THE
SAYS
ONE
MUST
as I also
ofMUST
Christ.”
things
butam
loss
forBELIEVE….JOHN
the excellency
of the
THE
BIBLE
SAYS
ONE
8:24
THE
BIBLE
SAYS
ONEof
MUSTwant:
CONFESS….ROMANS
10:9-10
respect
for
I
have
•
He
is
saying
Christ
Lives
in
Him
knowledge
of
Christ
Jesus
my
Lord:
for
THE BIBE SAYS ONE MUST REPENT….LUKE 13:3
• He is saying he is willing to suffer
THE
BIBLE SAYS
ONEin
MUST
BE BAPTIZED….ACTS
22:16
whom
I
have
suffered
the
loss
of all
learned,
whatsoever
state
– Phil 3:8
THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST BE FAITHFUL..REV 2:10
things,
doBECOME
count
them
• ISPaul
the life
of
a truebut
Christian
THIS
ALL understands
IT and
TAKES TO
A CHRISTIAN
AND dung,
TO
I
am,
therewith
to
be
SUFFER
PERSECUTION.
• Why
should
persecutions
beChrist,”
abnormal?
that
I
may
win
THIS IS THE LIFE WE NOW LIVE GAL 2:20
content.
• They are not! They are the Norm
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
2 TIM 3:12 “Yea, and all
that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution”