Sermon notes: July 7,2013.
Christianity was the worlds most feared idea.
It could not be silence nor destroy nor stopped.
Something about Christianity led it to survive the prosecutions and heartaches.
-The Christian faith is still growing. -
Don't ever underestimate the bible,what is in your heart,and what god intends for you on your life.
£. How strong is your Christian faith? £.
- Matthew 5: 10-12:
10.Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
•Persecuted :
Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake
• how strong is your Christian faith?
- are you able to defend it?
• we are the light of the world
• believers are light living in darkness
• what does your conduct, conversation, or the way you carry yourself, say about you
•are you a rightouss person?
• righteous means holy.
• holy people are abhor in the world we live today.
-why?
• when light shines in the darkness it drives out the darkness
-many people ask either themselves or others:
• how can I avoid persecution?
• the answer is to lead an ungodly life
• no one will persecute you for being a sinner
• Jesus never mislead anyone
• he did not say that the Christian life was an easy one.
• Matthew 16: 24-27 says:
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
• we think that if things are not working our way, god is not there.
• if you follow god you Will be persecuted.
• it happens every where in your daily life.
•at work, in school etc...
• when you think of your life, is your life of the quality that it makes others uncomfortable. That it makes then reflect upon their actions. A life that is different from theirs?
• A righteous life is powerful and penetrating.
• if you want to know what to say or how to act look towards Jesus. What would he do or want you to do based upon the scriptures.
• people are persecute world wide.
• it is an inevitable experience of the godly.
Read:
-Matthew 5: 11:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (NIV version)
- 2nd Timothy 3:12:
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NIV version)
- 1 Peter 4:13:
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(NIV version)
• if you live a godly life you best expect to be persecuted by those of this earth.
• the unbelieving world is uncomfortable, when it encounters a believer or follower of Christ.
• You don't have to say anything, you have to be something.
• your actions will speak of you, and for you.
• In the days that Jesus walked persecution was a normal thing.
• Jesus stated that following him would not be easy.
• Jesus was the most frequent prisoner in his time. He was in and out of jail.
Why? Because he preach the word of the living god.
• they tried to assassinate him on several occasions.
• none of his disciples led an easy life.
• Christian were consider heretics. because they wouldn't worship bor bow down to the empire gods ( in that time each city state had its own god) or to the emperor.
- an example of this is Daniel. You can read the story in Daniel 6.
• people insult and criticize you because your Christians.
• it's not that your doing wrong, its because your living right.
• if you want to be godly and rightous and owe your life to the heavens, have meaning, and direction, be fruitful, and thankful towards god, you need to trust Jesus as your savior.
• today's society is too wrapped up in what's popular, driven by emotions, wanting to fit in and be cool.
• living in a light world is not popular.
• but do not be discouraged, remember there are people looking for folks like you. For people who talk one thing and does the same.
• I'm I willing to make others uncomfortable in my presence because of my godly doings?
• in today's time, there are more and more persecution of Christians.
• the cross is now obnoxious to this society
• they want to take it down and disappear it from sight.
• why don't they want to see it?
• it's because it represents Jesus righteousness, salvation, the hope of the world.
• those who hate the cross are the ones who need it the most.
• it reminds you of Jesus, that's why the don't like it.
• why do they resist the son of god?
• it's because of his Holiness and requirements of following him.
• is it more important to be accepted and popular, if you have to compromise what you know is right?
• the world is getting darker and darker each day.
• you are light admits the darkness.
• some say Christianity does not fit my style.
• so what fits your style living in sin and disobedience towards god?
• god will come and judge the world.
•when he comes its not your friends that you will have to stand in front of, and give an account for what you've done, it's in front of God that you will stand.
• the truth is being a follower of Jesus Christ means that you will feel the heat of the wicked and feel pressure, but that is all temporary.
£~ What is the reason for persecution? ~£
•1 Peter 4:13:
~ To test our loyalty in Christ.
• we re sharing our sufferings in Christ.
• you are going to get tested.
-1 Pedro 1:6-7:
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
• when you are tested do you take a strong stand?
• do you not arrogantly or in a bad tone, but kindly and assertively say I am a follower of Jesus. I will not do that because its against my beliefs and it will be displeasing to god.
• do you rather be accepted by the world than pleasing to Jesus?
-You can't be both
• the bible says you will stand before god on judgement day, not your friends.
• many people, the younger ones specially think about their friends, and what they would say or think if they act or don't act a certain way.
• Truth of the matter is you probably won't see your friends ever again, but you will walk with god your entire life.
~ Another reason we face prosecution is to promote the furthace of the gospel.
- Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
•Paul was persecuting Christians at one pout of his life, but came to be one of his biggest followers.
• if you read Paul's journey, if you take a map many times found in the back of the bible and trail his journey you would notice it was a busy one. • You can tell its a good thing that he was inprison because the only way he could get quiet enough, to listen to god and write down the books that he has written, was in prison.
( Ephesians, Philippians, Corinthians,
Galatians)
• Paul's suffering and persecution was a blessing for us today.
~ Persecution Enables us to be strong, and encourage others going through persecution
• if you've are in a tough spot, and you need someone to talk to, you want someone who's been in that same situation.
~ It demonstrate our loyalty to Jesus.
• are there things you would set aside or turn down because its ungodly, or would not please Jesus.
~ It Demonstrate out faith in his word
• god will make you adequate to undergo anything that comes your way.
• god takes into account the solitary acts you do towards others.
• god rewards us for all the good and godly things we do here on this earth.
-Matthew 5:12:
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)
~ Persecution equips us to be who god wants us to be.
£ ~ What is the proper response to persecution? ~£
-Matthew 10:29:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (NIV)
• when Paul went to a city and he didn't have an impact he moved on
• sometimes you have to walk away from persecution.
• Matthew 10: 22-23:
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
•you don't get saved by enduring
• what does that mean?
- he says that those who are truly saved, truly endures.
• persecution does not separate you from god, it brings you closer.
• Romans 8:37:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
• stand strong
• be strong in The Lord and the power of his might, because he will give us everything we need to be strong.
~ Endure
1 Corinthian 12:10:
to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
- Love our enemies and pray for them
• Matthew 5:45:
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
• you may say what do I pray for?
•pray that in our persecution and our response Jesus may be known to them.
• As you kill one Christian they are multiply, and become stronger. This is what Rome realize when they persecuted Christians in their time.
• you can't destroy a godly life
• the Christian faith is growing
• In the United States too many of god people are too quiet because they don't want to upset anyone. sometimes you need to upset people and stand up for what yo believe and what you know is right.
• they don't understand their living in ignorance.
• one of these days your going to die.
• living a godly life will harden you and apart you from god.
• the most dangerous thing you can do is to push god out until you become so hard that no one can face you, because you will die that way.
• god is always willing to help you and save you.
• he has died for us
• if you don't have god,you don't have anything. For the things of this world will pass but he nor his word will.
• it's easy among your friends, family, and your pleasures to talk about what your going to do.
• but all of the sudden you can be gone and will have to face god.
• if you haven't prepared because you were leaving it for later, what will be of you?
• he is giving you a chance to repent to come to him and be free to have eternal life.
• the gospel is not to scare or threatening you
• it's not about what you have to give up, but the things you will recover from god which are love, an eternal life.
• Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great
- Matthew 5:12:
(New International Version)
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• when man say your reward will be great, their powers are limited.
• when god says your reward is going to be great, it's unimaginable.
• his powers are unlimited.
• when you trust Christ you will recognize how blind you have been, how far from truth and reality you had been, and what a waste the past has been.
• where are you in your relationship
With god?
• many people died in order for us to hear his name and testimony
• Jesus Christ will wipe away all your sins just by asking him to forgive you and repenting your self.
• god crucify his only son in order for you to be saved.
• you who listen I pray,are wise enough to ask Jesus for forgiveness and to save you.
If you want to repent you just have to go in the privacy of your solitude and come to god with an open and sincere heart.
You can follow this prayer:
• heavenly father I have sin against you an rejected you I recognize I am a sinner unworthy to be forgiven but I believe that If confess my sins to you, i can be safe. I believe you died for me in the cross, I'm asking you to clean me of my sins to save me and grant me eternal life.
• that's all you have to say in order to be safe. lead a godly life and follow his word, the bible.
• May go bless you today and always do not be discourage for god is with you even when we think his not, his right their next to you saying I'm here for you and with you we will get through this together, trust in me. Sometimes we are too wrapped up in our own problems and in our own world that we are unable to hear him.
• when Peter walked across the waters he didn't start to sink until he took his eyes off god. When he looked around was when he started to sink yet when he said god save me Jesus was right there for him.
• in our life we have to keep our eyes and trust set in Jesus because he will help is through it.
Christianity was the worlds most feared idea.
It could not be silence nor destroy nor stopped.
Something about Christianity led it to survive the prosecutions and heartaches.
-The Christian faith is still growing. -
Don't ever underestimate the bible,what is in your heart,and what god intends for you on your life.
£. How strong is your Christian faith? £.
- Matthew 5: 10-12:
10.Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
•Persecuted :
Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake
• how strong is your Christian faith?
- are you able to defend it?
• we are the light of the world
• believers are light living in darkness
• what does your conduct, conversation, or the way you carry yourself, say about you
•are you a rightouss person?
• righteous means holy.
• holy people are abhor in the world we live today.
-why?
• when light shines in the darkness it drives out the darkness
-many people ask either themselves or others:
• how can I avoid persecution?
• the answer is to lead an ungodly life
• no one will persecute you for being a sinner
• Jesus never mislead anyone
• he did not say that the Christian life was an easy one.
• Matthew 16: 24-27 says:
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
• we think that if things are not working our way, god is not there.
• if you follow god you Will be persecuted.
• it happens every where in your daily life.
•at work, in school etc...
• when you think of your life, is your life of the quality that it makes others uncomfortable. That it makes then reflect upon their actions. A life that is different from theirs?
• A righteous life is powerful and penetrating.
• if you want to know what to say or how to act look towards Jesus. What would he do or want you to do based upon the scriptures.
• people are persecute world wide.
• it is an inevitable experience of the godly.
Read:
-Matthew 5: 11:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (NIV version)
- 2nd Timothy 3:12:
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NIV version)
- 1 Peter 4:13:
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(NIV version)
• if you live a godly life you best expect to be persecuted by those of this earth.
• the unbelieving world is uncomfortable, when it encounters a believer or follower of Christ.
• You don't have to say anything, you have to be something.
• your actions will speak of you, and for you.
• In the days that Jesus walked persecution was a normal thing.
• Jesus stated that following him would not be easy.
• Jesus was the most frequent prisoner in his time. He was in and out of jail.
Why? Because he preach the word of the living god.
• they tried to assassinate him on several occasions.
• none of his disciples led an easy life.
• Christian were consider heretics. because they wouldn't worship bor bow down to the empire gods ( in that time each city state had its own god) or to the emperor.
- an example of this is Daniel. You can read the story in Daniel 6.
• people insult and criticize you because your Christians.
• it's not that your doing wrong, its because your living right.
• if you want to be godly and rightous and owe your life to the heavens, have meaning, and direction, be fruitful, and thankful towards god, you need to trust Jesus as your savior.
• today's society is too wrapped up in what's popular, driven by emotions, wanting to fit in and be cool.
• living in a light world is not popular.
• but do not be discouraged, remember there are people looking for folks like you. For people who talk one thing and does the same.
• I'm I willing to make others uncomfortable in my presence because of my godly doings?
• in today's time, there are more and more persecution of Christians.
• the cross is now obnoxious to this society
• they want to take it down and disappear it from sight.
• why don't they want to see it?
• it's because it represents Jesus righteousness, salvation, the hope of the world.
• those who hate the cross are the ones who need it the most.
• it reminds you of Jesus, that's why the don't like it.
• why do they resist the son of god?
• it's because of his Holiness and requirements of following him.
• is it more important to be accepted and popular, if you have to compromise what you know is right?
• the world is getting darker and darker each day.
• you are light admits the darkness.
• some say Christianity does not fit my style.
• so what fits your style living in sin and disobedience towards god?
• god will come and judge the world.
•when he comes its not your friends that you will have to stand in front of, and give an account for what you've done, it's in front of God that you will stand.
• the truth is being a follower of Jesus Christ means that you will feel the heat of the wicked and feel pressure, but that is all temporary.
£~ What is the reason for persecution? ~£
•1 Peter 4:13:
~ To test our loyalty in Christ.
• we re sharing our sufferings in Christ.
• you are going to get tested.
-1 Pedro 1:6-7:
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
• when you are tested do you take a strong stand?
• do you not arrogantly or in a bad tone, but kindly and assertively say I am a follower of Jesus. I will not do that because its against my beliefs and it will be displeasing to god.
• do you rather be accepted by the world than pleasing to Jesus?
-You can't be both
• the bible says you will stand before god on judgement day, not your friends.
• many people, the younger ones specially think about their friends, and what they would say or think if they act or don't act a certain way.
• Truth of the matter is you probably won't see your friends ever again, but you will walk with god your entire life.
~ Another reason we face prosecution is to promote the furthace of the gospel.
- Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
•Paul was persecuting Christians at one pout of his life, but came to be one of his biggest followers.
• if you read Paul's journey, if you take a map many times found in the back of the bible and trail his journey you would notice it was a busy one. • You can tell its a good thing that he was inprison because the only way he could get quiet enough, to listen to god and write down the books that he has written, was in prison.
( Ephesians, Philippians, Corinthians,
Galatians)
• Paul's suffering and persecution was a blessing for us today.
~ Persecution Enables us to be strong, and encourage others going through persecution
• if you've are in a tough spot, and you need someone to talk to, you want someone who's been in that same situation.
~ It demonstrate our loyalty to Jesus.
• are there things you would set aside or turn down because its ungodly, or would not please Jesus.
~ It Demonstrate out faith in his word
• god will make you adequate to undergo anything that comes your way.
• god takes into account the solitary acts you do towards others.
• god rewards us for all the good and godly things we do here on this earth.
-Matthew 5:12:
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)
~ Persecution equips us to be who god wants us to be.
£ ~ What is the proper response to persecution? ~£
-Matthew 10:29:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (NIV)
• when Paul went to a city and he didn't have an impact he moved on
• sometimes you have to walk away from persecution.
• Matthew 10: 22-23:
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
•you don't get saved by enduring
• what does that mean?
- he says that those who are truly saved, truly endures.
• persecution does not separate you from god, it brings you closer.
• Romans 8:37:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
• stand strong
• be strong in The Lord and the power of his might, because he will give us everything we need to be strong.
~ Endure
1 Corinthian 12:10:
to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
- Love our enemies and pray for them
• Matthew 5:45:
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
• you may say what do I pray for?
•pray that in our persecution and our response Jesus may be known to them.
• As you kill one Christian they are multiply, and become stronger. This is what Rome realize when they persecuted Christians in their time.
• you can't destroy a godly life
• the Christian faith is growing
• In the United States too many of god people are too quiet because they don't want to upset anyone. sometimes you need to upset people and stand up for what yo believe and what you know is right.
• they don't understand their living in ignorance.
• one of these days your going to die.
• living a godly life will harden you and apart you from god.
• the most dangerous thing you can do is to push god out until you become so hard that no one can face you, because you will die that way.
• god is always willing to help you and save you.
• he has died for us
• if you don't have god,you don't have anything. For the things of this world will pass but he nor his word will.
• it's easy among your friends, family, and your pleasures to talk about what your going to do.
• but all of the sudden you can be gone and will have to face god.
• if you haven't prepared because you were leaving it for later, what will be of you?
• he is giving you a chance to repent to come to him and be free to have eternal life.
• the gospel is not to scare or threatening you
• it's not about what you have to give up, but the things you will recover from god which are love, an eternal life.
• Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great
- Matthew 5:12:
(New International Version)
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• when man say your reward will be great, their powers are limited.
• when god says your reward is going to be great, it's unimaginable.
• his powers are unlimited.
• when you trust Christ you will recognize how blind you have been, how far from truth and reality you had been, and what a waste the past has been.
• where are you in your relationship
With god?
• many people died in order for us to hear his name and testimony
• Jesus Christ will wipe away all your sins just by asking him to forgive you and repenting your self.
• god crucify his only son in order for you to be saved.
• you who listen I pray,are wise enough to ask Jesus for forgiveness and to save you.
If you want to repent you just have to go in the privacy of your solitude and come to god with an open and sincere heart.
You can follow this prayer:
• heavenly father I have sin against you an rejected you I recognize I am a sinner unworthy to be forgiven but I believe that If confess my sins to you, i can be safe. I believe you died for me in the cross, I'm asking you to clean me of my sins to save me and grant me eternal life.
• that's all you have to say in order to be safe. lead a godly life and follow his word, the bible.
• May go bless you today and always do not be discourage for god is with you even when we think his not, his right their next to you saying I'm here for you and with you we will get through this together, trust in me. Sometimes we are too wrapped up in our own problems and in our own world that we are unable to hear him.
• when Peter walked across the waters he didn't start to sink until he took his eyes off god. When he looked around was when he started to sink yet when he said god save me Jesus was right there for him.
• in our life we have to keep our eyes and trust set in Jesus because he will help is through it.
