Victory in Persecution

John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:10-12; Acts 14:22

Persecution is inevitable. In fact, it is a promise from the Lord Jesus to all those who would follow Him (Mark 10:30). We are at war with the powers of darkness (Eph.6:12). Satan's dominion is in direct, violent opposition to the advance of the Kingdom of God (Matt.11:12). If you are living in obedience to God, that opposition is sometimes going to touch your life (Luke 12:49-53).

God Uses Persecution

1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4

To launch us into the same life as Jesus (Philippians 3:9-12; Mark 10:38-39)

To bring comfort to others by our experience (2 Cor.1:3-6; Heb.2:18)

To encourage other believers to be courageous (Phil.1:12-14)

To keep us from becoming conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

To train us in righteousness (Heb.12:11-12)

To teach us obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Results of Persecution

God is able to turn all attacks of Satan around for our good and the good of His Kingdom (Rom.8:28).

The Church is scattered to spread the Gospel (Acts 8:1,4-8)

New places are opened to the Gospel (Acts 16:14-15)

Believers share everything with one another (Acts 4:29,32)

The genuine believers are revealed (Hebrews 12:27-29)

It produces life in others (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)

Victory in the Church

We are more than conquerors

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" Romans 8:35,37 (read also verses 36,38-39; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

We have overcome the world

"...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith" 1 John 5:4 (see Rom.8:31; John 16:33).

We have a treasure in jars of clay

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" 2 Corinthians 4:7 (read also verses 8-10).

We count ourselves dead

"Yet God forbid that I should boast about anything or anybody except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means that the world is a dead thing to me and I am a dead man to the world" Galatians 6:14 (Phillips).

We experience the grace of God

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'" 2 Corinthians 2:9-10 (read also verses 7-8,10; 11:23-33).

We experience a supernatural joy

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" Acts 5:41 (see also Matthew 5:11-12).

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 2 Corinthians 6:4-10