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[[Category:Christianity]][[Category:Church]]