Persecution of the Church -- Acts and 1 Pet. 3

Sermon Outline From The Evening Service - 18 June 2000

Persecution goes hand in hand with godliness -- 2 Tim. 3:12

1. Jesus was at odds with the religious leaders (John 15:18-20)
2. All of God's prophets from Noah on have been outcasts
3. The church is salt and light in a world that needs it

The early church suffered many kinds of persecution:

ch. 2 -- ridicule
ch. 4 -- threats and put in prison
ch. 5 -- prison
ch. 6 -- debates and arrest
ch. 7 -- martyrdom
ch. 8 -- "great persecution"
ch. 9 -- heading further out to get people

Why did they suffer persecution?

1. Because of the words they spoke -- 2 Tim 2:23-26; 1 Pet. 3:15
2. Because of the things they do -- 1 Pet. 3:9, 11, 14, 16

Why not just shut up?

1. The need of people -- a spiritual battle for the souls of men
2. The destructive work of Satan -- a spiritual battle for the truth

Who wins? ....is it a victory for Satan?

1. It reminds us that we are His & no longer a part of the world
2. It makes us trust Him for grace, strength & wisdom to witness
3. It makes us more complete (Jam. 1:3-4)
4. It reminds us of our suffering Saviour