We have enjoyed, as followers of Jesus, unprecedented freedom that most Christians throughout the world as well as history have never known. It would be naïve to think this unusual freedom will last forever, so how do we sustain faith in an increasingly hostile world? In the final message of this 6-week series, Pastor John will explain how important it is to find contentment in eternal rewards. Those early disciples sacrificed everything to follow Jesus, but we sacrifice so very little...for now. What is in it for them and what will be in it for us when we are expected to sacrifice for following Jesus!
Christianity in Exile: Expect to Sacrifice for Christ
We have enjoyed, as followers of Jesus, unprecedented freedom that most Christians throughout the world as well as history have never known. It would be naïve to think this unusual freedom will last forever, so how do we sustain faith in an increasingly hostile world? We can look to the example of the martyrs who stood up for their faith, even unto death. In Acts 6:1-8:4, we see how the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned for preaching Jesus, led to the spread of the Gospel across the known world.
Christianity in Exile: Let Compassion Overcome Resentment
We have enjoyed, as followers of Jesus, unprecedented freedom that most Christians throughout the world as well as history have never known. It would be naïve to think this unusual freedom will last forever, so how do we sustain faith in an increasingly hostile world? One of the ways that God uses our persecution for His glory is by our extending compassion to people that the world says we should resent. This is the example Jesus set for us on the cross when He prayed, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Christianity in Exile: Re-Think Your Definition of Blessed
We have enjoyed, as followers of Jesus, unprecedented freedom that most Christians throughout the world as well as history have never known. It would be naïve to think this unusual freedom will last forever, so how do we sustain faith in an increasingly hostile world? We must re-think how we defined “blessed.” In America, we associate health, wealth, success and happiness with being blessed, but the New Testament usually associates it with approval from God. Today, Jesus will clarify what it really means to be blessed in John 5:10-12.