Revelation 2:8-11
Today we recognize our veterans who bought our freedom
with their sacrifice. We gather together
for worship and join with other believers in public places to praise and
worship our Lord. It is sometimes hard
for us as American Christians to realize the extent of persecution that is
going on in this world.
“persecute”:
to treat someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious
or political beliefs;
Just last year, 100 million
Christians faced some form of discrimination or persecution because of their
faith.
75% of all religious persecution in the world today is
directed towards Christians.
To be persecuted for faith is so foreign
to our thoughts we cannot truly empathize with the daily lives of our
Christian family around the world.
The Persecuted Church Revelation 2:8-9
Persecution has always been a part of
the history of Christianity.
With peace
and prosperity often come pride and indulgence.
For a
Christian, the power to stand in the midst of persecution comes not from what
a person believes but from who they believe in.
One good thing has happened in
America…Christians have been declared radicals.
The workplace has been declared off
limits to Christians.
The military has been declared off limits to Christians
The schools have been declared off limits to Christians.
Politics have been declared off limits to Christians.
The Victorious Church Revelation 2:10
Persecution has been one of Satan's
biggest weapons in his war against the church. I wonder when he will learn that it is also
one of God’s greatest tools to grow the church.
The Eternal Church Revelation 2:11
