International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
= Arabic letter “N” meaning “noon” -Meaning you are ________________ as a follower of Jesus the Nazarene.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many.
1 Corinthians 12:26-27
So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
Hebrews 13:3
Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.
Matthew 16:25-26
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. 26 For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?
Hebrews 11:35b-40
Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
A few facts on persecution that we need to know or be reminded of:
1.Persecution in the Bible is _______________________.
Mark 10:24-31
The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions —and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
2.The Greatest Cause of Persecution stems from people ________________________ Jesus.
3.Obedience Based ______________________ Leads to intense Persecution.
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
Hebrews 10:34
For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession.
Things we can all do:
Free magazine at Persecution.com (upper right corner of website)
PHONE APP: Pray for a persecuted each day
These Persecuted Believers are not dying just because they BELIEVED the Gospel, they are dying because they _______________________ the Gospel.
2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
What has God said to me today and what do I need to do with what I have heard?