TAKE NOTES - August 21, 2022

Follow along with the sermon

TAKE NOTES

SUNDAY, August 21, 2022

"How do I deal with opposition?" by Daniel Mills


God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. (Matthew 5:10-12)

1. Doing what is right will cost you something

Matthew 5:10 – God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Luke 13:14 – But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

John 10:30-31 – “The Father and I are one.” Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

1 Peter 4:14 – If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

 

1 Peter 4:16 – But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

 

1 Peter 4:19 – So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

2. Joy and happiness is possible in times of trials

Matthew 5:11-12 – God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad!

Hebrews 12:2 – We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

1 Peter 1:6 – So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.


1 Peter 1:8 – You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 

James 1:2 – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

2 Corinthians 6:10 – Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.

Matthew 13:44 – The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 – Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

3. Keeping an eternal perspective is critical when things don’t go your way

Matthew 5:12 – For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

1 Peter 1:3-4 – Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.