Responding to Persecution

In this episode we discuss: Some of the current news on persecution against Christians around the world. How we can respond to persecution especially to verbal attacks which believers worldwide face.

Overview of the Discussion Topic

Types of Persecution

Legal Attacks

1. Matthew 10:17 - Handed over to Local Councils

2. Brought Before Governmental Leaders

3. Taken to Court

4. Police Arrests - Matthew 10:17

5. New Laws

How to Respond:

1. Beware of All  Matthew 10

2. Be Ready to Die

3. Depend on the Spirit Matthew 10:19-20

Religious Attacks

1. False Religions Matthew 10:17

2. False Christians

3. Doctrinal Attacks Matthew 9:3-5

How to Respond

1. Answer Ignorant Questions/Ideas Matthew 9:3-5 (; Matthew 12:1-9 (healing on Sabbath Day

2. Correct Religious Accusations with Authority  Matthew 12:22-32 (Accusation of Beelzebub)

3. Leave them alone Matt. 15:13-14 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Family Betrayal -  Matthew 10:21, 35 - 36

1. Hated of Own Family

2. Betrayed  Household Members (Reported, Handed Over)

How to Respond

1. Prioritize God’s Family Matt 12:46-50

2. Take Protection from Those Who Receive You Matthew 10:40-42

Verbal Attacks - Matthew 5:12

1. Insults

2. Name-Calling

3. False Accusations

4. Trapping Questions

How to Answer

1. Rejoice Over False Accusations Matthew 5:12

2. Let them Decide Matt. 22:15-22  (With Trapping Questions)

3. Rebuke Them Matthew 16:1-3  (Pharisees and Sadducees sought for a sign)

   1. Paul Rebuke the False Prophet the Sorcerer

      1. Acts 8:8-11  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind,

4. Remain Silent Matthew 26:62-63; ...But Jesus held his peace. Matthew 27:12-14 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing...

Physical Attacks

1. Governmental Oppression

2. Criminals and those Seeing Christianity as a Threat

How to Respond

1. Leave to another area Matthew 10:23

• Matthew 12:14-15

• Matt 14:12-13

1. Be Harmless

   • in Word

   • and Action  Matthew 10:16