The advancement of the kingdom of God is inevitable; however, this advancement, as we see in Acts chapter eight, will come through persecution. Regardless of what we do to transform society, we will be persecuted for preaching and teaching about Christ. No amount of good works can prevent the Church from being persecuted. To assume that our feeding schemes, building community safety, building schools, keeping young people out of jail will stop us from being persecuted as delusional. The word does not persecute us for our good works but for claiming that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is what brings judgment upon us as the Church.
\nJohn 10:32-34
\n\u202632 But Jesus responded, \u201cI have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?\u201d 33 \u201c We are not stoning You for any good work,\u201d said the Jews, \u201cbut for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.\u201d 34 Jesus replied, \u201cIs it not written in your Law: \u2018I have said you are gods\u2019?\u2026
\nPersecution is part of the Church and the apostolic lifestyle of the body of Christ, and we must teach this culture into our mindset. A solid biblical foundation on the entire counsel of God\u2019s word allows us to develop a profound culture of resistance. As the early Church was refined in the fire of persecution, the last day church will be glorified through persecution and suffering.
\nWe have over-emphasized several positive points on material blessing and prosperity, while we have deemphasized some of the core values designed to build character within our spirituality. As we move further towards the last days, we must believe the Father to reinforce the spirit of endurance and suffering within us. This message gives us insight into how we can endure persecution and whatever trial the enemy may throw at us.
\nMathew 7:24-27
\n24 \u201cTherefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.\u201d
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