Matthew 10:17-18
“Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.”
Mark 8:34
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
2 Timothy 3:10-12
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
*Am I being a Christ-follower in my daily life, or am I being a camouflaged Christian?
Romans 8:18
“During this time now, we have troubles and pain. But I am sure that these troubles are not very great. One day God will show us all the great things he has prepared for us. That will make the troubles that we have now seem very small.”
1 Corinthians 1:5
“God has given you all the things that you need. You are able to speak everything that he wants you to speak. You are able to understand everything that he wants you to know.”
Colossians 1:24
“At this time, I am suffering on your behalf, but I am still happy. Christ himself suffered on behalf of his people, the church. Now, while I live in my human body, I also suffer. I continue to receive the pain that Christ received, so that it may be complete. In that way, I help the church, which is like Christ's own body.”
1 Peter 4:12-14
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
*When you witness your faith to others, God rewards you with suffering and persecution.
Romans 8:28a
“God works all things for the good of those who love Him…”
*God allows hard things in your life, so you remember to look to Him for guidance in your life.
*How do you become righteous? You become right with God, and it’s demonstrated in your words and deeds.
Psalm 37:16-17
“Better is the little of the righteous, than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD sustains the righteous.”
James 1:2-4
“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
*Are you being faithful to the call of being a disciple of Jesus Christ?
*Are you willing to risk it all for the sake of the Gospel?
*Are you an obvious follower of Christ or are you camouflaged?
*What are you afraid of losing that’s more important than what Jesus is calling you to do?
*Are you walking worthy of the name of Jesus Christ?
*Have you given your life to Jesus?
