Adopting a Strategy from Another World
Knowing that we will encounter criticism, we must work to always respond more like Christ, enlisting, powerful, and wise resources that God provides us.
Persecution
The Satisfaction of Stewardship
It is an honor and a solemn stewardship to represent Christ in our world—a task that brings profound satisfaction when done faithfully, even though it will not always be well-received.
February 4, 2025
Questions in this episode: – Where does our soul go after we die before the eternal heaven and earth are set up? – In Leviticus 12 why is there a different timeframe for cleansing between male and female? – What is going on in the parable of the 10 virgins? – Will those that go …
The Reciprocity of Comfort
If we are cognizant of the ways God helps us through our trials, we can then become skilled at helping other Christians through their seasons of suffering.
Grace, Patience & Persistence
We should give thanks for all of God’s kind provisions as we patiently and uncompromisingly stand up for Christ in our increasingly hostile culture.
The Elements of a Good Defense
We must respond to anti-Christian accusations against us with a respectful, positive, and well-reasoned defense, doing all we can to represent Christ in a dignified manner.
The Kinds of Opposition to Expect
We can expect in our day all sorts of opposition for being faithful to Christ and biblical truth, but we must remember our calling and courageously endure whatever comes our way.
Christianity Attacked
It seems that almost daily we Christians have to endure a new barrage of attacks against the Christian faith. Tirades on websites, new books pitted against the Bible and angry dissenters continually grabbing microphones and keyboards to unleash their latest arguments against the Christian God. While their presentations are delivered in intellectual terms…
Facing God’s Plans with Courage
Being a Christian will require unique courage and boldness because of the unavoidable clash of our theology, values, and identity with so much of the rest of the world.
Enduring Slanderous Attacks
As messengers and representatives of the gospel we will experience unjust and costly opposition, in which we should continue to entrust ourselves to our powerful Savior.
Tenacious Endurance
A faithful and fruitful Christian life requires a tenacious endurance, which God supplies those who are resolute in trusting him and serving him.
Midcourse Adjustments
As God’s called agents in this world we must remain focused on our particular assignments, never fazed by the providential redirections as to how and where he utilizes us.
Whatever Comes Next
To be useful ambassadors of Christ we cannot be impeded by closed doors, instead we must trust our sovereign God and embrace the opportunities before us whatever they might be.
Undeterred
God’s effective ambassadors must resolve to definitively call people to respond to Christ and be faithful to respond to their responses.
Suffering & Solidarity
We must never forget that the church is destined for violent opposition from earthly authorities, but we can gain the necessary strength and patient endurance through a fervent prayer life.
Rejection
Rejection hurts. And unfortunately our Christianity increases the likelihood that we will encounter it more often. Part of the cost of “taking up our cross” and “following Jesus” is the harsh reality of “bearing the disgrace he bore” (Heb.13:13). As Jesus himself said: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (Jn.15:18). It is a vain hope…
Courage
It takes increasing amounts of courage these days to stand up for what is true and right. Mocking Christianity and God’s commands is mainstream in the media, modern art and popular literature. This should not come as a surprise. God’s word foretold the escalating darkness and mounting…
Saul: A New Family
We must see the importance of being a highly-committed and fully-invested participant of a healthy (albeit imperfect) church knowing it is an indispensable part of the Christian life.
Saul: New Challenges
We must willingly embrace the new and difficult challenges that will necessarily accompany our new life in Christ.
Motivated by the Martyrs
No matter how much pressure and opposition we get from our culture to be quiet about our Christianity, we must resolve to continue telling the truth about Christ and his gospel.
The Preservation Through Joseph
We must be ready to endure the disapproval and hostility of many to fulfill our purpose in restraining evil around us and winning some for Christ.
And Our Suffering
Being faithful and obedient to Christ in a fallen culture will always come with painful consequences for which we should be prepared and be willing to gladly endure for Christ’s sake.
And Our Government
When our governing authorities actively oppose the work of the Church, Christians must remember that for the good of all we must fear God and be loyal to the King of kings.
Praying for Courage
We must draw together with other Christians to find strength as we ask our sovereign God to grant us courage and boldness in our evangelism.
Resolved to Keep Speaking
In view of our divine mandate to take the saving message of the gospel to our generation, we must solemnly resolve to keep speaking up for Christ regardless of the pressure to do otherwise.
Unashamed of God’s One Way
God has promised and we should expect his Spirit’s strong support in our efforts to promote his Son as the indispensable and exclusive means of the forgiveness of our sins.
Expecting Opposition
We must keep the prize of Christ’s growing and victorious church in view as we courageously incur any of the adverse consequences of engaging in the good fight of promoting the gospel in our generation.
When Our Light Shines in the Darkness
We must always remember that the biblical Jesus is an offense to the world so that we can remain joyful and resolute when our alliance and loyalty to him cause conflicts with non-Christians.
When the Lord Seems Far Off
The present world will be filled with injustice that will often touch close to home and should rightly make us indignant, but we should not despair, but rather pray, knowing God’s coming justice is certain.