Providentially Persecuted

Providentially Persecuted Pastor Greg Stansel Acts 8:-8 February 6, 2022 Snap shot: Persecution of Christ’s church only works to expand His Kingdom. I. Prophesied persecution II. Providence over persecution III. Pressing on in persecution Connect What do you think about when you hear the word Providence? Study Point 1: Prophesied Persecution READ Matthew 10:16–25 1) What does it mean to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves”? Why are those things important in persecution? Are we in the United States under persecution? Explain why or why not. 2) What does it mean to endure to the end? Jesus says, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master”; what does He mean? Point 2: Providence over persecution READ Psalm 56 Reminder . . . Providence is God’s care for creation, preservation of creation, and guidance of creation to His intended ends. 3) What persecution is David facing when he penned this Psalm? How does David reveal his belief in God’s providence in the midst of his trouble? How does God’s providence help us take refuge in Him? 4) Discuss how God’s providence over persecution does not hold Him reliable for persecution. Discuss why some would think God’s providence would remove the need to pray. Discuss why we still need to pray in light of God’s providence. Point 3: Pressing on in persecution READ Revelation 2:8–11 5) What is Jesus' encouragement to the church at Smyrna? Does “do not fear” mean the same thing as “don’t be scared”? What is the difference if there is one and why is that important? How does fear hinder faithfulness? 6) What does it mean to be faithful to the end? How can the group help one another remain faithful? Why is it important that Jesus is speaking to the church and not just individuals? Practical Applications Pray for the persecuted church (www.persecution.com or www.opendoorusa.org) 1. 2. 3. 4. Learn more about missions (see bulletin insert) Sign up for Secret Church (details to come, but date is April 29, 2022, from 6 PM – Midnight) Share the Gospel Live out the Gospel Pray the passage O Lord, we praise you in your providential care of your people and your Kingdom. You are all– powerful and all–knowing and we glorify your name. We pray for your mercy on behalf of the persecuted church. Give them strength and endurance as they face evil. Bring them to our minds constantly so we can lift them up in prayer. Lord, we also pray that you make us ready to share the gospel in every conversation, with every action, to every person in our lives. We believe your Kingdom will come, on earth as it is in heaven. Grant us boldness to partake in your great plan of redemption. In Jesus name, Amen. Memorize & Meditate “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Preparing for next week Read: Acts 8:9-25 Ask: questions of the text. Pray: through text, for pastor as he prepares, for your heart to hear, for the congregation to hear, for all of us to be obedient.