Wind + Fire: Praise & Persecution

15/05/2022 38 min

Listen "Wind + Fire: Praise & Persecution"

Episode Synopsis

In Week Four of WIND + FIRE, Jon Zondervan brings an important word to the church on how you're supposed to respond when you're faced with persecution.Acts 5:22-32 (NKJV)"But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”This whole book of Acts is the birth of the churchThe Gospel of Jesus Christ, when faithfully preached, will always garner two responses: praise and persecutionThe scripture above is an excellent testimony of what it looks like to be an ambassador of Christ despite facing persecutionHow should Christians navigate persecution for their faith?I. Be preparedII. Respond in the right way (in obedience and love)III. Access your secret weapon – Holy Spirit boldnessToo many Christians think that following Jesus is like a cruise ship, when it’s really a battle shipSpeak the truth in loveBoldness is only possible through intimacy with JesusBuild equity with God in the secret placeYou will never be confident in something you don’t have knowledge in