8. The Suffering of Believers Under Persecution Illustrates the Gospel. Colossians 1:14 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church." Philippians 3:10 "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a man laying his life down so that his enemies might have eternal life. Patient endurance of suffering with no retaliation but much forgiveness brings the Gospel message off the pages of Scripture and into real-life images. Christianity is a cross-bearing proclamation not a sword wielding domination.

9. Persecution Reveals the Power of God. 2 Tim 1:8 "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." 2 Tim 3:11 "my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra-which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me." Notice that the power of God is demonstrated not so much in the deliverance from persecutions, but in the sustaining, preserving power of God to keep his people through persecution while maintaining faith, continuing to proclaim the Gospel, and living out Gospel love to their enemies.

10. Persecution Defeats Self-Reliance. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead." Imagine the strong and bold Apostle Paul coming to this emotional state of despair! NOTE: We must not expect each other to always be lions! We are all human, and at times, we will all respond to hardships in timid, despairing ways. And God even works through these moments of utter emotional and spiritual distraught to remind us of our complete dependence upon him! Truly, all things work for our good!