1. Introduction – Growing hostility against Christianity in America

Mockery  Suspicion  Isolated persecution  Organized persecution

  1. Types of Persecution
  2. Mockery
  3. Beatings
  4. Arrest and Seizure of Property
  5. Death (11 of 12 apostles were martyred, 1 died in exile)
  • Jesus says that persecution will come to his Church (10:16-22) from…
  1. Government (vv. 17-18)
  2. Family (v. 21; cf. 35-36) – Jesus’ own brothers thought he was crazy and made fun of him before they eventually believed
  3. All people (v. 22)
  4. How to Respond
  5. Flee – Don’t fight! (Matthew 10:23; cp. 5:38-45) – Apostles in Acts 8
  6. Love and Pray – Don’t hate! (cf. Example of Richard Wurmbrandt)
  7. Endure (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10)
  8. Don’t be afraid (Matthew 10:28; cf. 28:19-20)
  9. Confess Christ (Matthew 10:32-33)
  10. Rejoice (cf. James 1:2-3) – Apostles in Acts 4-5
  11. How did Jesus handle persecution?
  12. Submission (to Rome and to God)
  13. Silence (to Jewish authorities and Pilate)
  14. Prayer for his enemies (Luke 23:34)
  15. Died for all on the cross—including you and me!
  16. Joy (Heb. 12:2)
  17. Conclusion: Pray for the persecuted Church

“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Heb. 13:3)