Wind + Fire: Praise & Persecution
Wind + Fire: Prasie & Persecution
Speaker: Pastor Jon Zondervan
Date: May 15, 2022
We must carry on the ministry and mission of Jesus through His Church. In Wind + Fire: The Extraordinary Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Uprising of the Church in the Book of Acts, discover how to return to the pattern of Acts and position ourselves for when Jesus returns.
In Week Four of WIND + FIRE, Pastor Jon Zondervan brings an important word to the church on how you're supposed to respond when you're faced with persecution.
Sermon Highlights
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.”
The whole book of Acts is the birth of the church
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, when faithfully preached, will always garner two responses: praise and persecution
The scripture above is an excellent testimony of what it looks like to be an ambassador of Christ despite facing persecution
How should Christians navigate persecution for their faith?
I. Be prepared
II. Respond in the right way (in obedience and love)
III. Access your secret weapon – Holy Spirit boldness
Too many Christians think that following Jesus is like a cruise ship, when it’s really a battleship
Speak the truth in love
Boldness is only possible through intimacy with Jesus
Build equity with God in the secret place
You will never be confident in something you don’t have knowledge in