“Encouragement and Exhortation in Testing”

Nov.13, 2011 Rev.2:1-7 Int’l Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
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CHEERED ON BY THE CHIEF

•    Jesus holds us and is in our midst
•    Jesus knows where we’re at
•    Jesus rewards the victorious / overcomers

EXHORTATION TO ENDURE

•    work hard without wearying
•    stay keen for the truth
•    have we forsaken our first love?
•    Jesus’ call for us to persevere

A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR SUFFERING FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - G.PENNER

•    to follow Christ is to join Him in a cross-carrying journey
•    Job - suffering because of righteousness
•    Jesus: weakness, suffering, and sacrifice are God's modus operandi
•    "Christ's cross was for propitiation.Our cross is for propagation."
•    early Christians: thanked God for the honour of suffering for His sake
•    those who endure persecution today: recipients of grace?