We can change persecution into blessings





Acts 5:17~32 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. (17~18)




♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #336 Faith of Our Fathers (#383 in previous version)





 Persecution is not the end, but a new beginning. Satan riled up the religious leaders and church authorities who did not know the Gospel in order to persecute the Early Church. However, no amount of persecution could block the evangelism movement, nor could it topple the Early Church. This is because the Early Church was enjoying the Gospel. If we enjoy the Gospel, even persecution will change into blessings.





1. If we can enjoy the Gospel, we don’t even have to fear persecution
 God will mobilize His armies of angels when persecution arises. God brought Jesus, whom the Jewish people nailed to the cross, back to life. Moreover, God raised Christ as the King and Lord over the world. That Lord is with us and at work in us right now. Nothing can overcome the Gospel, and nothing can block the Gospel.






2. If we enjoy the Gospel, all persecution will become a pathway to greater answers
 Many disciples in the Early Church were persecuted, seized, and placed on trial before the Sanhedrin. There they testified of the Gospel to the people and the leaders. How did the apostles, who used to be fishermen, obtain that kind of courage? If we enjoy the Gospel within persecution, God opens great and unsearchable doors that we can’t even begin to imagine. If we enjoy the Gospel, persecution will not fell us. Rather, through persecution, the door to greater answers will open before us. This is the power of the Gospel.






3. If we enjoy the Gospel, we can fulfill the historic plan of God
 People in the world set aside the will of God and live their lives as slaves to the forces of darkness. However, God is changing the age through people who have staked their lives for the Gospel. Then, what must we do in order to enjoy the Gospel? We must have the eyes to have good judgment regarding things that are not the Gospel. Many people emphasize lifestyle above salvation, legalism above the Gospel, and actions and deeds above the Word. Also, in order to correctly enjoy the Gospel, we must accurately understand evangelism and prayer. Evangelism is entering into God’s absolute sovereignty and time schedule. Prayer is the means by which we can enjoy the Gospel, and evangelism is the way in which we can ride the spiritual rhythm. There is no need for us to intentionally receive persecution. However, persecution can arise as we relay the true Gospel. At that time, there is nothing to fear. God has hidden a greater plan behind the persecution and He is waiting.





°Forum Topic - Many times, God’s blessings come disguised as persecution. If we simply enjoy the Gospel, we can change all persecutions into blessings. To what extent am I enjoying the Gospel? Meditate deeply on the Gospel once again today.





Core Training Message / 2009.8.22