Bound In Spirit
Stay the Course Do Not Flee Persecution and Affliction
Author Dawn Wilson
www.dawnwilsonministries.org
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We will look at the lives of Jesus and Paul as they each faced difficult situations, yet
did not flee.
Paul went into a difficult situation bound by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to
Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been
there, I must also see Rome."
Acts 20:22 "And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing
what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every
city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 "But I do not consider my life of any
account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul had fled and escaped bond, persecutions, and afflictions in the past at the leading of the
Holy Spirit. Now, the Holy Spirit purposed in Paul and bound Paul to go to the city of
Jerusalem. Even as the Holy Spirit purposed and bound Paul to go to Jerusalem, The Holy
Spirit also testified to Paul the bonds and afflictions that awaited him there.
Paul’s response was “he did not consider his life as dear to himself’. Paul’s response was
“completing the course that is set before me is more important to me than my own life.”
Paul’s response was completing the ministry of the gospel of grace given to me by Jesus is
more important to me than my life. Paul’s response was God’s will and purpose is more
important to me than my own life.
1Corinthians 9:23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow
partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives
the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games
exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not
beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have
preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
2Timothy 2:9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of
God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are
chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal
glory.
Paul endured all suffering and imprisonment for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of
those being saved through the gospel.
Paul’s body was disciplined and made his slave, it was disciplined and made his slave so that
he could endure all things and complete the course set before him.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also
lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us,
Paul was bond by the Holy Spirit to go to the city of Jerusalem where bonds and afflictions
awaited him. In the midst of this situation Paul’s passion and desire was to not consider his
own life as having great value, but to run with endurance to finish the race that was set before
him.
Acts 21:3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria
and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 After looking up the disciples,
we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in
Jerusalem.
Acts 21:10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down
from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and
said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man
who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 When we had heard
this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then
Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not
only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Philipians 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame
in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body,
whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Paul did not consider his own life as dear; he was ready to be bound and to even die at
Jerusalem for the name of Jesus and His gospel of grace.
1Peter 3:17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right
rather than for doing what is wrong.
1Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their
souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
2Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know
whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to
Him until that day.
Psalms 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in
You.
Psalms 86:2 Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who
trusts in You.
Paul entrusted his soul / his life to God knowing that God was able to guard and preserve
what was entrusted to Him.
The Holy Spirit purposed in Paul and bound Paul to go to the city of Jerusalem. The Holy
Spirit bound Paul to go even as He prophesied to Paul bounds and afflictions awaited him
there. Paul’s response was to set his desire to go and complete the course set before him.
Paul’s response was to entrust his soul to his faithful creator who would preserve it.
The Holy Spirit had not prophesied death to Paul. The Holy Spirit had prophesied bonds and
afflictions and being bound and delivered into the hands of the gentiles. Paul in response to
the prophetic words of the Holy Spirit had not considered his life as dear to himself.
I believe this “not considering his life as dear to himself” is what Paul is speaking of when he
says “he is ready to even die at Jerusalem.”
I believe Paul is saying, “I have not counted my life to be of any value when compared to
completing the call and will of God.”
I believe Paul is saying, “I have not counted my life to be of any value when compared to
completing the course which God has set before me.”
I believe Paul is saying, “I have not counted my life to be of any value when compared to
preaching of the gospel of grace in Christ.”
2Corinthains 1:9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would
not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
Psalms 25:15 My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the
net.
Paul did not trust in himself – he had sentenced death to self being able to rescue or deliver.
Paul trust was in God who was able to raise the dead and pluck his feet out of the net.
In Acts 21 Paul reaches the city of Jerusalem. Paul went in to see James and the elders of
the church. He was instructed to take four men who were under a vow and purify himself
along with them. Paul did as instructed by James and the elders. While Paul is in the temple
Jews from Asia stirred up the crowd. They cried out against Paul that he had brought Greeks
into the temple. All the city of Jerusalem was provoked at their cry and rushed together and
dragged Paul out of the temple.
While they were seeking to kill Paul the report of the disturbance came to the Roman
commander. The commander and his soldiers took hold of Paul. Commander ordered Paul
bound with two chains.
Paul was then taken to the Roman army barracks because of the rioting of the Jews against
him. The next day the commander brought Paul before the Chief Priests and the Council to
find out why he had been accused by the Jews.
Paul caused dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees and divided this assembly by
stating he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection.
The commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to
go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
Acts 23:11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take
courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness
at Rome also."
Jesus confirmed to Paul what the Holy Spirit had already purposed in him. Acts 19:21 says,
… Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and
Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
The Holy Spirit had purposed in Paul to go to Jerusalem and after having been there to also
go to Rome. Jesus confirmed to Paul that he would see Rome and testify of the gospel in
Rome.
Paul is given into the custody of Felix after the Jews form a plot to take his life. Paul stays
under the custody of Felix for two years. Felix was replaced by Festus. Paul was brought
before Festus and Festus asked him if he was willing to stand trial before him in Jerusalem.
Paul appealed to Caesar.
Paul was taken by ship to Rome. The ship was met with a hurricane and was in danger of
being totally destroyed.
Acts 27:23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood
before me, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold,
God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25 "Therefore, keep up your
courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.
In the midst of the storm the Lord reassured Paul. The Lord told Paul to not be afraid for he
must stand before Caesar. The Lord reassured Paul with the truth that God’s will would be
accomplished – it would be exactly as God said. God wants to reassure us today that in the
midst of the storm of persecution and affliction He will keep us safe in His care.
Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
In the midst of our enemies God has prepared a table full of all we have need of. We can
walk through persecution and affliction because His provision and care are always with us.
He does not leave us as orphans; His care and provision are always with us in all situations.
2Corinthains 4:8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
God never forsakes us in the midst of persecution. In all our affliction we are not crushed.
We are perplexed but never despairing. We are struck down but never destroyed.
When Paul arrived in Rome he was able to stay by himself with a soldier who was guarding
him.
Acts 28:30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all
who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Paul did not flee the difficult situation. He went through the difficult situation to its end. The
end result of the difficult situation was that he preached the gospel with all openness and
unhindered in the city of Rome.
Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for
You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Paul did not flee the difficult situation. He walked through the difficult situation. Paul
entrusted his life to God who was able to guard it. Paul considered completing the course set
before him to be of greater value than his life. Paul considered the ministry of the gospel to
be of greater value than his life.
Paul considered the end result to be of greater value than the short term bonds and
affliction!!!
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf
of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 25 Of this
church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for
your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
2Corinthains 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of
glory far beyond all comparison,
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Paul says this of himself just before his death in Rome under Nero.
2Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept
the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who
have loved His appearing.
Paul completed the course set before him. He had not fled from it. He had completed the
race and he received the prize of a crown of righteousness.
Jesus
We will look at two difficult situations Jesus was led into by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus was led by the will of God
and the Holy Spirit to His death upon the cross.
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the
devil.
Mark 1:12 Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.
Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the
Spirit in the wilderness
Jesus when led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil did not flee.
Jesus went boldly into the wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy and
all his temptations.
Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread
through all the surrounding district.
Jesus did not flee from the wilderness or the temptation of the enemy. Jesus overcame all
the temptation of the enemy for our sakes.
Hebrews 2:18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able
to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
2Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation,…
Jesus was tempted in all things in the wilderness by the enemy. Jesus overcame them all for
our sakes. Jesus comes to our aid to rescue us from all the temptation of the enemy.
Jesus did not flee the wilderness or the temptations of the enemy. He boldly met the enemy
head on and defeated him for our sakes.
Jesus did not flee the suffering of the cross. Jesus endured death on the cross for our sakes.
Philipians 2:8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Hebrews 12: 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God.
Jesus endured the suffering of the cross for our sakes – we are the joy that was set before
Him!!!
Jesus and His disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus came into the garden
to pray his soul was deeply grieved and distressed. Jesus’ distress was so great according
to Luke 22: 44 that His sweat became like drops of blood and dropped upon the ground.
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from
Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." according to Matthew 26: 39. Jesus prayed a second
and third time, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."
according to Matthew 26: 42 and 44.
Jesus endured the suffering of the cross for our sakes. Jesus laid aside His will (the will of
human flesh to not suffer pain of die) for God’s perfect will. Jesus did not flee the suffering of
the cross. Jesus accepted and received God’s will of the cross for our sakes. Without Jesus’
suffering of death on the cross we would have no hope of salvation. He endured the
suffering of the cross for our sakes.
Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of
His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives,
He lives to God.
Colossians 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of
His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although
you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now
reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and
blameless and beyond reproach—
Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels,
namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the
grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all
things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author
of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death
has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first
covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
1Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might
bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
Jesus is our example. Jesus is the pattern we are to follow. He did not flee from the
sufferings He endured on the cross on our behalf. We saw Paul follow in Jesus’ steps as he
did not flee from the suffering that awaited him in Jerusalem. We are to also follow in His
steps.
1Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR
WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in
return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges
righteously;
Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of
His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
We who belong to Jesus will suffer persecutions and afflictions. God has forewarned us that
it is so. He has not left us comfortless in the midst of persecutions but has promised that He
will deliver and rescue us out of them all.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated
by all nations because of My name.
Mark 10:30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses
and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in
the age to come, eternal life.
John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If
they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours
also.
2Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1Thessonalains 3:3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you,
we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass,
as you know.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if
children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so
that we may also be glorified with Him.
We who are the children and fellow heirs with Christ will not only suffer with Him but we will
also be glorified with Him.
1Corinthains 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless;
when we are persecuted, we endure;
2Timothy 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.
Jesus endured the suffering of the cross and fulfilled His ministry. Paul endured the suffering
of bonds and afflictions and fulfilled his ministry of preaching the gospel of grace. We are
also called to endure all hardships and fulfill our ministry.
2Corinthains 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able
to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our
comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and
salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly
grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our
comfort. 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us
in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even
of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in
ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of
death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
God is our source of comfort in all suffering and affliction. God has delivered us from the
great peril of death due to sin through the cross of Jesus. God will also deliver us from all our
sufferings and afflictions in this earth as we set our hope on Him.
2Timothy 3:11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium
and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
The Lord will rescue and deliver us from all persecutions when we endure and do not flee.
Luke 21:12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute
you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors
for My name's sake. 13 "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 "So make up your
minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and
wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16 "But you will be
betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of
you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 "Yet not a hair of your
head will perish. 19 "By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Not one hair on our heads shall perish. We gain our lives as we endure hardships,
persecutions, and afflictions.
Rom 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR
SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS
SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
In tribulation, in distress, in persecution, in famine, in nakedness, in peril, in the midst of the
sword we are overwhelming conquerors through Him who loved us.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Not tribulation, not distress, not persecution,
not famine, not nakedness, not peril, not the sword, not death, not life, not angels, not
principalities, not things present, not things to come, not powers, not height, not depth, not
any creating thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Co 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in
afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in
sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit,
in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness
for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report;
regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we
live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet
making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
In endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in
tumults – confusions, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in dishonor, in evil report, in
being regarded as a deceiver and not true, in punishments, in sorrow, in poorness -- we are
to commend ourselves as servants of God.
In purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the
word of truth, in the power of God, in weapons for our right hand and our left, in glory, in good
report, in being unknown by man but fully known by God, in rejoicing, in making many rich --
we are to commend ourselves as servants of God.
2Thessonalains 1:4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of
God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which
you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be
considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it
is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who
are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His
mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to
those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
It is for the kingdom of God that we suffer persecution and afflictions. God will repay
afflictions to those who afflict us. God will give relief to all who are afflicted. God will deal out
retribution to all who persecute and afflict His church.
Acts 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had
been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
2Corinthians 4:11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus'
sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
2Corinthains 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with
distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am
strong.
Philippines 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him,
but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and
now hear to be in me.
2Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His
prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
We are to persevere in the midst of persecutions. We are to endure the afflictions that arise
against us. It is for the kingdom of God, it is for the sake of Christ, and His gospel that we
suffer persecutions and afflictions.
1Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.
AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED
It is for the sake of righteousness that we suffer persecution and afflictions. We are blessed
when we suffer persecution and afflictions for the sake of righteousness.
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon
you {for your testing added words, not in the original Greek}, as though some strange thing
were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on
rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you
are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God
rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a
troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is
to glorify God in this name.
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and
persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and
be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
We are blessed in all our persecution and afflictions. God’s blessing is with us at all times
and in the midst of all situations.
We not only endure our own sufferings but we are to also become sharers with those who
suffer for the sake of Jesus and His gospel.
Hebrews 10:32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured
a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches
and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
Hebrews13:3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-
treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
2Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His
prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
1Peter 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering
are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for
a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself
perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
We are to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith when we experience sufferings. God will
deliver and rescue us from all persecution and affliction. We will come forth perfected,
confirmed, strengthened and established.
James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that
the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Standing firm in our faith produces endurance and endurances perfect result in us is us
perfect, complete and lacking in nothing. Through faith which produces endurance we come
forth from all persecution and affliction perfected, confirmed, strengthened, and established.
Jesus, our example, was also perfected through sufferings. Hebrews 2: 10 says, to perfect
the author of their salvation through sufferings. Let us also be made perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing through enduring suffering.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of
God, you may receive what was promised.
Paul received the promised crown of righteousness when he had completed the race set
before him. We through endurance after completing the will of God will also receive the
promised crown of righteousness and the inheritance of eternal life.
Revelation 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast
some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
We are not to fear suffering, persecution, and affliction. We are called to be faithful unto
death. We are called to endure and not flee. We receive the crown of life, we receive the
crown of righteousness as we complete the course that is set before us.
Let us be as Paul, who entrusted his life to God and completed the course that was set
before him. Let us follow our example Jesus and endure the suffering of persecutions and
afflictions for the joy set before us – eternal life in the presence of the Living God and His
Christ.
Author: Dawn Wilson
Please Be Advised that all sermons and writing by Dawn Wilson of Dawn
Wilson Ministry is protected under the U.S. Government Copy Right Laws.