Paradox Key (4 of 22)
Series: Keys of the Kingdom
Steve Jones
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9
Series Summary: This is an expository sermon series through I Peter. Jesus gave to Peter the ‘‘Keys of the Kingdom’’ (Matthew 16:19). ‘‘Keys’’ will be the uniting theme for the series.
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the four amazing paradoxes of the Christian life. Even though we face many trials we still experience: 1) Joy, 2) Faith, 3) Love, and 4) Salvation.
INTRODUCTION: The DAILYWIRE, 8.30.21 ‘Christian Evangelicals Are America’s Taliban’: Actors, Journalists Equate American Christians to The Taliban.
Good morning my fellow Taliban. This article does just what the headline states, quoting actors, journalists and even a theology professor equating Christians with the Taliban. The reason this is relevant to my message today is because the Apostle Peter is writing from the context of hard persecution in first century Asia Minor. We in America are not in a ‘‘hard persecution’’ stage so we might think Peter’s instructions concerning persecution aren’t relevant. I think they are for three reasons.
1) We are in a period of SOFT persecution preceding hard persecution. Johnette Benkovic has penned the five stages of religious persecution.
1. Stereotyping the targeted group.
2. Vilifying the targeted group for alleged crimes or misconduct.
3. Marginalizing the targeted group’s role in society.
4. Criminalizing the targeted group or its works.
5. Persecuting the targeted group outright.
Therefore, any teaching on how to process hard persecution IS relevant to us by way of PREPARING for what might be in our near future.
2) Even if you are not being persecuted for your faith, you might still experience trials and hardships BECAUSE you are a Christian. For instance:
1. You might stay in a difficult or challenging marriage because you know that Jesus says not to divorce except for adultery AND you know the damage a divorce might do to y ...
Series: Keys of the Kingdom
Steve Jones
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9
Series Summary: This is an expository sermon series through I Peter. Jesus gave to Peter the ‘‘Keys of the Kingdom’’ (Matthew 16:19). ‘‘Keys’’ will be the uniting theme for the series.
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the four amazing paradoxes of the Christian life. Even though we face many trials we still experience: 1) Joy, 2) Faith, 3) Love, and 4) Salvation.
INTRODUCTION: The DAILYWIRE, 8.30.21 ‘Christian Evangelicals Are America’s Taliban’: Actors, Journalists Equate American Christians to The Taliban.
Good morning my fellow Taliban. This article does just what the headline states, quoting actors, journalists and even a theology professor equating Christians with the Taliban. The reason this is relevant to my message today is because the Apostle Peter is writing from the context of hard persecution in first century Asia Minor. We in America are not in a ‘‘hard persecution’’ stage so we might think Peter’s instructions concerning persecution aren’t relevant. I think they are for three reasons.
1) We are in a period of SOFT persecution preceding hard persecution. Johnette Benkovic has penned the five stages of religious persecution.
1. Stereotyping the targeted group.
2. Vilifying the targeted group for alleged crimes or misconduct.
3. Marginalizing the targeted group’s role in society.
4. Criminalizing the targeted group or its works.
5. Persecuting the targeted group outright.
Therefore, any teaching on how to process hard persecution IS relevant to us by way of PREPARING for what might be in our near future.
2) Even if you are not being persecuted for your faith, you might still experience trials and hardships BECAUSE you are a Christian. For instance:
1. You might stay in a difficult or challenging marriage because you know that Jesus says not to divorce except for adultery AND you know the damage a divorce might do to y ...
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