1 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:06,680 Let's read from God's Word, First Thessalonians chapter 2, 2 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,640 and we're going to read verse 13 right down to verse 20. 3 00:00:13,120 --> 00:00:21,240 Once again, First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the 4 00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:25,360 Thessalonians, chapter 2, and we'll read from verse 13. 5 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:33,160 Let's hear the Word of God reading from the Authorised 6 00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:35,320 Version. The words will come up on screen 7 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:40,840 for those online. We've said many times for those 8 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:44,560 who don't have a copy of the Bible, if you would like a copy, 9 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:48,960 contact us and we'll happily send you one free. 10 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:55,640 Wherever you're tuning in from, please have a desire to read the 11 00:00:55,640 --> 00:01:00,480 Scriptures. That's your God's word. 12 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,440 First Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 13. 13 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:12,400 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when 14 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:16,440 you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you 15 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:21,280 received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the 16 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:26,080 word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that 17 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:32,200 believe. For ye brethren became followers 18 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:38,640 of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus. 19 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:44,360 For you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, 20 00:01:45,320 --> 00:01:51,400 even as they have of the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus 21 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:56,320 and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. 22 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:03,680 And they please not God, and are contrary to all men, forbidding 23 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:08,560 us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved to fill 24 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:13,320 up their sins all way. For the wrath has come upon them 25 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:19,440 to the uttermost. But we brethren, been taken from 26 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,560 you for a short time in presence, not in heart, 27 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,760 endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great 28 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:34,000 desire, Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul once 29 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,760 and again. But Satan hindered us. 30 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:44,200 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? 31 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:50,680 Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ that is 32 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:56,040 coming, for ye are our glory and joy. 33 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:58,640 Amen. We know the Lord will stamp with 34 00:02:58,640 --> 00:03:02,000 His own approval and blessing this reading of His own precious 35 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:10,160 and infallible Word this morning as we continue with our series 36 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,320 of expository sermons in the book of Thessalonians. 37 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:18,160 My text today is taken from First Thessalonians chapter 2, 38 00:03:18,640 --> 00:03:25,520 verses 14 through to 16. Let's read it together. 39 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:32,520 For ye brethren became followers of the churches of God, which in 40 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:37,160 Judea are in Christ Jesus. For ye also have suffered like 41 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:41,840 things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews, 42 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,480 who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have 43 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:49,400 persecuted us. And they please not God and our 44 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,320 country to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that 45 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:58,200 they might be saved to fill up their sins always, for the wrath 46 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,480 has come upon them to the uttermost. 47 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,440 Now that's my text for today. First Thessalonians chapter 2 48 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:13,200 verses 14 through the 16. And here's the theme the Saints 49 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:18,760 perseverance despite suffering persecution. 50 00:04:19,519 --> 00:04:24,760 The Saints perseverance despite suffering persecution. 51 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:28,400 Now, if you look carefully at this text of Scripture, you will 52 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,480 notice a number of important things. 53 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:37,200 One, the suffering Saints being persecuted. 54 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,600 If you look with me at verse 14, it says the be part of the 55 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:48,320 verse, for ye also have suffered like things of your own 56 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:52,040 countrymen. And then we'll come into verse 57 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:57,480 15 and it says and have persecuted us. 58 00:04:57,840 --> 00:05:04,640 Notice the 2 words here. Verse 14 suffered and then the 59 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:10,280 word 15 persecuted. The suffering Saints being 60 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,520 persecuted. You see, this is a reference to 61 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:20,440 the personal experiences of the Christian in the church at 62 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:24,240 Thessalonica. So we'll ask the question, what 63 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,200 does it mean to suffer like things? 64 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,400 What does it mean to be persecuted? 65 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:35,080 Now you think of the reality of this persecution. 66 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:42,600 It means to suffer and experience the common trials of 67 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:47,320 life. All men and women experience 68 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:51,200 trials and troubles on life's journey, no matter who they are, 69 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,400 no matter what they do or their station in life. 70 00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:02,040 It's the common lot of us all what we'll call normal human 71 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,840 suffering. Sickness times. 72 00:06:04,840 --> 00:06:09,600 You get the flu and the cold. Pain, illness, disease, 73 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,600 bereavement, disappointments, hurts. 74 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,800 Who amongst us hasn't suffered hurts, Depressions, many of 75 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,720 God's people are suffering mental anguish, Tragedies that 76 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:27,600 come into your life that devastate us, Calamities and 77 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:32,040 even death. These things that I've mentioned 78 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:38,160 suffered like things. These things are all part and 79 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:45,480 parcel of living and being in a fallen, sinful humanity. 80 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,000 And these trials and troubles can all be traced back to Eden, 81 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:54,280 traced back to the fall of man into the state of sin and 82 00:06:54,280 --> 00:06:56,960 misery. Now everybody has to deal with 83 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:01,120 trials and troubles. Everybody has to learn to face 84 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:06,080 them, to to cope with them on the journey of life. 85 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:12,640 Listen to what Peter says there in first Peter chapter one that 86 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,920 says for N ye greatly rejoiced, though now for a season, if need 87 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:20,360 be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, That where 88 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:24,080 temptation means trials, that the trial of your faith be much 89 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,880 more precious than of gold that perisheth, that will be tried 90 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,080 with fire, might be found unto prayers and honour and glory at 91 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:35,840 the appearing of Jesus Christ. Now let me say this, I'm 92 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:40,520 repeating something. Trials and troubles are part and 93 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,000 parcel of the Christian life in this world. 94 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,600 There will always be trials and troubles in this life. 95 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,120 They're not done away with when you become a Christian. 96 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:57,040 There's no such thing as a trouble free life. 97 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,840 And those who preach and teach you can do away with all trials 98 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:03,480 and troubles in this life. You can have a trouble free 99 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,960 life, especially after you become a Christian. 100 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:09,960 Well, they're not living in reality, they're not living in 101 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:11,960 the real world. They're they're really living in 102 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:15,440 cloud cuckoo land. Listen carefully. 103 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:20,880 They will always be trials and troubles in this life. 104 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:25,200 Trials and troubles in this life are the common lot of men and 105 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:29,360 women, and they will continue until I believe the Lord Jesus 106 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:34,120 Christ returns in power and in glory and removes these common 107 00:08:34,159 --> 00:08:38,799 ills from us. Now that's one shade of meaning. 108 00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:42,520 That's what the word suffered like things means and have 109 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,840 persecuted us. But there's more. 110 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,720 Look again at the words suffered like things and have persecuted. 111 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:55,480 See, it's more than suffering the common trials and troubles 112 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,040 of life. The context here is important. 113 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,960 It's wider. It's broader, you see, to be 114 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:05,960 exact, suffered like things and have persecuted us. 115 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:12,080 It is being persecuted because we are Christians, because we're 116 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:19,320 born again of the Holy Spirit, because we are saved, because we 117 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:24,840 belong to the Lord. And in this sense, suffering 118 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:33,880 like things and purse being persecuted is unique. 119 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,840 It's different. You're talking about the 120 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:44,440 suffering and persecution of the Christian and that's unique and 121 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,080 that's different. So that's the reality of the 122 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:50,000 persecution. Notice secondly here, the reason 123 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,720 for this persecution. Notice the word in verse 15 and 124 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:58,080 have persecuted us. The verb persecuted stands out, 125 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:05,520 but what does it mean? If you look at the margin, it 126 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:09,120 actually literally means chased us out. 127 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:11,520 Now, what do you think of Paul preaching? 128 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:17,160 And Paul comes in to certain towns and villages and he starts 129 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:23,400 speaking to certain Jews. And these Jews react, not them 130 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:27,760 all, but some of them. And Paul says they chased us 131 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,720 out. Notice verse 15 for the context, 132 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,000 who both killed. He mentioned the word Jews in 133 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,600 verse 14 who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own 134 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:44,120 prophets and have persecuted us. That means chased us out, driven 135 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:48,440 us out of the towns and villages we were in, put us to flight. 136 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:53,040 So let's link it up Now. Verse 14 suffered like things of 137 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:57,400 your own countrymen speaking to the Thessalonians. 138 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,080 That goes beyond the trials and troubles of life. 139 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:06,480 It is being persecuted and made to suffer because you're a 140 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:16,640 Christian. You see, true believers are made 141 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:23,160 to suffer, persecuted because of the simple fact that they are 142 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:27,400 Christian. It means God's people are hated, 143 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,360 despised, not wanted in the world. 144 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:32,360 Think of the suffering as a true believer. 145 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:36,480 You're not wanted. Family disowns you. 146 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:40,160 You're put out of the house. The Reverend Larry Parr, 147 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,560 remember, that's what happened to him down in the South of 148 00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:48,360 Ireland after he got converted. Family cuts you out of the will. 149 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,840 You're bypassed for promotion in your job. 150 00:11:54,680 --> 00:11:58,560 The boss has a particular problem with you, you see, and 151 00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:02,440 these experiences are real. These experiences hurt you, lose 152 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:05,240 your job. Think of those that have been 153 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,880 published school teachers and dismissed from teaching because 154 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,640 they're Christian, because of their Christian views and 155 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:17,720 beliefs, or or it has happened to lectures in the Christian 156 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:20,280 college. Think of being businesses 157 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:23,480 dragged to court because of alleged discrimination against 158 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:28,760 LGTE Plus because you refuse to recognise and accept 159 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:31,640 transgender. Think of those who've been 160 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:34,440 arrested in the street for preaching the gospel. 161 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:38,160 Think of those who've been arrested in the street for 162 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,160 silently praying outside so-called abortion clinics. 163 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:49,560 Think of being threatened as we have as a church with losing tax 164 00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:53,560 exemption status and gifted. Think of those who've been 165 00:12:53,560 --> 00:12:57,520 denied the use of a particular venue to host a Christian event. 166 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,720 You see, this persecution is real. 167 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:06,560 Here's the reason for it. It has always existed and now 168 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:11,480 it's began in earnest in real minor ways and it's going to 169 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,600 grow. It's going to intensify. 170 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,560 And and we get asked the question, what will happen to 171 00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:20,640 the church, the true Church of Jesus Christ, when it faces real 172 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:24,560 intense persecution, Persecution that's life changing, 173 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:26,840 Persecution that's life threatening. 174 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:31,760 Being gaoled for being a Christian as they do in foreign 175 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:37,920 fields, homes repossessed, children taken into care because 176 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:42,320 the authorities say you're not fit to look after them because 177 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:48,800 you're influencing them for God. And the gospel church is closed. 178 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:52,520 You're told you can't publicly attend worship. 179 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:57,560 See, the apostle Paul is reminding the Christians at 180 00:13:57,560 --> 00:14:01,920 Thessalonica of what happened to him and his team. 181 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:07,000 And because of this persecution, they were chased out of the 182 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:11,000 territory of Judea. The unbelieving Jews did this. 183 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:12,960 Look what they did to the Lord Jesus. 184 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:18,360 They killed the Lord Jesus. Look what they did to their own 185 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:22,320 prophets. If you come to Hebrews Chapter 186 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:27,440 11 with me for a minute, look at Hebrews Chapter 11 and it says 187 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:34,040 there, if we read from the verse 32, Hebrews Chapter 11 and it 188 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:43,760 says in verse 32 these words, And what shall I more say? 189 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:48,480 For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barrack, 190 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:52,680 and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also and Samuel and of 191 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,040 the prophets. They listened to these words, 192 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:59,640 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, 193 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:03,200 obtained promises, stunt the mouths of lions, quenched the 194 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,680 violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of 195 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,960 weakness were made strong. Wax, valiant in fight, turned to 196 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,240 flight. The armies of the aliens. 197 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:15,840 Women received their dead race to life again. 198 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,000 And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they 199 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,040 might obtain a better resurrection. 200 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,880 And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, Yeah, 201 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,160 moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. 202 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,680 They were stoned, they were soaring asunder, they were 203 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:34,920 tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandered about in 204 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:39,080 sheepskins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, 205 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:43,000 of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts 206 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,960 and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 207 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:49,200 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, 208 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:53,080 received not the promise. God having provided something 209 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:59,400 better for us that they without us should not be made perfect. 210 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,960 We could ask why? The answer is this. 211 00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:09,600 The lifestyle and presence of the true Christian in the home, 212 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:18,360 in the workplace, in society is a condemnation of the sin of the 213 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,800 ungodly. The experience of the Christian 214 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:26,000 life being born again is a big exposure to the sin of the 215 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:29,040 ungodly, and therefore they do not want the true Christian 216 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:33,840 around them. Their godliness is an exposure 217 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,880 of their sinful lifestyle. And that's exactly what Paul 218 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:42,160 emphasised to young Timothy. He says to young Timothy in 219 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,920 Second Timothy chapter 3 and in the verse 10. 220 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:49,560 But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life, 221 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:53,480 purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions 222 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,680 and afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at 223 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:00,720 Lystra, what persecutions I endured, but out of them all the 224 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,960 Lord delivered me. Think of Paul and his team now, 225 00:17:04,599 --> 00:17:06,960 and they suffered for Christ's sake. 226 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:11,400 In fact, he tells us they are in Acts 14, and in the verse 19. 227 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,160 And there came hit her certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, 228 00:17:15,319 --> 00:17:18,119 who persuaded the people of having stoned Paul, drew him out 229 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,520 of the city, supposing he had been dead. 230 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,480 Can you think of these unbelieving Jews coming to 231 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,600 Thessalonica? And they persuade the people, 232 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,000 let's stone Paul. They stoned him that they 233 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,200 thought he was dead. They dragged his body out of the 234 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,600 city. They were ruthless, they were 235 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,400 mad, they hated him. They supposed he was dead. 236 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,880 You see, there was an intense hatred to Paul and his team. 237 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,000 Let me just point something out that this is not a new thing. 238 00:17:47,360 --> 00:17:51,680 Remember what we read in first John chapter 3 and in the verse 239 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:53,880 12? Not as Cain who was of that 240 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,040 wicked 1 and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him 241 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,400 because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous 242 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,680 marvel not my brethren, if the world hate you see, it's not a 243 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:06,760 new thing. It's been around from the 244 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,200 beginning. Cain was of the wicked one. 245 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:13,000 And what did Cain do? Cain slew his brother. 246 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,480 Why? Because his brother was godly, 247 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:22,440 godly Abel and the godly life of Abel exposed the evil lifestyle 248 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:26,720 of his brother Cain. And another reason was because 249 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:28,640 of the the nature of Cain's offering. 250 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:32,120 Read Genesis 4 see it's connected to the context of 251 00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:34,520 worship and and offering to the Lord. 252 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:37,640 Evil offered according to divine revelation. 253 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:39,440 He offered the blood of the Lamb. 254 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,040 God was pleased with his sacrifice. 255 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:46,760 God testified of his gift. God accepted as as Abel offered 256 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:48,160 the Lamb. God accepted. 257 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,520 And and that offering of the Lamb was a gospel offering. 258 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,480 It pointed to Christ. It pointed to the cross. 259 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:57,360 We could say thank you, Lord, for the cross. 260 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:00,240 But Cain's offering was rejected by God. 261 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,240 Why? Because it was bloodless, 262 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:06,680 Because it was not according to divine revelation. 263 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:09,280 Because it was not acceptable to God. 264 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,560 You see, here's the heart of the religions of the world. 265 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:19,400 It's a workspace righteousness. It's a place for man's good 266 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,080 works and religiosity and ability. 267 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:24,600 A man to have prayed in his work. 268 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:27,280 And yet the Bible says for by grace you see it through faith 269 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,080 and not not of yourselves. It's not of works lest any man 270 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:32,480 should boast. It's not the church that see us, 271 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,520 it's Christ. And yet how many thousands who 272 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,800 profess the name of Christ have pride in a certain lifestyle, 273 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,240 pride in their own ability, pride in their works, pride in 274 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,600 their church? But that's not the true ground 275 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:50,080 of salvation. The true ground is the personal 276 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:52,520 work of Christ. The true ground is the shed 277 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:58,000 blood of Christ. Godly living always exposes sin 278 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,760 in a fallen world. I remember when I got converted 279 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,280 at the age of 18. Workmates. 280 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,200 They refused me to be in their company. 281 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:08,080 We run a boat in a gang of fellas. 282 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:11,520 There's about 20 of us, and we did a lot of things together 283 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,520 that I would be ashamed of now. But after I got converted, they 284 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,680 didn't want to know. When I was in one side of 285 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,000 Coleraine Street, they crossed to the other. 286 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,880 McLaughlin has got good living or McLaughlin has saw the light. 287 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,320 You got to think this morning the reality of this persecution. 288 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:28,960 You got to think of the reason for it. 289 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:31,680 You got to think of the root of this persecution. 290 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:37,000 Notice verse 15, 16, preventing us to speak to the Gentiles that 291 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:40,160 they might be saved. Here's the deep root of it all. 292 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,800 It was to prevent the preaching and proclamation of the gospel. 293 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:49,080 The gospel is seen as a threat. It was in the 1st century and 294 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:53,080 the gospel is still seen as a threat to an ungodly world. 295 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:59,840 He says here in the text and have persecuted us. 296 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:05,680 Remember what that means? We were forced to flee. 297 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:10,880 Cast us out. It goes together. 298 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,840 This is real and here's the reason. 299 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,120 Godly living exposes their sinful life. 300 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,600 And here's the root that they might not preach in His name. 301 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:23,640 That's the ultimate agenda to stop the preaching of the 302 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:28,960 gospel. It's universal. 303 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,920 A sinful, ungodly man does not want the gospel preached. 304 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,960 That's why John says the whole world lies in the lap of 305 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:38,680 wickedness. The devil's at the back of it. 306 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:42,560 Notice the unbelieving Jew and Gentile coming together to 307 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:46,800 display a united, universal, unique opposition to what? 308 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:50,080 To the gospel, to prevent the preaching of the gospel. 309 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:51,520 And it's not what's happening today. 310 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:55,840 The abortion lobby, the LGBT plus lobby, the transgender 311 00:21:55,840 --> 00:22:00,200 lobby, the loony left, the woke lobby, all backgrounds, all 312 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:03,600 beliefs coming together. And they've got a common agenda. 313 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,960 And what is the common agenda to to stop the preaching of the 314 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:10,760 gospel, to stop the exposure of a sinful lifestyle. 315 00:22:11,360 --> 00:22:13,480 Notice who killed the Lord Jesus? 316 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:17,280 Notice who killed the prophets? And as they've done this to 317 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:21,880 Christ and to his prophets, then Paul adds and have persecuted 318 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:27,240 us, they've cast us out too. They go after his people. 319 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:33,000 This persecution, it flows out of an intense hatred for the 320 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:38,240 gospel and the Lord Jesus. Notice also quickly the results 321 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,160 of this persecution to fill up their sins always. 322 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,320 That's one of the reasons for the wrath has come upon them to 323 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:48,280 the uttermost. God waits and the Sinner rebels. 324 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:52,800 God watches as the Sinner fills up the sin bin in their life. 325 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:58,720 God's wrath to the sinners appointed by God. 326 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:02,280 The sinners storing up wrath against the day of wrath. 327 00:23:03,120 --> 00:23:06,200 And the true believer has to learn to trust that God will 328 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:09,280 judge those who persecute His people. 329 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:16,320 The suffering sins being persecuted. 330 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:23,320 Notice quickly the suffering Saints believingly persevering. 331 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:27,080 You see, these suffering Saints were not alone. 332 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:31,400 It's true we suffer because we're true Christians. 333 00:23:33,120 --> 00:23:36,640 It's true we have trials and troubles that hurt us. 334 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,520 But we're not alone. We're all in this together. 335 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:46,120 How do we endure persecution? Look at verse 13 for a a a a 336 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:48,920 link up. It says which he effectually 337 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:52,640 worketh also in you that believe, for ye brethren became 338 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:56,360 followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in 339 00:23:56,360 --> 00:24:00,080 Christ Jesus. The word of God continues to 340 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:01,760 work. See the word of God not only 341 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:03,760 converts us, but the work of God. 342 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:07,920 The word of God continues to work in our heart. 343 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:12,440 The word worketh this present continuous sense for ye 344 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:14,640 brethren. See the word of God doesn't work 345 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,720 in a vacuum, it goes on working. It not only converts the Sinner, 346 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:21,720 but it continually and effectively goes on working in 347 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:27,000 the soul, drawing the centre more evidence of the power of 348 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,920 the word of God in his life. And here's the ultimate evidence 349 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,120 for you became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea 350 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:37,240 are in Christ Jesus and the word followers there means imitators. 351 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,720 That's a reference to a mimic or a main actor. 352 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:43,200 You're in the world of theatre now. 353 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:49,920 A mimic sets out a story using bodily actions as hands, as 354 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:53,000 feet, his his body, his his fears. 355 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:58,200 But he does not resound. Now the word followers doesn't 356 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:06,320 just mean to copy, it's more it means to to imitate, mimicking 357 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:10,080 behaviour, mimicking speech, mimicking actions. 358 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:12,880 The word follower here is not a hypocrite. 359 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:17,760 A hypocrite's a different word. A hypocrite's a play actor. 360 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,960 He's acting out a part. He's putting on a show, but 361 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,360 that's not real. It's not genuine. 362 00:25:23,560 --> 00:25:27,560 He's just playing a part. He's pretending to play a 363 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:32,080 particular role. The word follower doesn't mean 364 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:36,960 that The word follower doesn't mean he's acting out a role. 365 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:41,000 No, a true follower means he's imitating. 366 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,280 It means a a true likeness of another person. 367 00:25:47,360 --> 00:25:50,160 The follower takes on the nature of that person. 368 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,240 The follower takes on the speech of that person. 369 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:58,360 The the follower takes the lifestyle of that person that 370 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:03,200 he's imitating. Notice followers of the churches 371 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,560 of God in Judea. Where was the churches of God in 372 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:08,680 Judea? There were 1000 miles and more 373 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,520 from Thessalonanka. There's one new church in 374 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:17,080 Thessalonanka and they followed and imitated the churches in 375 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:19,360 Judea. You see, it's a reference to 376 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:21,480 their spiritual life. It's a reference to their 377 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:23,600 spiritual beliefs. It's a reference to their 378 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,360 spiritual behaviour. We have believers in Mexico, 379 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,680 Reverend Jason Boyle, he's been at our church. 380 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:37,160 We have folks in Nepal, we think of Reverend Paul Fappa. 381 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:41,480 We have folks in Australia, we folks in the Philippines, think 382 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:45,280 of Noel Stevenson there, Marian Gatti's there at the minute. 383 00:26:46,360 --> 00:26:49,920 And in that world, whether it's in Mexico, Nepal, Australia, the 384 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:53,400 Philippines, you've got a world of true believers. 385 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:58,760 And we could go there and you could evidence their new life in 386 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:04,720 Christ and what it resides and us resides in the end, because 387 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:08,280 they're born again of the Spirit and they have the same spiritual 388 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:10,680 life, the same spiritual likeness. 389 00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:13,280 And that's always true of all the people of God. 390 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:18,240 The Lord's people will be like one another in a spiritual 391 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:20,480 sense. The Lord's people will have a 392 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:23,040 love for true righteousness the world over. 393 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,960 The the Lord's people will be hatred for sin the world over. 394 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:30,800 The the Lord's people will want to live and serve the Lord Jesus 395 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,200 Christ. In the Gospel, the the the 396 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:36,720 Lord's people want to live a life of holiness unto God, a 397 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:39,080 life of separation unto God. Why? 398 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,840 Why is this the same? Well, here's the answer. 399 00:27:43,360 --> 00:27:46,520 Because the life of God is in the soul, Because they've been 400 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:49,680 born again of the Spirit, because Christ is in them the 401 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:52,040 hope of glory. Because the word of Gods at work 402 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:56,920 in their heart and life. See, that's true the whole world 403 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:59,760 over. God calls us to be saved. 404 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,040 God calls us to be separate unto the gospel. 405 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,440 God calls us to a life of sanctification and holiness. 406 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:09,000 God calls us to a life of service. 407 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:13,160 And he's called us to live differently from the ungodly. 408 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,320 And this applies, this following, this imitation 409 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:19,360 applies to so many areas of our lives. 410 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,760 Remember what the apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 411 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:26,880 Chapter 11. He says, be ye followers of me 412 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:33,080 even as I also am of Christ. What a tremendous text of 413 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:35,640 Scripture. It's the same word imitators. 414 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:39,960 Remember he said in Ephesians, be there for followers of God as 415 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:44,040 dear children. Ephesians chapter 5 verse one 416 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:48,600 the suffering Saints believingly persevere. 417 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:55,200 Why? Because they are Saints, they're 418 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,920 followers. Notice also lastly, the 419 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:01,120 suffering Saints Brotherhood proclaimed. 420 00:29:01,640 --> 00:29:04,960 If you go back to our text again, look at something that 421 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:06,560 maybe already has caught your eye. 422 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:11,600 Perhaps it hasn't, but I'll hopefully be able to point this 423 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,640 out. It says for ye brethren became 424 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:16,560 followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in 425 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:22,240 Christ Jesus. OK, come down to the verse 17, 426 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:25,120 it says, but we brethren been taken from you for a short time, 427 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:27,960 so we'll pause. Notice the word brethren. 428 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:33,840 It's a reference to a brother in the singular. 429 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,960 The word brethren is a reference to a brother in the plural. 430 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:41,400 It's used 346 times in the Bible. 431 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:45,600 It has a wide and huge meaning. It's a reference to people with 432 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:49,200 national identity. It's a reference to people who 433 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,640 are neighbours. It's a reference to people who 434 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:54,920 share a common interest in calling. 435 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:59,600 It's a reference to people in a generic way, male and female. 436 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:04,200 So when the Word of God is saying about brethren, it's not 437 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:09,000 ignoring the sisters, it's not ignoring the young people, it's 438 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:13,880 not ignoring the female. The word brethren is used in a 439 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:21,040 generic way, and the word brethren is used about men and 440 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:23,800 women and young people who are believers. 441 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:27,520 Look at First Thessalonians chapter one, verse 4. 442 00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:30,880 Knowing brethren, beloved, your election of God. 443 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:36,120 It's a reference to people who are the Lord's people, for ye 444 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:40,960 know, brethren, beloved, your election of God. 445 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:46,800 The Bible says in First Peter chapter 2 verse 17, honour all 446 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:50,640 men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the King. 447 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:54,000 The word brotherhood is white enough to include all of those 448 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,520 things that I've mentioned. People with a national identity, 449 00:30:57,520 --> 00:30:59,480 people who are neighbours, people who share a common 450 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:04,640 interest in calling people male and female regardless of either 451 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:06,880 gender. There only is 2 male and female 452 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:12,320 and it's also used of men and women and young people who are 453 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:16,520 brothers in Christ. Honour all men, love the 454 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:18,640 brotherhood, fear God, honour the King. 455 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:26,000 The brotherhood is a reference to the Lord's people, to 456 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:30,080 brothers and sisters in Christ. You're born of the same spirit 457 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:34,240 washed in the blood, who of the same nature believes in 458 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:38,160 lifestyle. Christians united together with 459 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:43,080 a common bond. Remember, our bodies are tied 460 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:46,520 back to Adam. We're made in the image of God. 461 00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:50,800 And that's one of the things that is unique to human beings, 462 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,960 isn't it? We all have souls, and where 463 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:57,720 does our souls come from? Our souls come from God. 464 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:01,000 When God made Adam from the dust of the ground, he breathed into 465 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:04,840 his nostrils the breath of life, and Adam became a living soul. 466 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:09,320 And the transmission of the soul is from father to son as far as 467 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:14,000 human generation is concerned. And here's another chord that 468 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:17,200 unites us. We have new life in Christ. 469 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:23,560 Remember Paul says in Second Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 470 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:27,360 17, Second Corinthians 5 and verse 17. 471 00:32:27,640 --> 00:32:31,760 He, he tells us here, therefore, if any man be in Christ, he's a 472 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:34,280 new creature. All things are passed away and 473 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:38,640 behold, all things are become new and all things are of God. 474 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:42,560 And over there in the book of Romans, in Romans chapter 8 and 475 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:47,600 in verse 29, we read these words, Romans 8 and verse 29. 476 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:49,840 For whom he did? For no, He also did 477 00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:52,440 predestinate, to be conformed to the image of a son, that He 478 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:54,440 might be the first born among many brethren. 479 00:32:54,560 --> 00:32:56,640 Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also 480 00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:58,040 called. And whom He called them, He also 481 00:32:58,040 --> 00:32:59,960 justified them. He justified them. 482 00:32:59,960 --> 00:33:02,960 He also glorified. They will pause there. 483 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:06,840 We are spiritual brothers and sisters. 484 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:12,440 We're part of a brotherhood of believers. 485 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:15,600 Now let me ask this as we wrap things up this morning. 486 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:18,920 Do you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ? 487 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:26,320 Are you part of this worldwide brotherhood of believers? 488 00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:33,320 The suffering Saints brotherhood is proclaimed here. 489 00:33:33,320 --> 00:33:38,160 He, he deliberately uses the word brethren and it's used 490 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:43,760 ultimately and primarily in the sense of being united to Christ, 491 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:47,000 not just because we have bodies made in the image of God, not 492 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:50,000 just because we have immortal souls living in those bodies, 493 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:52,840 but because we have new life in Christ. 494 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:55,480 So I'm asking, are you in union with Christ? 495 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:57,480 Are you in communion and fellowship with him? 496 00:33:57,680 --> 00:33:59,880 Do you know him as Lord and Saviour? 497 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:03,280 Because part of this brotherhood that's proclaimed is not just 498 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:07,880 about being a brother. Notice also the reference here. 499 00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:15,440 If you go back to Thessalonians, it says here for you brethren 500 00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:19,040 became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in 501 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:23,440 Christ Jesus. There's a body here and he has 502 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:26,719 already told us, knowing brethren, beloved, your election 503 00:34:26,719 --> 00:34:29,800 of God, we've been elected to eternal life. 504 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,400 God has chosen us out of the world. 505 00:34:33,080 --> 00:34:35,560 God has called us to himself in time. 506 00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:38,080 God has cleansed us in the precious blood. 507 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:42,199 God has counselled us in life's journey and right living. 508 00:34:42,199 --> 00:34:45,239 God cares for us. God comforts us. 509 00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:47,600 See, many people don't believe in election. 510 00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:49,520 They, they tell us, I don't believe in election. 511 00:34:49,639 --> 00:34:52,600 And yet here it is knowing brethren, beloved, you're, 512 00:34:52,600 --> 00:34:55,960 you're election of God. And we've got to accept what the 513 00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:59,200 Bible teaches us. And, and, and there was the 514 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:03,080 churches of God in Judea. They had been elected of God and 515 00:35:03,080 --> 00:35:05,920 the Church of God in Thessalonica and in Philippi, 516 00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:09,760 and they had been elected of God and they were all one in Christ 517 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:11,920 Jesus. There there was one body of 518 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:16,960 people, even though they met in local places there, there was 519 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:22,680 one universal church. I know that today there's those 520 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:26,240 who deny the blood atonement. I know there's those who deny 521 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:29,440 the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, those who deny heaven 522 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:32,120 and Hell's reality, those who deny the Bible. 523 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:36,120 But I have to be honest, I don't really accept those individuals 524 00:35:36,120 --> 00:35:38,040 as brothers and sisters in Christ. 525 00:35:39,080 --> 00:35:42,960 Or they may be a neighbour, they may have a national identity 526 00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:47,200 like me, they they may share common interest in calling with 527 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:52,440 me. But I can't really accept such 528 00:35:52,440 --> 00:35:55,680 as a brother, certainly not a brother in Christ who's in union 529 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:59,120 and fellowship, if he denies these fundamental truths 530 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:02,960 connected to the gospel. Because if we finish with this 531 00:36:02,960 --> 00:36:04,840 thought, think of the word church here. 532 00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:11,400 It's a reference to ecclesia called out of the world, called 533 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:14,080 to repentance and called to faith in Christ. 534 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:17,800 And it's not only a called out, but it's, it's a call to come 535 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:22,080 together and, and you come together every Sunday to be a 536 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:25,440 witness to to stand together in a wicked world. 537 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:29,360 You come together to worship God, come together to wait on 538 00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:33,200 him to be ministered by the offering of praise and prayer 539 00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:35,000 and through the preaching of the word. 540 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:39,000 See, that's all bound up in this particular text of Scripture. 541 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:45,480 The suffering Saints being persecuted, the suffering Saints 542 00:36:45,520 --> 00:36:49,960 believingly persevering, they're followers. 543 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:55,480 Are you a follower today and that you're imitating because 544 00:36:55,480 --> 00:36:59,640 you've got new life in Christ and the suffering Saints 545 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:02,960 brotherhood is proclaimed. You're part of this worldwide 546 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:05,520 brotherhood. You can identify with those in 547 00:37:05,520 --> 00:37:08,640 the Thessalonians, identify with those in Judea, identify with 548 00:37:08,640 --> 00:37:11,640 Mexico and Philippines and Australia and Nepal. 549 00:37:11,720 --> 00:37:13,960 Why? Because we're one in Christ. 550 00:37:14,320 --> 00:37:18,360 We have new life in Him, and therefore, because we're in 551 00:37:18,360 --> 00:37:23,160 Christ, we're part of the body of Christ and we share that 552 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:26,880 common name. May the Lord bless you today, 553 00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:30,640 and may the Lord bless His word to our hearts.