Facing Persecution

Blanchard First

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Facing Persecution

July 21, 2024 • Jason Soward • Acts 4:23–31

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Respond to persecution by offering our commitment to God

A. By Recognizing God’s Sovereign plan

i. God’s plan leads us into persecution

ii. God’s plan brings us through persecution for his Glory and our good

B. By Relying on God’s mighty power

i. Persecution reveals our great need for God

ii. Persecution reveals God’s power in our weakness

C. By Relaying God’s word with boldness

i. Boldness speaking God’s Word is a proper response to persecution

ii. Boldness speaking God’s word advances the Gospel amid persecution

Courageous Witness

September 29, 2024 • Travis Markes • Acts 6:8–15

1. Evidence of Godly character. *Full of the Holy Spirit *Full of wisdom *Full of faith *Full of grace *Full of power *Full of God’s presence 2. Be a courageous witness. *Be prepared to face opposition *Religious people are some of the hardest to reach *Only God can save 3. Plant and water seeds and trust the results to God.

Blueprint for Problem Solving

September 15, 2024 • Travis Markes • Acts 6:1–7

1. The problem-solving process is connected to prayer and God’s Word. 2. Biblically thriving churches still have problems. 3. Deal with problems in a spirit of unity, not division. 4. Problems can be resolved by every member being involved. 5. The Biblical responsibility of the spiritual leader is prayer and preaching. 6. Spiritual leaders must be spiritually qualified. 7. The need for new organization grows as the body grows.

Blueprint: Church Polity

September 22, 2024 • Travis Markes • Acts 6:1–7

1. Biblical Observations *Scripture and prayer are to be prioritized *Congregational involvement *Character matters *Delegation is important 2. Job description of Deacons *Encouraging and guarding church unity *Seeing and meeting needs *Serving the congregation and supporting the ministry of the elders *Being a bold witness 3. The eternal effect.