Text: Philippians 2:56

Topic: What persecution brings to us

Introduction:

Illustration: Tson describes in detail the persecution he suffered as a Baptist boy in Communist and Orthodox Romania, then living as a committed Communist for many years, and finally giving his life to Christ and returning to preach in Romania.

We can have riches in persecution.

Persecution gives the wealth of a C personality.

Persecution compels us to become givers, like Christ.

We can see our enemies become God's instruments.

God's sovereignty limits the actions of our persecutors.

Illustration: Tson tells about being put on trial for preaching Christ. When a prosecutor appealed to Romans 13, Tson responded: "Sir, you will not do anything to me but what God decided you will do; you are only my God's instrument."

God's sovereignty rules the fears of our hearts.

God's sovereignty determines the words of our prayers.

We can become instruments of revival.

We must be completely broken first.

We cannot choose the method of our martyrdom.

Illustration: When his interrogator threatened to dig up dirt on him, Tson had a vision in which even other believers were throwing mud on the cross of his martyrdom. Christ offered Tson even that kind of suffering.

We can bring the Gospel to our persecutors, for whom we pray.

Illustration: Tson tells of a sermon he preached, "The Aggression of Love." As Christians, we are the aggressors, for we conquer, but our weapons are only love, suffering, and the Gospel of Christ. With God's love, we win at least some of our persecutors to God.