Unshaken: Standing Firm In The Face Of Persecution Series

I. Stand Firm in Conviction

Core Verse: Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

Supporting Scriptures:

- Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

- 1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

- Ephesians 6:10-11: "10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Application: Conviction is rooted in God’s presence and promises. Like the three Hebrew men, our “even if” faith rejects fear.

II. Respond with Radical Love

Core Verse: Matthew 5:44 (" But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Supporting Scriptures:

- Romans 12:14: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

- Luke 6:27-28: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

- 1 Peter 3:9: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing..."

Application: Love disarms hatred. Forgiveness mirrors Christ’s heart (Luke 23:34) and sows seeds of redemption.

III. Anchor in Eternal Hope

Core Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ("17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.")

Supporting Scriptures:

- Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

- Hebrews 12:2: "Fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..."

- James 1:12: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life..."

Application: Eternal hope reframes suffering. Like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25), we worship through chains.

IV. Empowered by Community

Core Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25 ("Spur one another on toward love and good deeds... do not give up meeting together...")

Supporting Scriptures:

- Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

- Ecclesiastes 4:12: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Encourage one another and build each other up..."

Application: The Church is God’s fortress. Persecuted believers thrive in unity (Acts 2:42-47).

Conclusion & Benediction

Final Charge:

- Revelation 2:10: "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown."

- Philippians 1:29: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him."

Benediction

Romans 15-13:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 8: 35 -39:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!