12 KEYS TO BECOMING LIKE JESUS - LOOKING AT JESUS WHO IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
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OUTLINE
1.SPIRITUAL BIRTH
2.SPIRITUAL POWER
3.SPIRITUAL MATURITY
4.SUPPLICATION
5.SCRIPTURES
6.SINLESS LIFE
7.SELF-EFFACEMENT
8.SLOGGED LABOUR
9.SPOILED WORKS OF DEVIL
10.SURRENDERED LIFE
11.SUFFERING
12.SIGHT OF ETERNITY
THE MESSAGE
12 KEYS TO BECOMING LIKE JESUS - LOOKING AT JESUS WHO IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
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1. SPIRITUAL BIRTH
The Lord has chosen us to be tranformed into the image of Jesus. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the first key to a victorious life is to be born of the Spirit. The born again experience is the first step to a victorious life.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Matthew 1:20
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
2. SPIRITUAL POWER
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure which was the secret of his power. Jesus did not strive to live his life and fulfill his ministry with human strength. Therefore we must be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to such a victorious life and be a blessing in this world.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
John 3:36
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Luke 4;14,18,19
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3.SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Jesus experienced continous growth and increase in his life from his childhood. Therefore we must be constantly growing in our spiritual life in order to have a life of victory.Those remaining stagnant in walk with God cannot walk in victory. We must grow in grace in order to accomplish great things for God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 2:40,52
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
I Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
1 Corinthians 15;9-10
For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
4.SUPPLICATION
Jesus had a strong and powerful prayer life. His strength came from his intimate fellowship with God where he received all his guidance and empowerment. We need such a prayer life in order to live a victorious life. We must pray according to the pattern that the Lord has taught us. Our prayers can save our nation from the wrath of God and bring great blessings to our nation.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Luke 11:1
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Matthew 14:23
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Mark 6:46
After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Luke 9:18
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Matthew 6:5-13
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I Timothy 2:1-5
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, "
II Chronicles 7:13-14
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
James 5:16-18
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. "
Ezekiel 22:23-31
" Again the word of the LORD came to me:
"Son of man, say to the land, ’You are a land that has had no rain or showers in the day of wrath.’
There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her.
Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ’This is what the Sovereign LORD says’-when the LORD has not spoken.
The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Isaiah 59:12-18
"For our offenses are many in your sight,and our sins testify against us.Our offenses are ever with us,and we acknowledge our iniquities:
rebellion and treachery against the LORD,turning our backs on our God,fomenting oppression and revolt,uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
So justice is driven back,and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets,honesty cannot enter.
Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
He put on righteousness as his breastplate,and the helmet of salvation on his head;he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
According to what they have done,so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. "
5.SCRIPTURES
Jesus was deeply grounded in the word of God . He was well versed in the scriptures and in his understanding of the revelation of the word of God. He spoke the word of God with authority and power. He knew everything that the scriptures had revealed about Himself. He answered the devil and his opponents using the scriptures.We need such strong foundation in the scriptures in order to live victoriously. We need a deep hunger for the word of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 7:28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Mattheww 22:33
When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
Mark 1:21-22
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 11:18
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Luke 4:31-32
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.
They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
Luke 24:27 ,44-45
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 2:41-47
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ "
Matthew 4:7
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ "
Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ’Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ "
Matthew 21:13
"It is written," he said to them, " ’My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ’den of robbers.’ "
Matthew 26:24
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Matthew 26:31
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: " ’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Luke 20:17
Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: " ’The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ’ ?
Luke 22:37
It is written: ’And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, ’I have said you are gods’ ?
2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Hosea 4:6
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
6.SINLESS LIFE
Jesus never fell in sin. He always overcame temptation and lived a sanctified life. We need such a sanctified life in order to be victorious . A life of falling in temptation cannot produce victory.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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John 8:46
Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone.’"
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’"
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.
For it is written: " ’He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’"
Jesus answered, "It says: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’"
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.â€
7.SELF-EFFACEMENT
Jesus lived a life of humility. Therefore God highly exalted him. We need such a humility for God to lift us and use us for his glory.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Phillipians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
I Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Mattthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Mark 10:43-44
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
8.SLOGGED LABOUR
Jesus worked hard in the ministry. He travelled much and sometimes had no time even to eat. There can be no victory in our life and ministry without hard work and toil.Anyone who is not willing to toil and labour has no hope of victory and success in life. Jesus did not lead an easy and lazy life. We must love the Lord with all our strength.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 9:35
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Mark 1:39
So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Luke 8:1
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,
Luke 13:22
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
Mark 6:31
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
John 4:34
"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
9.SPOILED WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
Jesus was constantly destroying the works of the devil and delivering people from the bondage of satan. A life of victory is possible only when we are willing to destroy the works of Satan. We must not be living in fear of the devil. As long as we tolerate his works in our life we cannot live in victory. But we must be submitted to God before we can excercise authority over the devil .Otherwise we may face disastrous consequences.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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I John 3:8
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
I Peter 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Acts 19:11-17
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
10.SURRENDERED LIFE
Jesus lived a life of total dedication to God. He did not live with a divided heart nor did he withhold any part of his life. He was obedient even to the point of death. A life of victory is not possible without a total surrender of our life. A partial commitment will only result in a life of failure and defeat.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 5:30
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.â€
Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.â€
Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Luke 14:25-27
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Matthew 10:37-39
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Luke 9:62
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
11.SUFFERING
Jesus faced much suffering and opposition during his life. We need to be willing to endure sufferings and face battles in order to live a life of victory.A life of victory means a life of battles. There is no victory if there is no battle.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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I Peter 2:21-24
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Hebrews 12:3-4
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Matthew 10:22
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.â€
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,
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Proverbs 24:10
If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
12.SIGHT OF ETERNITY
Jesus did not live for this world. He did not long for the glories and pleasures of this world. He lived with eternity in sight.A life of victory is possible only to those who have eternity in mind in all their desires ,motives and activities. We must focus on the eternal rewards awaiting us for our service and sufferings. A preoccupation with the pleasures of this life will confuse our priorities and we will spend our time and energy chasing the vanities of life and end up having wasted our life. Therefore a life of victory requires a vision of eternity.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
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Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 26:64
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
II Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him,he will also disown us;
Romans 8:16-18
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
MATTHEW 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "
JAMES 1:12
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
REVELATION 2:10
" Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. "
MARK 10:28-30
Then Peter spoke up, "We have left everything to follow you!"
"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--along with persecutions--and in the age to come eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:19
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
