A. Roman State & Christianity - 1. Roman toleration --- a. sect of Judaism --- b. superstition unworthy of notice - 2. Roman intolerance --- a. prominent Romano-Hellenistic idolatry = national religion --- b. pontifex maximus = emperor's ex-officio title --- c. priests & vestal virgins supported by public treasury --- d. prostitution cults in idolatrous worship B. Reasons for Christian Persecution - 1. only true universal faith vs. national faith - 2. only true King is Christ, not Caesar (Acts 17:7) - 3. only one true & living God vs. many gods --- a. Christian considered atheist by polytheists - 4. outsiders ignorant to worship: Christians rumored to be… --- a. incestuous --- b. cannibals --- c. vampires --- d. suicidal - 5. outrage from those whose livelihoods supported by idolatry
II. CHALLENGED BY HISTORY'S DARK LESSONS 2 Timothy 3:12
A. Believer's Godly Faith - "all who will live godly…" --- a. seeks to comply to God's will, Matt 6:10 --- b. serves for the ultimate glory of God, 1 Cor 10:31 --- c. satisfied with the enjoyment of God, Psa 73:25-26 B. Believer's Godly Strength - "in Christ Jesus" --- a. supply from Christ, Phil 4:19 --- b. union with Christ, John 14:23 --- c. thanksgiving to Christ, 1 Thess 5:18 C. Believer's Godly Consequences - "shall suffer persecution" --- a. the world hates godliness, Jn 15:18 --- b. the world is reproved by godliness, Jn 16:8
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Jon Cardwell was saved by God’s grace on June 3, 1985 while serving in the military as a deep sea diver in the U.S. Navy. The call to ministry came 8 years later when he was invited to serve the Lord in the Philippine mission field. Jon’s entry into pastoral ministry came...