How should we respond when faced with opposition for doing God's work? \Setting the Scene—Mark 3:6\ “At once the Pharisees went out and conspired with the Herodians against Jesus, as to how they might destroy Him.” • In one terse sentence, opposition crystalizes. • Jesus heals on the Sabbath; religious leaders decide He must die. • From the very start of His public ministry, obedience to the Father invites hostility. \Why Opposition Shouldn’t Surprise Us\ • Jesus warned us: “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.” (John 15:18–20) • “Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) • Opposition is not an anomaly; it’s confirmation we’re on the right path. \Learning from Jesus’ Immediate Response\ Mark doesn’t show Jesus shrinking back. Instead, He: 1. Keeps ministering (Mark 3:7–12). 2. Draws near to the Father (Mark 3:13—He ascends a mountain to pray and appoint the Twelve). 3. Maintains compassion; He still heals those who approach Him. \Principles for Responding Today\ • Stay committed to the mission – Like Jesus, refuse to let threats derail God-given assignments (Acts 20:22–24). • Anchor in prayer – Before every major step, Christ prayed (Luke 5:15–16). Intimacy with the Father fuels courage. • Keep a soft heart – Refuse bitterness; bless persecutors (Romans 12:14). • Speak truth with grace – Peter and John: “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) • Trust God’s justice – “When He suffered, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23) • Rejoice in the reward – “Blessed are those who are persecuted… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10–12) \Snapshots from the Early Church\ • Acts 4–5: Apostles jailed, beaten, yet “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” • Acts 7: Stephen forgives his killers and sees Jesus standing to welcome him. • Acts 16: Paul and Silas sing hymns in stocks; God shakes the prison and saves a jailer’s household. \Practical Steps for Us\ • Daily Scripture intake—fortifies conviction (Psalm 119:92). • Fellowship—shared courage multiplies (Hebrews 10:24–25). • Serve anyway—good works silence critics (1 Peter 2:15). • Remember eternity—present pain is “light and momentary” compared to glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). \Encouraging Finale\ Opposition is real, but so is the Savior who walks through it with us. Stand firm, keep loving, stay faithful—just like Jesus did the day the Pharisees began plotting His cross, the very instrument God used for our redemption. |
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