Triumph Over Persecution
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus reveals the reality and extent of Christian persecution and how to triumph over it.
Text: Luke 21:16-19
Date: 05/25/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 194
Description:
Jesus continues to reveal to His disciples the reality of persecution in His "Discourse on Things to Come". Having warned them they will suffer at the hands of both the Jews and the Gentiles, He reveals the unnatural hatred, betrayal and persecution that will come from the intimate relationships of family and friends as well. We will analyze each aspect of this phenomenon, and probe the reason behind this hatred-- both in the physical and spiritual realms. But even though their persecution will be great, Jesus comforts His disciples (both then and now), with the assurance that even though their bodies may suffer, their souls will endure with Him for all eternity. We will ask two questions of the text: "Why the world hates Christ and His church so much, and how can we as Christians triumph over persecution"? Ultimately we will find the answer to both questions in the same conclusion-- because we are "In Christ".
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I. Introduction, John 16:33, 10:32; Acts 4:9-10.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 21:16-19.
A. Context, Luke 21:10,11; Rev. 12:17.
B. Triumphing over persecution.
1. An unnatural, natural hatred, vs. 16,17, Mic. 7:5-6.
a. The extent of persecution, vs. 16.
i. Noticing the betrayal, Luke 22:3-6.
ii. The betrayal of family.
1) Betrayal by parents.
2) Betrayal by siblings.
3) Betrayal by relatives, Phil. 3:5.
iii. A more expansive betrayal.
1) Betrayal by friends, Psa. 41:9; Acts 9:23.
2) The hatred of all, vs. 17a, John 6:55-56; Acts 9:14.
iv. The nature of the persecution, vs. 16b.
b. The explanation, vs. 17b, Luke 21:12.
i. Persecuted because of Christ, John 15:18-19.
ii. Persecuted because of the spiritual battle.
1) The inevitable result of the Divine Cosmic Initiative.
2) The darkness fights back, Rev. 12:7,17; John 3:19-20.
3) The World Wide Web of Evil.
4) Why the world hates the church, John 15:4-5; Luke 9:23.
2. A statement of endurance, vs. 18-19.
a. A source of controversy.
b. A promise of preservation. vs. 18.
i. A well-known idiom, 2Sam. 14:11; 1Kings 1:52.
ii. A spiritual "perishing", Matt. 5:11-12, 10:6; Luke 9:24-25, 15:4,6,24; Ezek. 34:4.
c. An enduring promise, vs. 19.
i. Looking at the words.
ii. Enduring to the end, Rom. 8:18.
iii. Recognizing the point, Luke 12:6-7; Matt. 19:29.
III. Application
A. Persecution is a reality for Christians.
B. Preparing to endure, Luke 21:33.
C. The perseverance of the saints.
D. The work of the Kingdom, Matt. 5:14.
IV. Conclusion, John 16:33.
