This past Sunday, I preached on how the early church responded to persecution through prayer. As followers of Christ who seek to live faithfully, persecution remains a reality we must be prepared to face.

Imagine the intimidation Peter and John must have felt standing before the very religious leaders who had orchestrated Jesus’s death. These men knew firsthand what these authorities were capable of—they had witnessed their Lord’s crucifixion. The trauma of that experience surely weighed heavily on their hearts as they faced their accusers.

Yet on two separate occasions when threatened and commanded to stop preaching, they responded with  resolve:

What gave them such courage? They understood their divine commission. Jesus Himself had charged them to be His witnesses, and this calling took precedence over any human authority. Their encounter with the risen Christ was so transformative that remaining silent was simply not an option.

Their response teaches us a fundamental truth: Obeying God is always the right decision, even when it comes with a cost. While persecution may look different in our context, the principle remains unchanged. When we know we are being faithful to God’s Word, we can stand firm even when earthly authorities—whether religious, political, or cultural—demand our compromise.

Opposition may come. The cost may be real. But that's okay. Jesus is worth it. May we have their same unwavering commitment to speak of what we have seen and heard.

Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision! One of the best ways to get the most out of our time together in corporate worship is to come prepared, going to bed early on Saturday night, and by reviewing the sermon text, our song list, and our responsive readings. To help you prepare for Sunday worship, I've provided each element of our worship below for your review prior to Sunday.

 

In Christ,