THEME:
The church needs to stand firm in faith and obedience to Christ.
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Revelation 2:12-17
I want to show you three ways that God uses persecution to refine and grow his church.
Revelation 2:14-16
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
God uses persecution to refine and grow his church is by revealing his wrath to come on those who do not repent.
Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.
God uses persecution refine and grow his church is by promising perfect peace for those who persevere.