SOUTHERN HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY, November 21, 2021
PERSECUTION
BLESSED, part 8
Hess Hester, Senior Pastor
Weekly Sunday Morning Worship Service, 10:30 a.m.
Matthew 5:10-12 NIV
North Korea Eritrea
Afghanistan Yemen
Somalia Iran
Libya Nigeria
Pakistan India
Vv.11, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Luke 21:12, “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.”
Most of the persecution experienced in America is of our Christian teenagers.
2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV), In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT
2 Timothy 2:25-26 NIV
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
- Gandhi
1 Peter 4:15-16 (NLT); If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
Three Things Christians Do That Non-Christians Despise
by Carey Nieuwhof
1. Being judgmental.
2. Being hypocritical.
3. Christians stink at friendship!
Guard your heart against compromise.
1 Peter 3:14-17 NIV
Love your enemies.
Matthew 5:43-44a (NIV), “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies…”
V. 44, “But I tell you, love your enemiesand pray for those who persecute you
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Be thankful you’re not being persecuted, but remember and pray for those who are!
Hebrews 13:3 (NIV), Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Make sure you are living and doing what is right.
Matthew 5:13-16;You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Live a life of costly obedience.
“If no one ever takes my life by persecution, I want it to at least be said that I laid down my life as a living sacrifice. I don’t want to arrive at His feet in heaven knowing how much He gave for me but how little I gave for Him. What a tragedy it would be if those of us in America who are most blessed in this world end up doing the least! If my brothers and sisters around the world are having everything taken from them because of their faith, then can I not lay down a portion of my blessing?” Colin Smith in, Momentum
WORSHIP - on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
Friday night Celebrate Recovery Worship at 7:00 PM
Sunday & Friday Night Services are streamed live on our website, Facebook page and YouTube page.
STUDENTS 6TH – 12TH GRADES
On-Campus 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, 6:30 pm Wednesdays, 7 pm Fridays
CHILDREN THROUGH 5TH GRADE
On-Campus 9:00 a.m. Sundays, Wednesdays 6:30 p.m, Fridays, 7pm
ADULTS – 9:00 a.m. - Most Lifegroups are meeting in-person and via ZOOM calls – check with your lifegroup leaders to stay connected. Looking for a lifegroup to visit? E-mail info@shbctulsa.org
THANK YOU! Many of you have asked how to continue supporting our church during this time. Here are three ways to continue your giving:
1.On-line through CHURCH CENTER APP - Download the app, find our church name (with our green tree logo) and follow the prompts - once downloaded - us the giving tab at the bottom of the home screen.
2.Set up free on-line bill pay through your bank.
[questions to Al: 918-743-8897 (8:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m., M-F)]
3.US Mail (.55 cent stamp)
SHBC, 2218 E. 56th Place, 74105