Blessings in Christian Struggles

NOTE: Mattie and I are working on a two-part podcast about finding Blessing in Persecution based on Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5. We will bring you the first installment next week. To set the stage, we thought it would be good to encourage you to listen to this timeless message from our Father in Christ, Don Roberts. 

Summary: In this profound sermon, Christian missionary Don Roberts passionately explores the role of persecution in the life of devout Christians. Drawing from his vast experiences serving in restricted countries like China, Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea, Roberts discusses the Scriptures on persecution, particularly Matthew 5:11 and 2 Timothy 3.12. He shares inspiring stories of Christians globally who live out their faith in the face of adversity, highlighting the relationship between persecution and spiritual growth.

Roberts addresses the unfortunate imbalance in the United States due to ungodly attempts to restrict Christian lifestyles. He emphasizes that understanding and preparing for persecution is fundamental for believers, irrespective of their roles within the church. The sermon concludes with an encouraging note, reminding believers that enduring persecution with joy leads to longer-lasting rewards.

By extracting lessons from the trials and tribulations of early Christians, the speaker encourages the audience to reignite their youthful zeal and dedication to the Lord. Using impactful stories, such as that of Pastor Lam's 21-year endurance in a hostile prison camp, he teaches that embracing persecution can strengthen our relationship with God and make significant impacts in the lives of others.

Finally, this episode encourages Christians to foster a relationship with Jesus and uphold key values such as humility, love, faith, and endurance. It also emphasizes the role of personal tests and trials in shaping our spiritual journey. It concludes by instilling hope and confidence in Christians worldwide, reminding them of the more significant rewards that come from faith, perseverance, and divine condition.