-Episode # 2659-

Segment 1 (00:18) There is a purpose to suffering. We are called to suffer with Christ. If we are living a godly life that reflects Jesus, we will be persecuted. We can pray to God for deliverance, but we can also pray for the strength to endure the suffering.
Segment 2 (09:02) Tom Hammond’s sarcastic list of ways to avoid persecution. If you want to truly avoid persecution, you would have to not speak up for Christ in the times where you should. Why would we want to keep Jesus under wraps? We should want to talk about him and what he has done for us. It is not loving to not tell people about hell.
Segment 3 (17:44) More sarcastic ways to avoid persecution. While we may not want suffering and persecution, we can have joy and peace internally knowing that we are joining Christ in his suffering. We occasionally need to judge actions that are not God-honoring. We can fit in with the world when where we should fit in is the church.
Wretched Surprise! (26:34) Matthew 5:12. We are to rejoice because our reward is in heaven.