Fear Rightly Focused – Part 1

Introduction:
What does persecution aim at?
Why do the enemies of Christ, the enemies of the gospel, the enemies of the church — threaten the church, attack the church, inflict harm upon the church?
What is persecution aiming at?
Persecution does not ALWAYS aim at elimination.
While lost humanity hates the church, it isn't always aiming at martyring the church.
But persecution ALWAYS aims at intimidation.
What makes persecution effective, from the vantagepoint of the persecutor, is that it generates FEAR.
If you don't want to be in trouble.
If you don't want to lose your reputation.
If you don't want to lose your freedom.
If you don't want to lose relationships.
If you don't want to lose your ability to supply for yourself and your family financially.
If you want to live in peace.