the old will not change unless there’s a fight so fights bring about change the Revolutionary War brought about America the Civil War brought the end of slavery Israel’s war of independence brought the birth of Israel The Six Day War brought Jerusalem book of Acts 81 it says Saul Paul was consenting for the death of Steven and there arose that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except for the apostles and Saul was laying waste the church entering
every house dragging men and women into prison the first great persecution breaks out Paul is in charge of it amazing what happened Acts 8:4 says therefore they who were scattered abroad went about proclaiming the word amen so you got persecution opposition and they respond by proclaiming the word of God and the thing is you know God said spread the word to the world but they didn’t the persecution actually fulfilled the word of God it pushed them out Paul then gets saved spreads the gospel to the nations with Barnabas and
persecution breaks out there acts 13:51 it says but they shook off the D of their feet against them and went on to the next city and they said the next verse says and the disciples were filled with fear no anger no we’re filled with joy with the Holy Spirit persecution and they’re filled with joy see the conflict was a sign they were on the right course they’re doing God’s will they’re making a difference if you’re getting Conflict for the Lord You’re making a difference if so some people are afraid to share
the gospel because they’re afraid of what people are going to do they’re going to be if you’re not getting anything back you are not doing anything amen the fact that there is conflict or opposition or reaction that’s a good sign you see the same thing throughout the Book of Acts earlier on acts 5 when they called in the apostles they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Yeshua Jesus they let him go then they left in the pre the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy
to suffer dishonor for the name for almost 2,000 years the church looks to the book of Acts as a model but see the book of Acts was a time of persecution the church was not comfortable of the status quo it was counterculture they went against the flow the flow went against them they were Fighters they reacted to persecution with joy see if you react to persecution and you fight back okay you know you’re fighting or you’re fighting on an issue you’re fighting in the culture wars okay but but if you just fight the issue but you don’t do it in
the right Spirit you’re not really fighting it but they were not only fighting for the issue the gospel they were fighting with joy that means they were really fighting because it’s one thing to fight against you know the world’s against you or people are against you when you fight back with anger and judgment and hatred and cond ation and sarcasm and all that well then you’re you’re fighting the right issue but you’re not really fully fighting the darkness but if you can fight with joy you’re fighting the darkness fight with
