Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.
Many of the early Christians were suffering and being abused and persecuted for believing in and obeying Jesus. Today, although not so much in the West….yet…it is much the same. Peter outlined the right attitude we are to have during times of suffering and persecution – we should expect it and we should be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ but also trust God for deliverance through and from it.
We hear overseas of the incredible physical persecution – even to death – that is going on. As we are brothers and sisters of these dear Christian believers we are to stand with them and pray with them and for them. Following Christ can be a costly commitment – trials will come to refine our faith and when they do we must remain faithful to God as we are instructed to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer as Jesus did for each one of us. Knowing this is one thing – applying it in our lives is another! But through prayer and a deepening relationship with Jesus who promises never to leave us or forsake us we too can hold on to the eternal hope He has given us.
With love & blessings,
Sandra
Beckenham Baptist Church 