{"id":8551,"date":"2019-09-18T19:54:44","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T23:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/?p=8551"},"modified":"2019-09-18T20:04:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-19T00:04:16","slug":"tothepersecutedchurch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/2019\/09\/tothepersecutedchurch\/","title":{"rendered":"To The Persecuted Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

THEME: Unsinkable
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

SERIES: Postcards<\/h2>\n

TITLE: To The Persecuted Church<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11<\/h2>\n

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I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 THE TRADITION OF PERSECUTION \u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Persecution doesn\u2019t (destroy<\/u><\/strong>) the church; it makes it (strong<\/u><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.\u201d John 16:33<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (Turn there)<\/p>\n

The name Smyrna means (myrrh<\/u><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

They are commended for several strengths they exhibit:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n
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    1. \n
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      1. \n
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        1. For their (tribulation<\/u><\/strong>).<\/li>\n
        2. For their (poverty<\/u><\/strong>).<\/li>\n
        3. For their (steadfastness<\/u><\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          II.\u00a0\u00a0 THE TREASURE OF PERSEVERANCE \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:17-18<\/p>\n

          Two principles worth keeping in mind:<\/p>\n