https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/DealingWithHostility.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: Acts 16:16-40<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. You know you ought to say something, but you also know it isn’t going to go over well.<\/p>\n
A. They just won’t understand, so they will turn on you – I Peter 4:4<\/p>\n
B. They are going to hate you for standing for righteousness – Psalms 69:4<\/p>\n C. Instead of listening to reason, they’re going to mock you. They are going to chew\nyou up and spit you out – Psalms 35:15-17\n D. You’ll become a target. People will watch your every move, just waiting for you\nto slip up so they can pounce – Jeremiah 20:10\n
II. So how do you react to personal attacks?<\/p>\n
A. Do you avoid conflict? Do you shrink away and cower in a corner?<\/p>\n
B. Focus on God – Psalms 57:4-5<\/p>\n
1. Know where you stand with God<\/p>\n a. Psalms 119:163-165 – When you love God’s law, nothing can\ncause you to stumble\n
b. Not like Matthew 13:20-21. We need roots!<\/p>\n c. John 10:27-29 – Because of obedience, nothing external can shake\nus\n 2. This isn’t about you. This is a war between evil and good. You just happen\nto be in the line of fire.\n
C. Be steadfast – Psalms 57:6-7<\/p>\n
1. Immovable – I Corinthians 15:58<\/p>\n
2. Like a tree planted by waters – Psalms 1:2-5<\/p>\n
3. It isn’t about your strength but God’s strength – Jeremiah 17:7-8<\/p>\n
D. See the need of those attacking you<\/p>\n
1. The example of Jesus – Hebrews 12:1-3<\/p>\n 2. When Moses was attacked by his own family, he prayed for them –\nNumbers 12:1-3, 10-13\n
3. Knowing the terror of the Lord – II Corinthians 5:10-11<\/p>\n
III. Do not be afraid<\/p>\n
A. The Lord is on my side – Psalms 118:5-17<\/p>\n
B. The only one deserving fear is God – Luke 12:4-5<\/p>\n
1. But we have no fear of Him – Hebrews 13:5-6<\/p>\n C. When Paul and Silas were released from prison, they did not act as men put to\nshame – Acts 16:35-39\n
D. When Jesus was injustly slapped – John 18:19-23<\/p>\n
E. We need to be aware that we represent God and righteousness<\/p>\n
1. Jeremiah 1:16-19 – Do not be dismayed<\/p>\n
2. Ezekiel 2:3-7 – Do not be afraid of them or their words<\/p>\n
F. God doesn’t want timid followers – I Timothy 1:7-8<\/p>\n
IV. Do not strike back<\/p>\n
A. Turn the other cheek – Matthew 5:38-41<\/p>\n 1. The offering of the other cheek isn’t out of timidness, but boldly showing\nthat you were not intimidated\n
2. And it shows that you are choosing not to strike back<\/p>\n B. Live at peace, if possible. When it isn’t possible, don’t avenge yourself – Romans\n12:17-21\n
C. God will take care of wrong doers – Proverbs 20:22<\/p>\n
D. Our job is to do good – I Thessalonians 5:15<\/p>\n
V. I’m not ashamed<\/p>\n
A. Not ashamed of the Gospel – Romans 1:16<\/p>\n
B. Not ashamed to suffer – II Timothy 1:12<\/p>\n
C. Instead glorify God – I Peter 4:16<\/p>\n
D. And when he comes, we will have confidence – I John 2:28<\/p>\n
\n
Song: I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 16:16-40 I. You know you ought to say something, but you also know it isn’t going to go over well. A. They just won’t understand, so they will turn on you – I Peter 4:4 B. They are going to hate you for standing for righteousness – Psalms 69:4 C. Instead of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[250,352,720],"class_list":["post-62187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-confidence","tag-fear","tag-vengeance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40897,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/its-going-to-be-ok\/","url_meta":{"origin":62187,"position":0},"title":"It’s Going to Be OK","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Raymond Warfel","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":21159,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-gods-will-for-me-part-5-dealing-with-uncertainty\/","url_meta":{"origin":62187,"position":1},"title":"What is God\u2019s Will for Me? 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Hamilton Where Did You Come From? Why Are You Here? Where Are You Going?","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/contemplation-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":69805,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/understanding-christs-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":62187,"position":3},"title":"Understanding Christ’s Church","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 14, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by David Bunting September 26-29, 2026 Thursday (September 26) to Saturday (September 28) at 7 pm Sunday (September 29)\u00a0 at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 5:00 pm The Biblical Meaning of Church A Biblical View of the Local and Universal Church The Purpose of the Universal Church The Purpose of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":95157,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/know-thy-brother\/","url_meta":{"origin":62187,"position":4},"title":"Know Thy Brother","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Garry Floyd Download Audio","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28964,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-meaning-of-life-where-are-you-going\/","url_meta":{"origin":62187,"position":5},"title":"The Meaning of Life: Where Are You Going?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Having a goal in mind gives direction to the choices that you must make. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The meaning of life is more than what you are doing with your life right now. 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