X, 15-18. And they (of Nazareth) were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. Matthew xiii, 55-57. (R.v.) 15. He is despised and rejected of men. 16. I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me. 17. Isaiah lxiii, 3. (a.v.) Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 18. John xv, 20. (R.V.) Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them which shewed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers. Acts vii, 52. (R.V.) 19. X, 19-22. Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 20. Luke xvii, 33. (R.V.) Neither did we eat bread for nought at any man's hand, but in labour and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us. II Thessalonians iii, 8, 9. (R.V.) 21. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. And if also a man contend in the games he is not crowned except he have contended lawfully. II Timothy ii, 3, 4, 5. (R.v.) 22. Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew x, 22. (R.V.) X, 23-26. 23. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew v, 10, 11, 12. (A.v.) 24. Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end. 25. I Peter i, 13. (a.v.) Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand. Ephesians vi, 11. (R.V.) The Leader's Duties. 26. Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off. I Kings xx, 11. (R.V.) 27. X, 27-28. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Let Romans xii, 6-9. (R.V.) 28. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth a prize? Even so run, that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the games is temperate in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, as not uncertainly: so fight I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any X, 29-31. means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. I Corinthians ix, 24-27. (R.V.) 29. The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. . . . By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew xii, 35, 37. (R.v.) 30. Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. I Corinthians iv, 2. (R.V.) 31. Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by welldoing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloke of wickedness, but as bond-servants of God. I Peter ii, 13-16. (R.V.) |