The Beatitudes: Witness-Bearing Courage

NewCity Orlando Sermons

Pastor of Formation & Mission Benjamin Kandt resumes our Beatitudes series, focusing on the last beatitude: witness-bearing courage. He shares stories of what persecution may look like for those in hostile cultures, while also challenging listeners that their lack of persecution may not be because the culture isn't hostile to the gospel, but because they've compromised their witness. He invites us to examine ourselves, but to also seek the filling of the Spirit in order to truly bear witness to Jesus with courage and care.
For more on enduring persecution in the global church, you can listen to a powerful podcast episode here.
The acronym that Pastor Ben used in the responsive prayer is CREATE—How to be filled with the Holy Spirit:

• Confess the truth about your fears, sins, weaknesses, and needs (2 Cor. 12.9).
• Receive forgiveness, cleansing, and strength (1 John 1.9).
• Entrust everything to God (Luke 23.46).
• Ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11.13).
• Thank your Father (Matt. 11.25).
• Expect His presence and power (Isa 41:10).

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1. The Beatitudes: Witness-Bearing Courage (00:00:00)

2. Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted (00:00:03)

3. Embodying Christ's Values in Persecution (00:11:58)

4. Compromise vs Fidelity (00:19:11)

5. Becoming Joyful Martyrs (00:23:52)

6. Intimacy and Eschatology in Persecution (00:29:15)

7. Intimacy and Eschatology in Prayer (00:43:59)