Boldly Standing for Truth Against Opposition

Bereans:

The first persecution of the church, as recorded in Acts 4, has been the subject of my most recent sermons.  That persecution arose from the religious and civic leadership of the Jews (which was the same governing body, the Sanhedrin).  Peter and John were jailed, interrogated, and threatened with punishment if they continued to preach or teach in Jesus' name.  Their response was to do what was right in God's sight, not men's (Acts 4:19-20), which meant that they kept right on preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.

Today, the civic leaders of the western world, and the false, apostate churches are once again threatening the true body of Christ--the remnant--to shut up.  They want no part of Jesus. They want to make themselves in their own image and do as they please.  The true church must be ready to stand with Peter, John, and the early church and say "no" to their lies.  We must keep right on preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.  It is the only name given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

I've been saving these articles for a little while, so they're a couple of months old, but still very relevant.

First is an example of apostate church leaders betraying their own people who try to stand for truth:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/church-leaders-mostly-silent-after-teen-who-opposed-transgender-ideology-suspended-from-catholic-school/ar-AA1a3j51?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=4a191aa0f5794876b4fa7b3377c14b04&ei=55

Next is an example of government actions to silence churches, even in conservative "red" states:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/anti-religious-bigotry-nebraska-dems-bill-would-ban-kids-vacation-bible-school-church-youth-group

Finally, one church is taking a bold step to have all of its members sign a pledge that they support and will uphold the Bible's definition of biblical sexuality.  (I'm not advocating that every church do this. My understanding is that this church had gotten "lax" in its membership requirements over the years, before their current pastor was hired. Their current pastor is Heath Lambert, who is the past Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.  I trust that he and the elders at First Baptist Jacksonville believed this step was necessary to help "separate the sheep from the goats" in the church.)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11699405/Megachurch-orders-members-sign-new-anti-LGBTQ-pledge-adhere-biblical-sexuality.html

Let these articles serve as warnings of the times we face and make us wise regarding the tactics of our enemies.

Grace and peace to you,

J.W.