Faith & Reason Nexus

• Persecution
• Matthew 13:20-21 – Persecution causes some to fall away.
• Acts 4:15-18 – The early church faced opposition from authorities.
• Acts 5:40 – Apostles were persecuted for preaching the Gospel.
• Acts 8:1 – The church scattered due to intense persecution.
• The World
• Matthew 13:22 – The cares of the world choke spiritual growth.
• 1 John 2:15-17 – Love for the world opposes God’s will.
• 2 Timothy 4:20 – Demas deserted Paul, drawn by worldly attractions.
• Mammon
• Revelation 3:17 – Material wealth can lead to spiritual complacency.
• Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve both God and money.
• Matthew 13:22 – The deceitfulness of riches chokes God’s word.
• 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – Love of money is the root of all evil.
• Division
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – Paul warned against divisions in the church.
• Matthew 12:25 – A divided house cannot stand.
• John 17:20-21 – Jesus prayed for unity among believers.
• False Doctrine
• Revelation 3:17 – False self-sufficiency leads to spiritual blindness.
• Matthew 6:24 – Serving God requires rejecting false teachings.
• Matthew 13:22 – False doctrine causes spiritual harm.
• 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – False teachings can lead to destruction.
• Discord
• Acts 15 – The church faced discord due to disagreements.
• James 3:14-16 – Discord arises from bitter envy and selfish ambition.
• False Brethren
• 2 Corinthians 11:26 – False brethren cause trouble in the church.
• Galatians 2:4 – False brethren seek to bring believers into bondage.
• Lukewarmness
• Revelation 3:15-16 – God rejects those who are lukewarm in their faith.
• Amos 6:1 – Woe to those who are complacent and indifferent to God’s work.

These things can hinder the growth and strength of the church.