Growing ( Matthew 16 v 18 )

Let us consider the thought,'  More persecution, more growth',a minister friend of mine used to visit a Christian church in Poland when the communist ruled.The church was alive and earnest in spite of the difficulties,but when the communist lost power, the church appeared to lose power.No one wants to suffer but often suffering is the instrument  by which God will drive it to its knees.Consider how few churches have prayer meetings, or even Bible studies,in our church we have home groups,they are badly attended. Persecution will not destroy Christs church,but it will purify it and I believe enabling it to grow..At a time of great persecution and the Christians were scattered,we read that wherever they went they preached the word. (Acts 8 v 1 / 4 )John Stott writes.'' What is plain is that the devil ( who lurks behind all persecution of the church) over reaches himself. His attacks have the opposite effect to what he intends . Instead of smothering the church, persecution succeeds only in spreading it. As Bengel  comments,'the wind increases the fire'.