Government Persecution
-
Upload
justin-imel -
Category
Spiritual
-
view
585 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Government Persecution
Jesus promised persecution roughly two millennia ago. ◦ “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not
greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20).
◦ “The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (Jn 16:2).
Paul: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12).
We cannot put trust in government. ◦ Daniel.
◦ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Yet, Paul appealed to rights. ◦ He appealed to his rights to keep from being beaten (Acts
22:22-29).
◦ He appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:1-12).
God reigns in majesty!
Because “God reigns in majesty,” His people can thrive regardless of the environment. ◦ Examples:
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Church began with only 120 people.
Paul preached among idols in Athens.
◦ While we might be troubled about current moral decline, God’s people can thrive in a pagan environment.
Because “God reigns in majesty,” His church grows under persecution. ◦ Paraphrase Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of
the church.”
◦ Justin: “However much such things [persecutions] happen, by so much more many more persons become believers and worshippers through the name of Jesus. It is like someone who cuts off the fruit-bearing parts of a vine with the result that other parts shoot up and produce flourishing and fruitful branches; the same is true with us. For the vine planted by God and Christ the Savior is his people.”
Scripture confirms that truth. ◦ Acts 4:1-4.
◦ Acts 8:1-4.
Because “God reigns in majesty,” His people do not retaliate when they are persecuted.
Why did the early church grow in the midst of persecution?
Three reasons
One: The early Christians would share the truth with their captors and fellow prisons. ◦ Phil 1:12-14.
◦ “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household” (Phil 4:22).
◦ “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains” (Philem 10).
Two: The early Christians never retaliated. ◦ Not a single example in the first two centuries of Christians
retaliating.
◦ Thus, they demonstrated how radically different the way of Jesus is.
Three: The early Christians preached in times of persecution. ◦ When Paul was cast into prison, others began preaching (Phil
1:15-18).
◦ The gospel left Jerusalem because of persecution (Acts 8:1-4).
We must not retaliate for evil. ◦ Matt 5:38-42.
◦ Rom 12:17-21.
Because “God reigns in majesty,” His people are separated from the chaff in times of persecution. ◦ Mk 4:16-17.
◦ Matt 13:24-30.
Because “God reigns in majesty,” God shall have the final victory. ◦ That is the message of Revelation.
The book begins with John’s persecution and ends with a vision of the church victorious.
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Rev 17:14).
Because God will have the final victory, He executes judgment upon those who persecute His people. ◦ “It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those
who trouble you” (2 Thess 1:6).
◦ “Rejoice over her [Babylon the Great], O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” (Rev 18:20).
Because “God reigns in majesty,” God shall always have a remnant. ◦ Since the Day of Pentecost, the Lord’s church has always been
in existence.
◦ There has always been a faithful remnant.
Dan 2:44.
“I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Ki 19:18).
“At this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Rom 11:5).
God reigns in majesty!
One: We start with prayer. ◦ If we are persecuted, we must pray.
Daniel.
Jesus. ◦ “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44,
ESV).
Jesus prayed for His enemies at the cross (Lk 23:34).
Stephen prayed that same prayer (Acts 7:60).
◦ “Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matt 24:20).
◦ “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt 26:39).
◦ Early church prayed in persecution (Acts 4:24-31).
We still do right. ◦ Many throughout the centuries have needed to go underground
to avoid martyrdom.
Nothing wrong in seeking to preserve life & property.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt 10:16).
We cannot change truth for anyone. ◦ We must speak truth.
Acts 18:9-10.
Eph 6:18-20.
◦ We must practice truth.
The church is not a democracy; Jesus is King!
“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Obedience to Jesus is not optional. ◦ Matt 7:21.
◦ Matt 7:24-25.
Are you obeying the Lord?