WHY? (7)

The First Persecution, Under Nero, A.D. 67

The first persecution of the Church took place in the year 67, under Nero, the sixth emperor of Rome. This monarch reigned for the space of five years, with tolerable credit to himself, but then gave way to the greatest extravagancy of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities. Among other diabolical whims, he ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire, which order was executed by his officers, guards, and servants. While the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macaenas, played upon his harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy, and openly declared that 'he wished the ruin of all things before his death.' Besides the noble pile, called the Circus, many other palaces and houses were consumed; several thousands perished in the flames, were smothered in the smoke, or buried beneath the ruins.

This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.

To their names may be added, Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth; Aristarchus, the Macedonian, and Trophimus, an Ephesians, converted by St. Paul, and fellow-laborer with him, Joseph, commonly called Barsabas, and Ananias, bishop of Damascus; each of the Seventy.

Pastor Rajan is an impoverished day laborer with three children, ages 2, 7 and 13. He also pastors four house churches. During a church service at his father’s house, local members of Hindu nationalist groups burst in and beat him severely. They had him arrested and paid the police to beat him as well. He was eventually released, but he was in such bad shape that he was unconscious for a day and a half. He suffered a few fractured ribs and severe bruising. Pastor Rajan was released from the hospital in June, but he has multiple brain bleeds that cannot be repaired surgically, and the doctors expect him to die.

Ali rejected Islam and had been searching for the one true God since he was 15. A friend provided him with a Bible, and through God’s Word, Ali found what he was looking for: “I don’t know very much about Jesus, but I enjoy His presence every day, and I won’t give Him up for anything in the world!” The Taliban have since identified Ali as a convert, which they consider a crime worthy of death, and have started searching for him. When Ali learned this, he fled. Neighbors told him that shortly after he left, armed Taliban soldiers arrived looking for him. Ali says he has had many opportunities to flee to a safer country but that he will remain because he wants to be a witness to his fellow Afghans. “I believe Jesus is alive and can protect me from all danger and hardships,” Ali said.

The Generation To Come

There are few things as motivating in the Christian life as a seeing a second or third generation Christian who serving God out of pure love.

There are somethings we should realize when we see that… you are not only looking at their desire, but you are also seeing the faithfulness of those who proceeded them.

We should desire to live so that we inspire another generation.

Maria Dyer was born in 1837 on the mission field in China where her parents were pioneer missionaries. Both her parents died when Maria was a little girl, and she was sent back to England to be raised by an uncle. The loss of her parents, however, did not deter her young heart from the importance of sharing the gospel. At age sixteen she, along with her sister, returned to China to work in a girl’s school as a missionary herself. Five years later, she married Hudson Taylor, a man well-known today for his life of ministry, faith, and sacrifice.

Hudson and Maria’s work was often criticized—even by other Christians. At one point Maria wrote, “As to the harsh judgings of the world, or the more painful misunderstandings of Christian brethren, I generally feel that the best plan is to go on with our work and leave God to vindicate our cause.” Of their nine children, only four survived to adulthood. Maria herself died of cholera when she was just forty-three. But she believed the cause was worthy of the sacrifice. On her grave marker these words were inscribed: “For her to live was Christ, and to die was gain.”

In a day when many are self-absorbed and care more about what they can get rather than what they can give, we need a renewal of sacrificial love. It was God’s love for us that sent Jesus into the world to die for our sins, and it is that kind of giving love that our world needs so greatly today. When we love God as we should, our interests fade as we magnify Him.

Me! ME! MEEE!

We live in a culture of “me”. We are encouraged at every turn to worship, serve and please ourselves.

We live in the, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” world, but it doesn’t “stay in Vegas” it ends up on Instagram instead.

This immediate satisfaction society we live in is producing wounds and scars in our lives that will far outlast the pleasure we were seeking.

Galatians 6:8 KJV 1900

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Our flesh is a demanding parasite that will consume our spiritual desires and biblical values if we allow it. Sowing to our flesh reaps corruption.

Our society is and will continue to reap its present corruption the more that it encourages self worship and the Church is following suit.

One of the most obvious examples of corruption is the youth in and out of the Church. Much like the children of Israel who sacrificed their children to Molech. Christians of today have done the same thing. Sacrificing our children on the altar of hedonism and all it entails.

The me-centered movement loves the instant gratification, but is also immediately disappointed and complain about what they are producing.

Future generations of necessity must build on what we have started. They are watching us… examining our motives and actions.

It should be our greatest desire to pass on to the next generation a faithful walk produced by a true love for God.

The Greatest Generation

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”-Ronald Reagan

The same thing can be said of Christianity. A faithful love for Christ which produces a faithful actions and outcomes will not happen by osmosis. We must be intentional about modeling and teaching the next generation our love for the Lord.

Pass What On?

We must everyday choose to live our lives in such a way that we are mentoring the next generation to live out their love for Christ.

What will you have gained if you reach every selfish goal, realize every personal pleasure and gain every financial desire if you have not passed on any eternal value?

Sound Doctrine

1 Corinthians 14:8 KJV 1900

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

We must pass on clear and distinct biblical doctrine rather than dilute the truth to please men.

2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV 1900

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Christian Unity

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

We must pass on that the faith of the gospel takes precedent overall our personal opinions.

Biblical Balance

Proverbs 11:1 KJV 1900

A false balance is abomination to the Lord: But a just weight is his delight.

We must pass on that Christ is the center point of balance in all of life. All other things circulate around Christs position of priority in our lives.

Selfless Service

Titus 1:7 KJV 1900

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

We must pass on a desire to be selfless.. truly humble examples of godliness in the midst of failures, loss, trials, tribulation and shortcomings.

A selfwilled life accomplishes very little and absolutely nothing of value.

Consistency

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We must pass on the duty to “pass on”. We must be soul-winners if we are going to pass on the duty to soul-win. We mus t have a passion and a compassion for souls if we are going to pass on a passion for souls.

A Heart For God

Psalm 57:7 KJV 1900

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

We must pass on that their is more to the Christian life than duty and obedience. We must pass on that duty and obedience flow from a heart fixed on God.

Christian Living

Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We must pass on that a sincere Christian walk and not just bloviated speeches with little action.

Loving Families

1 Timothy 3:4–5 KJV 1900

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Ephesians 5:25 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

God’s desire for every Christian family is that it be a place where love and grace permeate every relationship.

Spiritual Walk

Galatians 5:22–25 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We must pass on that as we walk in the Spirit fruit is produced in our lives.

We cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives only the Holy Spirit can do that.

It is possible to be so self centered you believe you can produce the fruit of the Spirit on your own.

We must die to self in order to be filled with the Spirit.

It Is A Marathon Not A Sprint

Anyone can start a race, but it takes courage, tenacity, and desire to see it through. This idea of living for the next generation is just such a thing. It is easy to be driven by our self will, but to be motivated toward a goal we may never reach or toward a result we may never see takes courage, tenacity and a heart for the Lord.

We Are Being Watched

2 Kings 21:1–2 KJV 1900

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

Hezekiah was so successful people came from all around to see his treasure in Chapter 20, but Manasseh watched Hezekiah be on and off in his obedience and desire to serve God. It had an impact on Manasseh.

It is easy to be driven by money, status, career or personal pleasure, and forget that Manasseh is watching us.

When you are tempted to follow lesser motivations or goals… or to throw in the towel and quit… or fall in to sin remember your Manasseh or someone else’s is watching you.

Your faith will one day be their faith what are you going to pass to them?

What Is My Responsibility?

Ask The Lord To Help You To Be Selfless

We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us to spiritual inventory our heart and dig up any seeds of the flesh we have sown. It is better for us to uproot them than to leave it to the next generation.

Live Biblical Values

We must on purpose live out the values we read in Scripture. We have to quit expecting that our convictions will produce biblical values. Your convictions may help you live out the Biblical values, but they will not produce Biblical values in the next generation. We must pass on our Biblical values and let the Biblical values produces convictions in the next Generation.

Live For the Future

We all go through times of distraction or exhaustion, but we cannot allow these periods of time in our Christian lives become extended seasons. We must remember there is more to life than just today.