An Appointed Persecution Pt. 4
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Introduction
Introduction
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Tonight, we will conclude this section of Scripture and our study on the thought of “An Annointed Persecution”
This will be the fourth message on this theme. We began looking at this a few weeks ago and have seen three points concerning persecution.
The first being, “An Expected Persecution” from verse 12…
The Bible tells us we ought not be surprised when we face persecution for living the Christian life...
Second, we looked at “An Exciting Partnership” from verses 13 and 14...
The Bible tells us we have and exciting and unique partnership with Christ…It says we are partakers of Christs’ sufferings.
Last week, we looked at “An Exception Presented” from verses 15 and 16…There is an exception to persecution, when you’re persecuted, make sure it’s for the right reason.
Suffer for righteousness sake…a child of God should never suffer as a sinner…
Tonight, let’s finish this passage up and look at…
IV-An Early Purging
IV-An Early Purging
One day, as we have already seen, we will give account of our lives to God.
The wise Christian keeps his life judged daily—a short account with God. Judging our lives now will keep us from judgment later.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
If we will discipline ourselves, the Lord will not need to with His hand of correction.\
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
Let’s look at a few things concerning this early purging...
1-A daily preparation for the Christian
1-A daily preparation for the Christian
Notice what verse 17 says...
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV 1900)
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…
This is serious, Peter is referring to judgment coming to the house of God…He’s not speaking of judgment reserved for the unrighteous, but chastening judgment due to corruption within the church.
The modern church is in real danger of facing the chastening judgment of God. We cannot continue to ignore His holy standard, living as we please, and refusing to engage in the work He left us to do without experiencing God’s judgment.
You might argue that it would never happen to us, but I am convinced you would be mistaken.
Consider Moses: he wasn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land because of disobedience.
God judged the sin of David.
Ananias and Sapphira faced the judgment of God for their deception.
Take just a moment to consider how Jesus spoke to 5 of the 7 churches in Revelation. He offered stern warnings of judgment for their sin. What exactly were they guilty of? You will be surprised to discover that every area Jesus addressed among them is prevalent in the church today.
Ephesus—Left their first love.
Pergamos—Embraced false doctrine.
Thyatira—Guilty of unchallenged immorality; an “anything goes” mentality.
Sardis—Guilty of apathy and complacence.
Laodicea—The lukewarm church.
You might say, preacher, what do we do about this?!
The solution is that there must be a daily preparation for the Christian!
Part of our daily routine ought to be our time with God when His Word can speak to our hearts, convict us, and we make matters right with Him.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Remember, we are God’s vessels through which He wants to accomplish His work. He needs those conduits to stay clean and useable.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
We must have a daily preparation as a Christian...
2-A devastating punishment for the condemned
2-A devastating punishment for the condemned
1 Peter 4:17–18 (KJV 1900)
17 …and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Peter speaks of those who have chosen to reject the Gospel; they are described as ungodly and sinners. There is no concern in their hearts for the holiness of God or their accountability to His righteous standard. They have heard the good news of the Gospel, but have chosen to deny it. They surely have experienced the conviction of the Spirit, but chose a path of rebellion and sin.
What a sad thing that forgiveness is available to all, but those who refuse are forever lost.
Leonard Ravenhill said, “Isn’t it amazing that God gives breath to a man who is going to blaspheme Him all day?”
That shows God’s mercy and while there is still time in this day of grace, men everywhere can be saved! But if they continue rejecting Him, they will ultimately end up in Hell.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
As we consider the sincerity of these words we ought to be moved with compassion toward those who are without Christ.
We ought to love them as He loved them, doing all we can to reach them before it is eternally too late.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Aren’t you glad someone loved you enough to share the Gospel with you?
Aren’t you glad for the relationship you have with Christ and the provision it affords?
Consider those around us who do not enjoy such a relationship, those who do not have the assurance of salvation!
So, we see here that there should be a daily preparation as a Christian, there is a devastating punishment for the condemned, then lastly, we see there is...
3-A divine protection for the committed
3-A divine protection for the committed
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
If in fact we face God’s judgment, it won’t be enjoyable, but there is a measure of consolation for the believer.
The saved have been bought with a price. We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. He loved us enough to die for us and He is more than able to keep us. Times may get hard, and they likely will. I believe that perilous times will come; in fact, we appear to be in the midst of them now. It will likely get more difficult to maintain our witness for Christ apart from persecution.
If America doesn’t soon turn to God, we will likely experience His judgment in ways our land has never known.
That may very well be a reality in our lifetime, but even if it comes we can trust in the Lord. We must look to Him for strength, wisdom, and comfort. He did not pay such a high price to abandon us in the midst of the journey!
We should be thankful every day that we are His and nothing can change that relationship. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Many valiant Christians took their stand for Christ against the Romanist church back in the sixteenth century. One such man was DeKlerk who took his stand for Christ and salvation through simple faith. In July of 1525, he was led to the stake to be burned. There he was made to sit on sharp nails and afterward was bound with iron chains.
Some of the people cried to him to renounce his faith, but he refused saying, “I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for me.”
When the executioner, with his red-hot tongs, wanted to pull off his nose, DeKlerk, looking in a different direction, involuntarily turned his head away from the heat of the iron. By this movement, his lips were burned off to the teeth. Then when he understood what they wanted to do, he bore the cruel mutilation of his nose being removed without uttering a cry of pain.
The executioner then drew three circles around his head with the burning iron as a punishment for having damaged the crown on an image of Mary. His right hand was then torn off, and the fire was lit.
In the midst of the smoke and flames, his face shone like that of an angel. As the wood was crackling about him and as flames licked over his body, the dying man cried out,
“Their idols are silver and gold, the works of men’s hands. They that make them are like unto them, and so is everyone that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord, who is thy help and thy shield.” And thus, he died.
If that kind of persecution came today, would we have any Christians like that?