Sent: International Day of Prayer

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What is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians?

The International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians is a special time set aside as a global prayer meeting on behalf of persecuted Christians who stand as bold witnesses to Christ in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. The earnest prayers of the global body of believers testify to the unity found only in Christ. May God inspire us as we enter into fellowship with our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters.

John 20:19-21

John 20:19–21 CSB

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

Jesus can and stood among them

Jesus came because the Father willed it. God’s priority is to restore fellowship with humanity.

Jesus who is God (John 1:1–3; John 10:30; John 17:21), is also the unique son of God (Mark 1:1; John 3:16). Jesus The Messiah (Matthew 16:16; Luke 4:16–21).

Jesus the Christ came and gave his life so that He may conquer in and death. SO that we may have life. Life now and eternal.

He Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10).

Jesus became flesh and lived among humanity (John 1:14). Jesus: 100% God and 100% man. Scripture teaches that Jesus is fully God (John 20:28; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). Scripture teaches that Jesus is fully human (Romans 1:2–4; 1 John 4:2–3; Luke 19:41; John 19:28).

The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) affirmed that Christ is “the same perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity, the same truly God and truly man.”

What a mighty and unique God we serve

Amen

“Jesus … said to them, ‘Peace be with you’”

Do you remember when we read Romans 5? You may, you may not.

Romans 5:1 CSB

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not at war with God. We have been justified. made right with God. We have been forgiven from the sins and are free from the wrath, the Judgement of God. Through Jesus Christ.

We have peace with God.

Not a peace taken and controlled by force as so many of our own worldly ideas of peace are, but one from the place of sacrifice.

Those who are not yet in relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ are living lives of turmoil. They are not at peace with God. Paul describes a person who is not part of the family of God as the following: they are not righteous, their throat is an open grave, their tongues deceive, their feet are quick to shed blood, their paths are ruin and misery, the fear of God is not in their eyes, and the way of peace they have not known (Romans 3:9–18). Yet, while we were still sinners, God sent the message of peace in the person of Christ Jesus.

The Price of Being Sent: As the Father has sent me

In a world that desperately needs the peace of God, we might think the message of peace would be welcome. However, Christ paid a great price for being the One sent as the living embodiment of peace. Christ’s ambassadors advancing his eternal kingdom will be received similarly. Peter wrote:

1 Peter 2:21 LEB

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Jesus paid the price of leaving heaven to come to earth (Philippians 2:5–12).

Jesus paid the price of hate (John 15:18).

Jesus paid the price of ridicule (Luke 16:14).

Jesus paid the price by bearing our sin through death on a cross (Hebrews 13:4–5).

Edgar and Isabella lead a church in Buenaventura, considered to be the most dangerous city in Colombia. The couple ministers by caring for the needs of the community, which has drawn negative attention from the guerrillas who control the area. Through Edgar and Isabella’s ministry, many have placed their faith in Christ, and lives have been transformed, which has brought further opposition. Their lives have been threatened, and they have been forced to move several times, but they remain committed to sharing the hope of Christ. Earlier this year, Isabella was held at gunpoint by her brother-in-law, a guerrilla commander, while Edgar was trapped and unable to help her. Though her brother-in-law was initially arrested, officials released him. He has threatened Isabella again, and she and her children have not been able to leave their house since his release. She and the children have also suffered significant chronic health issues.

Each of us can be inspired by the faithful witness of our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters, like Edgar and Isabella, to count the cost of our own bold witness.

“It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists’] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.” —Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ

The Power of Being Sent: Even so I am Sending You

It was no surprise to God that his one and only Son would be rejected, ridiculed, hated and killed. Sharing the message of “peace with God” and the mission of redemption demands accepting that same risk.

How are biblical disciples, like the Martinez family and Edgar and Isabella, able to fulfill the calling of God as they are sent by God to advance the gospel while facing extreme opposition?

Biblical disciples are not sent in our own power, but in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Biblical disciples are not sent with our own words (Luke 12:11–12).

Biblical disciples are not sent with a human plan (Matthew 28:18–20).

Our knowledge of God’s missionary command demands our obedience. Our obedience to say “yes” to the direction of God for our witness is not dependent upon some type of superior knowledge. Rather, our obedience is fueled by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as we walk obediently into the mission field before us.

May we each hear God clearly and have feet that are quick to obey — at any cost.

Next Steps

When you think about persecuted Christians, do you picture the faces of families that are just like yours?

Those serving on the frontlines of gospel advance, like David and Gloria Martinez in the film, willingly place their family in danger in order to share Christ.

Human beings evaluate and either accept or reject risk every day. When storms are approaching, we evaluate and either accept or reject the risk associated with going outside. When investing in a business venture, we evaluate and either accept or reject the risk associated with potentially losing funds.

What goes through your own mind as you evaluate what an acceptable risk might be?

How important is it for those who do not know Christ or who have never heard of Christ to be able to hear the gospel in a way they can understand and accept?

What risk is acceptable in order to join God in his redemptive mission to those who have not yet believed in Christ?

As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Where is He sending you?

Closing Prayer:

Pray for front-line workers in Colombia’s red zones and for the opportunity of personal surrender to being sent wherever God leads.

Bibliography

vom.org/IDOP

Questions for Further Discussion

What is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians and why is it significant for believers around the world?

According to the sermon, what is the price that Christ paid for being sent as the living embodiment of peace?

How are biblical disciples, like the Martinez family and Edgar and Isabella, able to fulfill the calling of God as they are sent by God to advance the gospel while facing extreme opposition?

In what way does the sermon emphasize the importance of obedience to God's missionary command for believers?

Why is it important for those who do not know Christ or who have never heard of Christ to be able to hear the gospel in a way they can understand and accept?

How can the faithful witness of persecuted Christians, like Edgar and Isabella, inspire us to count the cost of our own bold witness for Christ in our lives?

Reflecting on the sermon, in what ways can believers today follow in the steps of Christ when it comes to being sent to advance the gospel message, even in the face of opposition?

What does it mean for biblical disciples to be sent in the power of the Holy Spirit, according to the sermon?

How can believers ensure that their obedience to God's missionary command is fueled by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in the sermon?

As mentioned in the sermon, what risks are acceptable for believers to take in order to join God in His redemptive mission to those who have not yet believed in Christ?

Reflecting on the sermon, how can believers discern where God is sending them in terms of sharing the gospel and fulfilling their mission in the world today?

How can the story of persecuted Christians like David and Gloria Martinez encourage us to evaluate and accept risks for the sake of spreading the message of Christ in our own lives?

In your own context, what practical steps can you take to be more willing to accept risks in order to faithfully share the gospel and be sent wherever God leads you, as discussed in the sermon?