Learning to Stand for Jesus (2)

Have you ever met people who didn’t like you? Most of us have. Most of us have even experienced people who don’t like us that don’t even know us… they identify us with a group.

MAGA … Far Left… Christian…

I believe that we are living in the last of the last days and one of the reason why is the persecution of Christians around the world today. So I want to talk to you today about Standing up for Jesus, and how we can do that.

There are a lot of people who experience hatred and prejudice in our world, but I want you to understand very clearly today that…

Christians are the most persecuted people on earth.

It’s not a racial group… nor is it LGBTQ nor is it any other group. It’s Christians.

The international Society for Human Rights, a secular organization, reported that 80% of all religious freedom violations in the world today are directed towards Christians.

Throughout history the Christian Church, and Christians in particular have been persecuted. For 300 years it was illegal to be a Christian. They were feeding Christians to the lions. Nero would tar them and the light them on fire. So for the first 300 years, it was illegal to be a Christian and persecution still goes on.

But here is what you don’t know. The worst persecution of Christians in all of history is happening in our lifetime. It’s just not being reported. Since the resurrection 2025 years ago, over 70 million Christians have been murdered for their faith. What most people don’t know is that over half that number has died in the last 100 years. There are over 100,000,000 Christians living in dangerous areas right now.

Iraq - before the Gulf War 1.3 million Christians lived there. Now less that 100,000

North Korea - 70,000 Christians in prison just because they are Christians.

Every 10 minutes 2 Christians die somewhere in the world for their faith. Every day… every week… every month and every year. You have never heard that because it doesn’t make the news, but it happens.

So what are we supposed to do?

We need to be informed.

We need to pray.

We need to support missions.

You may be like me and you are thinking how glad you are to be living in the USA where we are not persecuted like Christians in other parts of the world. And you are right … we are not persecuted like people in other countries but we are starting to see some significant oppression and opposition from people in our nation.

In the United States we face mostly “silent Opposition” where we are pressured to be quiet in regards to our beliefs and ethics.

You feel this when the boss pressures you to do something that you know is not right. You don’t want to do it, but there is a pressure to conform.

You feel it when people are telling dirty jokes and you are pressured to kind of go along by listening.

You feel it when you are pressured to go to events or parties that as a Christian, you don’t want to go to.

You will feel pressure to be silent when people are praising moral choices that the Bible says are wrong. They will say things like, What? You don’t think that’s ok? Whats wrong with you? or You’re on the wrong side of history… Times have changed…

Let me correct something. History is very often wrong. Remember Hitler? The NYT actually praised him in the 30’s. I find it almost comical that we have college students and media protesting in support of Hamas and the people in Gaza protesting against Hamas.

It’s not important to be on the right side of history. It’s important to be on the right side… God’s side.

Now if you stand up for the Lord and for godly values, you will be persecuted. Look at 2 Tim 3:12

2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

There is a way that you can escape persecution if you choose to. Just don’t live a godly life. But if you stand for godliness or for the Lord, you will be persecuted.

Why do people Persecute Christians?

Why do people ridicule, harass, put down and even persecute Christians? We will learn these today in our passage.

Matthew 5:10–11 NLT

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Those 2 phrases tell us that

People dislike Christians because of the lives we live.

Jesus said we will be persecuted for doing right. Right now we are living in a time where what God says is right is being said to be wrong and what God says is wrong is right. To live a righteous life means to divide. One of the reasons Christians are persecuted is that our behavior and lifestyles are divisive. We think, speak and act differently than the rest of the world.

Most Christians have higher moral standards and behaviors than the rest of our society, and because of that we stand out like diamonds in a coal mine.

People dislike Christians because of the Lord we follow.

The world hates Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, they love the baby Jesus around Christmas. They hate the Jesus that says I am the way, the truth and life… The world hates Jesus because they are deceived by the god of this world the devil and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

1 John 3:8 NLT

8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

So what are the works of the devil that Jesus came to destroy? Drug trade… porn industry… sex trafficking … alcohol industry … greed… immoral people… people who take advantage of others.

Those people hate Jesus and because we love and live for Jesus, they will hate us. That’s why Paul said 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

If you are a Christian, you need to know that at some point, people will mistreat you just because you identify with Jesus. Being a Christian isn’t for weaklings. It takes courage to stand up and live for the Lord. So here is the question.

How should we respond when we face opposition or persecution from others?

When dealing with opposition, we have some truths to remember.

We need to remember that opposition can make us more like Jesus.

Opposition can make us more like Jesus because Jesus experienced opposition.

John 15:18–19 NLT

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Jesus said that the world hated him and it will hate us. One of our primary purposes in life is to grow to be more like Jesus.

To become more like Jesus, we have to go through what Jesus went through.

Were there times when Jesus was lonely? Yes.  Were there times when Jesus was tempted to be discouraged? Yes.   Were there times he was tired and worn out?  Yes.   Were there times when Jesus was tempted?  Yes.  Were there times he was maligned, criticized and lied about? Yes.

So what makes us think that God would spare us when he didn’t spare his on son from those things? We will go through the same things that Jesus went through. Jesus said that if they persecuted him, they will persecute you and I. Remember, Jesus was hated by many people in His day. He was loved by sinners, but hated by those who didn’t like His goodness. Evil always hates goodness. John 3:19

John 3:19 NLT

19 …God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

That’s still true today. People still love darkness more than light. If Jesus came and walked the earth today, our culture would still crucify him today. We are no different than any previous culture. Why? Because darkness can’t stand the light and evil can’t stand goodness.

So even if we were perfect like Jesus, there are some people who would hate us. Dont’ think that if you were just a little better that people would accept you. Jesus was perfect and many people hated him. You will never get to the point where every one likes you. It just will not happen.

This verse also says that if we face opposition, we are doing something right. You are being like Jesus in that moment. Here is what Peter said about it in 1 Peter 4:14

1 Peter 4:14 NLT

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

When you are criticized for your faith, you should consider that a compliment. Jesus was criticized and attacked, and if we are going to be like Jesus we will experience opposition as well.

We need to remember that opposition can deepen our faith.

Opposition for our faith is like exercise for our muscles. A muscle grows from working out. It has to have opposition to get stronger.

Opposition also strengthens your faith. The strongest believers in the world right now are not living here in America.  They are the ones who faith is being tested… where someone is holding a gun to their head saying  “Renounce Christ and convert to Islam or whatever else they are or die,” which is happening right now in Syria, India, and other countries every single day. That’s where the strongest believers are.

Romans 5:3–5 NLT

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

We need to remember that opposition will bring us eternal rewards.

Matthew 5:11–12 NLT

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Now listen to me. We don’t get rewarded for being rude or like the one attacking us in our culture. We will be rewarded for being like Jesus.

If you live a self-righteous, rude life; when you are persecuted you’re not a martyr, you’re a jerk. Jesus will not reward you for being a jerk. You get rewarded for being like Jesus.

Even when we share our faith, we are to do it with gentleness and respect.

So these are three things we need to remember when harassment comes our way…

It can make me more like Jesus

It can deepen my faith.

I can be rewarded for it in eternity.

When dealing with Opposition, we also have some Principles to live by.

Principles to live by when being persecuted

When dealing with opposition, we should not be surprised by persecution.

1 Peter 4:12 NLT

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

John 15:20 NLT

20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

When dealing with opposition, we should not be anxious about what’s happening.

1 Peter 3:14–15 NLT

14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

These verses teach us that we overcome our worry and fears by focusing on the Lord and trusting in His provision.

Peter said don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Do you ever struggle with fear? Most people do. They are afraid of losing their health, wealth, job, afraid of rejection, ridicule and persecution from others. We can overcome those fears by focusing on the Lord and trusting in His provision.

Here is another verse to think about when we’re facing opposition. Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 NLT

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We overcome our fears by focusing on the Lord and depending on His presence.

As Christians, we will never have to face opposition or persecution alone. God will be with you just like he was with Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Just like he was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

Romans 8:35 NLT

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Romans 8:37 NLT

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

When dealing with opposition, we should not be ashamed of Jesus.

The world wants you to be embarrassed about standing up for Jesus. We should never be embarrassed when standing up for Jesus or the truth.

1 Peter 4:16 NLT

16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Let me ask you.

Is an insult going to kill you? NO.

Is someone calling you a name or labeling you something because you made a stand for Jesus and what the Bible says going to kill you? NO

Is some troll on the internet that’s trying to bait you into an argument or trying to cancel you for standing up for Jesus going to kill you? NO

So Peter said don’t be ashamed.

We don’t need people’s approval to be fulfilled.

You may have been trying to get someone’s approval for years… you probably won’t get it, but you don’t need anyone’s approval in order to be happy. You are as happy as you choose to be when you focus on God instead of the people who disapprove.

If Christians around the world can go through life threatening persecution and be happy, so can I. 1 Pet 5:9

1 Peter 5:9 NLT

9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

When dealing with opposition, we should not be antagonistic towards others.

Ephesians 6:11–12 NLT

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Satan is our enemy, not other people, and he is the one who brings opposition against us.

It’s not other people. It’s not co-workers. It’s not who the president is. It’s not some other nation. It’s not another religion. It’s not some competitor. It’s not some person who doesn’t like you.

The reals source of the pressure you feel to cave in… to not have integrity… the pressure you feel to be quiet and not stand up for the right thing… That pressure is not coming from people, it’s coming from Satan.

Satan hates God so he hates you and anything God creates.

God loves you and has a good plan for your life. Satan hates you and has a bad plan for your life.

Satan hates you. He hates God and he thinks that if he can hurt you, he will hurt God. He does this through other people, but they are not our enemy. The devil is.

2 Timothy 2:23–26 NLT

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Satan knows it’s insane to attack Jesus directly. He has already been defeated in the wilderness, throughout Jesus life on earth and on the cross and in the tomb. So he will attack those who follow Jesus instead of Jesus.

Today he uses media, music, moves, comedy, social media… anything he can use to ridicule people who follow Jesus. People say - they are out of date… they are on the wrong side of history… they are white supremest… That’s why we experience all of the harassment, opposition and persecution we do. We need to understand that hose who oppose us are being hel captive by the devil and …

We must refuse to retaliate when people oppose us.

Paul said in Romans 12:18-19

Romans 12:18–19 NLT

18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

I already said you don’t need the approval of others to be happy. Here is another truth.

Anytime I react, I give control to that person.

And You nor I want to do that. Have you ever said, You make me so mad? You just admitted who is on control instead of you. You have the power to control your emotions.

George Washing Carver said,

I will never allow another person to control my life by making me hate him.

1 Peter 2:23 NLT

23 He (Jesus) did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

When dealing with opposition, we should not refrain from sharing our faith.

Acts 8:1–4 NLT

1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

To light up our world we’ve got to shine bright when the darkness is closing in around us. (Matt 5:16)

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

In Acts 8:1, we learn that Saul witnessed the death of Stephen and then went around persecuting Christians. He was killing Christians. Do you know what happened to Saul?

Persecutor Saul became Preacher Paul

When we live right and continue to share the Gospel, even when we are going through persecution, some of our worst persecutors can be touched by our testimonies and eventually be transformed by the power of the Lord.

When dealing with opposition should live with Joy and Faith. (Matt 5:11)

Matthew 5:11 NLT

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

We can rejoice when we’re experiencing persecution because we know that we’re being like Jesus and that we will experience great rewards in the coming days.

Conclusion

1 Peter 4:19 NLT

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

There are three kids of suffering in the world

1. Common Suffering is experienced by everyone.

It doesn’t matter what religion you are, what neighborhood you are from… Everyone suffers certain things. When a hurricane or tornado comes into town it just doesn’t pick on Christians.  It just doesn’t pick on Buddhists or Hindus or Jews or Muslims.  It picks on everyone. Common Suffering.

John 16:33 NLT

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

As Christians we are to help others as we go through this type of suffering.

2. Carnal suffering is brought on by our own sin.

Our culture doesn’t like this one, but if you go live any kind of way… sexually immoral and get a disease… gamble and lose your money… deal in the drug world and over dose or die… it’s not God’s fault. It’s not someone else’s fault. It’s your fault.

Galatians 6:7 NIV84

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

That’s carnal suffering.

3. Christian suffering occurs when God allows us to go through difficulties to help us become more like Jesus.

The goal of our life is for our character to be like Jesus… not to be comfortable. Comfort is coming in heaven. It’s going to be great.

90 year old couple, married 70 years, died in a car crash – Had been in good health in latter years, primarily due to her interests in health food & exercise “How much is this going to cost?” “It’s free. Everything is free in Heaven.” “Where are the low fat & low cholesterol foods” “Everything’s free in Heaven. You can eat all you want and never gain any weight or get sick” “You & your Bran Muffins.  I could have been here 15 years ago

We’re going to spend forever in Heaven, but this life is not Heaven.  If you keep thinking you’re going to have Heaven on earth, you’re going to be very disappointed. This life is to develo our character and one of the things it takes is trouble.

1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Jesus said,

Matthew 5:43–45 NLT

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

I don’t like those verses. I wish they weren’t in the Bible. What I’d like it to say is, “Stick it to your enemies! Gossip about those who hate you. Give the finger to those who curse you. Write a dirty article on the internet for those who don’t like you. And if somebody slaps you on the cheek, punch them!

But it takes far more courage to love your enemies and pray for them and treat them with kindness.  Anyone can fight back.  Jesus says love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.  Pray for those who hurt you. And if they slap you on the cheek turn the other cheek. Is that easy?  No.  Only by being filled with God’s love.  But it is the most powerful form of witnessing.  When you do that you overcome evil with good.

ILL - Did you ever see that movie, The Butler. It’s about a guy who served six or eight presidents as a butler in the White House. It’s talking about at one point during the civil rights movement in America in the 1960s, there were a group of people from the north who went down and they were called Freedom Riders. They went down to the south to support civil rights and equal rights for everyone and to fight racism.

There’s a scene in that movie where they are teaching the Freedom Riders how to not respond with evil when they’re hit, when they’re spit on, when they’re cursed, when they’re pushed over, when people throw food on them. It’s a very, very powerful scene of nonviolent love

I want to be that kind of person for Jesus. I want to be that courageous. I want to have that brave heart of courage where I will not cave in to what’s wrong no matter how much pain they throw at me. And I will not retaliate but what I will do is respond with love.

 Here’s the amazing thing. If you begin to do these six things at work or with somebody who doesn’t like you, number one, God will be pleased.  God’s going to smile.

Don’t be Astonished by persecution.  Don’t be Anxious about our what’s happening.  Don’t be Ashamed of our Savior.  Don’t be Antagonistic towards others. Don’t Abstain from Sharing our Faith.  Live with Joy and Faith.

Second, you’re going to get blessed.  That’s the eighth beatitude – you’ll be blessed.  And here’s the interesting thing.  Some of those public attackers will become private seekers.  When people attack you and you are courteous and respond with love, they will quietly come back around some day asking, “What’s with you?  How do you do that?  How do you show love?  This is not the normal response I was expecting.” Remember, the worst persecutor of the church became the greatest apostle.

Let me just close with some personal questions.

If they made it illegal to be a Christian in America and they threw everybody who followed Jesus in prison, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would there be enough evidence to convict you if they made it illegal to be a Christian?

Is there any difference in your life?  Or are you just wimping out. Keeping your head down. When people say insulting things about Christians and you’re in that group do you wimp out and say nothing?  Or do you say.  “I see how you can see it that way but that’s not always true.” Do you just wimp out and keep quiet?  

Let me ask you this way: What is your faith costing you?  When your brothers and sisters around the world are sometimes standing at the point of a firing squad for this or being tortured, limbs cut off and all kinds of things… while it’s cost so much to others – their lives.  We’ve had it so easy. What is your freedom costing you?

Let me ask it this way. At what cost would you stay faithful to Christ?  If somebody put a pistol to your head, would you stay faithful to Christ? If you say, yes I would!  Then why are you so  worried about insults?   Why are you so worried about disapproval?   That’s certainly not as harmful as a shot in the head.  

You’re not really ready to live until you know what’s worth dying for. You’ve got to decide, what am I willing to lay it on the line for?  What is more important to me than even life itself?  What is worth dying for? Until you know that, you’re not ready to live.  

Jesus paid a price for you. He says there’s a price to be paid for following him.  Popularity on earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian. It’s not.  But reward in heaven is a guarantee.

It was Jim Elliot who said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose.” You’ve just got to decide what’s more important to you?  Popularity or the smile and blessings of God.

Prayer

Dear Jesus I want to care more about what you think than what other people think of me. I ask you to take away my fear of disapproval. I don’t want to be a weak people pleaser. I want to be a God pleaser. Take away my fear of rejection. And when I feel that urge to be quiet and not speak up, help me to not be afraid, to not be embarrassed, to not be ashamed, to not be shocked, but to, in love, speak the truth.

Help me to care more about your approval than anybody else’s.

Say, “dear God I want to become a brave man of God, or I want to become a brave woman of God. With the courage of my conviction and the integrity of my heart to live for you no matter what.  Thank you for having the courage to die for me. Thank you for accepting me into your family. If you’ve never invited Jesus Christ into your life say, Jesus Christ, come into my heart and life right now and fill me with your love. Replace my fear with your love. I want to follow you from this day forward. In your name I pray.  Amen