Sheep Among Wolves

Introduction

There are many prosperity preachers that would say that if you face persecution then you do not have faith. But this simply isn’t true

Watch Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGqEgxkF7I8

This Video is the reality for many Christians around the world. They are in places where they have to fear what might happen to them

We have to remember how good we have it

I think this is something that really humbles and convicts me because I take for granted what I have.

Richard Wurmbrand

Born in 1909 in Romania, raised in a Jewish atheist family.

Converted to Christ in 1938 after reading the Bible given by a Christian couple.

Became a pastor and evangelist, boldly preaching and smuggling Bibles under Communist oppression.

Arrested in 1948 by the Communist regime for openly preaching Christ.

Spent 14 years in prison, including 3 years in solitary confinement.

Endured torture, beatings, and brainwashing, yet secretly ministered to prisoners and even witnessed to guards.

Released in 1964, later ransomed out of Romania for $10,000.

In 1965, testified before the U.S. Senate, showing torture scars to expose Communist persecution.

Founded Voice of the Martyrs (1967) with his wife Sabina to support persecuted Christians worldwide.

Wrote Tortured for Christ (1967), inspiring believers globally to stand for Jesus.

His ministry continues through Voice of the Martyrs, serving persecuted believers in more than 70 nations today.

A question I really started to ask myself was “Will I die for Christ?” and “Will I be tortured for Christ?”

You might also ask why this is important to us for us to know this.

Hebrews 13:3 NIV

3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Context

In this passage Jesus is sending out the 12 apostles to do ministry

In this he is informing them about many things that they will encounter both now and after he has gone

Matthew 10:16–21 NIV

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

Matthew 10:22–26 NIV

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Body

Persecution Will Come But Jesus Will Prepare Us

Matthew 10:16 NIV

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

We see here in this passage that Christ is informing his disciples that persecution will come. He doesn’t say that it might come he says that it will come.

Matthew 10:24 NIV

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.

And as we know all of the disciples but John died because of the gospel that they were carrying.

But even with this Christ prepared them for this. He warned them that this was going to happen.

Christ said to be shrewd as snakes but to be as innocent as doves.

This shows us that there will be persecution that will come our way as well.

We have to be graceful in this persecution but still use wisdom

Matthew 10:23 NIV

23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.

Examples

Times when people at school might bully you or leave you out

You might not get the promotion or opportunity that you wanted

Types of Persecution

As Jesus continues to talk about how to prepare for these persecutions he goes into three different types of persecution

Matthew 10:17 NIV

17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.

Religious Persecution

there will be people in many religious groups that persecute against the church

We see this in India, the middle east, and many other places

Matthew 10:18–19 NIV

18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,

Government Persecution

We also see that there will be persecution from many governments

This can look like many different things from not getting permeants to being killed

Matthew 10:21 NIV

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

Family Persecution

We see here that Jesus is warning them that even brothers and fathers will turn on each other

That there will be persecution from family which we have seen in many places

So with this we have to pray against these three types of persecution.

We have to pray that the church will stand strong and that we pray against religious, governmental, and family persecution

Christ Still Saves

Matthew 10:22 NIV

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

This shows us that what really matters is that we stay faithful in Christ

Our body and possessions might be destroyed but we have Christ

Conclusion

Persecution Will Come But Jesus Will Prepare Us

What do you think about the video that we watched?

Why do you think it is important that we know about persecution that goes on around the world?

Why do you think Jesus warned us about persecution?

What are some examples of persecution that you might face?