Sermon Tone Analysis

Hebrews 10:32–39 (NKJV): But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 “For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Verses 37&38 are from Habakkuk 2:3,4

What does it mean to live by faith?

Maybe we have some ideas.

Maybe we don’t!

As American Christians, our faith experience is very different than most people of the world.

In this great country of ours, we have enjoyed protected freedom unlike any country.

we could say we are blessed!

And, we’ve enjoyed this comfortable experience for some time that no one of this generation really comprehends what religious persecution is!

We are so inundated with this cushy existence that we have a difficult time relating to those of the body who are going through terrible ordeals elsewhere in the world!

Many of the early settlers came to these shores to escape religious persecution, and the freedom to worship God.

It didn’t take long for the persecution to follow them.

Within 100 years, the colonies were divided by church states that squelched religious freedom.

Individuals were taxed to pay the ministers salary.

Churches were built and supported by the state.

The State church of Massachusetts was the congregational church.

Independent Christian practitioners were publically flogged on Boston Common.

This persecution eventually resulted in the great awakening, which later spurned the American Revolution.

After the Revolutionary war, our constitution put an end to religious persecution and the governments involvement in the church.

We finally had rest, but I’m afraid that rest has lulled us to sleep!

I.

The True Christian Experience involves persecution.

"… But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations,

A. It has been so from the beginning.

Abel was persecuted by his brother Cain.

Genesis 4:3-7

B. It is expected.

Jesus lifts it up in the Beatitudes.

Peter shows that it’s normal to the Christian Experience.

Perhaps we don't suffer because we disguise our faith.

We blend in with our ungodly surroundings like chameleons in the tress.

We don’t take a stand for Christ because we don’t want to be ostracized by those around us!

Yet the scripture says four times in the Bible, "The just shall live by faith"

Habakkuk 2:4

Romans 1:17

Galatians 3:11

Hebrews 10:39

C.

You can't hide from it.

Many people believe that if they just mind their own business and don’t let anyone know they are a Christian, that they’ll be ok!

Well Jesus said that a light can’t be hidden, and a candle is made to be put on a candlestick not under a basket!

There are also those that think they they have to go around proclaiming to everyone that they are a Christian!

Really, our lived out faith should be evidence enough that we are the children of God.

Do we love people?

Do we help people?

Are we willing to stand up for righteousness?

The question is, if you aren't standing up for righteousness now with such a light affliction, what makes you think you will when the real persecution comes?

But the experience doesn’t stop with our own suffering:

II.

The true Christian experience supports those being persecuted.

Verse 33 says partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated

We find faith in action in the coming along side of those who are suffering and being persecuted.

Why is this important?

Because those who are suffering should never suffer alone!

speaks well to this idea.

So does the Luke 16 in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

There is a comradery in the body.

This is partly what it means to live by faith!

If our Christian experience is one of seclusion and isolation, then we are failing!

If the world and those around us hate us because of our stand for Christ, then rejoice Jesus said, for they hated the prophets before you, and if they hated me they will certainly hate you!

If we are living righteously persecution will come, and we will be stronger for it!

Because fine silver must be purified in the smelting pot, and Gold in the furnace, and a diamond under much time and pressure.

What do you think it will take to make you like Him?

Conclusion:

I am not telling you to invite persecution into your life!

But I am saying that, if you live the normal Christian life, it will be inevitable!

If you believe that all life is sacred and unborn babies need to be protected, you will not be hated!

If you believe the Bible is the word of God, and you cherish it, you will not be hated!

If you believe that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life, you will not be hated!

And for the most part, this is the American Christian experience.

We are not persecuted, but it’s not what you think.

You see, we believe that if we just love people with the love of Christ, we are fulfilling our obligation, and surprisingly, people love us!

We need to love people with the love of Christ.

But if we love Him, we are to keep His commandments.

And so there is a difference about believing the list I just gave you, and believing!

If you believe that all life is sacred and unborn babies need to be protected, you will open your mouth and be hated!

If you believe the Bible is the word of God, and you cherish it, you will use it and be hated!

If you believe that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life, you will tell people and be hated!

Our problem is that, we’ve abdicated our responsibility!