Beginning of Persecution
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Beginning of Persecution
Beginning of Persecution
ILL- John Cao- Broke the law to take the Gospel to neighboring country, Myanmar, working in underprivileged communities.- paid the consequences with his freedom. He has served two of a seven year sentence in Chinese prison. (VOM website has address to prison.)
We are to submit to those in authority over us as long as they don’t ask us to disobey God. But when we obey God over those in authority there are consequences.
Job or government or society- any institution
READ ;
The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
PRAY
Persecution is guaranteed.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
4 Ways to Face Accusers
Be Fearless-
Be Fearless-
knew who had ultimate authority.
vs 19- high priest= Annas
vs. 24- high priest= Caiaphas.
But the ultimate authority was above these powerful men.
Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Bold in his answers.
He wasn’t trying to hide- he was an open book.
He knows what is about to happen yet he speaks with strength and authority.
From a position of victory- not defeat. HOPE
Fear comes from the unknown. Seldom do we fear what we know.
That’s why we fear things in the dark.
ILL- sitting in deer stand before daylight.
Hope= confidence in that which is to come.
Position of victory- not defeat.
Jesus saw past the present circumstances.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
We must be careful who we fear.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Be Truthful (21)
Be Truthful (21)
He was not trying to protect himself.
The reason he asks for witnesses is out of justice- he wanted a just trial.
God is always fighting for justice
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, 25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
Jesus was treated unjustly in order to satisfy our justice.
In Jewish court the trial did not resolve around the defendant but the accusers. It was a time for testimony not to hear from the accused.
He was blameless before God and that was enough for him.
Be Submissive (22-23)
Be Submissive (22-23)
hit by officer- could have struck him dead- called angels to rescue him.
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
We are to submit to government institutions until they ask us to do something contrary to God’s word. Then we obey God while respecting the government.
Roman government was evil. Much worse than ours. Yet Paul commands us to submit.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Be Above Reproach (28-32)
Be Above Reproach (28-32)
His accusers were trying to be but Jesus actually was. (28)
Worried about being unclean while breaking rules to get Jesus killed.
Dishonestly from Jewish Leaders
Weren’t supposed to be using Annas as High Priest. So they left from Caiaphas
They wanted him dead for spiritual reasons- they used “King” charge in order to get Rome to kill him.
Pilot wants to release him but religious leaders threaten civil unrest.
They had to threaten Pilot to get Jesus to be crucified.
We must be the best citizens around.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
CONCLUSION
Iran has been big in news lately. One of the most repressive governments in the world.
During the riots caused by the accidental downing of the commercial jet many Christians were arrested.
Over the last 40 years Iranians have seen Islam for what it truly is.
Iran has world’s fastest growing church. Less than 500 in 1979, today over a million.
God works in the midst of persecution.
It was God’s persecution that made it worth it.
Do you live a life that follows the brave example of Jesus Christ?
Do you live a life that follows the brave example of Jesus Christ?