Acts: The Mission and Movement of God - The Providence of Persecution

Introduction

Good morning - if you do not know me, I am Matt Prine, one of the elder pastors here at RCB.

If you are new with us, I want to thank you for being here, and our prayer is that the Lord would speak to your heart and transform your life today.

This week, we are back in the book of Acts - and we are coming off of chapter 7 two weeks ago, which was a brutal one.

The newly appointed deacon, Stephen, preaches this unbelievable sermon about Jesus and the crowd’s response is to extinguish his life brutally.

Side note - I love that we are in this passage right as we are about to add some new deacons at RCB…

This dude’s first act in office of deacon was to be martyred - who’s in?!

Great recruitment strategy, huh?

That said, this is what we want potential deacons to be thinking about - being willing to face danger and lay themselves down in sacrificial love for the church driven by their deep faith in Christ.

So Stephen is executed and the text tells us that a man named Saul, was there, overseeing and directing this execution.

And Pastor Jonathan made this statement in his sermon two weeks ago:

“Stephen was sowing a seed in the heart of his accusers. It was a seed that ultimately came to full bloom in the heart and life of Saul that would reap a harvest greater than anything Stephen could have ever imagined.”

Today, we are going to dive into Acts 8, and what we will see is that the seed that Stephen sowed was not just in the heart of Saul, but in the hearts of MANY who would bring life, hope and peace to a lost and dying world

In a crazy divine paradox, peace was being ushered in through pain and persecution.

Prayer

Before we get going, I want to take a moment to pray…

First, I want you to pray for yourself.

Ask Him to speak to you and open your heart to HIS word

Ask Him to change you to look more like Jesus.

Now, Please pray for me.

Ask that the Lord would speak through me.

Ask the Lord to get me out of the way so that Jesus would be exalted above all!

Close the prayer.

Opening Illustration

William Tyndale

This past week, the world remembered William Tyndale who died on Oct. 6th 1536.

He is the one who first translated the Bible into English so that the common person would be able to read God’s Word for themselves.

He was betrayed by a man who posed as his friend, only to turn him over to authorities.

He was tried and convicted of heresy.

He was then bound to a cross, strangled, and burned at the stake.

Latimer and Ridley - the Oxford Martyrs

This upcoming week, on Oct. 16th, we will remember the story of Hugh Latimer and Nicolas Ridley.

On Oct. 16th, 1555, After a fifteen-minute sermon urging them to repent, they were chained to the stake and a bag of gunpowder was hung around each man’s neck and they were set on fire.

It is reported that Latimer uttered these words to Ridley just before the fire was set: “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as shall never be put out.”

For a moment, I want you to put yourself in these guys shoes.

What would your attitude be as you stood face to face with death?

What would you be feeling as you were being killed because of your faith in Christ?

It is uncomfortable to think that God would intend for His children to endure persecution, pain, or suffering.

As we dive into today’s text, we are going to have to wrestle with this thought

My hope is that you would ask yourself this question:

What role is the Lord wanting my own persecution, or pain, or suffering to play in my life?

The reality is that we will likely not be burned at the stake - but what I can promise is that pain, suffering, loss, and yes, perhaps even persecution from others will happen.

How will we respond when that day comes?

Message

Remember, Stephen has just been killed, and as he was dying, he cried out for forgiveness for his murderers - and that is where we are picking up the text in Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1–2 ESV

1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

Stephen’s murder led to further violence against the church - and was the beginning of a systematic persecution of the church.

The goal was to extinguish Christianity before it was able to gain too much traction.

Christians responded by scattering - getting out of town, removing themselves from the reach of Saul and those hoping to end them.

The problem for Saul was that when the Christians scattered, it was doing exactly what the Lord had planned.

Point 1: Persecution is meant to scatter the Church, not crush it (v. 1-2)

I want to make the point that Persecution is a tool that the enemy uses to try and destroy the church.

That said, The Lord, in His sovereignty can use that persecution to bring about His will.

A great example of this was in Genesis 50, when Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers - he uttered these words to them “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

While persecution was meant to crush the church, the Lord used it for His purposes.

That being said, look at the wording again at the end of v. 1...

“and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria...”

Does this remind you of anything?

It should! Acts 8:1 should remind you of Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus’ command was to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth - which is now being played out here - plain as day.

As Persecution rains down on the Church, the believers are scattered to the exact places Jesus said they would serve as witnesses: Judea and Samaria.

Acts 1:8 carries this incredible divine mandate to go and be His witnesses, but we need to remember that the means by which we get there can be uncomfortable.

Often, witnesses of Jesus go through the fire of persecution before they get to the proclamation of peace

But the goal is always the same - scatter the church!

Here’s the application for us…

Jesus says “You WILL be my witnesses…”

This calling is for RCB as a whole

But this is also the call upon the lives of every Christ-follower.

Christian, you are not called to simply sit here and soak in everything on a Sunday morning and then go about your merry way until next week

You are called to scatter out from this place and be gospel outposts.

The Lord will use whatever means necessary to get you where He wants to take you - including persecution.

There is reason for encouragement!!

No matter how bad persecution gets, the Church will remain - and thrive!

How do I know this?

First, currently, 1 in 8 of the worlds Christians is living in an area where Christianity is highly persecuted.

The church is not only surviving in these areas, in many cases it is experiencing unprecedented growth.

Second, Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 - “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt 16:18

Thankfully, the church is not dependent on human means to survive and to grow.

Persecution is meant to scatter the church, not crush it.

Acts 8:3–5 ESV

3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

When it says that Paul was ravaging the church, think “Brutal and sadistic cruelty” as John Stott would put it.

Paul was so committed to finding Christians to persecute that he enacted a door to door approach to root them out, wherever they were.

It did not matter - men or women, he dragged them to prison.

In Paul’s own words in Galatians 1:13 - he persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.

This was a man who was unafraid of shedding Christians’ blood and had the endorsement of the ruling religious class and the Roman government to do so.

The response to Paul’s show of force is quite astounding…

The people went about preaching the Word

Philip went to Samaria to proclaim to them the Christ.

The very thing that was bringing down the persecution upon these early believer’s heads was the very thing that they refused to quit doing...

Spreading the gospel message.

Johann Brengle, a theologian in the 1700’s commented on Acts 8:4 saying that the “wind increases the flame.”

Point 2: Persecution reveals true faith and unleashes Christian witness (v. 3-5)

In the early 1940s, we were in the heat of World War II.

We had been bombed at Pearl Harbor, Dec 7 of 1941 and that thrust us into the heat of the war.

thousands and thousands of Men were being drafted to the war effort and shipped off to fight the Nazis.

If you were to guess, what would you say was the biggest fear that most young teenaged boys faced at this time?

It was that the war would be over before they were old enough to fight!

They lied about their age and many even had their parents corroborate their lie so that they could enlist.

Why???

The attack on Pearl Harbor did something in the hearts of Americans.

It emboldened them to stand up and fight for the nation that they so dearly loved because they believed in it… and it cost many of them, their lives.

In a much deeper sense, this is what happened in the hearts of these early Christ-followers.

Their lives had been radically transformed by Christ and with that came a faith that could not be rocked by the things of this world.

Think about this - they were facing a high likelihood of being captured and killed for what they believed, and instead of renouncing their faith or ceasing to share the gospel, they did the opposite…

The wind increased the flame

A Powerful apologetic

These Believer’s persistence in their faith in the face of death serves as a powerful apologetic for the gospel.

Maybe you are here and you have big questions for all of this Bible stuff

Maybe you doubt it could be true, but let me unpack something for you here.

The events of Acts 8 were within just a couple of years of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Up until this point, we see literally thousands of people turn from Judaism to follow Jesus.

Now, in Acts 8, they are being hunted like animals and exterminated, yet they still persisted in clinging to their faith and sharing it with those around them.

If this was all a manufactured lie - that Jesus did not rise from the dead, then this type of movement would not have been possible.

First off, it would have been easy to prove it wrong - just go ask some of these 500+ people who they claimed saw Him.

Paul later testified that there were literally hundreds of eye witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection that corroborated the truth.

Second, who would be willing to die to perpetuate a hoax?

Stephen was the first to die for this - and many would follow in his footsteps, including many of the disciples who walked with Jesus from the beginning.

These people gave up their lives and were subjected to incredible persecution, and they endured it because it was all true!

The persecution that the early church endured revealed those with true faith.

And that faith proved itself…

They not only continued to believe, they shared that belief with those around them.

Conversions amidst persecution still happen

That was back then… but does this sort of thing still happen today?

Can the church thrive in places of deep persecution?

All you have to do is visit opendoorsusa.com and you can get part of the story there.

GLOBAL RATE OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH

If you will let me get a little bit academic with you for a moment, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary released a study on the status of global Christianity, and what they found was pretty interesting.

Currently, they estimate that globally, Christianity is growing at a rate of 1.19% per year which is just below the global population increase of 1.2%.

This means that globally, Christians are losing ground - we are not keeping up with the global growth rate.

NORTH AMERICA

If you look at North America, Christianity is growing at a mere 0.56% per year - also in decline compared to the overall population growth.

Remember - here we live super comfortable lives and we face virtually zero violent persecution for being a Christian.

Yet we are still in decline.

IRAN

Now, let’s take a country like Iran

Christianity is functionally illegal

Forbidden from sharing their faith

Illegal to produce Christian literature

Cannot hold a church service in Farsi (the national language)

Secret police looking for Christians to arrest and put in prison

Conversion from Islam to Christianity, is punishable by death.

At this moment, the church in Iran is growing at a rate of 19.6%!

This is more than 15 times the overall population growth rate.

It is estimated that the largest Christian movement in the world is happening right now in Iran.

Correlation between persecution and Christian Witness

I think it would be disingenuous to say that Persecution is the key to seeing the church grow and thrive, because there are some places where persecution has prevented growth.

But I would say that there are many places where this is happening.

It is also true that in many of the places where Christianity is not persecuted like the USA and Europe, the growth is virtually flat.

Peter being sifted

There’s this really interesting interaction between Simon Peter and Jesus at the last supper in Luke 22 - and perhaps this is part of our application…

As they are eating the meal, Jesus looks at Peter and says to him, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.

I wish that Jesus had just looked back at Satan and say - No, you cannot have him. No you will not sift him like wheat.

But Jesus was concerned with something bigger than Peter’s comfort… He was focused on forging Peter’s faith.

It would be through the persecution of the enemy that Peter’s faith would be proven.

I want to say something to anyone in here who is following Christ, or anyone who is thinking about following Christ.

It is not on the mountain top when things are going awesome that true faith is displayed and Christian witness is unleashed.

It is in the ditch, when our lives have been wrecked and our hopes and dreams dashed upon the rocks.

It is when we have every reason to retreat into bitterness and despair but instead we proclaim our hope in Christ.

It is when the only thing we have to cling on to is our hope in Jesus - and there’s no safety net below us.

THAT is where true faith is revealed and Christian witness is unleashed.

Because we are left with nothing but hope in Christ.

I am not telling you to look for ways to run your life into the gutter or develop a martyr complex.

What I am telling you is that even if everything good in your life is stripped away, Christ is enough.

Understand that we may be put through the grinder to fortify our faith.

Just submit to the Lord, wherever that path might lead.

Persecution reveals true faith and unleashes Christian Witness.

Acts 8:6–8 ESV

6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

Look at what is happening here!

CROWDS of people are coming to hear what Philip is preaching about and to see these signs and wonders

Demons were being cast out

Paralyzed people were made to walk

The lame were being made strong

And check out the result!!

V. 8 - so there was MUCH joy in that city!

The reason that there was joy in that city was directly related to persecution that was being rained down in Jerusalem upon the church.

If Stephen had not been killed

If Saul had not gone door to door

If believers were not being locked in prison

If Christians didn’t flee persecution

If Philip had remained silent

Then No people possessed by demons would have been freed

No paralyzed people healed

No lame people made strong

No signs, no wonders

No word of God being preached

No joy overflowing

Point 3: Persecution can be a catalyst for joy (v. 6-8)

God’s economy is the only one where persecution, pain, and suffering can and does lead to everlasting joy

Both joy for the one being persecuted AND potentially for those around that persecuted person.

I defy you to find any other context where persecution is a pathway to joy.

But this is how the Lord designed things to work among His people.

Unfortunately, today, primarily in the west, we have this view of persecution, pain and suffering as being the worst thing ever.

We believe that nothing good could come from it, and that we should avoid it at all costs.

This mentality informs:

how we structure our lives

how we raise our children

where we choose to go

what we choose to do

who we choose to associate ourselves with

etc.

One of the things that I am asking the Lord to do at RCB is to give us a theology of suffering

Without a theology of suffering, we will miss so much of the joy that the Lord has for us in this life.

The Bible has much to say on this issue of suffering and persecution…

Philippians 1:29 ESV

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

John 15:20 ESV

20 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.

We could go on, and on.

There are literally hundreds of verses that talk about persecution, pain and suffering - and how He will use that suffering in our lives

I understand that this is not an easy thing to come to terms with - but it is the reality of a Christian life.

But WHY?!

Here’s the million dollar question: Why does God do this? Why has He set it up this way?

First - To display hope to a lost and dying world.

Christ-followers who find joy in the midst of persecution, pain, and suffering, provide hope for others who are enduring their own suffering.

Instead of:

Life is awesome and I have everything I could possibly want!!!

#blessed!!

Kissy face emoji

Praise hands

It’s Psalm 46

God is my refuge and strength… a very present help in trouble.

Therefore I will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.

Which one displays a hope for eternity?

The second reason the Lord allows persecution and suffering is to cut our heart strings to this world

If this world was free of pain for the Christ-follower, then we would not look forward to heaven.

We would not long for that moment where we stand in front of Jesus, face to face, rescued from the presence of sin.

Worse than this, we would be left to believe that all of this stuff in this world is enough for us.

Our hearts should echo Paul in Philippians 3:

For [Christ’s] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Finally, to make us look like Jesus

Listen, God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way.

He is working to conform you to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29)

Everything that happens in your life - good, bad, or otherwise, the Lord can use to make you look more like Jesus.

And when you look more like Jesus, then God’s glory is more clearly seen in and through you.

Through our persecution, through our pain, through our hurt, we look more like Jesus

And when this happens, joy follows.

Persecution can be a catalyst for joy!

Close

There is a song called “IF” by a group called Beautiful Eulogy - you should check them out.

I want to read some of the lyrics and as I do, I want you to think about if this is the cry of your heart…

Beautiful Eulogy - If

If in one unfortunate moment You took everything that I own

Everything you've given from heaven above And everything that I've ever known

If you stripped away my ministry My influence, my reputation My health, my happiness My friends, my pride, and my expectation

If you caused for me to suffer Or to suffer for the cause of the cross If the cost of my allegiance is prison And all my freedoms are lost

If you take the breath from my lungs And make an end of my life If you take the most precious part of me And take my kids and my wife

It would crush me, it would break me It would suffocate and cause heartache I would taste the bitter dark providence But you would still preserve my faith

What's concealed in the heart of having Is revealed in the losing of things And I can't even begin to imagine The sting that kind of pain brings

I would never blame you for evil Even if you caused me pain I came into this world with nothing And when I die it'll be the same

I will praise your name In the giving and taking away If I have you, I could lose everything And still consider it gain

Persecution is meant to scatter the church, not crush it.

Persecution reveals true faith and unleashes Christian Witness

Persecution can be a catalyst for joy

Christ-follower - what is the cry of your heart going to be as we respond?

Lord - no matter what comes, I will praise your name!

Lord, no matter what it costs me, I will follow You!

Lord, set my heart on eternity and not on this world!

Let me long for joy that cannot be shaken by the worst that the world can throw at me.

Perhaps you aren’t a Christ-follower - but you want to be able to say this type of thing to God…

You can - because of Jesus.

Listen, none of us in this room, no matter how “holy” we are is able to stand up under persecution and suffering on our own.

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit who was given to us when Christ saved us that we are able to stand.

And you can too…

In a moment, you can be welcomed as a child of God - grafted into this family of God.

When Jesus died on that cross, He died to pay for your sins too, and when he rose from the grave He left those sins in the tomb.

Now He is asking you - do you believe?

He isn’t asking if you can be good… He knows the answer to that.

He is asking if you believe.

Believe and be saved.

I would love to pray with you - to welcome you in as a brother or sister in Christ and then get you connected to others who can help you grow in your faith.

I will be available for prayer right down here, but wherever you are - respond!