The Church in Perilous Times

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NKJV

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Acts 4:13–37 NKJV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

We are Living in Perilous Times

Times are changing

Challenges are rising

Corruption is spreading

Choices are before us

Complacency is not an option

Courage is required

This World Under Satan’s Control

1 John 5:19 NKJV

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NKJV

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Revelation 12:9 NKJV

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Satan deceives through lying words, lying actions, lying prophets, lying religions, and lying signs, wonders, and miracles.

Satan forms strongholds of human systems, governments, and businesses in order to intimidate, dominate, and eliminate those who expose the lie with the truth

The Church in Satan’s Crosshairs

Its claim to the absolute inspiration and authority of Scripture

Its declaration that the God of the Bible is the only true and living God

Its declaration of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ

Its declaration of God’s moral law

Its declaration that all are sinners in need of a Savior

Its declaration of the judgment and wrath to come

Its declaration of the truth to expose and deliver men from Satan’s lies

Peter and John were commanded by the Jewish court (Sanhedrin) not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus

The Church in Prayer

The church responded to Satan’s threats with prayer

Prayer is the secret weapon of success, because it links the church’s vulnerability to divine sovereignty

The Church in Proclamation

The church did not remain silent under threat

The power of God is found in the proclamation His Word

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The church did not pray for protection but for boldness to speak His word

The Church in Power

The church prayed for signs and wonders to be done in the name of Jesus Christ

We must pray that God will confirm His word through miraculous signs and wonders that testify to the reality of Christ and the truth of His word

Mark 16:20 NKJV

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God in boldness

The Church in Particular

“Particular” means to be “distinctive” among others

The Church is to be distinct from the world in attitude and action

Philippians 2:14–15 NKJV

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

The Church is to be salt in a decaying world

The Church is to be light in a dark world

The Church is to be generous in a greedy world

The Church is to be loving in a hateful world

The Church is to be merciful in an unmerciful world

The Church is to be thankful in an unthankful world

The Church is to be moral in an immoral world

The Church is to be lawful in a lawless world

The Church is to be peaceful in a violent world

The Church is to be sacrificial in a selfish world

The Church is reflect the excellencies of Christ through their words, attitudes, and behavior

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

It is time to REPENT and believe the gospel.

It is time to RISE out of complacency, fear, doubt, and disobedience.

It is time to REFOCUS on God, eternity, the kingdom of God, and God’s plan.

It is time to RENEW our commitment to Jesus Christ and the Great Commission.

It is time to RECOMMIT ourselves to the ministry of prayer.

It is time to be REFILLED with the Holy Spirit and power

It is time to REFLECT Christ’s light and love in this generation