Inconvience or Persecution?

In an article title “Should Churches in California Defy Government Restrictions? A Response to John MacArthur” Gavin Ortlund of First Baptist Church of Ojai, CA responds to John MacArthur claim that:

Churches are shutting down—large churches shutting down until, they say, January. I don’t have any way to understand that other than they don’t know what a church is, and they don’t shepherd their people.

He further intimates that pastors and church leaders who choose not to resist the Governor’s order lack the courage to direct the church to her calling in this time.

This started in the summer of 2020 when Covid-19 infection were climbing and folks were dying. CA asked its churches to worship outside and to socially distance. Particularly Mega-Churches.

This decision by John MacArthur caused lawsuits to began to fly.

John MacArthur in this case made himself out to be a Christian Martyr standing up against the Evil Liberal Governor of CA.

John M. is very influential his position became the dominant position of many churches across the US. If you didn’t accepts this premise and remained outside or online it was because your church is “weak and/or soft” and lacked the faith to stand up against Covid and the local government.

John M did not observe the Mask mandate at his church nor social distancing requirement deeming the need to sing and be together at the church more important than a government mandate.

Were the mandates set forth by federal and local governments meant to keep churches from worshiping together?

Could the Covid-19 Mandates be categorized as legitimate biblical persecution?

Do those churches who remained outside or online during the Pandemic lack faith or have a deficient view of what the local church is?

Objectives:

My intent is not to do any Vaccine, Mask or Social Distancing Conversion. There are folks who I love dearly that are all over the map on this issue. Some folks are far right believing the whole Pandemic was a Hoax not that big of a deal all the result of a lying media, then there are those who sit watching the news all day and have become so scared to the leave the house they sit in the house all day fully covered not allowing anyone to come in for fear of catching the virus.

I believe there is a mediating position. Let me allow some of the data to speak:

As of Saturday the US is #1 in transmission and death per capita: 34M infected and 602,656 death in a population of 350M

India 1.3 billion people, Russia has 115m, UK has 60M, and France has 58M people=1.5b people total with 642,000 deaths.

Indonesia who has a population count similar to ours 280M had 2.1M cases with 49,010 these numbers lead to a question:

Why in a country that prides itself on being ahead of the game medically, technologically, militarily, and structurally have the highest death count in the world? even higher than nations with 3x the population?

Theory-In the US very early on people politicize the issues making it Republican vs Democrat, Conservative vs Liberal, Faith vs. Fear. This cut the country right down the middle. In the last election Biden had 81m votes and Trump had 75m votes. With this type of disunity. It does not matter that we have Harvard Medical, John’s Hopkins Medical and world renowned doctor’s trying to get us just unify and followed the mandates. If half the country is following mandates but the other half disregarding them it should be no surprise why our death count is the highest in the land.

My title is “Inconvenience vs Persecution” American’s are so spoiled when you ask them to simple things to mitigate life they feel their rights are being taken. Others countries did not have that problem their governments locked things down and it was a wrap.

My Objective is not political its’ Spiritual. This issue has driven a wedge in the American Church and I want to bring some biblical principles to this issue.

If we don’t understand what biblical persecution is we are likely to call everything persecution. We won’t notice when something is truly persecution.

Something to hang your hat on: Churches like hospital are the spiritual lifeblood of the world. Neglect of this institution will leave many separated from God.

India hospital situation we have so many sick we had to turn them away. Leaving folks to die in the streets.

Part I

I. Let’s go to church

Hebrews 10:22–25 CSB

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

(Exe-v.22-23) There writer of Hebrews gives three positive commands in (v.22-23) he says:

Let us-Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith-The writer says Draw near. Get close too God.

Why would the writer of Hebrews tell us this?

When we don’t fully trust people we are slow to commit ourselves to them. The writers tells us give him your heart. Be transparent in front of him. Trust him fully. He has earned your trust through what he has done.

Let us-Hold the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful-The writer tells us to hold onto the confession we made in front of the church without wavering. Don’t be like lot’s wife who keep looking back to her ole life. Fix your eyes towards eternity.

And why?

“because he who promised is faithful” The writer says you can take this promise to the bank. It is a settled matter. Because our Lord who can’t life has already decided on this one.

Let us- “Consider one another” To consider means to take time and think about one another. The writer tells us that we are to spend time thinking about the Holistic nature of Corporate worship. “Its not about you” There is this fire that is ignited when folks come to worship and share in each other’s lives. Lets take a look at Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews 3:1 CSB

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.

(v.1) “who share in heavenly calling” Yall this phrase right here is very powerful. There is this internal calling that all of us as believers share in that binds our hearts together in corporate unity. This is why corporate worship is essential.

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

(EXE-v.24-25) “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works” This is why we do what we do. This tells me that other brother’s and sister in Christ are necessary for my own spiritual development. Online Service alone are poor substitute for this process.

Provoke-Sharp Disagreement. This is a very provocative word here. Some of your bibles have “Stir” there is english Idiom that helps us with this word “To stir the pot is  to agitate a situation to cause a reaction or trouble.” When this “Idiom” is used it is normally used to describe who “Stir the pot” for negative outcomes but in this text “Love & the Good deeds the spring from Love are the intent”

In the case of believers who is stirring the Pot?

The HS is the one stirring the pot. When we fellowship with other believers the Spirit of God starts making beef stew!!!

What happens you put Christian in a room with one objective of all different ages, backgrounds, and levels of spiritual growth?

Tears Happen, Service Happens, Chains are broken, Lives are changed, Theology is debated, Folks start to grow. IT happens because the Spirit of God which all believers have stirs the pot. Bomb’s Squad is a perfect example: Men crying, Men opening up telling secrets, Men debating the scriptures & growing, Men doing service projects together, Men arguing then coming back and making amends, and whats the greatest outcome of BOMB SQUAD: Growth. Growth comes through pain, tears, struggles, and Joy’s.

Now watch what happens to folks as they get away from weekly Sanctification:

(Exe-v.25) “not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching”

The Book of Hebrews is a book written to Jews people who just could not release their traditions. Some held them so tightly they started to “fall away” back into ole habits and some “new habits” Notice what happened in this text. Some started “neglecting the weekly service” their is power in the physical presence of folks in corporate worship together.

I realize the reason folks are at home is because of COVID-19 but saints outside of those who have unrelated health issues it is imperative we get back to church. I know some have gotten into a routine on Sunday Morning. But we see from this text the importance of corporate worship. I am, and you are being sanctified by not just sermon which you can get on-line but also the people you run into at church. The ones you “Share a heavenly call with” “The ones you will spend eternity with” The word tells us they provoke us to good works because they don’t fit perfectly into our likes and dislikes. Some folks are just hard to love, Some folks are difficult to deal with, Some folks are stubborn, Some folks are loud, Some folks are too shy, Some folks have to be reminded of things 12 times. All of these types of people are in the church and God uses them to grow our faith. Your spiritual maturity will never reach “Teleos-perfection” without all faith stretching situation God puts you in at during weekly worship.

Church starts at 11am not 12pm or 4pm or Monday Morning. Saints y'all got to do better about scheduling things during the time of church. Block that time off. I can bet you this when the Lord returns you won’t have anything on your schedule that day.

Imagine You were dating someone and every time yall had a date scheduled you keep scheduling other things during that time.......What would you assume about the person who keeps blowing off your planned dates? Well God has a planned time every week to meet with all of his children at 11am give him this time.

Conclusion

Watch how he ends this portion: “(v.25) “but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching” This is what we need right here saints. We need to keep each encouraged. Remember Hebrews is a book about finishing your course. My job and your job is to encourage each other to finish our journey. That cannot happen if you are not in church consistently.

“The day is approaching” Yall this thing is going somewhere. Yall we need the church. The church is the place we find Spiritual encouragement. Do you notice when you don’t go to the church consistently? What happens? you get dry like a Thanksgiving Turkey.

The church role is too encourage you! When you are weak, when you are sick, when you are tired, when you feel like giving up your blessing can often be found on Sunday Morning among the saints.

“and all the more as you see the day approaching” What “Day” is he talking about? When your life is fixed towards eternity which is the finish line. All the matters to you is finishing well and assuring those around you, your family, your church family finish well as well. That cannot happen if you are worshipping at home drinking coffee at the table.

The Local Church is my Spiritual Lifeline I cannot function without it. Yall it is time to come home!!

Giving

benediction:

1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Part II

Intro:

Cain and Abel Narrative

Review

Were the mandates set forth by federal and local governments meant to keep churches from worshiping together?

Could the Covid-19 Mandates be categorized as legitimate biblical persecution?

Do those churches who remained outside or online during the Pandemic lack faith or have a deficient view of what the local church is?

II. You are your brother’s Keeper

Mark 12:28–34 CSB

28 One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which command is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no one else except him. 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer.

(Exe-v.28) “One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which command is the most important of all?”

(v.28) as Jesus running circles around the scribes and Pharisees another lone scribe had a question to ask Jesus. “Which command is the most important?” Notice this scribe question. His question leads me to a question:

Scribes were Scholars on the OT Law: Why would he need clarification on what Law is most important?

Was the structure of the Law confusing/ambiguous?

Here are the first three commandments in Exodus 20:1-7

Exodus 20:1–7 CSB

1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 3 Do not have other gods besides me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands. 7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.

Jesus did not quote Exodus 20:1-7 directly. But what do these three scripture say:

I am the Lord your God “Don’t cheat on me, I am very jealous!”

I am the Lord your God “Polygamy doesn’t work for me! I don’t like to share”

I am the Lord your God “Don’t Disrespect me!”

All three of these can be summarized in the Shema found in Deut 6:4-7:

Deuteronomy 6:4–7 CSB

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

(v.4) Listen, Israel: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one”

Why was it important to start off this Jewish chant like this?

This statement separated Israel from all of their neighbors in the known world. This is a Theological Statement before a person can really love someone or something they must believe the right things about that person. Example: Most of us would not commit ourselves in love to a person that is a liar or thief. This was Yahweh way of telling the children of Israel “I am not like all the other nations that Surround you! The nation of Israel is the size of NJ and was surrounded by its enemies. The Phoenician’s and Syrians to the North of Israel, The Persian and Babylonians to the east, and Egypt to the South. The Mediterranean Sea to its West. All of these nations were polytheistic believing in many God’s.”

True Love springs out of right thinking about God.

(v.5) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength”

You are to Love the Lord in the material and immaterial part of your human make up. And you are to do it with all your strength.

(v.6-8) “6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.”

(v.6) They are to be in your heart---Meaning don’t forgot them, commit them to memory

(v.7) Pass the message to your children.

(v.8-9) Put these words all over the city. These words are the Mission Statement of our Nation

You see why I am questioning: Why the scribe would ask a question he knows the answer too already?

In the OT it was clear what the greatest commandment was: The Lord your God is one and you shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Back in Mark 12:28-32:

Mark 12:29–31 CSB

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

(v.29) “Jesus answered, “The Most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Jesus affirms the Theological Foundation of the Shema. Israel is still under the control of a Polytheistic nation “Rome” Jesus tells them God is not like the gods of the nations.

(v.30) Jesus says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”

Jesus continues to recite the shema right in line with Deut 6:4-7. I imagine everyone in the audience was also mouthing the words as Jesus spoke them.

(v.31) “The second is, Love our neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these”

(v.31) “the second is” You will notice that Jesus has put a priority on what’s most important. Jesus has established a pecking order. This helps to understand the whole law of God in the OT. We can make this definitive statement. All of the laws in the OT are not equal, and some are more important than others.

Sidenote: The Religious Leader were experts of magnifying things that were less important and minimizing things that were of most importance. One of the most difficult things in leadership is how to prioritize two things that are both good. Notice what Jesus says about the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23-24:

Matthew 23:23–24 CSB

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, but gulp down a camel!

(v.23) “Judgement to you! Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (Yall are something else) “you pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law; Justice, mercy, and faithfulness.”

(v.23) Jesus calls these Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites because they anally tithed even on the smallest of crops, which was not required they went beyond the law and Jesus did not necessarily condemn for it, but they paid little attention to the “Weightier” matters of the Law. Notice what he named: Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness. Tithing is important but it is not more important than Being Just & Fair, Tithing is important but it is not more important than extending Mercy & Grace to folks, Tithing is important but it is not more important than Being Faithful & Dependable. I can prove it. How many people know folks who would rather just throw money at issues rather than actually get in the mud and deal with folks. This is a picture of the Pharisees “they had that pay as go Salvation”

(v.24) “Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, but gulp down a camel!” This scripture is for people who think Jesus was either an angry preacher, or a kind little lamb. Jesus had a personality just like we do. He is using some comedic sarcasm in this text.

Gnat in the OT were unclean and bottles of wine in the ancient world did not have cork’s or caps on them so gnats would get into the wine. To keep themselves from accidently drinking one of the gnats they would strain them through a towel to get out all the Gnats, in turn by neglecting the more important things in the Law they swallowed a Camel the largest animal in Palestine and also unclean. Busy worried about swallowing a gnat but swallowing camels whole.

(v.31) “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these”

The OT Law was both Vertical & Horizontal. Right; Vertical relationship always leads to right Horizontal Relationships. Even after Christ came the churches had the tendency to focus on things to the detriment of others notice what James said in James 2:18-20:

James 2:18–20 CSB

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder. 20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

(v.18) The book of James is written specifically to the 12 tribes scattered throughout the Gentile World. In (v.18) He essentially says “Faith and Works are like the different side to one coin. Faith is Heads, and Works are Tails. If you have Faith it will always lead to works. Because Faith and Future Works are part of the seed that the HS implants in you. Now watch him Rebuke Folks:

(v.19-20) “You believe that God is one” Very Interesting James said this to the 12 tribes scattered abroad who have embraced Christ.

What was James attacking?

He was attacking Jewish People who converted to Christianity who were still repeating “The Shema” but were neglecting the weightier matters of the Law, let me show you in James 2:15-16:

James 2:15–16 CSB

15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?

James says while you somewhere quoting scripture and preaching you are neglecting someone who will freeze to death or die from starvation.

James says that kind of Faith---A Faith devoid of Works cannot save, because it is not a true faith it is a Pseudo-Faith.

Repeating and Memorizing Scripture is not the same as obeying scripture.

Back to Mark 12:28-32

What happens when Love of God seems to conflict with Love of Neighbor?

Example: Baby Dedication for a single Mother who had not repented or confessed her sin. On the surface this seems like Love of Neighbor is Crashing right into Love of God. How do you balance the legitimate desire of a single mother to have her child dedicated in church which is honorable and loving with Love of God which essentially requires repentance and Confession as a part of salvation and a part of sanctification. This seems contradictory but it is not let me show you why

The most loving thing you can do in this moment to God and this young girl is to not do the Baby Dedication:

This is a time to sit her down and walk her through the Gospel if she is not saved and 1 John 1:9 if she is saved. The most loving thing you can do for folks is uphold truth even if it hurts them. And by doing this you bring Maximum Glory to God because you are putting his Principles before all else.

Conclusion:

Mark 12:32–34 CSB

32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no one else except him. 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer.

(v.32) You remember earlier when I talked about the scribes supposed understanding of the schema. He understood it already. The Scribe was using Jesus to solve a debate he was probably having with the other Scribes and Pharisees. IT sounds like this Scribe had been taking his counterparts to task about neglecting the “Weightier matters” to focus on less essential things.

(v.33) Loving God and Loving your neighbor “ Are Far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices”

He just said the Love of God and Love of People is more important even than things carried out at the Temple! Church Activity!! Look at what Jesus told him

(v.34) Jesus essentially told him “You are almost there!!!”

Open the Door of the Church

Intro:

In an Article Written on March 13, 2020 by Lyman Stone Titled: Christianity has been Handling Epidemics for 2000 Years He writes:

Review:

Lets be back to church! Online Church is good but we need to be in a place whereby we are growing together

You are your brother’s keeper: We learned the worship of God of is first point. He is the absolute first priority of our love and devotion. This loves is so overflowing that it naturally flows to our neighbor. James tells us a faith that does not move us to aid, minister, rebuke, do life together and love sacrificially is not a false faith. “Let us esteem others higher than ourselves”

“This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine”

Hang your hat: As pilgrims living in foreign lands mingling with foreigners we are to live in such that foreigners want to get to know our leader.

III. This little light of mine I’m going to let it Shine

1 Peter 2:11–17 CSB

11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits. 13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:11 CSB

11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.

A. Pilgrims don’t settle down

(Exe-v.11) “Dear Friends, I urge you as a strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul” Peter makes a plea to the readers of this letter. Peter starts by telling them as believers a fundamental change has happened since you came to Christ. There has been an address change. You are now:

Strangers- Foreign Citizens----This is your current status in this world system. It does not matter if you an American Citizen living in America(our comfort zone) we are foreigners even in the place of our birth.

Exiles-Temporary Residents----We are on a temporary work visa. These are visa given to folks who plan to come to America to complete a work related task then leave. That is our lot as Christian’s Peter wants us to know we are all on Temp Visa!!!

(Exe-v.11) “Dear Friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul”

Peter tells the saints abstain from the sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Peter says “put away” or reject the desires of the flesh. Our sinful flesh is inflamed from three places:

1. Our Flesh

2. The World

3. Satan

The World---Remember what Peter has just said you are just passing through on a temporary work visa. Hold this world system very lightly. Peter said do not get comfortable in this world. Your rights & freedoms and benefits.

1 Peter 2:12 CSB

12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.

B. Pilgrims exist to glorify God

(Exe-v.12) “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits”

(Exe) This is a critical statement right here. We don’t live unto ourselves. Our lives are to be a reflector of the glory of God. He is the “Sun” we are the “Moon” in Genesis it calls the “Moon” a lesser light. We exist to reflect the Glory of God to the nations. This principle supersedes personal rights. This principles is the sin a qua non the thing that is absolutely necessary to our “Pilgrim” mindset. Everywhere we set our Tent as pilgrims we are to “Conduct ourselves honorably among the Gentiles.” Sometimes in America we our so focused on our own personal rights we forget as Christian our ethic rises above American Democracy. We live on behalf of others.

(Exe) “so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good and will glorify God on the day he visits”

You will notice Peter assumes “slander” will come simply because of our connection to Jesus. Let me show you this from text:

slander: to Speak Evil of

John 15:18–20 CSB

18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke 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.

(v.18) John tells us all the hate we receive related to our walk with the Lord is because of our connection/relationship to the Lord. We are hated because the Lord

(v.19) John speaks about the World as if it has “a will” and that it chooses to hate. The World does have “a will” because it does not have personhood. But the world does have a current, and the current is controlled by a Spirit. Spirits do have “a will” they choose, the have emotion, and they have intellect. Satan is the one controlling the flow of the world. Satan hated the son, and still hates the Son. All of the hate Satan has for Jesus has been turn to those who look the most like him. The more you look like him the more Heat you will get.

Peter says Conduct yourself assuming that in spite of your conduct People will speak “Evil” of you because they are in the world and Satan is influencing their behavior. In the process of accusing you some will begin to look at how you handled the accusation, and when God allows the righteous to be accused he will also continue to push you further into the limelight letting your light shine so that folks will:

“Observe your good and will Glorify God on the day he visits” This phrase tells us the Reason God allows our integrity to be attack is so that he could use our good conduct to glorify himself and cause folks to be saved in the process

Important principle: persecution is for the express purpose of glorifying God and leading people to salvation. Persecution is method by which God draws people unto himself.

I can tell you that for those who keep worshipping without restriction did not attract non-believers they only people impressed or impacted were other churches who had the same political belief. Even the world could see folks who rushed back to church without restriction were concerned about politics and money.

I contend the far better testimony is that we were willing to put money aside knowing that we would probably suffer financially for the greater good. And that our church would do what it can to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

1 Peter 2:13–16 CSB

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves.

C. Pilgrims live to support their Human Rulers

(Exe-13-14) “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good”

“Submit”-huptasso-Passive-Imperative: This is command by Peter to willing submit to “every human authority” all the places where humans have been given authority of your going in and coming out you are to submit. Meaning you are to be a submissive employee and citizen. I didn’t say spineless. When wrong needs to be called out then do it, but it must always be done with the upmost respect.

Peter goes from the vague “Every Human Authority” to the specific “whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors”

Emperors=Presidents

Governors=Local Presidents

We too treat them as those who have been placed in our lives for the expressed purpose of rewarding those who do good, and punishing those who cause havoc. We have been called by God to help them with this process.

It is important that you remember when Peter said this the are under the control of Nero! A nutbag! When Peter wrote this letter they are being persecuted under the rule of a maniac! Even in those cases we are still to submit to the governing authorities. I know what some of yall are thinking “what if!?” We will deal with that next week. until then we are to submit to the government

This is very important American has had some bad Presidents but we have never been under the rule of anyone close to Nero! Yet Peter said submit

It incenses me when I hear people talking about “I am not going to support or help the government because they are the opposite party of my choice!” That is SIN! It is unbiblical and wicked. In America we don’t know what it means to be lead by a true Maniac. I am talking about one who is maniac but is also very shrewd and intelligent. Like a Hitler or Stalin. I am not talking about one who has the intelligence of a large pineapple. I am talking about a try Tyrant!

(v.15) “For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves”

(v.15) Peter tells us its “God’s will” that means God will strategically setup divine appointments for us to suffer for his name. It may be at the Job, or through your local government. Or for some it may be national. But his intent is to “silence the ignorance” God is trying to silence those who mean well but don’t know any better. Jesus said that to those who put him on the cross. “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” and you remember what happened on the cross “One of the Roman Soldiers pronounced surely He was the Son of God” Just by the way Jesus suffered he was able to proves his relationship to God.

Conclusion

“not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves”

This is very important right here. Peter is saying just because something is legal it does not mean you should avail yourself to that right. Let’s splice up Peter’s words

not using your freedom---This would be the “right’s” you have endowed by the local government you exist under. Let me break this down: Just because you have the right to do something does not mean you should do it if it would bring disrepute to the kingdom!

Example: you own a business that is booming and based on government law you only have to pay 7.50 per/hour so you do that. Paying less per/hour serves to fatten your bank account while causing your workers to have to live check to check. What you doing you may have a right to do. You are not breaking the law, but as a Christian there is a higher law. When folks realize How much you make then how much your workers get it is a poor reflection of Christian Ethics. In this case you are using your freedom to pay low wages as a cover up to maximize your profit margins bringing disrepute to Jesus name. Real Example: Walmart(Walmart Family all claim to be Christians): About 70% or 21M of those receiving Food stamps or Medicaid are full-time workers. The two largest employers of those receiving Federal Subsides are Mcdonalds and Walmart. Walmart receives 6.2 billion from the government to fill in the gap for the employees making low wages while the Walmart Family 6 folks are worth 136B. More wealth than Bill Gates and Warren Buffett combined.

Drinking in public, Living with someone your are not married too, Taking advantage of tax loop holes. Selling your house with black mold

What your doing may be legal but that does not mean it’s right!?

There are times when something may be legal but it may not be right because it has the appearance of evil. Because the exercising of your right can cause great harm to come to someone else. Violating what our sermon was about last week. Which is too “Love your neighbor as yourself”

Application:

Going back to church to soon with our congregation would not have been “Loving to our neighbor starting with our members then flowing out to the community.

Going back to church too soon would have been in direct violation of what our Federal and Local leaders instructed us to do.

Illustration of Spades with the Big Joker(Love of God) and Little Joker(Love of neighbor), Ace of Spades(Corporate Worship)

Part IV

Intro:

9. Polycarp Refuses to Deny Jesus

As Polycarp was being taken into the arena, a voice came to him from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp and play the man!” No one saw who had spoken, but our brothers who were there heard the voice. When the crowd heard that Polycarp had been captured, there was an uproar. The Proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp. On hearing that he was, he tried to persuade him to apostatize, saying, “Have respect for your old age, swear by the fortune of Caesar. Repent, and say, ‘Down with the Atheists!’” Polycarp looked grimly at the wicked heathen multitude in the stadium, and gesturing towards them, he said, “Down with the Atheists!” “Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ, and I will set you free.” “86 years have I have served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

11. More Attempts to Make Him Submit

“I have wild animals here,” the Proconsul said. “I will throw you to them if you do not repent.” “Call them,” Polycarp replied. “It is unthinkable for me to repent from what is good to turn to what is evil. I will be glad though to be changed from evil to righteousness.” “If you despise the animals, I will have you burned.” “You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and is then extinguished, but you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. Why are you waiting? Bring on whatever you want.”

13. The Fire is Prepared

It was all done in the time it takes to tell. The crowd collected wood and bundles of sticks from the shops and public baths. The Jews , as usual, were keen to help. When the pile was ready, Polycarp took off his outer clothes, undid his belt, and tried to take off his sandals – something he was not used to, as the faithful always raced to do it for him, each wanting to be the one to touch his skin – this is how good his life was. But when they went to fix him with nails, he said, “Leave me as I am, for he that gives me strength to endure the fire, will enable me not to struggle, without the help of your nails.”

14. Polycarp Prays

So they simply bound him with his hands behind him like a distinguished ram chosen from a great flock for sacrifice. Ready to be an acceptable burnt-offering to God, he looked up to heaven, and said, “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of you, the God of angels, powers and every creature, and of all the righteous who live before you, I give you thanks that you count me worthy to be numbered among your martyrs, sharing the cup of Christ and the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body, through the immortality of the Holy Spirit. May I be received this day as an acceptable sacrifice, as you, the true God, have predestined, revealed to me, and now fulfilled. I praise you for all these things, I bless you and glorify you, along with the everlasting Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. To you, with him, through the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

15. A Miracle

Then the fire was lit, and the flame blazed furiously. We who were privileged to witness it saw a great miracle, and this is why we have been preserved, to tell the story. The fire shaped itself into the form of an arch, like the sail of a ship when filled with the wind, and formed a circle around the body of the martyr. Inside it, he looked not like flesh that is burnt, but like bread that is baked, or gold and silver glowing in a furnace. And we smelt a sweet scent, like frankincense or some such precious spices.

Review:

Let’s Get Back to Church---Corporate Worship is the means by which God shapes our character through the Singing, Preaching, Sharing of the Elements, and the Fellowship that Happens between the saints of God. You cannot become what you need to be without this interaction

You are your Brothers Keeper----Every Decision you make in the life individually and as a church must be run through this prism. Truly Loving God will alway result in the Love of our Neighbor. The HS fills our heart and makes us sensitive to the needs of others. A selfish christian is an Oxymoron.

This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine---One of the primary ways God puts the church on display is in its support of local, State and Federal Authorities. We are to submit unto the governmental authorities because God uses that to exalt himself through our witness. There are very narrow justification for “Civil Disobedience”

Hang your Hat: One of the key indicators of biblical persecution involves any attempt by the Ruling Class to censor, restrict the message of the Gospel through threats, Fines, Jail time or death.

Let’s take a look at the disciples fresh after Pentecost with the church exploding in growth and the Religious leaders panicking because they are losing power.

IV. Power to the People

Acts 4:13–22 CSB

13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. 22 For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old.

Acts 4:13–14 CSB

13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

A. The disciples boldness

(Exe-v.13) “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John” It is imperative that we determine who the “they” are. Since we are not doing a verse by verse but more of a topical message we need to reach back to (v.1) so that we can see who the “they” are.

Acts 4:1–3 CSB

1 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening.

(v.1-3) As the disciples were preaching: The Priests, The Captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees came after the disciples because of the message of the Gospel. You must remember that Rome was simply an occupier. They did not replace the governmental structure of Israel. So essentially anyone who was a citizen of the nation of Israel was still ruled by the Jewish Theocracy. These temple guards are the some grouping of people who arrested Jesus. To me this looks like a clean up mission to get all of Jesus followers and quell his influence.

(v.3) They arrested the Peter and John so they could question them further and so they could stop the message of the gospel.

Acts 4:4 CSB

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

(v.4) You will notice arresting Peter & John simply caused the message to expand even faster. You remember last week sermon I told you “True Religious Persecution cannot stop the church because God uses persecution to both purify and grow the truth”

(Exe-v.13) “when they observed the boldness of Peter and John”

boldness-confidence; to be truly convinced of something

(Exe-v.13) “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus”

(v.13) When the opponents of Jesus the governing body of Israel “observed” sat back and listen to the disciples they notice a striking similarity between the disciples and Jesus.

Where did the similarity lie?

(v.13) “that they were uneducated and untrained men”

This phrase does not mean they thought the disciples were stupid, but they had not receive any formal training under any of the teachers of the synagogue. You remember when Paul was talking himself in Gal he said “I was raised under the tutelage of Gamaliel” The enemies of Jesus marveled at the knowledge these working class fisherman had of the scriptures without any seminary or bible school. So amazed they associated them with Jesus because Jesus like the disciples was not raised underneath any Religious leader in the Synagogue yet he preached with such power, boldness, and logical accuracy they got stumped every time they sought to catch him up.

(Exe-v.14) “And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition”

(v.14) Not only were the disciples preaching with power they were also manifesting the power of God, by the way they performed miracles. Both their message and their work caused them to be put on “Israel’s most wanted list”

The Enemies of our Lord were between a rock and a hard place. They knew killing the disciples would only serve to grow the ministry. They already saw this with Jesus, killing him only served to cause an explosion in the church. If we let them run around preaching without restraint we will lose all of our power and will become irrelevant. Remember Jesus is the last Prophet, and Priest. The whole priestly system would come down if the Religious leaders’ submitted to Christ. They were not prepared to do that so they did the only thing they could do. Arrest them and put them under a gag order. Listen to them in (v.15-18)

Acts 4:15–18 CSB

15 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

B. The Pharisees Cowardice

(Exe-v.15) “After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves”

After kicking them out of the worship center they went about planning a way to destroy this movement and keep it from spreading across the world. We got to slow this thing down.

What can we do?

(Exe-v.16) “saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it”

The Enemies of the Lord could not deny the veracity(truth) or the power of these messengers, and they recognized the people of Jerusalem were starting to gravitate towards this message.

(Exe-v.17) “But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again. (18) So the called for them and ordered them not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus”

(17-18) Here is the plot they came up with. Let’s put them on a gag order. The amount of attention they are getting has to be subdued. They tell the disciples you can preach but you cannot mention the name of Jesus. You cannot use him in your explanation or your illustration. His name is off-limits.

This is a real, tangible, and provable case of censorship of the message of the cross. This is not a “conspiracy theory” it is real.

Application: There are those in the US who believe Covid is about as lethal as the flu, that the left have overblown it in an attempt to restrict the “Free worship of Christians”

Influential pastor John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church in Los Angeles has continued its defiance of COVID-19 restrictions

In a fast-moving series of events, the church last Friday won a court injunction to meet in their 3,500 seat auditorium – with singing and no attendance cap. In an attempt at a compromise, the judge asked the church to temporarily accept social distancing and masks, until a court hearing could be held.

On Sunday, the church did hold indoor services – “in defiance of a Los Angeles County public-health order, hours after an appeals court blocked a ruling that would have allowed the evangelical megachurch to reopen,” reported the conservative Washington Times newspaper.

“Pastor John MacArthur, who has led the congregation in Sun Valley for 50 years, told worshipers who packed the 3,500-seat sanctuary that ‘the powers of the city were not happy’ about the church’s decision to file a lawsuit Friday challenging the novel coronavirus mandates.”

“Good morning every one, I am so happy to welcome you to the Grace Community Church peaceful protest,” said MacArthur as he opened the church services on Sunday. The congregation cheered loudly in response, as can be seen and heard in the video of the service.

“We are not meeting because we want to be rebellious,” MacArthur continued. “We are meeting because our Lord has commanded us to come together and worship him.”

Referring to the weekend’s events, MacArthur added “there was a court order that granted this church and this church alone, the right to meet indoors. And the powers of the city were not happy about that – they were going to be asking us to do two things, social distance and [to] wear masks.”

“They are not willing to work with us. They just want to shut us down.” – John MacArthur

“That was until yesterday when the city – [after] we agreed and [said] ‘look we’ll comply for a few weeks, we are not wanting to be defiant, we will do what is reasonable’ – that was not enough for the city. They went to the appellate court at the last minute on Saturday late, and had that order removed.

“The good news is you’re here, you are not distancing, and you are not wearing masks. [Cheers and clapping from the congregation.]

“And it is also good news that you are not outside. Because it is very hot out there. So the Lord knew you needed to be inside and unmasked. So he did us that gracious favour.”

“They don’t want us to meet, that’s obvious. They are not willing to work with us. They just want to shut us down”

“There’s another virus loose in the world, and it’s the virus of deception,” MacArthur told the congregation in his Aug. 30 sermon. “And the one who’s behind the virus of deception is the arch deceiver Satan himself.”

His initial stance on the pandemic was hardly controversial. In March, when the coronavirus outbreak struck, MacArthur complied fully with health orders requiring churches to close, telling his congregation that Christians should live peacefully under the government.

Defiance of safety measures is a “foolish” thing to do, he said, that makes “Christianity look anything but loving.” “This is government law for the greater good of the population,” MacArthur said in a March 28 interview with a Grace staff pastor.

But within one month, his views began to change.

Soon, he was echoing the same arguments and hyperbole that Trump and conservative media have spread about the pandemic — that the mainstream media have overhyped the pandemic; that not that many people have died and the data are wrong, and those who did succumb actually died from other illnesses; that it’s really just the flu — and saying it’s all the government’s ploy to control Christians.

In this text of scripture in Acts you see a calculated & strategic attempt by the governing authorities to shut down the gospel specifically?

Do you see an attempt with Covid-19 for the governing authorities to shut churches down alone, and to censor our gospel message?

transition statement: Let’s see how the disciples handle the restriction

Acts 4:19–22 CSB

19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. 22 For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old.

C. The Disciples Moral Courage

(Exe-v.19) Peter and John answered them, “whether its right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The disciples answer the enemies of Jesus with such vigor. They essentially tell them we are not here to decide whether what you just told us is right or wrong. I will let you guys sit around and talk about whether our civil disobedience is correct because we are too busy speaking the name of Jesus to have this debate with yall.

This statement by the disciples leads me to believe they were being somewhat “coy or sarcastic” The Disciples would not purposely defy the government out of ignorance. They would not move forward doing something if they were unsure of it being right or wrong. I think they knew because they watch the Lord constantly defy the leaders who tried to shut his ministry down. They are simply following in the footsteps of their Lord. They were simply saying we don’t have time to have debates about whether this right because we need to keep preaching his name notice (v.20)

(v.20) “For we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard”

Look at the text “enemies of Jesus” you cannot asks us to do something we are physically unable to do and that’s stop preaching Jesus. We can’t stop. We are under divine mandate, and we were already warned by our Lord that we would be thrown in Jail because of our message. So I know you tried to “Gag us” but if we obey you we will be disobeying God.

Let me take you back two sermons ago: Love the Lord and Love your neighbor. Every life situation must be filtered through this lens.

1. If we don’t preach his name we will be in violation of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20

2. We have been instructed by God to fulfill this so to not preach his name constitutes disobedience to God

3. To not preach his name would also violate the second commandment “Love your neighbor” because the most loving thing my neighbor needs is the Gospel. They need the unadulterated word of God for that is the only thing that can truly save.

Final Application:

A very narrow set of circumstances justifies the closing of the church doors. The situation must be catastrophic. Inclement weather, Pandemic, or War.

One cannot say they Love their neighbors while doing nothing to help mitigate the loss of life by intentionally defying government mandates and not following protocols when you do worship.

Our obedience to the government is God’s means of glorifying himself to the world

Censorship of the gospel message or christian practice is the justified reason for disobeying the government.

Message by Francis Grimke Sunday November 3, 1918 during the Spanish Flu. He was a very famous Black Preacher in the early 1900s. This quotes are part of sermon he preached during the Spanish Flu Pandemic

This epidemic…has brought out in a way that is very gratifying, the high estimation in which the Christian church is held in the community—the large place which it really occupies in the thought of the people. The fact that for several weeks we have been shut out from the privileges of the sanctuary has brought home to us as never before what the church has really meant to us. We hadn’t thought, perhaps, very much of the privilege while it lasted, but the moment it was taken away we saw at once how much it meant to us.

Another thing that has impressed me, in connection with this epidemic, is the fact that conditions may arise in a community which justify the extraordinary exercise of powers that would not be tolerated under ordinary circumstances. This extraordinary exercise of power was resorted to by the Commissioners in closing up the theaters, schools, churches, in forbidding all gatherings of any considerable number of people indoors and outdoors, and in restricting the numbers who should be present even at funerals. The ground of the exercise of this extraordinary power was found in the imperative duty of the officials to safeguard, as far as possible, the health of the community by preventing the spread of the disease from which we were suffering.

There has been considerable grumbling, I know, on the part of some, particularly in regard to the closing of the churches. It seems to me, however, in a matter like this it is always wise to submit to such restrictions for the time being. If, as a matter of fact, it was dangerous to meet in theaters and in the schools, it certainly was no less dangerous to meet in churches. The fact that the churches were places of religious gathering, and the others not, would not affect in the least the health question involved. If avoiding crowds lessens the danger of being infected, it was wise to take the precaution and not needlessly run in danger, and expect God to protect us.

And so, anxious as I have been to resume work, I have waited patiently until the order was lifted. I started to worry at first, as it seemed to upset all of our plans for the fall work; but I soon recovered my composure. I said to myself, why worry? God knows what He is doing. His work is not going to suffer. It will rather be a help to it in the end. Out of it, I believe, great good is coming. All the churches, as well as the community at large, are going to be the stronger and better for this season of distress through which we have been passing.

Gospel Message---A,B,C

V. What was our witness during Covid-19?

Colossians 4:5–6 CSB

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.