Hope for the Persecuted

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Stories of Persecution— Government persecution [SHOW SHOW NEWS CLIPS]

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION RISES AS PEOPLE REFUSED AID IN COVID CRISIS

Authoritarian government stepping up surveillance, and Islamic militants exploiting the crisis

More than 340 million Christians [1 in 8] face high levels of persecution and discrimination because of their faith— that’s according to the 2021 World Watch List by the Christian advocacy group Open Doors

60% increase over the previous year in the number of Christians killed for their faith

Everyday, 8 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith— every week, 182 churches or Christians buildings are attacked— and every month, 309 Christians are imprisoned unjustly [without due process]

The World Watch List ranks 50 countries in which Christians face persecution and discrimination, with North Korea in the No. 1 spot as it has been for the past 20 years

China has re-entered the top 20 for the first time in a decade, and India and Turkey have also reported an increase in government authoritarianism

In, China— the government has increased surveillance using facial recognition systems install in state-approve churches in some areas and online services monitored— crosses has been replaced with pictures of Xi Jinping

In India— the Hindu nationalist government has fostered a climate in which attacks and harassment of of Christians have increased— Foreign funding of of Christian-run hospitals, schools and church organizations has been blocked

2 in t Asian Christians now face high levels of persecution— up from 1 in 3 the previous reporting period— China’s crackdown on both state-sanctioned and underground churches and its growing surveillance network added 16 million to the tally of Christians facing persecution— but China have not succeeded in eliminating Christianity

The underground Christian community has banded together and is actively working to call the world’s attention to the plight of the Chinese Christians

Top 10 for 2020: I can email to you the complete list

North Korea

Afghanistan

Somalia

Libya

Pakistan

Eritrea

Sudan

Yemen

Iran

India

The acts of persecutions are abduction, rape or sexual harassment, jailed without due process, and many more but nothing worse than how Christian persecution began after the death of Stephen

The most recent scheme of persecution is during this Covid-19 pandemic— Christians are denied food and pandemic related health care and assistance and support system

The pandemic had created more opportunities for persecutors to attack believers— here at home, the liberal left subtly used pandemic to persecute us— casinos, cabaret, clubs are open, while churches are ordered to closed its doors!

We shall still consider ourselves as American Christians to be super blessed and highly favored because we are not experiencing severe persecutions like what our brothers and sisters in North Korea, China, Afghanistan and the rest of the countries in the list

Well, it’s not because we are not experiencing such severe persecution that we should be persecuting each other! Of course not!

Now let’s take another look at when “the” church was first persecuted— and because of the persecution, the church was scattered— and because the church was scattered, it grew— and now almost 2,000 years ago have grown to approximately 2.5 billion of the total world population of 7.8 billion [that’s 1 for every 3]

That brothers and sister is our God’s way of turning setback to success— from persecution to proliferation

BOOK | LOOK | TOOK ACTS 8:1-25

Luke [author] has just set up his account of the church’s witness beyond Jerusalem with two men who are this point opposites— Saul, a zealous enemy of the church who approved of the killing of Stephen

And Stephen— A Hellenist [Greek-speaking Jews]—[1 of the 7 deacons to meet the material needs of the community]— the first martyr— he was also the first non-apostle to defend the faith before the Sanhedrin— the Christian who just laid down his life as a witness to Jesus— in very different ways both men motivate the church’s growth— as God continues to build His Church in spite fo persecution

In spite of being put to death, Stephen prayed to the Lord and cried out saying Lord do not hold this sin against them (even asking forgiveness for his killers)— similar words uttered by Jesus while on the cross

Luke 23:34 NIV

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Stephen was honored and not blamed— the persecution broke out in Jerusalem because of Stephen— and those who was scattered by the persecution travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch spreading the word among the Jews [SHOW MAP]

ON THAT DAY A GREAT PERSECUTION BROKE OUT AGAINST THE CHURCH

Acts 8:1 (NIV)

1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Bad news was— on that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem [where the church started]—

Now that a follower was killed, they were scared and run for their lives away from Jerusalem— except for the apostles since at this point the Church is centered in Jerusalem— and despite of intense persecution, the apostles remain their to continue to lead and support the Christian community

GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, HE DRAGGED OFF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Acts 8:3 (NIV)

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Because Saul was set out to destroy Christianity (house to house arrest to throw them in jail for their faith and belief in Jesus)— Saul pursued Christians without mercy or discretion

Persecution forced believers out of their homes and they took the gospel with them.

But the good news was— the Promised of Jesus was in Acts 1:8 was fulfilled— the word of the Lord spread like wild fires and up to this day still spreading

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Samaria is key to the spread of Christianity to the world— it is noticeable that Jesus mentioned Samaria before the ends of the earth

Israel had been divided into 3 major regions: Galilee in the north, Samaria in the middle, Judea in the south

When the Assyrians conquered Samaritans and took many captives.— This left only the poorest people and they resettled with foreigners.

These foreigners intermarried with the Jews and the mixed race became known as the Samaritans— They were considered half breeds by the "pure" Jews and hatred developed between the two groups.— But Jesus went to Samaria and commanded his followers to spread the gospel there

Persecution and Suffering— our God is in control! — our persecution here in our homeland may not be as severe— we are persecuted differently

If before our early brothers & sisters are pulled out from house to house and thrown to prison— these days we are not pulled from our house, we are forced to stay at our house

DOING THE WORKS OF MINISTRY COULD BRING DISCOMFORT IN MY LIFE

THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCATTERED PREACHED THE WORD WHEREVER THEY WENT

Acts 8:4 NIV

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

The Church scatters, but instead of dying out like the religions leaders expect, it grows all the more— Persecution forced the Christians out of Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria— this helped to fulfill Jesus' command to spread the word/gospel— God brought great results from the believers suffering.

It is encouraging to know that in God is in control over the sufferings of the church and causes them to spread like wild fire

The spiritual power and the joy of faith in a lost world— And amazingly enough that God branches the church into missionary service by the suffering she endures

We may not want to experience it, but discomfort may be the best thing for us because God may be working through our hurts— When we are tempted to complain about uncomfortable or painful circumstances, stop and ask if God might be preparing you for a special task— for a greater task!

Persecution forced believers out of their homes and they took the gospel with them— Sometimes we have to become uncomfortable before we'll move

We must not be disappointed when we see church could not gather due to pandemic— If you see things with the eyes of God, the Master strategist, what you see in every setback is the positioning for a greater advance and a greater display of his wisdom and power and love (masterful strategy).

Interesting, due to global pandemic Agape Global Home Church Network was born! — God used these discouraging times into positive outcome because of His love for us (He knows what His doing).

And in verse 4 due to persecution, He catapult the gospel to be preached (the region of Samaria, Judea and Elsewhere)— PERSECUTION TO PROLIFERATION

This is another great fulfilment of what Jesus said in Luke 21:12-13

Luke 21:12–13 NIV

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.

But beforehand Jesus told us not to worry how we will defend ourselves

Luke 21:15 NIV

15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

If the testimony of the early church was the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth— today, due to the persecution using the pandemic as their cover— we have Christians stories to tell like the story of our church

From San Diego, to California, to North Dakota, to Dubai & Kuwait in the Middle East, to the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hongkong in Southeast Asia, and now to India… and soon to the ends of the world.

The lesson is not just that God is sovereign and in control of everything— He can also turn setbacks to comebacks—

That comfort and safety and freedom often cause an atmosphere of easing in the church— No need to evangelize in the mission field due to pandemic

This environment can produce —laziness, weakness, weariness, and selfishness— We need to be very careful not to fall in this slacking environment— We should be more on our knees in prayer

Persecution can have harmful effects but we should not be disheartened we should be filled with hope if we are persecuted for righteousness' sake

1 Peter 3:14 NIV

14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Peter pointed it out that sufferings are blessings if you do what is right!— Peter said we must not fear nor should we be frightened

We need to remember that a great persecutor can become a great preacher— a foe can become a friend— adversaries can become allies

That's the power of God— they could experience an amazing turn-around, such that of Paul which was so unexpected!

Even when the church is getting persecuted and scattered, the Word of God brought good news and brings joy

SO THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT CITY

The same kind of joy brought by the gospel to Samaria— is the same great joy that we are bringing to these places, and eventually to the ends of the world

This signs demonstrates the Jesus has power not only over the physical realm, but also the supernatural realm

Psalm 30:5 NIV

5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Romans 10:15 NIV

15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED AND WAS BAPTIZED

Who is this Simon?

Simon Magus— the magician— the Samaritans recognized him as “that power of God which called great”

It is reported that Simon and his followers were converted and baptized by Philip

Can you be baptized and yet still have a heart that is not right with God? YES!

Simon believed, he was baptized, but was not truly converted— this faith or believing was not genuine and Jesus could see into the heart and know that it wasn’t

The Lord Jesus explained this using the parable called— the good soil— Jesus described the second type of soil like this:

Luke 8:13 NIV

13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

This kind of faith is not real saving faith!— interestingly, Paul taught the same possibility in

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 (NIV)

1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Truly, there is such thing as “believing in vain”— and the words of James for this is “useless”— “dead”

James 2:20 (NIV)

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

James 2:26 (NIV)

26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD NOT YET COME ON THEM

They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus— again, in Acts 1:8 Jesus told us to wait for the Holy Spirit that will come on us before we can be His witnesses

Can I witness for Jesus without the Holy Spirit in me? NO

Didn’t the Holy Spirit came dwelling in me since the time I was baptized in water? YES

So then, why can’t I do ministry? BECAUSE YOU’RE AREN’T BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second act of grace/blessings — if water baptism means “indwelling”, baptism in the Holy Spirit means “empowering”

What are evidences for the need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit before doing ministry?

All four gospels record John the Baptist’s pronouncement that Jesus Christ will baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:11 (NIV)

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Mark 1:8 (NIV)

8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16 (NIV)

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 1:33 (NIV)

33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

The disciples were told to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the pentecost in Jerusalem before they shall witness for the world

Simon the Magus was not baptized in the Holy Spirit— he even offered money to Peter and John so that they may lay their hands on him

YOU HAVE NO PART OR SHARE IN THIS MINISTRY

Because your heart is not right with God— For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin

You cannot be a part of ministry if you’re full of bitterness and pride

I CANNOT BE A PART OF MINISTRY IF MY HEART IS NOT RIGHT BEFORE GOD

Acts 8:21 NIV

21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Acts 8:23 NIV

23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer

IF I AM REBUKED FOR A SERIOUS MISTAKE, IT IS FOR MY OWN GOOD

Repent quickly— pray— and ask for prayers

Acts 8:22 NIV

22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Acts 8:24 NIV

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

CLOSING | MEMORY VERSE | PRAYER

1 Corinthians 4:12–13 (NIV)

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.