The Need for Persecution January 25 09
The Need for Persecution
Part 2 of the Need for Persecution and Peace
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Introduction:
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”(Matthew 5:10, 11, 12, ESV)
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44, ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, ESV)
“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. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”(Acts 8:1-3, ESV)
“The Lord had instructed His followers to begin their witness in Jerusalem, but then to branch out to Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth. Up to this time their witness had been confined entirely to Jerusalem. Perhaps they had been timid about branching out. Now they are forced to do it by persecution….. From the human standpoint, it was a dark day for the believers. The life of a member of their fellowship had been laid down. They themselves were being chased like rabbits. But from the divine standpoint, it was not dark at all. A grain of wheat had been planted in the ground, and much fruit would inevitably result. The winds of affliction were scattering the seeds of the gospel to distant places, and who could estimate the extent of the harvest?” [1]
There must be Persecution (scattering) and Peace (recovering and rebuilding). God knows that He must maintain a delicate balance of the two—for too much persecution and there will be a loss of faith caused by discouragement and disillusionment, and a desire to just give up. On the other side when there is too much peace inevitably complacence and apathy become the standard—too much of either leads to inaction or a minimal amount of the life of Christ lived through the church.
Last week we talked about times of peace—times for the church to stabilize, to rebuild (built up and encouraged), to be comforted, and to regain strength for the next part of the great commission.
Times of persecution also produce fruit for the believer and for the kingdom of God. For you and I—persecution (put to flight, to cause to flee or run—as in Acts 8:1 and Matthew 5), trial (times of proving), tribulation (affliction, oppression) produce endurance, patience, steadfastness which is a necessary characteristic who will not turn away from the deliberate purpose of their life and their loyalty to the Lord Jesus. At the same time we need to understand that while we are being persecuted, while a trial is going on, when we find ourselves in tribulation—these times not only produce endurance but the come with joy. Joy is a choice—we must count (consider, deem, think, have authority over how we respond) it all joy, says James.
“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” (Acts 5:41, ESV)
To suffer dishonor for the name—to suffer for Christ is an honor that causes joy.
Why would we want to suffer, to be persecuted, to be afflicted? For the love of Jesus.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14, NIV)
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;” (2 Corinthians 5:14, ESV) “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16, ESV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34, NIV)
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35, NIV)
“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:17, NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10, NIV)
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8, NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8, NIV)
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[1]MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Ac 8:1