Introduction: Today has been designated, by many American denominations, as the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. There can be no doubt that persecution is a fact of life for Christians in many countries around the world. (Read US Commission Report) Persecution in more subtle forms is increasing in the United States. For example:
The American people are still basically Christian, but our Faith continues to grow shallower. The percentage of Americans attending church is ten percent lower now than it was ten years ago. If this trend continues, we should not be surprised to see persecution become more open than it is now.
What does the Bible say to us about persecution? Let me give you six words this morning...
I. Expect.
We should expect to be persecuted and unpopular.
John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
We are we so surprised at persecution? Because we want to fit in. We want everyone to like us, even people who have rejected Christ. It is difficult to take a stand. It is difficult to be different. But that is what it means to be a Christian.
The Apostle James wrote:
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, and to Timothy his disciple:
Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
2 Tim 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
2 Tim 3:11 persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
2 Tim 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
II. Pray.
When we are persecuted, we should call to God for help.
Psalm 50:15 "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Acts 16:22-34 Paul and Silas prayed in their prison cell, and God did a miracle. He released them, and saved the jailer.
III. Endure.
Sometimes, deliverance is not God's will for the persecuted Christian. Sometimes God allows Satan to triumph over His children. Literally millions of Christians have been martyred in the 20th century by Stalin and Mao Tse Tung. John the Baptist was arrested, thrown in the dungeon, and beheaded at the request of a dancing girl.
Sometimes God delivers His children from persecution, but sometimes He does not:
Heb 11:35 ...Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Heb 11:36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
Heb 11:37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--
Heb 11:38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
Heb 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
Heb 11:40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
The Bible says we must endure, keep on keeping on, in spite of persecution and hardship, and even death.
Mat 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
Mat 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
Mat 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Mat 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
Mat 24:13 but he who stands firm (endures) to the end will be saved.
Rom 12:12-14 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
IV. Assist.
Those of us who are able have a duty to assist our persecuted brothers and sisters at home and abroad in any way we can. Jesus described God's children at the end of the age in these words:
Mat 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
Mat 25:36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Mat 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
Mat 25:38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
Mat 25:39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
Mat 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
We need to both pray AND take action for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted:
Acts 12:1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
Acts 12:2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Acts 12:3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 12:4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Heb 10:32-34 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You SYMPATHIZED with those in prison...
Heb 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
2 Tim 1:16-17 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because HE OFTEN REFRESHED ME and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.
Sometimes we are able to help our brethren actually ESCAPE or avoid persecution.
Acts 9:22-25 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
V. Evangelize.
Win people to Christ, and make disciples, at home and abroad.
Persecution cannot be stopped by clever planning, by protests, by demonstrations, by politicking. Persecution WILL come to an end as the Gospel spreads, as nations are won to Christ, as individual citizens become Christians, and as the love of Christ fills their hearts. It must be a grass-roots movement. Peace and love cannot be imposed by decree from the State.
Paul the Apostle persecuted the Church. Hundreds of Christians were imprisoned and even killed because of his zeal for Phariseeism. But when Paul became converted he stopped persecuting the church and started building it up instead.
We need to continue our overseas missionary support, but we also need to turn our attention to our own nation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We must be busy evangelizing and winning people to Christ right here in Signal Mountain. Each of us has a responsibility. There are some people that YOU can reach, that can be reached by no one else. Are you doing your part?
VI. Live.
Live a life that commands respect. Persecution is one thing. Being punished deservedly is something else.
1 Pet 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Pet 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Pet 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 Pet 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
1 Pet 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Conclusion: Today is the day of prayer for the persecuted Church. We who are so blessed with peace and safety must remind ourselves to care for our brothers and sisters in other places. Let's pray for them, and give them our assistance in any way we can. Amen.