Category: Persecution

The Lord told His disciples in John 15:18-25, that they could expect the world to hate them. Why? “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (vs. 19). This hatred leads to persecution of Christians. But we are not to despair, because of the hope we have in Christ.

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(Image: 45 year old Asia Bibi of Pakistan)

Consider the unfairness of the following scenario. You are a single member of a minority religious group, working at your job as a farmhand in a field. You are asked by your supervisor to go and fetch water for the other workers. You do as asked, but when you bring the water, your fellow workers refuse to drink it, calling the water unclean because you are the one who fetched it. A few days later you are set upon by a mob, still angry over the initial incident. The authorities are called, and they take you away for your own protection. Later, some in the mob claim that you are guilty of blasphemy against their religion. So, the authorities arrest you, and imprison you on that charge. You go to court, and though no evidence is presented to show the charge is true, you are nevertheless found guilty and sentenced to death. You are married, and have five children.

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James 1:1-4

The epistle of James is a general epistle, in the sense that it was written to a broad group rather than a specific individual or church. It was written to the “twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” indicating Jewish Christians throughout the world. Though the introductory paragraph does not specify Jewish Christians, the contents of the letter show that his intended audience is believers in Christ.

James’ letter is eminently practical, and his first admonition in verses 2-4 certainly deserves this designation.

The trials of life are tests, and if we pass the tests, we benefit greatly as a result. When the text says that tribulation produces patience, it acknowledges the fact that we learn as we endure. We grow stronger, we are tempered and we mature. As such, when we come out the other side, it can be said of us that we are “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

While tribulation is not pleasant, such testing is nevertheless cause for joy. It is because of the spiritual growth we experience. And, even more so because it shows our Lord that we are worthy to join with Him in suffering and future glory.

The sermon is based on the text of 2 Corinthians 1:3-6. We may suffer persecution and distress in our lives as Christians, but we are partakers in the suffering of Christ, and as such we have consolation and comfort as a result of our relationship to him. Of course, ultimately that consolation has an eternal application because of our hope of heaven.

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Even as we pattern ourselves by those who live righteously… (“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”, 1 Corinthians 11:1), …ultimately our pattern to follow is the Lord Himself.

What did Christ do for us as our example?

• He suffered for us
• He repelled the tempter through God’s word and prayer
• He forgave sinners seeking His mercy
• He was compassionate
• He exemplified humility

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2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The apostle Paul suffered a great deal because of his ministry in the gospel. He was constantly in peril, and coveted the prayers of the saints for protection. His petition here is especially specific, as he requested protection from “unreasonable and wicked men.”

Why are some men wicked? Because, “not all have faith.” Those without faith are often actively antagonistic toward Christ.

Such a sobering reality is certainly cause for prayer, but not for despair. Despite the antagonism of the worldly, Paul had reason for comfort and confidence. “But the Lord is faithful.” (cf. Romans 8:31).
Not only was Paul confident in God’s faithfulness, he was confident in the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. They were doing God’s will, and he believed they would continue to be faithful to Him.

This prayer was that their hearts (referencing both devotion and will) would be directed into the Love of God (indicating a love for God, seen in obedience) and the Patience of Christ (indicating a need for the same patience evinced by the Savior Himself in His life on earth). A wonderful prayer indeed!

The Lord’s church has many enemies, some without, and more damaging, others within. The lesson details 7 “instruments” opposing the church.

• Persecution
• The World
• Mammon
• Discord
• Division
• False Doctrine
• Lukewarmness

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The sermon discusses various events surrounding the ministry of Paul in Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19.

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The world hated Jesus, and put him to death. It should not surprise us that the world will hate us as His disciples. We must endure persecution as we spread the word and live righteously before Him.

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2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

A common circumstance of Christians in the first century was the suffering of persecution for the kingdom’s sake. Paul referred in this text to the “persecutions and tribulations” that the Thessalonians had endured.

He commended them for their perseverance, and promised them that God would “give you who are troubled rest” at the Advent of Christ.

The reason for the promise is the character of Almighty God. “It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble” His children, and to give His children rest “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels” (cf. vs. 6-7).

Because of who God is (His person and character) we can be assured that he will treat us fairly in judgment. That is a reason for the ungodly to fear, but it is a basis for our hope and comfort as we live righteously in His service.

Acts 6:8-14

Stephen was one of many disciples who fearless preached the word in the face of persecution (cf. Acts 8:1-4). It cost him his life, but gained for him the crown of life (cf. Revelation 2:10).

One of the tactics of the enemies of truth is to supply just enough truth to make their lies seem believable. Satan did this in the garden when he said, “You will not surely die… you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). Here they took the words of Jesus, twisting them to make it seem that Stephen was preaching a message that was blasphemy “against Moses and God” (vs. 11).

Jesus indeed taught a change of customs and law. However, it was not his intent to destroy, but fulfill! (cf. Matthew 5:17-20).

If we preach truth, we too will suffer the false testimony of the enemies of truth. However, we too are promised that our faithfulness will secure for us a crown of life.

AOTS Number 35

Every time that life knocks us down – with trials, tribulations and temptations – we must get back up if we expect to be successful in life.

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Podcast Number 18

The Bible reveals (the epistle of James) that trials and tests produce patience in the life of the Christian. We should consider it a reason for rejoicing when we are tested and chastened by God.

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Martyrdom is defined as “the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one’s religious faith” (Webster’s). In respect to the Christian faith, martyrdom is dying because of the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Perhaps the best known example of such a death is also the first example, that of Stephen, whose stoning is recorded in Acts 7:57-59, “Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

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The text of Luke 12:4-7 teaches two great lessons. That man should fear God; and, that the soul of man is of great value. This sermon deals with those two major points.

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