Persecution: Be Prepared
Series The Gospel of John 16
In the beginning of the church, as the Hebrew Christians began seeing the glory of Christ, they also started to suffer for Christ. In the first century, to embrace Christ meant to suffer. Whenever a Christian said something or did something that was not politically correct in those days, it resulted in them getting arrested or having their property plundered or their homes burned.
Herein lies one of the main reasons why the church in America is so anemic. We are at home in this world, while the early Christians were aliens and exiles whose true home was in heaven and in the age to come with Jesus. That world was so real to them and so precious that they did the unthinkable: rejoiced in their suffering! The key to their joy in the midst of danger and loss was that they simply did not put much stock in this world. They had been transferred into the kingdom of God's Son (Col. 1:13). They had passed from death to life. Their lives were hid with Christ in God.
This has been the pattern wherever Christianity has shined the brightest. Are we to expect America to be exempt? Are there any signs in our nation that Christians may soon suffer in the same way the first century church has? How will this effect those in our churches?
Rather than causing us to fear, may this text prepare us and fill us with a longing to be free from the comfort-seeking, entertainment-addicted American religion and turn to knowing Christ in the fellowship of His suffering (Phil 3:10).
Sermon ID | 7906225958 |
Duration | 59:58 |
Date | Jul 9, 2006 |
Category | Sunday Service |
Bible Text | John 16:1-4 |
Language | English |