Divine Strenght and Courage for Steadfast Saints

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE IN PERSECUTION

MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

TEXT: Matthew 5:10-12; 10:22; James 1:2-4; Acts 16:20-26; Daniel 3:13-18

INTRODUCTION Persecution is the act of harassing, oppressing, or killing people because of their difference from society. Christians are persecuted because their belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour does not conform to the godlessness of a sinful world. Persecution is Satan’s method of putting pressure on believers to forsake the way of righteousness. Many started the Christian life with zeal and enthusiasm but have since gone back because of persecution (Matthew 13:5-6,20).

The Bible records persecution of God's people in both the Old and New Testaments. God can use persecution to bring about a positive benefit in our lives. To suffer with Christ is to reign with Him (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12). The overcomer’s crown awaits those who endured to the end and are victorious (Revelation 3:11-12).

Persecution can help to mold our character, perfect, establish and strengthen us (1 Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4). As fire helps to harden and bake the pot strengthening the clay, likewise the trials of our faith help us to depend upon the Lord and never lose focus of heaven the better country. The church has thrived much better in adversity than in times of ease and convenience.

It is no child’s play to be a true and devoted worshipper of God and a true soldier of the Cross. True believer lives under the banner and the laws of his Captain, but the world expects him to follow its rules. The god of this world is the devil and he wants to claim implicit obedience. Satan sets up himself to be worshipped. If we would not worship him or his image, the fierce tyrant would remind us that the burning fiery furnace has not yet cooled. To be a real Christian, you must decide to cast off the bondage of this present evil world. Your resolve must be taken to bear all consequences rather than worship the idol of the hour. The music of the world will sound and the threats of its prince will be heard, but the true believer would disobey the evil one and obey God. That which commends itself to your conscience as true and pure, you must do, but that which is false and sinful you must quit with firm resolve. The loyal subject of King Jesus will not try to serve God and mammon. Therefore, yield not to temptation for yielding is sin. Q 1: What do you understand by the word persecution? Can unbeliever or backslider be persecuted?

1. CERTAINTY OF PERSECUTION – 2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:10-12; 10:22; Acts 9:16; 2 Corinthians 4:11; Philippians 1:29.

The Bible established beyond any reasonable doubt that persecution is assured in the Christian life, hence we cannot avoid it: “YEA, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

The world hates Christ (John 15:18), therefore the world will also hate the believer because he loves Christ and follows His precepts (John 17:14,16). Persecution comes to us because of the world and Satan’s fundamental hatred for Christ and His followers (John 15:19,20).

1 Bible Study: Wednesday- 7:30pm; Prayer Meeting: Friday - 7:30pm; Sunday Service: Sunday -7:30pm; Website: www.ecfcnl.org.

ECF Bible Study-May@2017. Persecution essentially is suffering for Christ and righteousness sake. Too many Christians see only the sunny side of Christianity. However, they need a balanced dose of the scriptures

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, NOT ONLY to believe on Him, BUT ALSO to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29). “But he shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time, … WITH persecutions” (Mark 10:30).

Q 2: What did our Lord and Scriptures say about persecution of believers?

For Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, persecution was a fiery trial of their faith but their faith was strong enough to neutralize the fear of fire and to remain “steadfast and unmoveable.” They were strong in their commitment to God and would rather suffer than sin. During the persecution of the early Church a heroic saint was summoned before the Emperor of Rome. The Emperor threatened him with banishment if he dared remain a Christian. ‘Me thou canst not banish, for the world is my Father’s house’, was his noble answer. ‘But I will take thy life’, said the Emperor. ‘Nay, but thou canst not, sire, for my life is hid with Christ in God’. ‘I will deprive thee of thy treasures’, continued the Emperor. ‘I have no treasures that thou canst seize’, was the response, ‘for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there’. ‘I will drive thee away from men, and thou shalt have no friend left.’ ‘Nay, that thou canst not’, replied the bold and faithful witness, ‘for I have a Friend in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me’. What a challenge for believers in the last days!

Q 3: How certain is Christian’s persecution? Is suffering for offence a believer committed persecution?

2. CATEGORIES OF PERSECUTION - 1 Peter 2:23; Luke 6:22; Nehemiah 4:1-6; John 15:25; Acts 5:41; 16:23-25

Persecution is suffering because of our faith and it comes in different guises and diverse forms:

(1) Verbal assault and reviling (Matthew 5:10-12) (2) Mockery, scorning and reproach (Nehemiah 4:1-6) (3) Rejection by loved ones and ostracism (Luke 6:22) (4) Beating, scourging, and physical assault (Jeremiah 20:1-2). (5) Imprisonment and incarceration (Acts 16:23-25) (6) False accusation and slander (Genesis 39:6-20). (7) Vandalization and destruction of personal property (Hebrews 10:34) (8) Hatred without any justifiable reason (Matthew 10:22) (9) Execution and martyrdom (Acts 7:58-60; Revelation 2:13) The Devil is at the root of every persecution, motivating his agents to make life difficult for believers to the intent we can backslide. Persecution can come from ungodly rulers like Nebuchadnezzar, unconverted colleagues, unbelievers, religious people, false brethren, ignorant and misguided believers.

Q 4. What are the sources and forms of persecution to Christians?

The believer who has pledged and consecrated his heart and life to Christ is resolved and determined to serve God always, whosoever is pleased or displeased. The truth has arrested him and he knows that the love of God and the love of the world will no more mix like oil and water. He stands for truth and righteousness; he refuses even to parley with iniquity. With such brave resolve, such believer shall be able to endure the trial of the hour. Q 5: What is the place of consecration and commitment in overcoming persecution?

ECF Bible Study-May@2017. 3. BELIEVERS CONDUCT DURING PERSECUTION - 1 Peter 4:12; 2:23; 2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:11-12; Luke 6:22-23; Hebrews 10:34; James 1:2-4; Romans 12:17-21

There is correct Christian attitude in persecution and there can be wrong comportment in times of trial and buffeting. The scriptures stipulate how a Christian should comport him/herself in times of persecution:

(1) There should be no element of surprise in persecution Persecution is part of the normal Christian life. We are not alone in it. The prophets before us were persecuted (Luke 6:23). Jesus our Lord and Master was persecuted. We are not greater than our Master.

(2) We are expected to count it all joy Christ said we should rejoice and be exceedingly glad. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ’s name.

(3) Patient endurance without retaliation We are to patiently endure persecution. There should be no retaliation of any kind to our persecutors. We must not curse or revile. God expects us to do good to our persecutors.

(4) Cultivate a thankful attitude and create an atmosphere of prayer and praise God expects us to pray for our persecutors. Like Paul and Silas in prison, we can pray and praise God (Philippians 4:6).

(5) Never fear and know that God is on the throne watching There is no need to fear persecution. God Himself knows it is coming. God will undertake for us. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us.

We must have faith in God’s ability to deliver us. He delivered Daniel and the three Hebrew children. He delivered Peter from vicious Herod and the wicked people. He will deliver us from unreasonable and wicked, faithless man (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3).

(6) Never compromise but stand firm in your biblical conviction The purpose of persecution is to make us deny Christ. Stand firm upon your biblical conviction. Don’t bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. Don’t bend to the opinions of others. Don’t forsake your spiritual disciplines. Keep on keeping on.

We should rather choose to go through persecution than to compromise because of ease and worldly enjoyment (Hebrews 11:25).

Q 6. What should be the attitude of believers during persecution?

4. COURAGE DURING PERSCUTION - Daniel 3:17; Romans 4:20-21; 8:18; Isaiah 43:2; 2 Timothy 1:11-14; Hebrews 2:13-18; 7:25-26; 2 Timothy 4:18; Romans 8:31-39

If God calls you to enter the fiery furnace of persecution, hesitate not for one moment. He will be with you and either sustain you, or deliver you, or make it conducive. With courage and determination, we must act in the light of eternity. We must not judge any situation by the persecutor’s threats or by the heat of the burning fiery

ECF Bible Study-May@2017. furnace, but by the everlasting God and the eternal life awaiting us. Faith makes us fearless, courageous and persevering. We know that the will of God will prevail and He will be glorified

God loves faithful, uncompromising believers. Non-conformists who refuse to be conformed to this world are His delight. Yet we must remember that the world and the god of this world hate whatever and whosoever God loves.

We need not be frightened by the rage, fury and devise of persecutors. Persecution purifies and preserves the true children of God; it revives our dormant faith in some forgotten promises of God (Isaiah 43:2); it brings God’s omnipotence and faithfulness nearer in manifestation. Persecution drives us to prayer and more dependence on God.

Q 7. How can a believer live an uncompromising and overcomer’s life in this modern world?

There are precious promises we can never prove until we encounter some problems and pressures. There is a kind of sweet juice of the grape of grace which can only be pressed out by the hand of providence. There are states of divine companionship which can only be experienced when we find ourselves in situations where human companionship is impossible. There is a depth of divine love and intimate fellowship known only to believers who courageously face the opposition of the world against righteousness. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a fresh understanding, a divine contact and companionship, an intimate fellowship, a new revelation of God’s power, an experience of security and immunity, a fulfilment of an incredible promise, a supernatural sign and wonder, in the furnace which they could not have had outside the furnace. They lost nothing inside the furnace, rather they gained incalculable spiritual wealth, immediate earthly rewards and heaven’s enduring recognition. We lose nothing in the furnace of persecution, rather our profit and rewards are abundant in the present life and in eternity.

Q 8: Can Christians still overcome persecutions today? Are there promises or rewards for the overcomers?

ECF Bible Study-May@2017.