Introduction: What? Pass the Persecution Please? Are you crazy? No. Not really. Why? Because the Bible leads us to believe those who name the name of Jesus can EXPECT more!
1. Look what Jesus said about PERSECUTION!
“10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt 5:10-12)
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3)
Speaking of PERSECUTION, Jesus set the example that we are to follow.
“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Pet 2:21-23)
Get ready for more to come!
2. Consider what Paul was inspired to write about CHRISTian PERSECUTION!
“12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12)
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim 2:12)
Certainly, he experienced his share of PERSECUTION!
“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Cor 11:24-28)
3. Check out what Peter had to say about the subject of PERSECUTION!
“12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Pet 4:12-16)
4. Listen to the historian and physician, Luke’s description of the early Church’s PERSECUTION!
“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide…..”
“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 4, 5)
The closer you get to Jesus, the more PERSECUTION you can expect.
Conclusion: PERSECUTION is a part of God’s plan. Jesus faced it. The prophets and disciples all suffered PERSECUTION and some martyrdom, with the exception of John who was thrown into a pot of boiling oil only to escape it with his life. Later, he was exiled on an island called Patmos, off the coast of modern day Turkey, where he received the REVELATION of Jesus Christ. So the real question is not are we going to face more PERSECUTION, but rather what will our response be? In the light of so many millions of CHRISTians who have been persecuted down thru the centuries….
“Pass the PERSECUTION Please”!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
