 |
. Living
Hope Fellowship Church
Church Study Course
PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH
Lesson 9
CHURCH #9 1
PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH
OUTLINE:
1. RESISTANCE TO GOOD CHANGES
2. PERSECUTION for worshiping the true God.
3. DEALING WITH PERSECUTION
Boldness Suffering
Love of God You will be hated
Faith Are you ready?
4. STRENGTH AND COURAGE
5. ATTITUDE
6. WHEN PERSECUTION COMES
God's people need to be in the unity of the Spirit now and
especially when persecution comes. When we fight the devil
together instead of fighting each other, saints will be
multiplied. Read Acts Chapter 2 (Verse 1, 38, and 41 in
particular). Faithful Christians endure whatever comes, that
they may accomplish 1 Peter 1:9 which says, "Receiving the
end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
Churches should be established and GROW. The leaders and
congregation should study the Word, know sound doctrine, and
live by it. God never changes, and neither does his Word
(Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, & Psalm 119:89).
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask
for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We
will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16.
1. RESISTANCE TO GOOD CHANGES
Have you ever seen a wagon, bike, car, etc. getting out of
an old dry rut in the road or a field? As the tires are
making it out of the rut, it shakes and wobbles the vehicle.
When people are coming out of deadness to serve God in the
Spirit and in holiness, it changes their lives and upsets
the flesh and the devil, but we must be changed to do great
works for God. "Normal" Christian living doesn't produce
miracles. When miracles do come forth, as God did with the
apostles that had such great faith, persecution follows!
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain
brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that
have turned the world upside down are come hither also. Acts
17:6.
The devil will resist and defy you in any of your efforts to
work for God, because the work of God destroys the work of
the devil and his kingdom. Read Ezra Chapter 4-6.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God
was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil. 1 John 3:8.
When Jesus came, some things changed. The old "church" that
did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, rejected the new
"believers" in Christ Jesus. Therefore, new churches had to
be established. Acts 5:14 and Acts 16:5.
Those who come out of dead churches now into the real power
of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, will suffer persecution
(Acts 28:22). In the Bible some were "thrown out of the
church" because of their belief in Jesus (John 9:22 & John
12:42). It is better to be "thrown out" of a church that
rejects the power of God than to be rejected by God. God
still punishes those who reject him (Jude 1:15).
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5.
(32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him
will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33.
Read also Luke 12:8-9.
2. PERSECUTION for worshiping the true God.
Our reward for serving God is eternal life, but we are
promised persecution. There are many scriptures that tell us
about children of God who have suffered persecution for the
gospel's sake.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12.
Daniel was a good example of a true saint of God, not to be
worshiped, but to be respected. We can be encouraged by his
faith in God. When Daniel was thrown in the lion's den it
was because he did not obey the decree that said no one was
to ask a petition of any god or man except the king for so
many days. According to Almighty God's law, that is sin.
Daniel disobeyed the king and prayed to God anyway. Read
Daniel 6:7-8, 12-13. God delivered him, but there are
martyrs whom God allows to be killed. The account of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel is
another case where God's children decided to obey God and
worship him only. Afterward, the king who had intended to
kill them made a decree in favor of our true GOD.
(28) Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel,
and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have
changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they
might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
(29) Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation,
and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and
their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no
other God that can deliver after this sort. Daniel 3:28-29.
3. DEALING WITH PERSECUTION
BOLDNESS: Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29-31, Ephesians 3:12,
Philippians 1:20, 1 John 4:17.
(18) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for
my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. (19)
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye
shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour
what ye shall speak. (20) For it is not ye that speak, but
the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Matthew
10:18-20. Read also Mark 13:9.
(12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on
you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues,
and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for
my name's sake. (13) And it shall turn to you for a
testimony. (14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to
meditate before what ye shall answer: (15) For I will give
you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not
be able to gainsay nor resist. (16) And ye shall be betrayed
both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends;
and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (17)
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (18)
But there shall not an hair of your head perish. (19) In
your patience possess ye your souls. Luke 21:12-20.
LOVE OF GOD: The early church had a lot of persecution. The
love of God helped them deal with it. Acts 2:43 says all
that believed were together and had all things common. They
gave to those who had need. They were persecuted, but the
work of the Lord still went on. God made a way. They took up
collections for the saints (1 Corinthians 16:1-6). Jesus
supernaturally made a way for taxes to be paid (Matthew
17:25-27). Jesus fed four thousand at one time and five
thousand at another time supernaturally (Matthew 16, Mark
8). God fed manna to his people in the Old Testament, and
David gave testimony how God prepared a table for him right
in the presence of his enemies (Psalm 23:5)!
FAITH: Read Hebrews Chapter 11. Read Romans 4:19.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you,
and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3.
Persecution DOES purge the saints because you will make
decisions to go on with God, or you will compromise and back
up on God. A New Testament example is where the apostles
were all with one accord (Acts 5:12). Ananias and Sapphira
had just fallen dead because they lied to the Holy Ghost.
This was a sign of God's judgment. Many signs and wonders
were wrought and the people respected and honored them
because of the power of God in their lives (Acts 5:13). Then
the apostles were thrown in prison. God delivered them and
they disobeyed man's command that they not teach about
Jesus. The established "religious" leaders did this to
Jesus' disciples (Acts Chapter 5).
(28) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should
not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's
blood upon us. (29) Then Peter and the other apostles
answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:28-29.
They took counsel to slay them (verse 33) but God did not
let them die. They took a beating and heard again the
command that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. As
workers for Christ, we sometimes take beatings of different
varieties. We should be encouraged by the apostles' example.
They took the beating, and rejoiced that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name, and DID NOT QUIT
their work for Christ!!! Read about it in Acts 5:38-40.
Read here Verse 41-42.
(41) And they departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for
his name. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts
5:41-42.
Have faith and don't doubt. Read Matthew 21:21-22, Mark
11:23-25, and Luke 16:10-11.
SUFFERING: Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and
our example (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus was tempted like we are
tempted, and he did not sin! Jesus was acquainted with grief
and sorrow, and with persecution for the gospel's sake.
(15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from
him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3.
Jesus suffered pain from the death of a loved one when John
the Baptist, his cousin, was beheaded for the gospel. When
he heard of John's death, he went to a desert place (Matthew
14:10-15). People heard where he went. Jesus went forth, saw
the multitude, and had compassion. He went ahead and
ministered to the sick even though he was suffering a loss.
Jesus also suffered the loss of Judas Iscariot, one of the
12 he had chosen, knowing he went to hell. He continued his
work for God and went to the cross. He suffered temptation,
overcame temptation, was crucified, and was resurrected. We
must do the same.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:3.
YOU WILL BE HATED: Read all of Matthew Chapter 10. We must
endure AND overcome.
(22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (23) But
when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:
for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the
cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew
10:22-23.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and
cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Luke
6:22.
ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY to suffer persecution for the
gospel's sake? Paul said, ". . . I am set for the defence of
the gospel." (Philippians 1:17)
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 2
Timothy 1:10.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life
dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24.
4. STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO WITHSTAND PERSECUTION
You need a willing heart and faith. Be submitted to God so
that you can resist the devil! We are told in 2 Timothy
3:1-5 how people will be in the last days and that it will
be perilous times!
Job 14:1 says, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days,
and full of trouble." Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble." Read Hebrews
12:12 and 2 Timothy 4:17.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be
strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13.
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of
them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee:
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy
God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9.
Read these promises found in Isaiah 54:17, Luke 10:19, and
Psalm 34:7. No weapon formed against you will prosper! God
will give you power over all the power of the enemy! The
angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him! In the
Old Testament (Nehemiah) you can read about the rebuilding
of the wall and the persecution God's people faced such as
threatening letters, messages of fear, reports to the
government, and trickery. Someone led the way with courage,
knowing the Lord dealt with him to do the work. They prayed
for strength and courage. The wall was finished in 52 days.
All the heathen realized and said that work was wrought of
God. Read Nehemiah 6:9 and 1 Corinthians 4:12.
(15) But 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. (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (19)
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God
commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as
unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:15-16 & 19.
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we
trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Hebrews 6:19.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing
of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7. Read 1 Peter 4:12.
Read Romans 8:18, Romans 8:35-39, 2 Corinthians 12:10,
Hebrews 3:14,
Hebrews 12:27, Hebrews 11:36, and Acts 14:22. Read also 2
Corinthians 11:23-28, 2 Corinthians Chapter 4 and 5:1-7,
Hebrews 10:30-38, Proverbs 12:13, Isaiah 43:1-2, Daniel
3:6-28, Psalm 60:11-12, Hebrews 11:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:2,
and Matthew 16:18.
5. ATTITUDE: Read Romans 12:14 and James 3:8-10.
(44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for
he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even
the publicans the same? Matthew 5:44-46.
(27) But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do
good to them which hate you, (28) Bless them that curse you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you. (29) And unto
him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other;
and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy
coat also. (31) And as ye would that men should do to you,
do ye also to them likewise. (35) But love ye your enemies,
and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your
reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the
Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luke 6:27-29, 31, & 35.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16.
6. WHEN PERSECUTION COMES
Make sure that you have studied the Word of God so you won't
be ashamed when asked about the hope you have in Christ
(Hebrews 6:19). Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Job 4:4, and be
already in the practice of praying, fasting, and studying
God's Word. Read Matthew 7:7-8, 1 Peter 4:7, Isaiah 40:31,
Psalm 27:14. Read all of Isaiah Chapter 58 about fasting.
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit
truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38.
Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27.
We must follow Jesus closely so we do not deny him when
persecution comes. Peter followed afar off and denied Jesus
(Matthew 26:58). If we deny him he will deny us. Follow
closely so you can know and hear his voice (John 10:4-5).
Remember Psalm 62:2, "He only is my rock and my salvation:
he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved." Remember
Luke 10:19 how God has given us power over all power of the
devil. Be strong for God, even in times of persecution;
eternal life is worth it.
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 1:11.
CLICK
HERE to go to Church Lesson 9 Exam.
E-mail
livinghopefellowship@lazernetwireless.net
Phone #
618-634-2541
©
Living Hope Fellowship, Inc.
|
