Sermon Central
-
I've Been Reading A Very Powerful Book, Tortured ...
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 2, 2009 (message contributor)
I’ve been reading a very powerful book, Tortured for Christ, which is a testimony from a follower of Jesus who suffered immensely in Romania after the communist takeover. Originally published 30 years ago, it is still very powerful. Richard Wurmbrand was a faithful servant of Christ in the Underground Church during that time that suffered immensely for Jesus.
“In the prison of Gherla, a Christian named Grecu was sentenced to be beaten to death. The process last a few weeks during which he was beaten very slowly. He would be hit once at the bottom of the feet with a rubber club, and then left. After some minutes he would again be hit, after another few minutes again. He was beaten on the testicles. Then the doctor gave him an injection. He recovered and was given very good food to restore his strength, and then he was beaten again, until he eventually died under this slow, repeated beating. One who led this torture was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, whose name was Reck.
“During the beatings, Reck said something to Grecu that the Communists often said to Christians, “You know, I am God. I have power of life and death over you. The one who is in heaven cannot decide to keep you in life. Everything depends upon me. If I wish, you live. If I wish, you are killed. I am God!” So he mocked the Christian.
“Brother Grecu, in this horrible situation, gave Reck a very interesting answer, which was heard afterward from Reck himself. He said, “You don’t know what a deep thing you have said. Every caterpillar is in reality a butterfly, if it develops rightly. You have not been created to be a torturer, a man who kills. You have been created to become like God, with the life of the Godhead in your heart. Many who have been persecutors like you, have come to realize—like the apostle Paul—that it is shameful for a man to commit atrocities, that they can do much better things. So they have become partakers of the divine nature. Jesus said to the Jews of His time, ‘Ye are gods.’ Believe me, Mr. Reck, your real calling is to be Godlike—to have the character of God, not a torturer.
“At that moment Reck did not pay much attention to the words of his victim, as Saul of Tarsus did not pay attention to the beautiful witness of Stephen being killed in his presence. But those words worked in his heart. And Reck later understood that this was his real calling.”
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Billy Graham Noted, "Faith Is The Avenue Of ... PRO
Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 23, 2005
Billy Graham noted, “Faith is the avenue of salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a mustard seed, so small you can hardly see it. But if you will put that little faith in the person of Jesus, your ...read more
-
You Can't Break God's Promises By Leaning On ... PRO
Contributed by Kim Huffman on Mar 31, 2004
You can’t break God’s promises by ...read more
-
Corrie Ten Boom Was A Courageous Dutch Woman Who ... PRO
Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 23, 2005
Corrie ten Boom was a courageous Dutch woman who was interned in a Nazi prison camp during World War II because her family helped to hide Jewish people from the Gestapo. During her imprisonment, Corrie endured some of the worst degradation a person can experience. Her sister, Betsy, died in the ...read more
-
From Studying The Brain Scientists Have Found ...
Contributed by Lisa Delay on Aug 28, 2005
From studying the brain scientists have found that repeated thoughts actually create physical grooves in the brain. When we practice a skill, learn a sport or study facts, a little trench is carved into our brain tissue. This is another reason why it is hard to break a habit. A habit is truly ...read more
-
Tim Bowden, In His Book One Crowded Hour About ... PRO
Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 22, 2004
Tim Bowden, in his book One Crowded Hour about cameraman Neil Davis, tells about an incident that happened in Borneo during the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia in 1964. A group of Gurkhas from Nepal were asked if they would be willing to jump from transport planes into combat against ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Church Of The New Testament - Part 6 Series
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 14, 2018
Part 6 - While still in its infancy, the church began to experience serious problems. Problems in the church from inside and outside sources seem to be a common element that plagues Christians in every age. What is the solution?
-
A Church That Is Alive
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Dec 12, 2015
A sermon examining the church that is alive and moving forward for Christ.
-
Truth And It's Consequences
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 5, 2014
The consequences of boldness and taking a stand for the truth.
-
Preparing For The Adventure Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016
Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?
-
The Puzzle Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018
The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?
