Remembering the Persecuted Church
Hebrews 13:3; 1 Corinthians 12:26
International Day of Prayer for the
Persecuted Church
November 9, 2008
Me: This is one of those real somber topics that we’d really rather not think of, at least if we’re honest about it.
Talking about persecution doesn’t evoke a lot of joy and happiness, and I doubt if anyone here will leave today looking for an opportunity to be persecuted because it sounds like a lot of fun.
I don’t like to think about it, either. I kinda like be insulated here in the United States, where being a Christian is not only allowed, but encouraged in most parts of society, and where freedom of religion is guaranteed, at least for the time being.
And it’s even better here in the Midwest, where it’s almost assumed that you are part of some group calling itself Christian – a church, a campus ministry, or whatever.
I like that.
We: I would also suspect that I’m not the only one here who doesn’t like to think about persecution, either that which takes place in other parts or the world, or the prospect of my own – a prospect that at this point would almost seem laughable.
I think a lot of people think of persecution like they think of those kids on the infomercials for organizations that feed hungry children around the world.
We know they exist, but we’d rather not think about them. It makes us uncomfortable, even if we’re barely making it ourselves.
Unfortunately, the persecuted church around the world doesn’t get the kind of exposure that starving children get.
And because of that, our brothers and sisters around the world face many brutal hardships hidden by a cloak of secrecy.
Today, according to the best statistics I can find, between 300 and 400 people will die because they are identified as Christians.
Others will be imprisoned, tortured, discriminated against, and otherwise put in hardship – because they identify themselves as Christians.
Can you imagine the horror of having armed men break into your home and threaten you with death or torture, then taking one of your family members away, maybe to never be seen again?
Folks, it happens all time around the world.
And we can’t just stand by and pretend it doesn’t really exist.
God: Persecution is nothing new.
Jesus said that the world would hate His followers because they hated Him as well. The apostle Paul said that all who wish to lead a godly life would be persecuted.
That persecution might be as small as a dirty look or insult, to discrimination from a job or promotion, or to death.
Most of my remarks are going to focus on those who are being imprisoned, tortured, or killed for their faith in Christ, and I want to base them on two passages of Scripture.
Hebrews 13:3 –
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
1 Corinthians 12:26 –
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
The common element of these two verses is the idea that persecution isn’t suffered alone. We are actually called to join in that suffering by remembering and praying for them, understanding that this is our family they are hurting.
This isn’t an issue of “those people far away.” It’s not a “them” issue. It’s an “US” issue.
It affects all of us because we’re all part of the Body of Christ.
And it’s important for us to recognize what is happening and to pray for the sake of those suffering for Christ, even if it’s way across the earth.
You: So what can we do to be involved with the persecuted church?
* Pray for those already facing persecution.
> Strength and courage.
> Limited suffering.
> Protection for their families.
> Their lives would serve as a testimony to the truth of Christ.
I hope you’ve had a chance to read through the story of Alex in the bulletin insert from The Voice of the Martyrs.
Alex’s biggest concern as he lay there, shot in the face, was that he would die without sharing Jesus with the men who were trying to kill him.
This guy is in the fire of persecution, yet he knows that he is called to share Christ in the midst of it.
* Pray for those taking the gospel to hostile areas.
In some of these places, it is legal to be a missionary and to be converted to Christ, but it is not accepted by the people. And so there is “unofficial” persecution – meaning that the government isn’t sanctioning it.
By the way, this does happen here in the US, and even here in South Dakota.
One of our pastors on a reservation here in South Dakota was beaten by a bunch of people for sharing the news of Jesus.
In other places it is illegal to be a missionary and it is illegal to convert to Christ. The persecution there is “official” – sanctioned and carried out by the government.
* Pray for the church in America.
> For our leaders, so we can have peace.
> That we would become people of conviction, not just opinion.
No one endures suffering for the sake of an opinion, no matter how strong it is. No one dies for an opinion. But people will die for their convictions.
* Contact those in prison for the faith.
A number of the organizations ministering to the persecuted church can help you actually correspond with those who are suffering, in cases where it is allowed by the government.
Subscribe to newsletters, magazines, etc., from any of the partner organizations involved with the International Day of Prayer.
I’ve listed them in a bulletin insert.
* Put your money where your prayers are.
Financially support one or more of these organizations ministering to the persecuted church.
Oftentimes they are supporting the families of men who are in prison, and the mother has no means to support her children. Other times, the children have been orphaned by the murder of their parents.
It takes money to support these people, and Scripture is very clear that that support should come from the family of God.
We: Let’s not insulate ourselves and pretend it doesn’t happen or that it cannot happen here, to us.
It can happen here. Our freedom of speech and religion can be taken away from us like it’s being taken away in Canada and other nations that wouldn’t have imagined it before recent years.
Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters around the world, and pray that we would not forget, while also praying that God would spare us from it as well.
Prayer time
Let’s spend the rest of our time together praying. When we’re done we’ll finish by singing our closing chorus.
I’m wondering if I could have some people come up front and represent some of these things I’ve mentioned today.
* Those already facing persecution
* Strength and courage.
* Limited suffering.
* Protection for their families.
* Their lives would serve as a testimony to the truth of Christ.
* Pray for those taking the gospel to hostile areas.
* Pray for the church in America.
* For our leaders, so we can have peace.
* That we would become people of conviction, not just opinion.
* Pray that we would not forget those around the world being persecuted.
Before song:
Again, I want to invite you to stay for the lunch being served by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at 12:30.
InterVarsity does a great job of helping young people find Christ and live for Him, both here and around the world.
As you eat, celebrate the freedoms we have here in the United States, and pray that those freedoms might be expanded around the world!
