GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THE MIDST OF CHRISTIAN SUFFERING
(Part 1)
Acts 4:23-28
(Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025)
For the weak believer or perhaps a new Christian, it may be disconcerting to hear that God not only allows His children to suffer; in some cases He causes suffering. But as you grow in wisdom and knowledge and as your faith in Him increases, you will learn that suffering is part of His divine plan to make you a vessel that can be used for His glory. This reality is explained to us in - Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…
Before we go any farther it is important for you to understand that when I speak of Christian suffering, I am referring to suffering for the cause of Christ. Much of the suffering that we experience in this life has nothing to do with our faith in Jesus. Many times we suffer the consequences of sinful choices in our lives; that is another message for another day.
Today I want to talk to you about the fact that Christians who refuse to compromise their faith will suffer opposition and persecution. It is important for us to know that when these times of suffering come, we serve a sovereign Lord who can use these times to “conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ”. God can use suffering to teach us, mature us, strengthen our faith in Him and as a result He will be glorified by our lives.
Without a doubt there are some trying times for the faithful Christian. We are blessed to live in a country with great religious freedom, but in recent years we have seen those freedoms begin to erode. It is very likely that there may come a day when we face intense persecution for our faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout the Bible, saints are called to exhibit patience and trust in the midst of persecution. Peter said in1 Peter 4:19 So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.
The Lord’s Apostles endured much persecution for the cause of Christ. Paul described this in 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, he says “For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.
Christians are not only able to endure persecution; we can even rejoice when we are persecuted. Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12-14, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Peter goes on to say, “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name” (I Peter 4:16).
When Peter wrote these words, he was writing from first-hand experience. His bold preaching of the Gospel was the spark that ignited the fire of Christian persecution; that fire has been burning ever since, (and it will continue until the Lord returns.) The message that he preached at Solomon’s Portico infuriated the Jewish religious rulers and they arrested Peter and John and kept them in jail overnight. The following morning they stood before the Sanhedrin and defended their faith and the message that they preached. The Jewish High court threatened them and commanded them to cease preaching in Jesus’ name. Peter and John responded by saying “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).
In response to this, the rulers threatened them further and then released them. Verse 20 says that “They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done.” After this, Peter and John returned to the assembly of Believers and reported what had happened. (v23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them”.)
This passage highlights the genuineness of the faith of those in the early church. The opposition and the threats of the religious leaders were intended to silence the followers of Christ and to suppress the message of the Gospel. However, the church did not respond in fear, they did not compromise, they did not run and hide; Instead, they began to worship the Lord; they sang praises to Him and they entered into a time of prayer. (v24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them).
These verses paint a beautiful picture of the fellowship and unity among those believers who were a part of the early church. They joined together in unison and praised God for His sovereignty. Furthermore, they asked Him to give them boldness as they sought to serve Christ. The rulers hoped to intimidate and discourage not only Peter & John, but any who would proclaim salvation in Christ. But their opposition had the opposite effect, rather than discouraging them, they emboldened them. The Church knew that God was in complete control, and they trusted in His sovereignty.
I would like to look at the Church’s response to the first occasion of persecution and preach on “God’s Sovereignty In The Midst Of Christian Suffering”. I hope that you will be encouraged to learn that even when we suffer for Christ, God is sovereign!
This passage shows us that the Apostles were well versed in the scriptures, and they knew that the opposition they were facing had been predicted in the Old Testament. They referenced this in verses 25-26:
v25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.'
The saints praised God as the Creator of all things. They knew that He was far superior to those men who were opposing Christ and His followers. In their prayer they referenced the words of King David in Psalm 2. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, David spoke about the government authorities and their opposition concerning God’s Messiah. It must have been comforting and even exciting for these Believers to know that they were seeing prophecy fulfilled right before their eyes. It is interesting to note that the followers of Christ did not ask God to remove their problems or destroy their enemies. They simply asked Him to help them as they sought to carry out their mission of reaching others with the Gospel.
It is natural for us to ask God to remove our troubles, and there are times when He does just that. But often, rather than removing our troubles or destroying our enemies, God gives us the grace and strength to endure. The Apostle Paul speaks of this reality in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. There he tells us about a “thorn in the flesh” that he had begged God to remove several times. He says, “…so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
There is no guarantee that God will remove your troubles or deliver you from your enemies. Therefore it is important for you to look to the many examples of God’s faithfulness that are recorded in scripture. When you look to His Word, you will find much motivation to remain faithful to Him in spite of your circumstances. It is also important to look for opportunities to minister even when you are facing the most difficult circumstances of your life.
On another occasion, Paul was in prison because of his service to the Lord. Rather than complaining or being disheartened because of his situation, he rejoiced because through that period of persecution he had the opportunity to reach others with the Gospel. Paul rejoiced because his troubles had served to further the Gospel and to even embolden other Christians. He said in Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.
The saints in Jerusalem had confidence that no matter how much their persecution may intensify, they served the God who was in control of it all! Notice verses 27-28: "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
Right there in Jerusalem, the Romans & Jews and conspired together against “God’s holy Servant, Jesus”. Jesus had stood before Herod (a Jew) and He had been questioned by Pilate (a gentile). Those men thought that they were doing their own will and carrying out their own plan with the intention of benefitting themselves and those whom they represented. But the Believers knew better, they even recognized God’s sovereignty in the death of Christ. They declared that the Jews & Gentiles “were gathered together to do whatever God’s hand and purpose determined before to be done.” Herod and Pilate were used by God to fulfill His divine plan. Their intention was to destroy Christ; instead they were used to promote His glory!
There are many enemies of Christ and His Church in the world today who are actively seeking destruction. The wonderful news is that our God is all powerful and He is able to use those who would come against Him (and His people) to promote His glory. In those times when you face opposition or even persecution for your faith in Christ, I encourage you to look to the scriptures and remember that we serve the all-powerful Sovereign God. He has a purpose and a plan for everything that happens in your life. If He is able to use your enemies for His glory, He can certainly use you.
In part two of this message we will examine the actions of the Apostles in the midst of great persecution and learn how we should respond in similar situations. Even though we belong to Christ, there will be times in this life when we will experience periods of opposition and suffering. When this happens we must be bold, courageous, and press on in our service to the Lord. We must trust in the Lord. We must immerse ourselves in God’s Holy Word. We must spend time in prayer. We must never cease praising and worshipping our Savior. And we must join together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is how the saints in the early church survived and even thrived as they were being persecuted for the cause of Christ. If we will employ these same methods, we can do the same! In spite of how fierce the opposition or intense the persecution, we can rest in “God’s sovereignty in the midst of Christian suffering”.
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