When the Going Gets Rough...
Various Scriptures
November 13, 2005
Introduction
I’m going to start off a bit differently than normal, and I’m going to ask you to just hang with me, okay? In fact, the bulk of this message will be a little different than normal, okay?
When I was in college back in the days of the Cold War, I had a dream one night. I don’t think I’ve never shared this in public before, but it’s very appropriate today.
In that dream I was walking through a mall somewhere, when all of a sudden the Russians came and took over.
They herded all the Christians into a jewelry store and began to torture them by taking a knife and just cutting them all over for every time they refused to deny Jesus.
As they were bringing people into the store, they would say to them, "All you have to do to avoid this is to simply walk away. Just walk away. We’ll take that as saying that you deny Jesus, and you won’t have to go through this."
Well, being the fan of pain-free living that I am, I started to walk away. But just then I noticed someone I knew.
It was Joe. Joe was on staff with the Navigators at SDSU and had invested his life in me for three years to help me be a real follower of Jesus.
Anyway, Joe was sitting on the floor of the jewelry store, with his hands tied behind his back and his feet tied up in front of him. And he was just covered with dozens of cuts. He was bleeding all over.
Joe lifted his head and saw me. And he looked at me with the kind of look that I think Jesus must have looked at Peter with that night after he had denied Jesus three times.
Joe didn’t say anything. He just looked at me. And before I knew it, I found myself sitting down next to Joe, ready to take the cutting. I woke up just as the blade was coming toward me for the first cut.
Obviously, this dream impacted me grateful, and since then I’ve had to ask myself a tough question: would I sit down in real life?
Today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. And to my shame, I confess to you that I have not given this the emphasis I should have. As I was working on this message, my heart broke, not only for those facing persecution, but because I was convicted that I don’t do enough to lift up and intercede to God and government for them
The passage that comes up next in our walk through Matthew addresses this a bit, but we’re going to look at that in a week or two, because I wanted to spend some more specific time on this topic.
I approach this topic with much fear and trembling. Not because I’m afraid of persecution so much, but rather because I haven’t gone through the fire that millions of people have since the time of Christ.
But we need to be aware of the fact that being a follower of Jesus brings with it the very real possibility of persecution. And we need to be aware of the fact that approximately 160,000 people are killed each year for being followers of Christ.
All the statistics I can find point to an increase over the foreseeable future. It’s incredibly important that we recognize that while we have it pretty easy here in America, it may not last forever.
So let’s look at a few passages of Scripture addressing this whole issue, and we’ll see if we can gain a bit of perspective.
Let me just warn you up front here that this won’t exactly be the most joke-filled message you’ve heard me give. But we’re talking about a very serious topic.
So let’s dive in as we look at just some of what the Bible says about persecution. First...
Persecution is a "normal" part of the serious Christian life.
2 Timothy 3:12 -
...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...
Notice I said that this is part of the "serious" Christian life. If you’re not a serious follower of Jesus, if you’re a Christian in name only, then you probably won’t have to worry about it.
Why is this part of the serious Christian life? Because serious Christians, those who love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, make an impact on those around them.
And often that impact isn’t exactly in line with the way society wants to go. This brings trouble.
For instance, it’s not very politically correct to say that a person has to have a spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ, because he’s the only way to heaven.
Say that enough and you get in trouble for it, because we’re not supposed to be so narrow and exclusivistic. This is extremely ironic in a time and culture that says "tolerance" is the greatest virtue. What they really mean is that Christians should be more tolerant, and if they aren’t they should be ridiculed and scorns. Just look around and you’ll see it’s true.
But we have to be true to Jesus’ own words, or we’re not really following Jesus.
Godly living with an authentic, life-changing faith in Christ opens the door to persecution.
Jesus warned us about the persecution of his followers.
John 15:20 -
"Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."
A while back I gave a message entitle, "Are You REALLY Sure You Want to Do This?" in which I said that Jesus was trying to make sure people had their eyes open when it came to following him.
I mentioned in the introduction that there is every indication that persecution will only get more prevalent in the future.
I read that more people died for Christ in the 20th century than all the previous 19 centuries combined.
And as we draw closer to the return of Christ, I can’t imagine that the trend is going to reverse.
When I talk to people about coming to faith in Christ, I tell them that it’s not always easy being a Christian. Sometimes people don’t understand our faith, and it can lead to ridicule and lost relationships.
But I also tell them that it’s worth it. And if you don’t believe me, ask those who go through the real persecution.
But I don’t want anyone to be surprised when people misunderstand their faith in Christ.
Third...
The Holy Spirit will help us in our times of persecution.
Look at these words of Jesus in Matthew, chapter 10:
Matthew 10:19-20 -
"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
One of the most fascinating parts of the stories I read of those who face persecution is what they tell their captors.
They are clear about their love for Christ and the reasons behind them. And they very often end up verbalizing their forgiveness to them, saying that because Christ had forgiven them, they can forgive those who are hurting them.
It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit moves on these people when they’re given the opportunity to speak. And God uses those words to impact their captors, with many of them coming to Christ over the years.
If you face persecution, the Holy Spirit is ready and waiting to help you, especially in terms of giving you the words to say.
And fourthly...
It’s possible to rejoice, even in the midst of persecuted.
Philippians 1:12-14, 20-21 -
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly...I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Now, it’s incredibly important for you to realize that Paul didn’t write these words from a suite at the Holiday Inn. He wrote them from a prison. He was in prison for telling people about Christ.
But what’s his attitude? Is it, "Poor, poor, pitiful me?" No! It’s, "Wow. God is even using my imprisonment for his purposes. Now is God cool or what?"
I love that! Don’t you? Man, I hope and pray that that’s my attitude if it ever happens to me.
When Paul was in the jail in Philippi, did he mope and complain? No! He sang hymns of praise to God!
Why? Because he saw the bigger picture - that if he lives, he will be living to further the cause of Christ; if he dies, he gains the presence of Christ.
It’s possible to rejoice, even in the midst of persecution.
Conclusion
Well, the first part of this message has followed my standard formula of having an introduction, giving you some information about the passage that you can use in your own, and a conclusion.
I wish I could just leave it at what I’ve shared so far, but I can’t. And so for the next few minutes, I want you to just put your stuff down and listen for a bit. If you miss something, just see Jim after the service, and he’ll give you a free tape.
I post all of my messages at a place called SermonCentral.com, which is where many, many pastors put their sermons so others can read and use them if necessary.
At times I get e-mails from other pastors around the country and around the world about my messages. About a week ago, I received an e-mail from a pastor in India who used one of my recent messages to encourage 1,000 new converts to Christ. I was blessed, as you can imagine, but I was brought to tears that God could use something from a little guy in Aberdeen, SD to bless a thousand people on the other side of the world. Thank God for the internet, I say.
I don’t mention this because I want to brag. I mention it because I’m fully aware that these same people will continue to look at my messages, and to use them as necessary, for which I not only gave them permission, but my blessing.
When they come across this message, I want them to see that I am very aware that everything I’ve shared today is easy for me to say.
I haven’t faced what they have. And I feel that my qualifications to even address this are lacking, similar to the young single pastor who preaches about how to have a good marriage and raise children.
At the same time, I can’t ignore the reality of our family members in chains.
Our brothers and sisters in India face a very real danger, particularly from the militant Hindus who have murdered Christians in the not-too-distant past, and threaten to do so again at any moment.
Our brothers and sisters in the Sudan, China, Indonesia, East Timor, and throughout the Middle East face the very real possibility of persecution that you and I can only imagine.
And so I want you to know that as I speak these words, my heart is with those who are paying the ultimate price for their faith in Christ.
I’ve said it before but it bears repeating. We have no idea what real persecution is here in America.
I get interviewed in the newspaper or the radio, and get a few anonymous letters telling me to be quiet. I’ve been ridiculed in print and on the internet.
BIG DEAL. Or to quote that famous philosopher, Garfield, "Big fat hairy deal."
I’m going to go home and eat lunch with no fear that someone’s going to haul me away for being here today. And later, if my plans hold up, I’m going to take a nap, which is part of my Sunday afternoon ritual. Then I’ll be back here for the Harvest Supper tonight. And you know what? I can do all of that without fear of being arrested for it.
But our brothers and sisters in these other places don’t have that kind of certainty. They can be taken away and imprisoned, tortured, and even killed.
But here’s the crazy thing. They’re willing to follow Jesus anyway. And here’s something else that’s maybe even more crazy: they convince others that they should follow Jesus, too!
What would drive people to take that kind of risk? The fact that they believe that Jesus was who he said he was and that what he said was true. And they’re willing to follow him, to the death if necessary.
I wonder how many people are missing church in Aberdeen today for no other reason than the fact that it was inconvenient.
Talk to someone who’s lived through the torture or seen their loved ones murdered, and tell them about your "inconvenience."
We’re too soft in America.
You know why the church flourishes in countries where the persecution is greatest? I think of a few reasons:
I think first of all, it’s because these people really understand that following Jesus is an all or nothing deal. You can’t follow Jesus halfway there, because following Jesus could mean your life.
And we in America forget that following Jesus is supposed to be an all or nothing here as well, because it doesn’t really cost us anything in terms of persecution.
I think another reason is that they have really taken to heart Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 -
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings...
Persecution allows us to experience Christ in a way that nothing else will.
A third reason is that they look at Jesus and see all he’s done for them, and they’re willing to suffer for him. Story after story of people suffering for Christ reflect this mindset.
A fourth reason is that they have adopted the attitude of Jesus in Hebrews 12:2 -
...who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
They see that their present sufferings will not last - and that one day they will be in the presence of God himself.
And the Bible says that God has a special reward for those who suffer and lose their lives for Jesus. Jesus rewards those who suffer for him.
My point here in all this is that people who embrace Christ and live for him in spite of persecution are able to do it because they live for something outside of themselves.
They don’t live for their own convenience. They live for Christ and his kingdom.
Remember the dream I shared in the beginning of the message?
Well, as I said, I keep wondering if I would really be able to sit down and take the torture because of my love for Jesus or would I deny him? My prayer is that I’ll be able to sit down. In fact, I’m confident that God will give me the grace and the strength to do it. And, as I mentioned before, the Holy Spirit will help me speak for him.
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will give you the same fortitude if the time ever came for you to make such a choice.
So what can you do today and this week to help the cause of our brothers and sisters who live in the fire?
Be part of Dani’s effort for prayer. Go to the website of the Voice of the Martyrs and sign up for their free newsletter. And maybe send them some money to cover the cost. Read it and pray. I’ve put their contact information in your note-taking guide (typo - COM, not ORG.).
That magazine will give you some other practical guidance on how to tangibly help.
God forgive us for our complacence. And God give us the guts to do something about it. Let’s pray.
