When Things Go Wrong
Week 6: Basic Evangelism Training 101
By Miles Crouse
June
30, 2007
Saturday morning, 10AM
Introduction: Retreat? Never! The Bible never commands or exhorts Christians to pray for persecution. But the Bible very definitely tells the growing Christian to expect persecution. 1 Peter 4:12 emphatically states that "we are not to be surprised" when persecution comes, or think that "some strange thing" is happening to us when we are persecuted as Christians (See also Acts 14:22; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 3:13).
Persecution is "part of the package" of our salvation! By no means is such a statement meant to imply that the salvation of our souls is earned or merited through suffering a certain amount of persecution. No, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is a personal gift from God and persecution is not part of the price. The price of our salvation was fully paid by God Himself when our Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sins. But while persecution is not part of the purchasing price of our salvation, it certainly is part of the "path of progress" of our salvation. We do not "get saved" by suffering persecution, but when we are saved we will suffer persecution.
Blandina
(Foxe's Book of Martyrs p.18)
Blandina, a
Christian lady of a weak constitution who was not thought to be able to resist
torture, but whose fortitude was so great that her tormentors became exhausted
with their devilish work, was afterward taken into an amphitheater with three
others, suspended on a piece of wood stuck in the ground, and exposed as food
for wild lions. While awaiting her suffering, she prayed earnestly for her
companions and encouraged them. But none of the lions would touch her, so she
was put back into prison--this happened twice. The last time she was brought
out, she was accompanied by 15-year old Ponticus. The steadfastness of their
faith so enraged the multitude that neither her sex nor his youth were
respected, and they were subjected to the severest punishments and tortures.
Blandina was torn by the lions, scourged, put into a net and tossed about by a
wild bull, and placed naked into a red-hot metal chair. When she could speak,
she exhorted all near her to hold fast to their faith. When Blandina's
torturers were unable to make her recant her faith, they killed her with a
sword. God Bless You Blandina!
How
about our brother Julian (Foxe's Book of the Martyrs p.22)
Julian, a Cilician, was arrested for being a Christian, put into a leather bag
with several snakes and scorpions, and then thrown into the sea. God Bless You
Julian!
Let's
not forget brother Quintin (Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 29)
He was arrested and condemned to die for being a Christian. For his death
agonies, ropes were tied to his arms and legs and he was stretched with pulleys
until his joints dislocated, then he was scourged with a wire whip, had boiling
oil and pitch pured on his naked body, and had fire applied to his sides and
armpits. After these tortures, he was put back into prison where he soon died
from his wounds. Remember what Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:12, For
the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that
which I have committed unto him against that day.
Meet our brother Romanus (Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 34)
Romanus was deacon of the church in Caesarea. There arrested, he was taken to
Antioch where he was condemned for his faith, scourged, racked, torn with
hooks, cut with knives in his body and face, his teeth beaten out, his hair
plucked from his head, and then strangled to death. God Bless You Romanus!
Philippians 1:29, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Are we
getting a good idea of what persecution is yet? Let's take another look into Scripture.
Luke 21:12-17, 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.
Or how about Hebrews 11:35-38, Women received their dead raised to life
again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might
obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and
scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they
were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about
in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of
whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and
in dens and caves of the earth.
What about the Apostles? Were they persecuted?
For an example, look to Brother Paul
2
Corinthians 11:23-27,
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours
more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths
oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice
was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night
and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of
waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by
the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in
the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in
watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
How did he die? He was taken to the execution block and beheaded (Foxe's Book
of the Martyr's p. 8).
The reason why few professing American Christians experience little or no
suffering and persecution is perhaps they have lost the true gospel message. Or
like scripture says in the last days they have turned away their ears from the
truth, and turned unto fables. The Bible warns us, For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3, Ever
learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Having
only a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: Should we really
expect persecution if we preach another gospel? Satan loves deception and
confusion concerning the truth of Gods word. He loves mixing the truth with a
lie. Remember how he beguiled Eve? Ye shall not surely die.
Or maybe its because we are at ease in Zion. Woe to them that are at
ease in Zion!
Its high time the true church of Jesus Christ awakes. Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Yes I say as Paul
the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at
hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the
armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But
put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfil the lusts thereof.
While there is presently little to no persecution today here in America like days of old. Trust the Word of our Lord, for persecution will come. Be
prepared, for real persecution is coming to the United States. Are you ready?
Many have and will fall away from the faith for fear of persecution. Take heed,
and beware, for you may soon be labeled as "The Persecuted"
While I dont consider this to be persecution I have experienced strange things
begin to happen when giving the Gospel to the lost. Such as phone begins to
ring babys start to cry uncontrollably or there is some sort of disturbance or
distraction that takes place.
So expect the unexpected and when things go wrong dont back down! Just stand
against the powers of darkness, count it all joy and open your mouth boldly, to
make known the mystery of the gospel.
John 15:18-21, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me
before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his
own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said
unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me,
they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,
because they know not him that sent me.
Acts 8:1, And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time
there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and
they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Timothy 3:11-12, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord
delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.
1 Peter 4:1-2, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in
the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his
time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1 Peter 4:12-14, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when
his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye
be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and
of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part
he is glorified.
Acts 14:22, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting
them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter
into the kingdom of God.
What happens if I retreat? Well be warned.
Matthew 13:21, Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a
while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and
by he is offended.
The Bible gives those who suffer for their faith many promises!
Matthew 5:11, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Romans 8:35, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.