Sermon Central
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God’s Answer To The World’s Persecution Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 11, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: The Christian must proclaim what they know ... even under duress! Will we share the simple message, and the hope, of what God has done for us? The Disciples did, and they were not afraid.
To the Ends of the Earth, Part 7
God’s Answer to the World’s Persecution
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)
-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)
-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)
- Last week we unpacked a real truth that is pertinent for us today:
-- Watch your life and be consistent for God in everything you do (live upright)
-- If you are going to worship, going to give, going to pray – do it focused on Him!
-- Why? We have a very narrow path to follow when it comes to obedience
- Today, we will dig a little deeper in the first persecution of the NT church
-- Understand this: persecution is common; it means discrimination / harassment
-- Persecution is guaranteed, in one form or another, whenever Gospel is taught
-- What is critical about persecution is the results – rather than the act itself
-- If the outcome is left to God, then His glory/praise is the result
- Read Acts 5:12-25 / Pray
- TR: There are two questions to be answered today from Acts 5 (handout)
Point 1 – Why were the Disciples persecuted?
- What exactly were the disciples doing? PREACHING and HEALING!
-- But more than that … don’t miss: they were doing what Jesus told them to do!
-- Matthew 28:19, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
- As they spoke, lives were being changed & more continued to come to Christ
-- Consider: Standing outside of Walmart just sharing your faith today!
-- Bold? Yes! Because there will always be resistance to the Gospel …
-- We are given a 5 reasons why the persecution happened: (vv12-16)
1. Signs and wonders caused persecution … crowd saw many signs & wonders
-- The world does not want to see these – nor do they understand them
• Miracles show the ignorance and the inability of man
• Miracles also show (prove) that someone else in charge (anti-man’s control)
• Miracles disturb men and reminds them of their spiritual need or condition
- Yet – because of this, persecution can bring great unity among believers
-- While in the garden Jesus prayed in John 17:21, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
2. Public worship causes persecution – frankly, it exposes “worldly fears”
-- Here is the motive: What if those pesky Christians are right?
-- The “world” will always fear the sincere pull of God to repentance
-- The commitment of the church to meet together is the greatest example of this!
-- Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
3. They’re willing to separate from the world – they stand apart from society
-- Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:11, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”
- Evangelism declares the glory of God, and it is confused & hated by world
-- It reveals a great commitment of the church to go into the world & share
-- Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” The truth brings repentance!
4. They choose to go out into the world – they challenge people to change
-- Our command is to change the world by declaring who He is
-- It is not about creating this or that initiative; but showing Jesus; promise …
-- Isaiah 9:7, “His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
5. Having church, or meeting together, causes persecution!
-- True believers see an opportunity for strength by participating in the Church
-- But the world looks at it as some sort of “cult-like” activity; it’s foreign to them
-- This leads to mocking and ridiculing; and sets you apart (or at odds) with world
-- EX: Remember when Sunday was a family day? Kids sports = prime day!
