PERSECUTION AND THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

Wretched Radio | Air Date: May 30, 2022

Segment 1
The faith statement of a foolish world – “If it feels good, do it.”
But, the Bible says the exact opposite.
We must not operate based on feelings.
If you ask most people in the world what their chief end is, you’ll get “to be happy.”
This message has made its way into many pulpits.
Kevin DeYoung speaking about the church today said “Church today is boring because we’ve neutered it of its importance.”
People don’t feel the need for church. They can get what they believe church provides from worldly sources.
That approach has failed. It’s turned churches all over into “silly centers.”
Wait until Christians become open game.
When persecution comes, those looking for entertainment will easily walk away.
How about we begin to get serious about what we’re doing?
Your options? Jesus or Jesus.
That’s where our focus has to be.

Segment 2
Hebrews Chapter 1 – The Preeminence of Jesus.
Jesus is God, the Creator. Preeminent.
What is God like? Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
How is this world staying together? Jesus.
“He purged our sins.”
Is there any place you can go that has a system that’s attainable?
“Having become better than the angels.”
-The angels were at Creation.
-They guarded the Holy of Holies
-Guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden.
-Angels were at the giving of the Law.
-An angel ministered to Elijah.
-An angel of the Lord camps around those who fear him.
-Angels encircle the throne of God, praising God.
The author of Hebrews tells us Jesus Christ is better than the angels – HE is preeminent.
This was a massive statement in Hebrews.
Even as we understand how powerful Jesus is, we must also understand He is meek, humble, submissive.
Are we seeking to understand all that Jesus is?

Segment 3
We’re the show of hope and encouragement.
When we explore stories of persecution, we must be careful to run them through a biblical filter.
1. Frederick Nolan. A story of encouragement and hope. God protects His children. BUT, what do we do when He doesn’t? We must have balance. God sometimes lets His children get hurt, or even killed. For His glory.
2. Persecution of early Christians. Early Christians believed their faith was not just a private matter, but a public proclamation to be made. (Ex. Polycarp)

Segment 4
How do we get our thinking totally biblical when our zip code has changed when we haven’t moved?
It feels like the world around us is changing, but are we faithlessly worrying?
How should we feel and think through things we can feel is Christian persecution.
Stories from the past.
3. From Switzerland. Obedience to our magistrate should be priority. Even the wicked magistrate. A bad ruler is a judgment on the people. We should be more concerned with our duty than the duty of civil authorities.
Are we more aware of our own sins, rather than the sins of the nation?
Let us be mindful of our own misdeeds.
This isn’t advanced level Christianity, it’s elementary level teaching.
This is a challenge to all of us.
We must obey God first. If the wicked ruler commands us to sin, we don’t. We obey God. Short of that, we obey our rulers.

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