Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Ring that bell
I listened to this powerful message this morning, and it brought tears to my eyes. Listen to it, and let God speak to your heart. It is so easy to get caught up in our lives and lose sight of what God has really called us to. Christianity is so much more than going to church once or twice a week, and having our bible reading plans and such. These things are good and have their purpose, but there is something lacking in so many of our lives. I believe it is a consuming passion for the souls of our fellow man. How much would we endure for Christ? How far are we willing to go to see the world around us reached with the good news of new life in Christ? Listen to this sermon and be blessed! Ring that bell
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Following Christ.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few that find it.
Matthew 7:14 NASB
There is a wonderful old Anabaptist hymn, that as I read it, the scriptures seemed to be opened up to me in a fresh way.
We have this idea that all we need to do is to believe in Christ at some point in our lives, and we are good. Just ask Jesus into your heart, and you are saved. Sadly, I fear, there are countless thousands of modern evangelical "Christians" who have no concept of what it means to believe in Christ; to take up our cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34). That however, is the call of Christ; "Follow Me." Repeating a prayer, going forward at an altar, saying we believe in Jesus, are all actions that in and of themselves can give us no assurance of heaven. It starts at the cross, where we confess and repent, and by faith "enter the small gate." However we must follow Christ. Read what these persecuted Christians did. They scorned the world and all of its insults, as they followed Christ. They braved torture and death as they followed Him. They renounced all, and like the Apostle Paul, they counted all as loss for the sake of knowing Christ (Phil 3:8).
You see, many of us stop at the new birth, believing that is the end of the matter as far as our salvation is concerned. We do not go on to follow Christ as He leads us through the narrow way to life. We are far behind Him as He calls us to renounce this world, as He leads us away from materialism, and as He calls us to humility. We are far behind Him as He call us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. We know little of laying up treasure in heaven, and seeking first His kingdom. He calls us to follow Him and become fishers of men, but somehow we do not follow. We do not follow Him as He leads us through suffering and tribulation; but all who wish to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12), and it is through much tribulation that we enter into life (Acts 14:22).
It is not enough to merely believe in Him. That is nothing more than a mere head knowledge; a mental assent to some historical, biblical facts about Jesus. To really believe in Him is to follow Him, as this hymn says, Christ is the only way.
He who would follow Christ
Jorg Wagner, 1527, in the Ausbund, 1564 Bartholomeus Monoetius 1565
Wer Christo jetzt will folgen nach
Tr. David Augsburger, 1962
The Mennonite Hymnal
Copyright 1969 Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa
p344
Matthew 7:14 NASB
There is a wonderful old Anabaptist hymn, that as I read it, the scriptures seemed to be opened up to me in a fresh way.
He who would follow Christ
Who now will follow Christ in life must scorn the world's insult and strife, and bear the cross each day. For this alone leads to the throne; Christ is the only way.
Christ's servants follow Him to death, and give their body, life, and breath on cross and rack and pyre. As gold is tried and purified they stand the test of fire.
Renouncing all they choose the cross, and claiming it, count all as loss, e'en home and child and wife. Forsaking gain, forgetting pain, they enter into life
We have this idea that all we need to do is to believe in Christ at some point in our lives, and we are good. Just ask Jesus into your heart, and you are saved. Sadly, I fear, there are countless thousands of modern evangelical "Christians" who have no concept of what it means to believe in Christ; to take up our cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34). That however, is the call of Christ; "Follow Me." Repeating a prayer, going forward at an altar, saying we believe in Jesus, are all actions that in and of themselves can give us no assurance of heaven. It starts at the cross, where we confess and repent, and by faith "enter the small gate." However we must follow Christ. Read what these persecuted Christians did. They scorned the world and all of its insults, as they followed Christ. They braved torture and death as they followed Him. They renounced all, and like the Apostle Paul, they counted all as loss for the sake of knowing Christ (Phil 3:8).
You see, many of us stop at the new birth, believing that is the end of the matter as far as our salvation is concerned. We do not go on to follow Christ as He leads us through the narrow way to life. We are far behind Him as He calls us to renounce this world, as He leads us away from materialism, and as He calls us to humility. We are far behind Him as He call us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. We know little of laying up treasure in heaven, and seeking first His kingdom. He calls us to follow Him and become fishers of men, but somehow we do not follow. We do not follow Him as He leads us through suffering and tribulation; but all who wish to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12), and it is through much tribulation that we enter into life (Acts 14:22).
It is not enough to merely believe in Him. That is nothing more than a mere head knowledge; a mental assent to some historical, biblical facts about Jesus. To really believe in Him is to follow Him, as this hymn says, Christ is the only way.
He who would follow Christ
Jorg Wagner, 1527, in the Ausbund, 1564 Bartholomeus Monoetius 1565
Wer Christo jetzt will folgen nach
Tr. David Augsburger, 1962
The Mennonite Hymnal
Copyright 1969 Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa
p344
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Outside the Camp.
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Hebrews 13:12-14 NASB
The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians to remain faithful to Christ. They faced severe pressure from friends and family to return to Judaism, and no doubt, for many, the temptation to give in would have been strong. In this book, Christ is shown to be the reality of the Old Testament types and shadows. To turn from Him, and to go back to the sacrificial system, was to leave Christianity altogether. They were encouraged in the above passage to go outside the camp, and suffer the reproach of Christ. Outside the camp was the garbage dump; the place where the animal carcasses were dumped (Hebrews 13:11). In other words, they would face rejection, reproach, and even persecution for the name of Christ. They must not return to what they had come out of.
True Christians today are faced with a similar situation. We see a wicked world plunging deeper into moral filth today. There seems to be no shame, as men cast off what little restraint seems to be left.
Not only has this moral decline increased in the world, it has also invaded the professing Church as well. Here is where things get tough for those who would follow Christ. There are those who draw a line. In their eyes, sin is sin, and they will not compromise. They refuse to partake in it, they refuse to tolerate it, and refuse to excuse it. This puts them at odds with multitudes of professing believers who blindly coddle sin in the name of Christian love.
To stand up for truth in many churches today will get you labeled as judgmental, a hater, a legalist, and extreme. You will bring rejection upon yourself if you call sin what it really is, and call men to repent. In our tolerant modern theology, it is better to be "politically correct" than to be Biblically correct.
The temptation is there, just as it has always been, to give in, to compromise, to be just like everyone else. This admonition in Hebrews is for us as well. Let us draw that line in the sand. There can be no compromise, no settling down in a lukewarm religion. We must go outside the camp with Jesus, bearing His reproach. This earth, with all of its ways is temporal. We are looking for the city which is to come.
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Hebrews 13:12-14 NASB
The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians to remain faithful to Christ. They faced severe pressure from friends and family to return to Judaism, and no doubt, for many, the temptation to give in would have been strong. In this book, Christ is shown to be the reality of the Old Testament types and shadows. To turn from Him, and to go back to the sacrificial system, was to leave Christianity altogether. They were encouraged in the above passage to go outside the camp, and suffer the reproach of Christ. Outside the camp was the garbage dump; the place where the animal carcasses were dumped (Hebrews 13:11). In other words, they would face rejection, reproach, and even persecution for the name of Christ. They must not return to what they had come out of.
True Christians today are faced with a similar situation. We see a wicked world plunging deeper into moral filth today. There seems to be no shame, as men cast off what little restraint seems to be left.
Not only has this moral decline increased in the world, it has also invaded the professing Church as well. Here is where things get tough for those who would follow Christ. There are those who draw a line. In their eyes, sin is sin, and they will not compromise. They refuse to partake in it, they refuse to tolerate it, and refuse to excuse it. This puts them at odds with multitudes of professing believers who blindly coddle sin in the name of Christian love.
To stand up for truth in many churches today will get you labeled as judgmental, a hater, a legalist, and extreme. You will bring rejection upon yourself if you call sin what it really is, and call men to repent. In our tolerant modern theology, it is better to be "politically correct" than to be Biblically correct.
The temptation is there, just as it has always been, to give in, to compromise, to be just like everyone else. This admonition in Hebrews is for us as well. Let us draw that line in the sand. There can be no compromise, no settling down in a lukewarm religion. We must go outside the camp with Jesus, bearing His reproach. This earth, with all of its ways is temporal. We are looking for the city which is to come.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Are We In Evacuation Mode?
It seems that a great majority of the professing Church is in evacuation mode. We see evil abounding around us. No one can truly deny that we are now seeing things in our lifetime that would have seemed unlikely, even impossible just a few generations ago. It is true, sin is running rampant in this world, and everything seems to be spiraling out of control. Righteousness is indeed under attack, the very foundations are being destroyed. What are the righteous to do (Psalm 11:3)?
Sadly it seems that many are simply waiting to be evacuated. Like a besieged army waiting to get out of a hopeless situation, we seem to anxiously look around us at the dismal conditions, and then "rest" in the hope that we will be raptured out of all of this misery, before it gets too far out of control.
I fear that many will find themselves numbered with the "Foolish Virgins" (Matt 25:1-13). Their lamps have gone out, and they have no oil. Many will be identified with the servant who buried the one talent he was entrusted with (Matt 25:14-30).
Jesus warns us to be alert, and He also warns us to be about His business until He comes (Mark 13:33-37). We dare not be found asleep at His return, yet I fear that many will be. Jesus Himself asks the question, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?"
The truth is, we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. We are to be active in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not stand looking into the sky (Acts 1:9-11), waiting for our evacuation, while there is still work to be done. Jesus never promised us that it would be easy. In fact, He promises us persecution, if we will be faithful to His call (Matt 5:10-12; 2 Tim 3:12).
As we see the evil growing around us, we must boldly stand for the truth, and be faithful unto Christ, no matter the cost. Then when Jesus returns, we will be among those who are found faithful.
Sadly it seems that many are simply waiting to be evacuated. Like a besieged army waiting to get out of a hopeless situation, we seem to anxiously look around us at the dismal conditions, and then "rest" in the hope that we will be raptured out of all of this misery, before it gets too far out of control.
I fear that many will find themselves numbered with the "Foolish Virgins" (Matt 25:1-13). Their lamps have gone out, and they have no oil. Many will be identified with the servant who buried the one talent he was entrusted with (Matt 25:14-30).
Jesus warns us to be alert, and He also warns us to be about His business until He comes (Mark 13:33-37). We dare not be found asleep at His return, yet I fear that many will be. Jesus Himself asks the question, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?"
The truth is, we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. We are to be active in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not stand looking into the sky (Acts 1:9-11), waiting for our evacuation, while there is still work to be done. Jesus never promised us that it would be easy. In fact, He promises us persecution, if we will be faithful to His call (Matt 5:10-12; 2 Tim 3:12).
As we see the evil growing around us, we must boldly stand for the truth, and be faithful unto Christ, no matter the cost. Then when Jesus returns, we will be among those who are found faithful.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church.
The Church triumphant has been under attack since it's inception some 2,000 years ago. Nations and rulers have tried to destroy the Church through persecution, they have tried to legislate it out of existence, and have had a measure of success by merging it with the state.
The union of church and state has probably done more harm to the cause of Christ than any other device satan has come up with. By this union, governments have controlled what the church believes, and what it practices. By legislating Christianity, nations have been declared "Christian" deceiving their members into thinking they are true Christians when in fact they are not.
No human government on this earth has the God given ability to determine what constitutes true faith and practice. God alone, through His word has set forth the standard for Christian practice. No one has the right or ability to come between a man's conscience and his God.
Jesus tells us that He will build His Church upon the rock of our confession of faith, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The Bible tells us that there is one body, one Spirit, and we were called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is over all, through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Jude tells us to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered (Jude 1:3). That is the true faith, the one delivered down through the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
This is the foundation that the true follower of Christ Jesus is built upon. Every one who names the name Of Jesus in a true and living faith is being built up into a spiritual dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
Trials and tribulations will come as we are told in the word of God (1 Peter 4:12-14; Rev 1:9; Matt 5:10-12). We are to rejoice in this, and stand fast, as Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt 24:13). We have the precious promise of Christ that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20).
The Church has always prospered under adversity. It has triumphed in what seemed it's darkest hour. This is when a line is drawn so to speak, and those who cling to Christ with a ruthless trust are separated from those who are merely nominal. When things get a little tough, they are out of there. This is when the people of God shine the brightest, filled with the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit.
Do not grow weary or give up as you see things get tough in these last days.
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB
The union of church and state has probably done more harm to the cause of Christ than any other device satan has come up with. By this union, governments have controlled what the church believes, and what it practices. By legislating Christianity, nations have been declared "Christian" deceiving their members into thinking they are true Christians when in fact they are not.
No human government on this earth has the God given ability to determine what constitutes true faith and practice. God alone, through His word has set forth the standard for Christian practice. No one has the right or ability to come between a man's conscience and his God.
Jesus tells us that He will build His Church upon the rock of our confession of faith, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The Bible tells us that there is one body, one Spirit, and we were called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is over all, through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Jude tells us to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered (Jude 1:3). That is the true faith, the one delivered down through the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
This is the foundation that the true follower of Christ Jesus is built upon. Every one who names the name Of Jesus in a true and living faith is being built up into a spiritual dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
Trials and tribulations will come as we are told in the word of God (1 Peter 4:12-14; Rev 1:9; Matt 5:10-12). We are to rejoice in this, and stand fast, as Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt 24:13). We have the precious promise of Christ that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20).
The Church has always prospered under adversity. It has triumphed in what seemed it's darkest hour. This is when a line is drawn so to speak, and those who cling to Christ with a ruthless trust are separated from those who are merely nominal. When things get a little tough, they are out of there. This is when the people of God shine the brightest, filled with the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit.
Do not grow weary or give up as you see things get tough in these last days.
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB
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