The Persecuted

Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Persecution [Greek] — “a hunter who actively pursues to capture or kill an animal.” 

Persecution [English] — “to harass, injure, or punish because of a person’s belief.” 

Acts 26:9-11 (NIV) I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem.  On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme.  I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. 

-Foxe’s Book of Martyrs 

-The Hiding Place

-God’s Smuggler

-Tortured for Christ

-The Heavenly Man

-Through the Gates of Splendor

-Bonhoeffer

“Persecution arises when the spirit of this world decides to be at war with the Spirit of God inside us.” 

John 15:18-20 (NLT) If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you?  “A slave is not greater than the master.”  Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you.

Acts 14:22 (AMP) It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:35-36 (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

Revelation 2:10 (NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

1.  It’s foolish to believe persecution is a thing of the past

2.  It’s foolish to believe these verses weren’t written for Americans 

Mark 4:16-17 (NKJV) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time.  Afterward, when tribulation and persecution arises for the word’s sake immediately they stumble.

“I had prepared myself for prison and torture as a soldier in peacetime prepares for the hardships of war.  I had studied the lives of Christians who had faced similar pains and temptations to surrender and thought [about] how I might adapt [to] their experiences.  Many who had not so prepared themselves were crushed by suffering…”  — Richard Wurmbrand

1.  They valued God’s Word and His presence

“I have experienced His presence in the deepest hell that man can create.  I have really tested the promises of the Bible, and believe me, you can count on them.”  —Corrie Ten Boom

2.  They knew how to trust God 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. 

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit and trust the engineer.”  — Corrie Ten Boom

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.  If you look within, you’ll be depressed.  If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”  — Corrie Ten Boom

3.  They were surrendered to God’s plan

2 Corinthians 12:10-11 (NLT) That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

4.  They refused to become bitter

“I have seen Christians in Communist prisons with fifty pounds of chains on their feet, tortured with red-hot iron pokers, in whose throats spoonfuls of salt had been forced, being kept afterward without water, starving, whipped, suffering from cold — and praying with fervor for the Communists.  This is humanly inexplicable!  It is the love of Christ, which was poured out in our hearts.”  —Richard Wurmbrand

5.  They saw past the temporary suffering to an eternal reward

Hebrews 10:32-34 (NLT) Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.