Persevering through Persecution

 

Read Leviticus 5:1; Acts 14

 

“If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the city. Thus men who easily submit to strong delusions, hate to receive the truth in the love of it.” ~ Matthew Henry

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “… they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith …”  Acts 14:27

 

O:  Paul and Barnabas had a great success in preaching the gospel, but not without difficulties (see verse 2, 4, 5, 18 and 19).  Paul even stated in verse 22, “ … it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God …”  But because of the Holy Spirit being with them they were able to have much success.  Paul and Barnabas persevered and kept telling people about Christ in the strength that was given to them by the Holy Spirit. 

 

 

(Paul's first Missionary Journey)

 

My kids and I watched a movie yesterday called, Paul the Apostle, on Amazon Prime.  It was a pretty good movie, but it did show some of the horrible things that the early church had to endure; James the brother of John being executed by Herod and the stoning of Stephen, and all the things we have been reading about together.  It was hard to explain to my kids why God’s people had to suffer the way they did.  We do not fully grasp the idea of persecution the way others do perhaps.

 

A:  Persevere.  We may not face the persecution that Paul and others in the early church suffered, but that certainly is a possibility in days to come.  I do believe however there are things we are called on to endure and to persevere through that we might enter the kingdom of God.  Here are a few verses to meditate on:

 

James 1:12 - Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

Revelation 3:21 - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

James 1: 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

P:  Father in Heaven, I know that You are working in us Your will and pleasure.  I also know that sometimes that requires us to endure trials or tribulations or even persecution.  Father I lift up those reading this now who are enduring hard things for Your Name’s Sake.  I pray that they would endure and overcome through this situation or trial knowing You are with them to help them and give them strength.  Father I pray when this life is said and done that we would be counted as those who overcame by the Blood of the Lamb.  In Jesus’ name, Yeshua the Messiah, I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Discussion questions: 

1.     What trial(s) have you or are you enduring?

2.     When you read about people being stoned and the persecution of the early church, how do you relate that to our present day events?

 

Sanctification

□ Ex. 29:44-46; Acts 7

Theme:  Sanctification and in Acts - Stephen's defense. (1-50) Stephen reproves the Jews for the death of Christ. (51-53) The martyrdom of Stephen. (54-60)

S:  ⁴⁶ They shall know [from personal experience] and acknowledge that I am the Lord their God who brought them out …

But they didn’t according to Acts 7:43 “You also took along the tabernacle (portable temple) of Moloch and the star of the god Rompha …”  They thought they could have God + Moloch, but God is a jealous God.  He is not going to share the center stage (or backstage for that matter) with any other person or thing in your life.  It is Christ alone!

Stephen calls them out on it in verse ⁵¹ “You stiff-necked and stubborn people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. You are doing just as your fathers did.”

O:  I find it interesting that Stephen spent several minutes recounting the history of Israel to these well learned men of the council.  Matthew Henry points out that one of Stephen’s points in doing this was to reflect back on their very poor beginnings.  They took a lot of pride in being Jewish and Stephen points out that it was all God and had nothing to do with them.

Matthew Henry writes this in reflection of Verses 17-29 “Let us not be discouraged at the slowness of the fulfilling of God's promises. Suffering times often are growing times …”  I was discussing this with my children yesterday about Moses.  He was preserved from infancy for a special plan and purpose.  God takes care of his servants.  But it did take EIGHTY YEARS!  for Moses to be prepared and for God’s timing to be perfect. 

In regards to the temple Matthew Henry points this out, “… none of our services can profit Him who made all things. Next to the human nature of Christ, the broken and spiritual heart is his most valued temple.”  The leaders of that day (and even in to this day) loved the idea of the temple and the ordinances.  One of my prayers is that “doing” church would not become more important to us then “being” a church body and Christ’s servant.

“Stephen died as much in a hurry as ever any man did, yet, when he died, the words used are, he fell asleep; he applied himself to his dying work with as much composure as if he had been going to sleep. He shall awake again in the morning of the resurrection, to be received into the presence of the Lord, where is fullness of joy, and to share the pleasures that are at his right hand, for evermore.” ~ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on Acts 7

A:  Application #1) to submit daily to the Holy Spirit, 2) to know from personal experience the LORD who brings me out and sanctifies me daily, 3) to not mix other “gods” with my service to Jesus, 4) to be patient to wait on God’s perfect timing and to prepare me fully for the works He has for me to do (Ephesians 2:10) and lastly 5) to be careful not to put church and “doing” above God, who is the head of the church.

P:  Dear Jesus, I know You are my Deliverer; the One who has redeemed me.  May I remember on a daily basis that You are the One who is in the process of making me more like Christ each day.  It is nothing I can do on my own except to be willing to listen and obey You.  May I not resist the Holy Spirit’s work in my life, but to become a daily sacrifice willing to do the things that You ask me to do.  May I be careful to not bring along my own “gods” as I seek to worship You each day, but to always remember it is Christ Alone!  Thank You for the good works that You have prepared for me to do according to Ephesians 2:10; some I feel I have already accomplished and some I look forward to doing and being used of You.  Thank You for being present in my life.  In Jesus’ Saving Name I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Love & Blessings,

  Michelle L. Kirkbride

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