Flying Your True Colors, 1 Pet

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Darren Robinson
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1 Flying Your True Colors, 1 Pet Introduction History of the Phrase:: 17 th century. Captains were supposed to fly their nation s colors so that other ships would know whether they be friend or foe. Pirates in the open seas would pursue another ship with the colors of a false nation. Once in close proximity they would hoist their true colors, the Jolly Roger, to surprise the unsuspecting crew. Text: In this text, Peter says that regardless of whether you are in a good or bad environment let your true colors as a believer always fly. Context: Specifically to slaves % of population were slaves depending on the region. Many slaves turned to Jesus because of the harsh realities of life. Our application is from 2.19 & 2.21a. Big Idea: Suffering for doing what is right will result in blessings for yourself and others. Suffering in the NT Peter mentions it throughout his letter. 2 Tim.3.12: Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted. John 15: If they persecuted me, then they will absolutely persecute you. Matt 10: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (There is always division or suffering attached to the gospel.) Suffering today: Persecution today: Over 100,000 Christians are martyred every year. Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. Recent (mainly last week) stories of Christians being persecuted (At the end of the message). What about America: 7 Eras of American Christianity by Jim Garlow demarcation in the culture that the church must re-adapt to. Exegete the culture so we can adapt ourselves to the new environment we find ourselves in.

2 We live in a Post Christian America. Newsweeks cover story several months ago, The Decline & Fall of Christian America They say this b/c the # of people who profess to be Christians dropped from 85 to 75% in a decade & # of atheist/agnostics increased Established Culture. Christianity was the overarching force/influe in American culture. It formed both the structure and culture of America. In 1607, Robert Hunt an Anglican planted a cross on the East Coast claiming America for God. In 1769, A RCC priest staked a cross on the West Coast claiming America for God. Taxes were used to build church buildings and pay pastors. In 1833, the last state repelled these taxes. This is disestablishment Predominant Culture. In 1918, WW 1 ended the year before and the soldiers returning home had been greatly influenced by both the war and European culture. Their social mores had changed. They were never the same. The end of American s innocence Subdominant. Like in music, subdominant doesn t control the song, but you can t do the song w/o it. Still had distinct influence, but not as much. a was a watershed year the most turbulent year in American history besides the Civil War. The height of the sexual revolution, Summer of Love, assassinations of MLK & Robert Kennedy, the Vietnam protests, the Jesus movement. The church as a whole didn t readapt , Subculture. One of many competing cultures. Period accentuated by greater Christian activism in politics. We were trying to be heard. Someone s values are going to win & others lose , Countercultural. The culture became antagonistic toward Christianity. Our values are at odds with the larger culture was the fall of Jim Bakker & Jim Swaggert. People who were quietly resentful towards Christianity suddenly became open in their hostility. Things once deemed too sacred to say about Christianity became acceptable. It became okay to mock Christians. This is the time I went into ministry and it was a huge challenge. a. Why 98? Oct.12 in WY. Matthew Shepherd a homosexual was murdered. He became the poster child for homosexual rights and homophobia they blame our hate speech as the cause of his death; Oct.23 in NY a sniper kills Benard Slepiens home kills him b/c he was a abortionist the Christians hate speech was responsible they accused. The tone of the country s attitude towards Bible believing Christians became more strident.

3 b. In April 20, 99. Some of the gunmen killed Christians because they expressed their faith in God Casey Burnall & Rachel Scott(biography, She just said yes ). This is the first time that an American citizen killed another expressly b/c of their faith in Christ. Christians at Columbine were killed for their faith in Christ , antithetical. Is Evil is called good; good is called intolerant/evil. Christians are seen as having beliefs opposite of the will of the people. We say spare the rod & they say it s child abuse; homosexuality is sinful & they say it s appropriate present, persecuted. WE are living in a hostile environment. Prop.8 in CA. Bricks thrown through church buildings, swastikas painted on walls, people beat up Christians for their stands, pastors had to have security details, death threats flowing. IRS not only targeting conservative political groups, but conservative Christian groups. Bottom line: we re in a hostile environment. With the upcoming Supreme Court decision this month (June 2013), we could see Prop.8 overturned and homosexual marriage deemed an equal right potentially in all states. a. Sidenote: Only God gives the right to be married based on His design, the gov t simply validates it is a official. Marriage is a right given by God and validated by the state. Ex if someone passes through your backyard to get to another location, you can have them arrested for trespassing b/c he does not have the right to cut across it. But, as the land owner if you give them the right to pass through your yard they are okay. Likewise, God is the one who designed and defined marriage and therefore He is the one who gives the right to be married. Who ever is married must follow His definition. Otherwise, you do not have the right to be married; the state can define it as marriage, but God defines it as wrong. b. We live in a hostile time. If you fly your true colors, you will be persecuted. Ezekial 33 Calling & Lifestyle The watchman calling we must present the truth and live the truth regardless of the consequences. We must call things as God sees them, not as we or our culture sees them. We have to be discerning about what is a Biblical value, American value & a personal value. Those don't always line up. For instance, the gun control debate. Some 2nd Amendment advocates want to co opt conservative Christians into their camp with a "God & Country" message. I'm for

4 the 2nd Amendment but it is an American value, not a Biblical value. This doesn't mean it's wrong, but that God has not taken a stand on this matter. As a watchman we have to ask ourselves, "Am I touting this belief b/c it is Biblical conviction or b/c it is personal conviction?" We must call things as God sees them, not as we or our culture sees them. Fly your true colors as a watchman for Jesus. The lives of others are dependent upon it. You are a living witness to all. Whether other's like what you say or how you live. The Watchman s Lifestyle: o Believe what is right (2.23c). Biblical worldview. Your beliefs are shaped by Scripture. We cannot compromise our biblical beliefs. o Live what is right (2.22a). Morals. Your morals and character reflect the heart of Jesus. We cannot compromise our Christian morals. o Do what is right (2.23a). Actions. Your lifestyle and responses have the feeling of Christ about them. you do what is right regardless if people see you or not. o Say what is right (2/23b). Words. Your words bring life, encouragement and direction to others. We must call things as God sees them. We must encourage our fellow watchmen to stand faithful in the hour of trial. 2.21: For God called you to do good even if it means suffering. Jesus is our example ( ) We all benefitted because Jesus believed, lived, did and said the right things (didn t sin, practice deception, did not retaliate or threaten revenge) even though he suffered persecution. We are now dead to sin and alive to do what is right; His wounds led to my healing; we are now under His guardianship. We are blessed because He flew His true colors and suffered. The Blessing to ourselves and others Large scale: Because MLK and other civil rights leaders suffered, minorities have equal rights and the nation is more racially united.

5 Hobby Lobby & Roman Catholic agencies doing the right thing with Affordable Health Care Act. They may suffer great loss, but they are flying their true colors and serving as a witness to us of how to believe, live, do and say the right things. Conclusion: What would you do scenarios? You're a Christian living in a small village in India. Your church building has been burned to the ground by radical Hindus. They are now coming to burn your house to the ground unless you renounce your faith? You're a kidnapped Christian missionary who served in Nigeria. These Islamic bandits have shoved an AK 47 against your head and give you three minutes to renounce your faith and convert to Islam? What colors will you be flying? You're an imprisoned pastor confined to 15 years of hard labor in communist N. Korea. They'll release you if you just turn from your faith and also condemn the US's involvement in SE Asia foreign policy? the Anti-Christ has come to power. Everyone is being forced to receive the mark of the beast. Those who don't are imprisoned and executed. You just had your third child. Your spouse has no family but you. If you accept the mark you will live, but if you don't you will die, and, in time, so will your family? Will you fly your true colors? You're an American citizen, living in a semi affluent community with a strong petro chemical industry. Will you fly your true colors in this environment? Conclusion: Some of us are compromising in areas and the Lord is calling you to keep His colors flying high. Big Idea: Suffering for doing what is right will result in blessings for yourself and others. Stories of Persecution: Pastor Saeed American Pastor Saeed Abedini s family in Terhan was able to visit him again earlier this week.

6 Pastor Saeed was able to get a new letter out this week to his wife Naghmeh. He sent her this letter to be shared with supporters who gathered recently, on the Christian day of Pentecost, to pray for him. He shared that despite what he has to endure on a daily basis the beatings and internal bleeding he has hope. The 33-year-old U.S. citizen wrote, I will also be freed from my chains through prayer and strength of the Grace of God. His full letter to supporters is below. Spending Pentecost in Prison and in Chains When the Day of the Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2) One special day, one heart, one place -- All of these come together, to emphasize one thing, the importance of unity. I heard that the persecution, my arrest and imprisonment has united churches from different denominations, from different cities and countries, that would never come together because of their differences. That the churches have united together in prayer to put one request (my freedom) on one day (Pentecost) before God. You don t know how happy I was in the Lord and rejoiced knowing that in my chains the body of Christ has chained together and is brought to action and prayer. When someone s life like mine is in danger, we realize how different we are in our opinions (although some of those differences might be correct), but that we are still united in one goal of praying for my freedom. I am thankful for that. It is though your prayers and the Grace of God that the Lord is using me here in my chains. Many have been freed from the chains of Satan here and have been saved and added to the Church. Now, how beautiful it will be if the Church would be united and fight for the salvation of the world whose life is in danger and who are bound in chains of Satan and to fight for the salvation of the world, a world that is heading to the way of destruction. With the same passion and the same way that you are praying and fighting for my freedom, we need to be praying and fighting for the salvation of the world. When the Church is united (with one heart, in one place, on one day) that is when the joy and strength of God (Holy Spirit) wants to come in that unity and pour out and the Lord be exalted. Although this unity is the result of direct involvement of the Holy Spirit that is able to bring many different characteristics to make one.

7 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Acts 1:8). And only when the Holy Spirit comes can you get strength. Without the strength of God it is impossible to do the will of God. And when we receive strength, then we can be transformed. And when we are transformed, that is when the Church is transformed as well. And when the Church is transformed, then the world will be freed from the chains of sin and will be saved and transformed. When we are all united and chained together, united in our hearts, in one place in one day, and we pray, then we will receive the power from on High and will receive strength and the world will be changed and will be freed from the chains of bondage and will be saved. The same way that I will also be freed from my chains though prayer and strength of the Grace of God. So dear sisters and brothers let us be united in prayer for freedom and salvation of the world. Let us be united so that the Holy Spirit might fall on us and the Glory of God would be revealed through us and through the church. Welcome to the chains that have bound me and have bound us together. Happy Pentecost. God Said and it was. Chains were broken. Our sins were forgiven I am free You are free We all have freedom With many thanks for your continued and faithful prayers. Servant of our Lord in chains for Jesus Christ, Saeed Please continue t Lebanese Man Whipped, Imprisoned for Bringing Woman to Christ Jeremy Reynalds : May 23, 2013 : Assist News Service A Lebanese man was sentenced to 300 lashes with a whip and six years in prison for his role in helping a Saudi woman convert to Christianity and flee the Saudi kingdom. According to the "Saudi Gazette," the woman embraced Christianity after dreaming about climbing to the sky and hearing God say that Jesus is His Son.

(Saudi Arabia) A Lebanese man was sentenced to 300 lashes with a whip and six years in prison for his role in helping a Saudi woman convert to Christianity and flee the Saudi kingdom.

com, the court in the Eastern Saudi city of Khobar located on the coast of the Persian Gulf also sentenced a Saudi man to two years in prison and 200 lashes.

8 (Saudi Arabia) A Lebanese man was sentenced to 300 lashes with a whip and six years in prison for his role in helping a Saudi woman convert to Christianity and flee the Saudi kingdom. According to a story by Benjamin Weinthal for FoxNews.com, the court in the Eastern Saudi city of Khobar located on the coast of the Persian Gulf also sentenced a Saudi man to two years in prison and 200 lashes. He had helped the young woman named Maryam dubbed "the girl of Khobar" in her escape to Sweden to secure asylum. Romeikes German Home School Family Denied Asylum, Told their Case is "not sufficient" Michael Farris, Jr. : May 15, 2013 : Home School Legal Defense Association Ruling will be appealed. (Purcellville, VA) On May 14, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Obama Administration's denial of asylum granted to the Romeike family. The Romeikes fled Germany in 2008 when they were subjected to criminal prosecution for homeschooling. They were granted asylum in 2010 by Immigration Judge Lawrence O. Burman, but that grant was overturned by the Board of Immigration Appeals in A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit heard the Romeikes' appeal on April 23 in Cincinnati, and issued today's unanimous decision against the family. "We believe the Sixth Circuit is wrong and we will appeal their decision," said Michael Farris, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Founder and Chairman. "America has room for this family and we will do everything we can to help them." (Photo: Romeike family) The court said that the Romeikes had not made a sufficient case and that the United States has not opened its doors to every victim of unfair treatment. Although the court acknowledged that the U.S. Constitution recognizes the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children, it refused to concede that the harsh treatment of religiously and philosophically motivated homeschoolers in Germany amounts to persecution within our laws on asylum.

9 "Germany continues to persecute homeschoolers," said Mike Donnelly, HSLDA Director of International Affairs. "The court ignored mountains of evidence that homeschoolers are harshly fined and that custody of their children is gravely threatened something most people would call persecution. This is what the Romeikes will suffer if they are sent back to Germany. Iran Detains Pastor As Church Faces Closure In Wider Crackdown A pastor of the Central Assemblies of God (AoG) Church in Tehran was detained Tuesday, May 21, as part of Iran's wider crackdown on evangelical believers, Christian rights activists confirmed. The arrest of Reverend Robert Asserian came as his church prepared for possible closure by the end of June due to pressure from the feared Iranian Intelligence Ministry, said advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). Muslim Militants shoot Christian leader A Nigerian Christian leader was killed Wednesday after armed militants burst into his home, according to BNL news service. N. Korea sentences American Missionary to 15 years North Korea has sentenced an imprisoned American tour operator to 15 years hard labor for attempting to topple the Kim regime as part of a Christian missionary plan that began in 2006, according to Gawker. Free Syrian Army massacres christian villagers at duwaina; retaliation for stunning defeat at al-qusayr by James Heiser While President Obama s administration weighs overt military aid to Syrian rebels, the true character of the revolution underway in that country is becoming horrifically clear. Numerous press reports are providing details of a massacre perpetrated by the Free Syrian Army that annihilated the entire population of a Christian village. According to the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), forces of the Free Syrian Army massacred the village on May 27: The armed rebels affiliated to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) raided the Christian-populated al-duvair village in Reef (outskirts of) Homs near the border with Lebanon today and massacred all its civilian residents, including women and children. The Syrian army, however, intervened and killed tens of terrorists during heavy clashes which are still going on in al-duvair village.

Responding to a Cultural Shift,

Responding to a Cultural Shift, 7.5.14 Introduction: 1. The Supreme Court s decision to legalize gay marriage. Although 37 states voted marriage as between a man and woman, five supreme court justices