CONVERGE: Connecting with the Suffering Church How Should We Respond?

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Bertina Jenkins
5 years ago
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2 CONVERGE: Connecting with the Suffering Church How Should We Respond? 1. Globally-informed Discipleship Disciple people to be globally aware. Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. To do so, we must know what is happening in all of the nations. Matthew 5:10-12 Nothing new for the people of God. Jesus assumed we would be persecuted for 2 certain reasons: righteousness and the King who grants it. William Barclay: "Jesus promised his disciples 3 things: That they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy & in constant trouble." We must disciple the people of our congregation to both know and be discipled by the people of the persecuted church. 2. Give the reality We must help Christians in America not defuse the powerful persecution happening in the world by referring to our annoyances with the same descriptor. Open Doors (stats from 2017): Each month, 322 Christians are killed for their faith, 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed, and 722 forms of violence are committed against Christians. World Watch List: North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Libya. In 2014, there were 4,344 Christians killed for faith-related reasons (World Watch Monitor). Pew Research Center: 75% of world s population lives in countries with high levels of social hostility involving religion. Top three reasons for persecution is Islamic extremism (main reason in 40 of top 50 countries), dictatorial paranoia (such as in North Korea), and organized corruption (in Colombia and Mexico). Worst Five: #5 Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Somalia. #1 for 13th year is North Korea w/70k in prison camps.

3 3. Pray for the persecuted Boldly and systematically For our sensitivity 1 Corinthians 12:26; share in the grief of other believers Gospel boldness & fruit 2 Thessalonians 3:1; faith in the face of pain to produce a harvest Deliverance from danger 2 Thess 3:2 Endurance under hardship 4. Seek advocacy Among those with political power With trusted ministries; no need to reinvent the wheel In your church denomination or network of churches 5. Turn up the volume You have a voice. Use it. Social Media Speak for those who have no voice. On the local and global stage. 6. Take Action NOW! Go to them. Matthew 25:35-36 Fight consumerism! Give generously to the causes that care for the persecuted Provide for them. Hebrews 13:3 Travel to aid in relief efforts. Americans can often bring relief aid when others are not allowed. Conclusion The persecution of the church stands as a constant reminder that the world is sinful & in need of a Savior. As Jesus was nailed to the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them for the know not what they do." We see the persecuted as our neighbor and the persecutors as our enemies. Besides you, these are the two categories of people in the world and Jesus said to love them both. Don't let our brothers and sisters suffer anonymously or alone. Be a reflection of Jesus. The persecution & death of Christ was for you.

4 Justice for the Persecuted Christian The world is broken and people are sinful. Hurricane in Mexico & terrorist attacks against nations. SERIES: Slavery, orphans... Multiply What is not persecution? Dept. store employee greeting you with "Happy Holidays." City not displaying The 10 Commandments. Coffee served in a plain red cup. A country where people have walked away from Christianity is a commentary on culture. It is an indictment on the church. We replaced our evangelistic impulse with the need for religious consumerism. The Early Church did not expect the Roman Empire to spread the Gospel. It is the work of the church. Even in the face of persecution. 1. The reality of persecution Matthew 5:10-12 Early church faced constant & violent opposition. Nothing new to the people of God. Jesus assumed we would be persecuted for 2 certain reasons: righteousness and the King who grants it. 4,344 Christians killed for faith-related reasons in ,062 churches attacked for faith-related reasons in Majority of attacks took place in five countries: China (258), Vietnam (116), Nigeria (108), Syria (107 churches), and the Central African Republic (100). Pew Research Center found that nearly 75% of the world s population lives in countries with high levels of social hostility involving religion. Top three reasons for persecution is Islamic extremism (main reason in 40 of top 50 countries), dictatorial paranoia (such as in North Korea), and organized corruption (in Colombia and Mexico). Worst Five: #5 Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Somalia. #1 for 13th year is North Korea w/70k in prison camps. Christians are the most persecuted religious group. Over last few years, an average of 180 Christians killed each month for their faith. (Source: Open Doors USA) Jesus states the persecuted are blessed. Favored by God.

5 THE MESSAGE paraphrase Persecution happens b/c the world is offended by Christ. William Barclay: "Jesus promised his disciples 3 things: That they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy & in constant trouble." 2. Our responsibility to those who are persecuted Speak for them. Decide that they matter enough to notice and be their advocates. Share with them -- 1 Corinthians 12:26. We share in their grief and suffering. We need to share their passion for evangelism. Intercede for their bold witness -- 2 Thess 3:1 Pray for their deliverance -- 2 Thess 3:2 Provide for them -- Hebrews 13:3 OUR RESPONSE: The persecution of the church stands as a constant reminder that the world is sinful & in need of a Savior. As Jesus was nailed to the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them for the know not what they do." Embrace the work of the gospel. Don't let their suffering be in vain: EVANGELIZE! The persecution & death of Christ was for you. Source: Open Doors USA The Voice of the Martyrs Pew Research ERLC

6 Jesus vs. Persecution of Believers 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; Matthew 5:10-12 What is not persecution? Dept. store employee greeting you with "Happy Holidays." City not displaying The 10 Commandments. Neighbor rejecting your invitation. Matthew 5: b/c of righteousness Pew Research Center: over 75% of world lives in areas w/severe religious restrictions. US State Dept: Persecution in 60+ countries Open Doors: 215 Million Christians persecuted Top Ten Worst Offending Countries (2017): 1. North Korea 6. Syria 2. Somalia 7. Iraq 3. Afghanistan 8. Iran 4. Pakistan 9. Yemen 5. Sudan 10. Eritrea Three biblical responsibilities of the stable church to the suffering church: 1. Pray for their boldness with the gospel. 2 Thess 3:1 This is the heart of the Persecuted Church: that the gospel will advance. Brother Andrew Pastor Ezzat working with Iraqi refugees The church that suffers wants their gospel witness to shine even brighter for it is why they are suffering. 2. Pray for their deliverance 2 Thess 3:2 From the hands of wicked and evil people Each month: 772 forms of violence are committed against Christians (beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages) 322 Christians killed for the faith. Let me show you a picture: Monday of Jordan trip; visit #2. Iraqi family: Parents of the dentist at church. Son killed by ISIS with bomb in his car.

7 3. Care for them Matthew 25:35-36 Provide for their needs. Speak for them. Decide that they matter enough to notice and be their advocates. 1 Corinthians 12:26 So if one member suffers The role of FBC for the persecuted church and all of our mission partners: Pray passionately & specifically Resource physically send clothing, everyday needs Give financially generous gifts to support ministries Go personally +++ The GOSPEL is that Jesus cares for the suffering. We must do no less as the ministers of reconciliation.

8 Prayers for a New Year 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Thessalonica: New in faith. Not wealthy, but sacrificial. He writes with this in mind That their testimony is true and that Jesus will return to punish those who are outside the faith. He wrote the letter to help clear up misunderstandings about the return of Christ. Many thought because they were being persecuted that Christ was going to return at any day and therefore were being lazy and idle. Paul wants them to work as the day is approaching. For what should we pray as we move toward a new year? 1. Pray for holiness among God s people V. 11a Romans 8:29 What does it mean for God to say that you are worthy? To be counted worthy of his calling will mean for our lives to begin to look like the life of Christ Philippians 2:5-11 Ø Our prayer should be for our lives to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. 2. Pray for God s power to do God s work To fulfill his purposes and work V. 11b What is his work? Redeeming people Take note of Israel s role as OT missionary If we are not working with the Gospel as the centerpiece of our daily activity at this point when we are launching a church, will we ever? In John 6, Jesus has fed 5,000 and walked on water and was about to give his statement of being the Bread of Life John 6: Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." God s work is for people to believe in him he desires our relationship. In order for this work to be done, we must operate in his power. If all we do is talk someone into believing our message, then a Mormon, JW, or atheist can talk them into their message.

9 But, if the power of God is at work through us, then he will draw them into the Kingdom. Ø Our prayer should be for one another to be filled with the power of God in such a way that doing the work of kingdom is natural and habitual. 3. Pray for God s fame to spread V. 12 Our chief desire must be the glory of God. Our desire for planting a church must not be: Because we don t like the other churches We want a cooler church A feeling of spiritual superiority The reasons for planting new churches should be to extend the fame of Christ to every corner of the world. We do so by: o proclaiming him in daily activities and in gathering as a church. o being a church planting church. Ø Our prayer should be that the glory of God is made evident in us because we are doing the work that Christ left for the church to do.

COUNTRY RANK North Korea Somalia

COUNTRY RANK North Korea Somalia 2015 The World Watch List (WWL) is a ranking of 50 countries where persecution of Christians for religious reasons is most severe. Open Doors works in the world s most oppressive countries, strengthening