Terrorism and the Persecuted Church

2015-09-06 
Johnnie Moore 

A once-in-thousand-year crisis is unfolding in the Middle East as we watch a legitimate threat of eradication of Christianity in the place of its birth. What does the Bible tell us about these moments of extreme Christians persecution & what are we to do about it?

Matthew 13:44-45
“The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Hebrews 11:35-38
“Some faced jeers and flogging, while others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them”

Revelation 20:4:
“I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God.” 

I want to ask and answer three questions: 

What is HAPPENING? 
What does the Bible teach us about these moments of intense Christian PERSECUTION? 
What are we to do to HELP?

#1 WHAT IS HAPPENING?

#2 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH US ABOUT THESE MOMENTS OF INTENSE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION?
 

THE GOSPEL IS WORTH LIFE AND DEATH

Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
 
GOD REQUIRES THE SAME COMMITMENT FROM ALL BELIEVERS

John 12:25
“The man who loves his life will lose it, the while man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

#3 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL US WE ARE TO DO TO HELP?
 

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR AND PROVIDE FOR THE PERSECUTED 

Hebrews 13:3
“Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering but imagine you are there with them.”

2 Thessalonians 3:2
“Pray that we might be delivered from wicked and from evil people.”

Proverbs 24:11
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

Acts 11:29
“The disciples, each according to his ability decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.”
 
CONCLUSION:
Romans 16:20, “Soon the God of peace will crush Satan underneath our feet.”