Persecution? It´s a good thing! part 2
Acts 4: 13- 37 First Advent 2013.12.01
In our continuing study of the early church, we have come
to the first persecution of the
church…….
The
book of Acts records for us the life and times of the early church…… Acts Chapter 4: 13- 37 will be our
passage for this morning…... We are dealing with the subject of persecution….. We should remind
ourselves that the people hated Jesus…..
Jesus showed them their sin and rebellion……. He shined the light of truth into
their dark hearts…….. Some repented…… some hardened their hearts….. Those who
refused to repent……. Hated Jesus….
Jesus
told us that we would also be hated….
This great passage teaches us how to handle persecution or
any other difficult times when they happen to us…. And there are seven basic principles here in this
text for handling persecution……
Last week, we looked at the first 2….. let's review the
first 2 from last week……..
How
to Handle persecution
1 Be submissive and wait on the Lord ….…. V1-7
They did not resist the Sanhedrin when they were
arrested…. They were filled with the Spirit…. They were not afraid…. They
trusted the Lord in the middle of this great trial…. they were submissive…….
They said this in their minds…… God has allowed this….
They were there because they were obeying the
Lord Jesus´ call to proclaim the Good News….. They
were certain that He would help them now…. And they didn't fight against it……
They...when persecution came, they willingly submitted to it……
Second principle we saw last week, not only be submissive
to persecution, but secondly,
2…
Be filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Good News…… v8-13
Verse 8, "Then
Peter filled with the Holy Spirit."
You get into a situation like that and you're going to
have to lean on some power other than your own. And so he yielded to the Spirit
of God, he and John. And that was victory in itself right there…… They didn't
try to handle the situation in their own strength…. They yielded to the Holy Spirit……. He gave
them the words to answer the Sanhedrin….
They got into this situation and they saw an open door to
present the Lord Jesus Christ…..
right in the middle of a persecution….. And it would have been so easy to say
boy am I scared and we may never get out of this….. See? And they didn't really
have any historical precedence as a church either…… This was brand new stuff……
And they could have panicked at that point and just kind of faded away and just
clammed up, but they didn't….. They
could have watered down their message……
Instead they used it as an opportunity to present Christ……
Jesus said…. Go into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature….. Even
though it was very dangerous…. They proclaimed the Good News to the Sanhedrin…..
In verses 8-13 Peter preaches Jesus…… And he even indicts
them for crucifying Him…..And then in verse 12 he says….
Acts
4:12 NKJV Schlachter 2000
12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.”
12 Und es ist in keinem anderen das Heil1; denn es ist
kein anderer Name unter dem Himmel den Menschen gegeben, in dem wir gerettet
werden sollen!
He lays it on the line…… He says, guys the only hope is
Jesus….. This man was saved and made whole by Jesus…..
And so they are bold….. They show unbelievable boldness
in the face of persecution….. and in the presence of the Sanhedrin the highest court in Israel……
These were the very people who killed Jesus…. That's how to handle persecution….
How
to Handle persecution
1 Be submissive and wait on the Lord ….…. V1-7
2…
Be filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Good News…… v8-13
boldly
use it as an opportunity to preach Jesus….
Let´s pickup where we left off last week…. Acts 4:13…
Acts
4: 13 NKJV Schlachter 2000
13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been
with Jesus.
13 Als sie aber die Freimütigkeit von Petrus und Johannes
sahen und erfuhren, daß sie ungelehrte Leute und Laien seien, verwunderten sie
sich; und sie erkannten, daß sie mit Jesus gewesen waren.
The leaders were amazed at Peter and John…. For sure they had been with Jesus… Peter
let the Holy Spirit fill his mouth with the words of life…. He boldly
proclaimed Jesus to the leaders of Israel…. They did not know what would
happen to them…… Peter could have been signing his own death sentence by
rebuking these men….. They could kill these three men….. But Peter is now filled with the Holy Spirit…. These words are from the
Lord through the Holy Spirit….. He speaks boldly because he knows the he
belongs to the Lord Jesus….. He has been bought with a price…. This shows us
the next point….
3…
Be obedient to God at all costs….
Use
those hard times…. as an opportunity to present the LORD JESUS Christ…… Verses 14-22….
Acts
4: 14- 22 NKJV
14
And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say
nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the
council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these
men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident
to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads
no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on
they speak to no man in this name.”
18
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the
name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is
right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For
we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they
had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing
them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been
done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing
had been performed.
Acts 4: 14- 22 Schlachter 2000
14 Da sie aber den Menschen bei ihnen stehen sahen, der
geheilt worden war, konnten sie nichts dagegen sagen.
15 Da befahlen sie ihnen, aus dem Hohen Rat
hinauszugehen, und beratschlagten miteinander und sprachen:
16 Was sollen wir mit diesen Menschen tun? Denn daß ein
offenkundiges Zeichen durch sie geschehen ist, das ist allen Bewohnern von
Jerusalem bekannt, und wir können es nicht leugnen.
17 Aber damit es sich nicht weiter unter dem Volk
verbreitet, wollen wir ihnen ernstlich drohen, damit sie künftig zu keinem
Menschen mehr in diesem Namen reden!
18 Und sie ließen sie rufen und geboten ihnen, überhaupt
nicht mehr in dem Namen Jesus zu reden noch zu lehren.
19 Aber Petrus und Johannes antworteten ihnen und
sprachen: Entscheidet ihr selbst, ob es vor Gott recht ist, euch mehr zu
gehorchen als Gott!
20 Denn es ist uns unmöglich, nicht von dem zu reden, was
wir gesehen und gehört haben!
21 Sie aber drohten ihnen noch weiter und ließen sie
frei, weil sie wegen des Volkes keinen Weg fanden, sie zu bestrafen; denn alle
priesen Gott über dem, was geschehen war.
22 Der Mensch, an dem dieses Zeichen der Heilung
geschehen war, war nämlich über 40 Jahre alt.
verse 14… the man they healed is there and everyone knew
him….
What are you going to say? What could they do…?
They
couldn't argue about it….. and they couldn't deny it….. But they wouldn't
accept it as from God either….. This is the blindness of sin….. Here they were face to face with
truth…..with The Miraculous Instant Power of God Working through these who had
been with Jesus…. and they blindly
closed their eyes…. Why have they blinded themselves to the truth? Because they
don't want to come to the light….. because if they come to the light their
deeds will be shown to be evil…. So they know the truth, but they avoid the
truth….. John 3
That's the character of unbelief….. In the face of
absolute evidence, they reject it all…..
They brought them in and threatened them….
v18…. Do not speak and do not teach in
the name of Jesus…... They command them never to mention Jesus again….. And I'm
sure they put all their authority behind it……
Notice
this please… The early church had to be
commanded to be quiet….. and today church has to be begged to open their
mouths….. So they
desperately wanted to be rid of the name of Jesus…… You know, it's such a
strange thing, but they had thought they might get rid of Him when they killed
Him….. but they didn't…..
Now
today….. they still can't get rid of the name of Jesus…… Now
there are thousands of people running
all over Jerusalem proclaiming Him…... And it just got worse…..
And here they hope that they had gotten rid of Jesus when
they killed Him….. and now they hope they can get rid of Him by shutting up
Peter and John……
Peter and John recognized the higher authority….. Jesus….
Jesus said "Go into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature."
So, you know, if they had been like me and like most of
us, they'd have probably said now, look let's not say anything….. I think they
will let us go….
But no…. Because they are filled with the Holy Spirit
they are very bold….. Verse 19…
Acts
4:19 NKJV Schlachter 2000
19"Peter
and John answered and said unto them, whether it is right in the sight of God
to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."
19 Aber Petrus und Johannes antworteten ihnen und
sprachen: Entscheidet ihr selbst, ob es vor Gott recht ist, euch mehr zu
gehorchen als Gott!
He says, you're the supreme court of Israel…... You judge
this question…..
Is it right to listen to you…… or God? WOW!
They are filled with a Holy Boldness…… They stand their
ground….. they don't sneak away….
You see there comes a point when you must be obedient to
God….. No matter what the consequences….
Acts
4:20 NKJV Schlachter 2000
20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
20 Denn es ist uns unmöglich, nicht von dem zu reden, was
wir gesehen und gehört haben!
They're putting their life on the line….. They know it,
but they want to be obedient….. They cannot shut up….
You see, whenever conflict arises between the command of
God and the command of men…. We obey God…..
When persecution comes….. And It will…. We can't be
silent…..
Verse 20…
Acts
4:20-22 NKJV
20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when
they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing
them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been
done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing
had been performed.
Acts 4:20-22 Schlachter 2000
20 Wir können's ja nicht lassen, von dem zu reden, was
wir gesehen und gehört haben.
21 Da drohten sie ihnen und ließen sie gehen um des
Volkes willen, weil sie nichts fanden, was Strafe verdient hätte; denn alle
lobten Gott für das, was geschehen war.
22 Denn der Mensch war über vierzig Jahre alt, an dem
dieses Zeichen der Heilung geschehen war.
They were stuck…. They could not punish them…. Everyone praised God for what had happened……
The rulers were afraid of the people and so they just had to let them go…
They obeyed the Lord and this time…. They were delivered out of
the hands of the enemies of Jesus….. Because the Lord had more work for them to
do….
And
so we are also called to be obedient to our Lord and Master…. The Lord Jesus….
No matter what the cost……. How do you handle persecution?
How
to Handle persecution
1 Be submissive and wait on the Lord ….…. V1-7
2…
Be filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Good News…… v8-13
3…
Be obedient to God at all costs…. V 14-22
4… Keep
the unity of the Holy Spirit.….. v23
look at verse 23. "And being let go, they went to
their own company." Hang in there together….. They knew that they needed
each other…..
Acts
4:23 NKJV Schlachter 2000
23
And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the
chief priests and elders had said to them.
23 Als sie aber freigelassen waren, kamen sie zu den
Ihren und verkündeten alles, was die obersten Priester und die Ältesten zu
ihnen gesagt hatten.
And being let go, they went to their own companions…. Hang
in there together….. They knew that they needed each other….. It´s much easier to face the hard times when
we know that someone´s got our back…… They had each other for comfort and
support….
This is deep Koininia…. Deep genuine fellowship…. They
were untied by their commitment to the Lord Jesus……. They helped each other ….
We often talk about the unity of the body…… The unity of
the Spirit and the bond of peace…. but
persecution and hard times…. Disasters…. These are all important things in
bringing unity to the Body of Christ…… We all have to live in a hostile world….. and When
the world begins to seriously persecute us…. It will drive us together….
If we're really out there proclaiming the Good News to
the world….. We will be driven together by our common love for each other…
The early church was severely persecuted and they bound
themselves together….. in Acts 4: 32-35 We
read that they had one heart and one
soul….. and if anybody needed anything somebody else provided it to them……
The next thing, these disciples did as they gathered
together…. This is our 5th point…. They blessed the Lord….
5…
bless the Lord…. In all circumstances… At all times…V24…
Acts
4:24 NKJV
Schlachter 2000
24
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and
said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that
is in them,
24 Und als sie es hörten, erhoben sie einmütig ihre
Stimme zu Gott und sprachen: Herr, du bist der Gott, der den Himmel und die
Erde und das Meer gemacht hat und alles, was darinnen ist.
This is their next reaction to the persecution….. Peter
and John did not say….. The Sanhedrin has commanded us not to preach anymore
the name of Jesus…. We´re finished if we do…….
No, they blessed the Lord for the privilege of sufferings these threats
for the Lord Jesus….
In verse 24 it says that they with one accord…. Perfect
unity….. They raised their voices and said…… Lord You are God…… They blessed
the Sovereign Lord in the middle of these very difficult circumstances…… They
said…… You allowed this….. You made everything….. You are Great!
They didn't come back in a state of depression…… They
were not angry or disappointed with the Lord either….. They came back rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus…… I mean, they had just been
filled with the Spirit….. They had just preached to the Sanhedrin….. What
greater thing could have happened? They
were a whole congregation of of Joshuas
and Calebs…... They were ready to Go
into all the World and proclaim the
Good News….. They knew that the Lord was with them in their very own fiery
Furnace…… They no longer felt empty and abandoned……
I want us to notice that in the text here…. When they
address the Lord as Lord….. the Greek word is a very unusual word for Lord……
It´s not κύριος kyrios…. It´s δεσπότης despotēs…. it's a word that translates into English,
despot…… It's the most severe kind of dictatorship…… It´s absolute
sovereignty…… Absolute Authority in matters of life and death….
They praised God for His sovereign creative power….. And then they quote the Old Testament, Psalm 2…..
verse 25….
Acts
4: 25,26 NKJV
25
who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why
did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the
earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord
and against His Christ.
Acts 4: 25,26 Schlachter 2000
25 Du hast durch den Mund deines Knechtes David gesagt:
»Warum toben die Heiden und ersinnen die Völker Nichtiges?
26 Die Könige der Erde lehnen sich auf, und die Fürsten
versammeln sich miteinander gegen den Herrn und gegen seinen Gesalbten.«
This is an important text here….. They are saying we know
that David was a great prophet who said these things about the Lord Jesus the
Messiah…… Lord you are great…. You know all things….. They are saying we
understand…… These things are not taking you by surprise….. It was all
prophesied…… You said the world would persecute Jesus….. Clear back in Psalm 2,
You said the world would kill Jesus….. You said all the nations are going to
get together against Him…. We know that……
Acts 4…v27…
Acts
4: 27,28 NKJV
Schlachter 2000
27
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered
together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be
done.
27 Ja, wahrhaftig, gegen deinen heiligen Knecht Jesus,
den du gesalbt hast, haben sich Herodes und Pontius Pilatus versammelt zusammen
mit den Heiden und dem Volk Israel,
28 um zu tun, was deine Hand und dein Ratschluß zuvor
bestimmt hatte, daß es geschehen sollte.
They are showing a deep spiritual understanding in this
prayer…… They know that even these wicked men were appointed to accomplish the Gracious and Sovereign Will of God……
Herod, Pilate, the gentile nations and Israel´s …… they
all gathered together to persecute and
kill the Lord Jesus…. It was all exactly
according to God´s plan…. In our lives too…… Nothing escapes the plan of God
for us….. Even the disasters and tragedies….. Everything that happens is used
by God…. For our Good and His Glory….
Isn't that something? The world gave did it´s best to
destroy Jesus…. They did not succeed…. They were tools in the hand of God to
accomplish redemption through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus…. Psalm
76:10 in the NLT says….
Psalm
76 : 9,10 NLT
9 You
stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the
earth.
10
Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon.
Psalm 76 : 10,11 Neues Leben
10 Gott, du erhobst dich, um Gericht zu halten, und um
den Unterdrückten in der ganzen Welt zu helfen.
11 Der Trotz der Menschen vergrößert deinen Ruhm, selbst
ihn machst du dir noch zunutze.
And you see, they're comforted in the fact that Jesus got
persecuted and crucified….. but when His
persecution was over….. salvation was made possible…….
God turned the persecution of Jesus to salvation……. He can
certainly turn their persecution into something wonderful too…….. And that's exactly
what we need to recognize when we´re getting persecuted…... Like these
believers…. Our response to the hard times should be in hope and in faith…..
Lord I don´t understand what´s happening to me…. It´s really hard……. But this
did not take you by surprise…. Thank you that even now you are with me……. You
are the one who said….. I will never leave you…. I will never forsake you! We
will not be afraid… we will trust in you…. It´s certain that they knew their
scriptures well and were applying them to their own lives…. They knew that
those who love and serve the Lord do not need to be afraid…. May be they were remembering this Psalm as
they prayed…. Turn with me to Psalm 112….. The whole Psalm is highly
recommended….. But I´ll just read a few verses…. V7…
Psalm
112: 7-10 NLT
7
They do not fear bad news; they confidently
trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They
are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
9
They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will
be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
10
The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in
anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
Psalm
112: 7-10 Neues
Leben
7 Er fürchtet sich nicht vor schlechter Nachricht,
sondern vertraut fest darauf, dass der Herr für ihn sorgt.
8 Zuversichtlich ist er und furchtlos, denn er wird über
seine Gegner triumphieren.
9 Großzügig gibt er dem, der in Not ist. Seine gerechten
Taten bleiben unvergessen.2 Er wird zu großem Ansehen kommen.
10 Der Gottlose wird es sehen und sich ärgern, knirschen
wird er mit seinen Zähnen vor Zorn. Denn
was die Gottlosen hoffen, das vergeht.
I'm reminded of the story in Genesis of Joseph…… You remember Joseph had very hard
times….. At first and the hands of his own brothers….. They planned to kill him
and lie to their father…. That´s hard…. But
Judah stepped in and They only sold him into slavery in Egypt…. Then when he
got to Egypt….. he went to work for Potiphar the chief steward of Pharoah….. For
a while things were better and then…. Potiphar´s wife tries to seduce him…… He
refuses to sin again the Lord God or against Potiphar….. And Joseph got
persecuted by Potiphar…… He gets thrown
into prison…..
You remember the butler and the baker ? He got persecuted
by them….. He got nothing but persecuted….. and when it was all over with he
got exalted didn't he? The highest place next to the Pharoah in Egypt and he
was able to take care of everybody in
Egypt….. even those who persecuted him…... Later he is used as the instrument of
God to rescue his own family too….
19 Genesis
50: 19-21 NKJV
Joseph
said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for
you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it
about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be
afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and
spoke kindly to them.
Genesis
50: 19-21 Schlachter 2000
19 Aber Joseph sprach zu ihnen: Fürchtet euch nicht! Bin
ich denn an Gottes Stelle?
20 Ihr gedachtet mir zwar Böses zu tun; aber Gott
gedachte es gut zu machen,1 um es so hinauszuführen, wie es jetzt zutage liegt,
um ein zahlreiches Volk am Leben zu erhalten.
21 So fürchtet euch nun nicht; ich will euch und eure
Kinder versorgen! Und er tröstete sie und redete freundlich mit ihnen.2
You meant it for evil…… God meant it for good….. And this
is the principle of these verses…... They're praising God and saying bless the
Lord…… because look at this evil coming that God can turn into good…... That's
the only way to look at persecution…….
6 Ask God for greater boldness….v29…
You say are you kidding? You mean, they want to go back
into the thick of it again? Sure…..verse 29……
Acts
4: 29,30 NKJV Schlachter 2000
29
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all
boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and
that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus.”
29 Und jetzt, Herr, sieh ihre Drohungen an und verleihe
deinen Knechten, dein Wort mit aller Freimütigkeit zu reden,
30 indem du deine Hand ausstreckst zur Heilung, und daß
Zeichen und Wunder geschehen durch den Namen deines heiligen Knechtes Jesus!
Lord give us boldness….. Show them that we are your servants…. Fill us
with your Holy Spirit and power….
They didn't pray for the Lord to smash their enemies…….
They were looking for not a way out… But for boldness and the power to endure the hard times….. Remember
Only John the Apostle lived to be old and die a natural death…. So they said God give us power….. You think
God will answer prayer like that?
Yes! Look at verse
31…..
Acts
4: 31 NKJV Schlachter 2000
31
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was
shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word
of God with boldness.
31 Und als sie gebetet hatten, erbebte die Stätte, wo sie
versammelt waren, und sie wurden alle mit Heiligem Geist erfüllt und redeten
das Wort Gottes mit Freimütigkeit.
He answered their prayer….. They merely prayed that the
Lord would do what he said…. Acts 1:8… You will receive power and you will be
witnesses to me…
Now we will see what persecution did? V32…
Acts
4: 32- 37 NKJV
32
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither
did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had
all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was
there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and
laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son
of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it,
and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4: 32- 37 Schlachter 2000
32 Und die Menge der Gläubigen war ein Herz und eine
Seele; und auch nicht einer sagte, daß etwas von seinen Gütern sein eigen sei,
sondern alle Dinge waren ihnen gemeinsam.
33 Und mit großer Kraft legten die Apostel Zeugnis ab von
der Auferstehung des Herrn Jesus, und große Gnade war auf ihnen allen.
34 Es litt auch niemand unter ihnen Mangel; denn die,
welche Besitzer von Äckern oder Häusern waren, verkauften sie und brachten den
Erlös des Verkauften
35 und legten ihn den Aposteln zu Füßen; und man teilte
jedem aus, so wie jemand bedürftig war.
36 Joses aber, der von den Aposteln den Beinamen Barnabas
erhalten hatte (das heißt übersetzt: »Sohn des Trostes«), ein Levit, aus Zypern
gebürtig,
37 besaß einen Acker und verkaufte ihn, brachte das Geld
und legte es den Aposteln zu Füßen.
V32…. We now are witness to a multitude of believers……
And look at the way they are described…
The
Early Church
1…
They had one heart and one mind…… They were one in the Lord….v32…
2…
They had great grace and God´s power with them….v33…
3…
They were unselfish and generous…..v33-35…
United
in Christ Filled with faith and generousity
They went out of there and Boldly proclaimed the Good
News…. people got saved everywhere they went...…… the text doesn't even tell us
how many got saved….. . So many they didn't even try count them….. They asked
for more boldness and power and God gave it to them…… This can be our
experience too……. If we live in godly in Christ Jesus…… These dear brothers and sisters went out in
obedience to the Lord… They were united by the Holy Spirit…. They let go of
their stuff….. They laid aside their sin…. The sought the Lord with their whole
heart….. No matter what the cost… They followed Jesus….
As we said last week….
Beginning with this event Persecution breaks out…... It continues to
this very day….. Sometimes it is worse than others….. In many places in the
world….. Persecution is worse than ever….. I want to look quickly at Acts 1…v8…
Acts
1: 8 NKJV
Schlachter 2000
8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
end of the earth.”
8 sondern ihr werdet Kraft empfangen, wenn der Heilige
Geist auf euch gekommen ist, und ihr werdet meine Zeugen sein in Jerusalem und
in ganz Judäa und Samaria und bis an das Ende der Erde!
You shall be witnesses…..
This is a common word today…. We talk about being an eyewitness to an event….. We
talk about testifying in court…. as being called to be a witness…. Peter said he
and the others were eyewitnesses to the
life and ministry of Jesus…
The greek word here is very interesting….. It´s μάρτυς martys…. It
has come into the English language as Martyrs…. These brothers and sisters were
witnesses to the Good News of the Gospel….. And they testified to the truth
with their lives….
Tertullian
wrote that "the blood of martyrs is
the seed of the Church….. He said that the martyrs' willing sacrifice of their
lives leads to the conversion of others…...
More believers have suffered for the sake of the Gospel
in the last 100 years than in the almost 2000 years since the birth of the
church….
They remained obedient no matter what the costs…. Many of
our brothers and sisters have paid for the Gospel with their lives….. Of the
Apostles only John died a natural death…. Hebrews 11 is called the Hall of
faith….. We are following in the footsteps of a multitude of faithful witnesses
to the Lord Jesus…. Paul exhorts us in Heb 12…
Hebrews
12: 1,2 ;11 NKJV
12
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of
our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
11
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those
who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12: 1,2 und 11 Schlachter 2000
1 Da wir nun eine solche Wolke von Zeugen um uns haben,
so laßt uns jede Last ablegen und die Sünde, die uns so leicht umstrickt, und
laßt uns mit Ausdauer1 laufen in dem Kampf, der vor uns liegt,
2 indem wir hinschauen auf Jesus,2 den Anfänger und
Vollender des Glaubens, der um der vor ihm liegenden Freude willen das Kreuz
erduldete und dabei die Schande für nichts achtete, und der sich zur Rechten
des Thrones Gottes gesetzt hat.
11 Alle Züchtigung aber scheint uns für den Augenblick
nicht zur Freude, sondern zur Traurigkeit zu dienen; danach aber gibt sie eine
friedsame Frucht der Gerechtigkeit denen, die durch sie geübt sind.
In these verses of Hebrews 11 and 12….. Paul reminds us of the suffering
and hard times of our brothers and sisters who went before us…. They trusted
the Lord even in very hard times…. They rusted the Lord even when they were
being persecuted for the sake of the cross….They are our examples….
No form of chastening or hard times….
No persecution…. No threats whether mental or physical……
no punishment…. Should ever make us
disobey or betray our Lord Jesus Christ…... And if we really live Godly lives
in this world…. We are also going to have the opportunity of getting
persecuted…. When it happens… It will not be easy….. But the Lord Jesus will
see us through those hard times…… We will be blessed…. We will make a
difference in this lost and dying world…. Let´s pray….
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