He's Picking on Me!
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The Myth of Western Christianity.
The Myth of Western Christianity.
Growing up Christian in America
The church
Growing up Christian in America
Camp
South Eastern
Graduation
In 2016 we were treated to Kim Clark in TN refusing to issue a marriage licence to a same sex couple. We were also treated to a large group of evangelicals crying that she was being persecuted, the same thing has happened with stores wanting exemptions from healthcare mandates, people refusing to sell pizza or decorate a cake, the list goes on. With American Christians finding it necessary to cry persecution at each of these instances.
It strikes me the the american church could learn a bit from Sauls life.
(Video)
It strikes me the the american church could learn a bit from Sauls life.
Saul wanted to blame everyone else for his problems when it came to losing his kingdom. Saul..
Was fuzzy with the truth.
He tried self justification
When Samuel came to him, Saul said, “May the Lord bless you. I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”
2 . Blamed God
Blamed the People
Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord your God, but the rest we destroyed.”
3
Self Justified
“But I did obey the Lord!” Saul answered. “I went on the mission the Lord gave me: I brought back Agag, king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder—the best of what was set apart for destruction—to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”
All things that American Christians tend to do the problem is the root of Sauls problem is the Same as the root of the Western Christians problem
Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.”
Somewhere in American Christianity God has become the pastors god or the music leaders or youth leaders or missionaries God. HE is not longer personal to the people or the church
The Stark Reality…
The Stark Reality…
The church in Smyrna was going through a very difficult time. As we study these churches it’s important to note that out of the seven only 2 did not hear “but I have this against you” 28 percent that’s a low number think about that for a moment apply that to the church today what if only 28 percent of the churches are getting it right when it comes to living out our faith…
Here’s what was happening in Smyrna at this time. Domitian is the emperor hostile is a mild word to explain his idea of Christians, this is important because of all the city’s in Rome’s empire, this one was known as the “Crown of Asia” Beautiful architecture, beautiful views, a harbor Smyrna had it all. Smyrna also was self-governing because of its loyalty to Rome. It is in this space that the church of Smyrna found itself, Nero had made claiming to be a Christian a capital offence but most emperors were deliberately negligent on enforcing the capital part of it. Smyrna was Loyal to the Emperor Loyal to the Greek gods, when they found a group of Christians they went on the attack. If arrested the Christians in most of the empire could move along as long as they would burn some incense on an altar to the Emperor and go about his or her business. IF they refused because they would not worship anyone other than God, the punishment would could be imprisonment, flogging, exile (john) or sentenced to work in the mines rarely were they put to death. The people of Smyrna however chose a different route, they demanded their governor uphold the letter of the Law, he complied by hanging 11 Christians in the local amphitheater. The persecution continued with the people of Smyrna demanding this type of allegiance to the Roman law and death and persecution of anyone who failed to worship the Emperor or the Roman Gods. This is the space that this letter is written to this church. They were not just made fun of, insulted, taken to task for believing something hard to prove. These men and women were under constant fear of violence and death. In writing this letter the way it was written John is reminding the people of Who Jesus was, of the suffering he endured of the death he experienced and ultimately of the resurrection from that death. He is encouraging them that even when things seem impossible God is there, even when we feel alone, even when we don’t see his hand clearly he loves and cares. His promises are sure even when we don’t immediately see their fulfilment.
Surely in the 21 century this type of thing isn’t possible….
(video)
the list goes one.
So now what?
So now what?
There is hope for those truly persecuted.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.
There is Hope for us as well even if we aren’t as bad off as we make out.
“You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.
This Weeks Challenge
This Weeks Challenge
Every time you feel “persecuted” this week weather it’s because of something you read or hear on the news, or because someone actually makes fun of you.
Head over to
https://www.persecution.com/
Dig into the site find people to pray for and do it.