IDOP for the Persecuted Church 2020
IDOP for the Persecuted Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Over the Past Year
Over 260 million Christians have experienced high levels of persecution
Around 3,000 Christians have been killed for their faith
Close to 10,000 churches and church buildings have been attacked
Close to 4,000 believers have been arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned
World Watch List
Every year Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs lists 50 countries
Three of our mission partners live in one of these restricted areas
Focus this morning is on the Central African Republic
How Do We Pray For Persecuted Christians?
How Do We Pray For Persecuted Christians?
Do You Ever Feel Like You Are Just Saying a Generic Prayer?
God, please bless all the missionaries
We are all guilty of praying like this (placeholder)
We know we should pray… but how/what
We know we should pray… but our lives are rushed/busy
Often we will attempt to pray in broad strokes (cover our bases)
We know prayer is good/important but truthfully we often struggle to pray
Honestly, without some teaching on the matter, all of us struggle to pray well for other Christians. And intercession for others is something all of us should want to improve because praying for others is core to our Christian discipleship. (Donald Whitney, Prayer for One Another)
So where can we find instruction, guidance, and teaching on prayer?
The Bible is Our Guide to Prayer
The Bible is Our Guide to Prayer
Around 650 prayers recorded in Scripture
Probably thought correctly that several of those occur in Psalms
The other major source of recorded prayers → The Apostle Paul
Relied on Prayer: Personally experienced persecution, shipwreck, imprisonment
42 prayers recorded in Paul’s letters for the Christians in churches he helped plant
Look at a Prayer for the Church at Thessalonica
Church established during Paul’s second missionary journey
Read details in Acts 17 → happened around 50 A.D.
Paul preached the gospel and was driven out of the city
Christians should be aware of various kinds/causes of suffering
All suffering is caused by sin (root)
Result of living in a fallen, broken world
Creation under the curse of sin
Humanity under the influence of sin (nature)
General Suffering
Common to both believers and non-believers
Natural Cause → Sickness, Disaster, Death
Inflicted Suffering
Result of sinful actions committed by believers/nonbelievers
Still common to believers/unbelievers
Sinful Acts: Jealousy, Pride, Lust, Lie, Prejudice, Injustice
Christian Persecution is a subcategory unique to believers
Focused/Aimed directly at Christians
More than just being rejected/ignored
Christian Persecution is an intentional attack on Christians and the Gospel
Inhibited: Mocked, Slandered, Suppressed
Endangered: Regulated, Imprisoned, Killed
The Experience of Christians in Thessalonica
Paul preached in the synagogue for “three sabbath days”
Paul is there for at least three weeks
Some people were persuaded (Jews and Greeks)
Some people were opposed (Jewish Authorities)
The Believers Began to Face Persecution
A mob is formed and attacks the house of Jason (a believer)
Made false accusations against them
These people are “turning the world upside down”
They are opposing Ceasar, saying there is another king
We see Jealousy, Conflict
Extortion: Arrested until they paid a fine
Paul is forced to leave the city
Sends Timothy to check on the church plant
Writes letters to the believers in the church
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Paul begins by asking for prayer
A former persecutor, now experiencing persecution
Acknowledges Reality: Prayer is key to Christian Life and Advance of Gospel
Prayer is not arm wrestling with God, but realignment with God
Remembering the Promises and Truths found in Scripture
Resting in the Goodness and Sovereignty of the Father
Pray “for us” (Paul, Timothy, Silvanus [Silas])
The Word will Speed Ahead and be Honored
Obstacles would be removed/overcome
Speed-bumps are installed to “slow down traffic”
What are the obstacles for the Persecuted Church?
Honor/Shame Cultures of the East
Stigma/Hatred of Christian Religion
Family is dishonored… believers disowned
Isolated w/o Christian support/fellowship
Dispersion of supplies
Bibles in the language of the people
Medical/Food Supplies
Bad Roads, Seizure of Property, Expense
Prays that the Word would be honored
God’s word would carry weight
Mindset Change under the influence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit Convinces/Convicts
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
Christians may be bound, but the Word cannot be bound
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Paul prays to be delivered from wicked and evil men
Several ways God might answer this prayer
Released from Captivity → The gospel advances
Gospel Received→ Guards will believe the Gospel
Endurance/Joy → Peace/Joy in the midst of suffering
Perfect Deliverance → Death final testimony to hope within
We pray/trust God’s Good/Sovereign Will
Doesn’t make sense without Faith (Christian Worldview)
Trust God works for our good and his glory
Reminder: Death is not the end… THE LORD IS FAITHFUL
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Christian Life is Centered around God’s Glory
May I live well, honoring God
May I work well, honoring God
May I parent well, honoring God
May I suffer/die well, honoring God regardless of if that’s by cancer, old-age, or being a Martyr
Paul Prays for the Church
May the Lord direct your hearts
May you submit your hearts to God, even in suffering
Direct comes from the GRK kuros
Where we get the word Lord (kurios)
May the Lord, lord over your heart
No matter your circumstance… I need that prayer myself
Directing/Guiding us to the Love of God
Why is that so important?
We were enemies, yet God loved us
Jesus was ridiculed, beaten, killed → driven by love
We have been forgiven, we can offer forgiveness
Father Forgive Them → They know not what they do
They think they know
We are stopping a religion
We are hurting a person
We are maintaining our power (order)
God they are blind….help them see
They are stopping a relationship
They are hurting (acting out against) the One Tru God
Their power/authority/wisdom leads to death
They need a Savior...they are in darkness (no hope)
That’s a radically different way to pray
For the persecuted and the persecutors
That Believers would be a light in the middle of experiencing darkness
That is steadfastness in Christ
We fix our eyes on Jesus
Who endured the cross
Who despised the shame
Who is seated at the right hand of God victorious (sin/death/hell)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
What Can I Do?
What Can I Do?
Pray
That Persecuted Believers would Have a Bible
Pray that they would have faith/courage to be a witness in their homeland
Pray for those who have been rejected and who have to flee
For safety as they travel (food/medical supplies)
That they will find a new home
That they will find a community that supports/welcomes their faith in Christ
Pray for families that have been separated
For those who have lost a spouse or children
Pray for those who have lost their jobs, have been arrested, or imprisoned
Pray for the governments and entities that are persecuting believers
That they will have a mindset change
That they will extend mercy
That they will receive the gospel
Be Active
Send Bibles to Believers
Write Letters to Governments on behalf of imprisoned believers
Write Letters of Encouragement to imprisoned believers
Help Pay Legal Costs to defend falsely accused Christians
Help provide supplies to those who are being persecuted
Voice of the Martyrs
Open Doors