Taking a Stand

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This is a sermon that was given in recognition of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It speaks about the responsibility believers have to stand with their brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith.

Written Excerpts:

2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Introduction:

Since today is designated as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, I wanted to bring a message today that relates to that issue. We may think that the persecution and suffering is not affecting us, so it’s not really our problem. However, I would beg us to take a deeper consideration of the subject.

I believe that it does affect us in at least two ways: 1) things are rapidly changing in our own country in ways that indicate we may be facing some kinds of persecution right here in the USA; 2) we are part of the body of Christ and the Bible makes it clear that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer.

For a short time (hopefully) this morning I want to talk to you about what the Bible has to say about “taking a stand” in the face of persecution.

I want to consider two primary aspects of this subject. The first one is to discuss the principles and values that we must stand for, and support. The second one is to discuss the people that we need to take a stand with because of what they stand for.

1.   Things we stand FOR

When Jesus was preaching and teaching during his earthly ministry, he made it clear that those who followed him and became true disciples would have opposition and have enemies. He promised his followers that they would be hated, persecuted, imprisoned, and even put to death.

Matthew 10:16-22 (NKJV) ¹⁶  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. ¹⁷  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. ¹⁸  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; ²⁰  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. ²¹  Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ²²  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Why would Jesus make these kinds of statements? Because He knew that there were people who hated the principles and values He taught and if the disciples obeyed and followed His teachings, then they would be hated also.

See Luke 21:7-17

Apostles also preached the same kind of message to their audiences.

See Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12

We don’t have the time today to speak about all the core Christian principles that we believe are worthy of standing for in face of opposition and persecution. But, even to believe in Jesus and being willing to stand up and say, “Jesus is the only Lord,” was enough for the early Christians to be hunted, tortured and put to death. Rome would not tolerate any subjects “swearing” allegiance to any other king or Lord other than Caesar.

We have been hearing for many years now that there are religious leaders and political systems all around the world even today who will not tolerate or permit citizens to pledge their loyalty and allegiance to Christ alone.

Just as our brothers and sisters in other lands, we may soon discover that we too must decide what we are willing to die for, or what we are willing to lose our jobs for. We may have to decide whether we are going to keep surrendering our principles and our convictions or are we going to take a stand for truth and righteousness and end up losing property and other things that seem so valuable to us.

The Bible

One other brief example of a principle or Christian value that we ought to be willing to take a stand for is the conviction that the Bible is the written revelation of God to humanity. We ought to be willing to lay down our lives for the authority and reliability and uniqueness of the Bible as God’s Word.

2.   Those we stand WITH

Get your bulletin insert and take a look for a moment at some of the verses we read earlier in the responsive Scripture reading.

These passages clearly teach some of the implications that go along with the whole concept of the church acting as the body of Christ. Our Christian brothers and sisters, wherever they may be, are part of the same body that we are. Those early Christians were instructed to care for, pray for and defend one another. We must carry on the same principles today.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God… and the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. How can we claim to love our neighbor if we do not at least pray for the plight of those Christian brothers and sisters who suffer today only because they love Jesus and try to live according to His Word?

Let us conclude our service by singing the closing song: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus   # 730