Prose

Part II: The Church Persecuted

A. Great troubles happen to the church usually when great things are happening to it.

- When the church was born, many great things happened to it: (a) the baptism in the Holy Spirit of the believers (Acts 2:1-11, 9: 17-18, 10:44), (b) the sudden and continuous growth of the church (Acts 2:41-47, 11:19-21), (c) miracles and healing accompanying the evangelism by the apostles (Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-40).

- Whenever these things are happening, great troubles arise: (a) authorities arresting the believers (Acts 5:17-18, 12:1, 3), (b) church leaders being put to death (Acts 7:58-60, 12:2), (c) influential people breathing out threats against the disciples (Acts 8:3, 9:1-2, 12:1).

- As Pastor Tom Mullins of Christ Church, Florida said, "The church is not a ship [a vessel meant for comfort]. It is a battle ship [a vessel meant for trouble]."

B. The time of trouble is not a time for self-pitying but a time for earnest prayers.

- The church didn't 'wimped out' when they faced persecutions. Instead, they drew closer to God, earnestly praying (Acts 12:5).

- Fires are meant to burn away the dirt and purify the gold. Trials, tribulations, and persecutions are meant for us to draw closer to God and be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, which is one of the greatest privilege of being a disciple

- The more the situation gets worse, the more a genuine believer depends on the grace of God. The more he depends on the grace of God, the more he finds strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).

C. God Himself is fighting for his children (Acts 12:13).

- What kind of a father is he who forsakes his child in the midst of a trouble?

- Jesus promised that through the Holy Spirit, He will always be with us even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20b). We are never forsaken (Hebrews 13:5b).

- God said in His word that He cares for every tear that every child of Him sheds (Psalm 56:8). He sympathizes with us in our heartaches so that one day, He could share with us His victory and joy.

- God will surely and eventually finish the battle victoriously (Revelation 20:7-9). All we need to do is just wait upon Him steadfastly (Psalm 37:9).

- Shim'onai

(8/7/13)