Matthew 10:24-33

Week 5 Memory Verse

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.   

And as you go, preach, saying,

‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,

raise the dead, cast out demons.

Freely you have received, freely give.

Matthew 10:6-8

 

READ MATTHEW 10:24-33!

 

The subject of persecution is an extremely passionate topic for me to say the least. I, myself, am a fairly new Christian (February marks 3yrs!) and my husband, Rich, re-dedicated his life at the same time! Needless to say, our "past" has yet to vanish into thin air, and we are reminded of it ALL the time. We have yet to make it through one whole week without someone, whether claiming Christianity or not, says something about our taking this Jesus thing way to far! We are labeled "holy rollers", "Bible thumpers" etc.. Oh and not to mention, we have just changed sooo much since we began going to this church all the time.

 Excuse me for being myself here (blunt) but isn't that the point? To not be the same next year as we are this year? To develop Godly relationships through fellowship with other believers? To GROW closer to Jesus? To be changed from glory to glory? To allow Jesus to be a part of our EVeRYday lives and not just on Sundays? I could go on for days about these things but the truth is that some people are just not willing to go against the grain of the world and so they give in and eventually give up. This absolutely breaks my heart.

The term persecution defined in scripture is to be oppressed and to be oppressed means to be afflicted ; to feel pain or sorrow; a cause of pain, sorrow, suffering, and trouble! 

Here are some scriptures where persecution took place:

Mark 4:17 Parable of the four soils marks one way persecution can defeat a Christian. The ones sown on Rocky places have no FIRM ROOT in themselves, only a temporary one, then when the affliction and persecution come because of the Word, they IMMEDIATELY fall away.

Acts 8:1 records the persecution that forced the Christians out of Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria. This fulfilled the second part of Jesus' command...why?  Because it actually was needed to spread the gospel!

Acts 13:50 The Jewish leaders ran Paul and Barnabas out of town because they simply refused to "hear" the truth!  When the Holy Spirit reveals a change that needs to be made we must listen!!! We are so blessed to have to only face persecution in the form of others nasty comments. This is nothing compared to what some face for proclaiming the name of JESUS....However, if we are so free to speak our beliefs, why is it that we are sometimes quiet about our faith? We can become scared of what others think (rejection) and then fall prey to Fearing man rather than Fearing God!

Words can definitely pierce the very core of our souls....IF we CHOOSE to not take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ (2Cor.10:5) and forget where our true identity comes from! For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God! (1 Pet. 2:20) We (believers) are MORE than conquerors through him who loves us.(Rom.8:37)

How do we respond/react to others when facing persecution? We follow the Lord's instruction in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.  The Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness, correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare if the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Also Matt. 5:44, We are to love those who persecute us and continue to pray for their eyes, ears, and hearts to be opened to God's truth.

TIME OF REFLECTION:
Check out part of Paul's story in 2 Cor.4:7-14.  Of all people we read about Paul was the one to know both sides...the persecutor and the persecuted! There is joy in suffering my friends!
 

Our responsibility is to let people see Jesus through us! Even when we feel like we are at the end of our rope we must never reach the end of our hope! ALL of our risks, humiliations, and trials  are opportunities for Jesus to demonstrate his power and presence in and through us!!!!!

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: HEATHER BETH is the wife of Rich and homeschooling mom to 4 children.  Her family attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, where Heather serves in Children's Church, sings on the Praise Team, and leads the Girl's Dance Team.  Rich teaches in the boy's classes and serves on the van outreach ministry.  They are also active members of Freedom Fellowship Homeschool Co-op!