Enduring Persecution: Proclaiming the Gospel Boldly
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather in the spirit of worship, even though we are physically apart. We are reminded that God inhabits the praises of His people, and His word will be proclaimed. We are grateful for the digital means that allow us to stay connected and continue our worship and community activities. We have several announcements, including our digital worship schedule, community groups, and a special drive-by car pageant on May 24th.
As we move into our time of giving, we reflect on 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, which teaches us that God loves a cheerful giver. We are blessed to be at 98% of our budget, and we continue to give generously, even in challenging times. We have also established a COVID-19 fund to address needs arising from the pandemic.
Today's sermon focuses on Matthew 24:9-14, emphasizing the importance of enduring persecution and proclaiming the gospel. Jesus calls us to go and make disciples, a mission that has been consistent from the first century to today. Persecution and proclamation are intertwined; our proclamation of the gospel may lead to persecution, but persecution should also embolden us to proclaim the gospel even more.
We are reminded that the kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one that transcends all nations, tribes, and tongues. Our allegiance is to God's kingdom, and we are called to advance this kingdom by proclaiming the gospel to all nations. The gospel must be preached to the ends of the earth, and we have a role to play in this mission.
We are encouraged to take our faith seriously, to endure persecution, and to remain faithful to the end. The gospel must be a testimony to all nations, and we are responsible for proclaiming it. As we prepare for the end times, we must focus on the present, enduring and proclaiming the gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. Endurance in Persecution: Jesus teaches that persecution is an inevitable part of the Christian journey. Our proclamation of the gospel will lead to persecution, but this should not deter us. Instead, it should embolden us to proclaim the gospel even more fervently. Enduring persecution is a testament to our faith and commitment to God's kingdom. [52:07]
2. Proclamation of the Gospel: The mission to proclaim the gospel is timeless, extending from the first century to today. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission is not just for pastors but for every believer. We are all called to be disciples who make disciples, advancing God's kingdom on earth. [48:05]
3. Kingdom Allegiance: Our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God, not to any earthly nation or political entity. While we can be patriotic and support our country, our ultimate loyalty must be to God's kingdom. This means prioritizing the gospel and God's values above all else. [01:02:55]
4. Global Mission: The kingdom of God transcends all geographical and cultural boundaries. The gospel is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. We are called to be a testimony to the nations, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. This global mission is a collective responsibility of the church. [01:06:02]
5. Preparation for the End Times: As we look forward to the return of Jesus, we must focus on the present by enduring persecution and proclaiming the gospel. Our faithfulness in these tasks prepares us and the world for Jesus' return. We must take our faith seriously and commit to being true followers of Christ, enduring to the end. [58:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:15] - Announcements
[17:36] - Special Business Meeting
[18:55] - Reopening Strategy
[20:07] - Drive-by Car Pageant
[31:59] - Time of Giving
[32:36] - Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
[33:24] - Generosity and Budget Update
[34:22] - COVID-19 Fund
[35:09] - Prayer for Giving
[37:56] - The Lord's Prayer
[47:13] - Introduction to Sermon
[48:05] - The Great Commission
[48:59] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:9-14
[49:59] - Eschatological Timeline
[50:47] - Persecution and Proclamation
[52:07] - Endurance in Persecution
[55:16] - Endurance and Salvation
[58:06] - Preparing in the Present
[59:43] - Proclaiming the Kingdom
[01:00:14] - Role in End Times
[01:01:15] - The Kingdom of God
[01:02:55] - Allegiance to God's Kingdom
[01:06:02] - Global Mission
[01:07:23] - Revelation 7:9
[01:08:54] - Testimony to the Nations
[01:09:45] - Responsibility to Proclaim
[01:12:46] - Unreached People Groups
[01:16:51] - Importance of Scripture Translation
[01:17:47] - Go 2020 Campaign
[01:18:48] - Call to Action
[01:21:21] - Commitment to Go
[01:23:02] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 24:9-14
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
- Matthew 28:19-20
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 24:9-14, what are some of the signs that Jesus says will precede the end times?
2. How does 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 describe the attitude we should have when giving?
3. What specific command does Jesus give in Matthew 28:19-20 regarding making disciples? [48:05]
4. In the sermon, what connection is made between persecution and the proclamation of the gospel? [52:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to endure persecution according to Matthew 24:13, and how does this endurance relate to salvation? [55:16]
2. How does the concept of cheerful giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 reflect our trust in God's provision?
3. Why is it significant that Jesus' command to make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 is directed to all believers and not just pastors? [48:05]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between earthly kingdoms and God's kingdom? [01:02:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition for your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of the call to endure persecution? [52:07]
2. In what ways can you practice cheerful giving this week, especially considering the current challenges? How can you ensure your giving is done with the right heart? [32:36]
3. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What steps can you take this week to share the gospel with them, following Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20? [48:05]
4. How can you prioritize your allegiance to God's kingdom over earthly allegiances in your daily life? What practical changes might this require? [01:02:55]
5. The sermon emphasized the global mission of the church. What is one specific action you can take to support global missions, either through prayer, giving, or direct involvement? [01:06:02]
6. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for potential future persecution? What practices or disciplines can help you remain faithful to the end? [58:06]
7. Reflect on your current involvement in making disciples. What is one area where you can improve or be more intentional in fulfilling this mission? [48:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Endurance in Persecution
Enduring persecution is a testament to our faith and commitment to God's kingdom. Jesus teaches that persecution is an inevitable part of the Christian journey. Our proclamation of the gospel will lead to persecution, but this should not deter us. Instead, it should embolden us to proclaim the gospel even more fervently. Enduring persecution is a testament to our faith and commitment to God's kingdom. As we face challenges and opposition, we are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our endurance is a powerful witness to the world.
Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV): "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you faced opposition or criticism for your faith. How can you respond with grace and boldness, using this experience to strengthen your witness for Christ? [52:07]
Day 2: Proclamation of the Gospel
The mission to proclaim the gospel is timeless, extending from the first century to today. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission is not just for pastors but for every believer. We are all called to be disciples who make disciples, advancing God's kingdom on earth. Our daily lives should reflect this mission, and we should seek opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us.
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally build a relationship with them and share the gospel in a loving and authentic way? [48:05]
Day 3: Kingdom Allegiance
Our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God, not to any earthly nation or political entity. While we can be patriotic and support our country, our ultimate loyalty must be to God's kingdom. This means prioritizing the gospel and God's values above all else. Our decisions, actions, and attitudes should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom, even when it conflicts with worldly values or expectations.
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your allegiance to God's kingdom is being tested. How can you realign your priorities to ensure that God's values take precedence? [01:02:55]
Day 4: Global Mission
The kingdom of God transcends all geographical and cultural boundaries. The gospel is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. We are called to be a testimony to the nations, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. This global mission is a collective responsibility of the church. We must support and participate in efforts to reach unreached people groups and ensure that the gospel is accessible to all.
Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"
Reflection: Consider how you can support global missions, whether through prayer, financial support, or personal involvement. What steps can you take today to contribute to the spread of the gospel worldwide? [01:06:02]
Day 5: Preparation for the End Times
As we look forward to the return of Jesus, we must focus on the present by enduring persecution and proclaiming the gospel. Our faithfulness in these tasks prepares us and the world for Jesus' return. We must take our faith seriously and commit to being true followers of Christ, enduring to the end. This involves daily devotion, spiritual growth, and active participation in God's mission.
2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to deepen your faith and commitment to Christ in preparation for His return? How can you live a life of holiness and godliness today? [58:06]
Quotes
1. "Jesus calls us to go. And this... Every single month of May, we've started this campaign called Go 2020. And Go 2020 is an opportunity for you to share the gospel, to encourage you to share the gospel, to go. Jesus commands us in Matthew 28 to go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them all that I have commanded you, and lo, even though I am with you until the end of the age, Jesus tells us this. Our mission is to be disciples that make disciples. So let's go. Let's do this." [48:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Proclamation will lead to persecution because they're not going to like our message. They're not going to like the truth of this word. They're not going to like the gospel. They don't like the kingdom. They don't like the name of Jesus. We already learned about that. Jesus is telling his disciples they don't like me in the first century. They're not going to like me in the 21st century either. They're not going to like me beyond that. Through all of history there's going to be problems because you follow me. So the more we proclaim the gospel the more persecution may come. But the more we get persecuted the more we should proclaim the gospel." [52:07] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The good news is next Jesus transitions to verse 14 and says that the good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed preached in all the world and it says it will be a testimony to all nations and then the end will come. So when he talked about the signs of the times he said the labor pains would come and lead us to the end and now he's saying right here as the good news expands and it's a testimony to the nation then the end will come I want you to capture this as we move through this we play a role in the end times what's our job let's go our job is to take the gospel our job is to teach the good news of God's kingdom and our job is to be a testimony to the nations then the end will come we have a responsibility I think it's amazing God is giving us a role to play in bringing about the end times." [59:43] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are not a social club we are not a country club we are a club that takes the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world that declares we are sinners in need of a savior and we need to be about the kingdom of God not an earthly kingdom where our allegiance lies is to the kingdom of God now this is going to affect some of you like many of you watching that serve in the Navy or have served in other branches myself in the army we we raised our right hand and we swore allegiance to uphold the Constitution protected against enemies both foreign and domestic we often in this church on the fourth of July and other activities we will pledge allegiance to the United States flag listen I I'm all for that but that's not our allegiance call me on patriotic I am patriotic I did that I swore I say the pledge I have no problem with any of that stuff but our allegiance is to the kingdom of God our allegiance is to the gospel that is our priority if you have anything else if to our nation or to a political party or to a philosophy or to commerce or to an economy if we balance anything else or we place it above the kingdom of God our priorities are wrong Matthew 633 seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you seek first the kingdom of God Jesus is reminding them advance my kingdom not an earthly kingdom like Judaism like the day there they said all the temple and all the test stood for not that not that that was bad but God was saying that's not how my kingdom is going to be see my kingdom is going to be different than that so as we go through the the gospel must be preached to the world the gospel must go to the ends of the world and we are to be a testimony to the nations it says so what's your testimony what do you testify to it's a legal term what do you testify to what do you bear witness to we are to bear witness to the name of Jesus Christ his gospel the good news and his kingdom we are to testify that to the nation so as nations build their kingdom our job is to say that's great but the kingdom of God greater our job is to say it's all about the gospel our job is to say we will not bow our knee to economy or to a government or to any rulership we bow our knee to Jesus Christ in him alone that is our job to advance the gospel now I know that sounds somewhat again conflicted right we can be loyal to the things of this earth we need to be supportive of government we need to participate as a citizen in our community and make it better but we do so to advance the kingdom of God our gospel so what should be our number one priority being on a soccer team being in a PTA club being a member of some country club all those things may be great being a part of a political affiliation all those things have merit and are good things but they're not God's thing God's thing is his kingdom anything that's going to pull you away from that kingdom pull you away from that gospel that's not the kingdom make sure we're focused on the kingdom the kingdom advancing and being a testimony to the nation's we proclaim it to the world today you've seen the Lord's Prayer in different languages today you've heard the Lord's Prayer song by Shannara and you've heard my voice say it in English for all of us to hear and all of us to say together why did I do that because the kingdom of God is about all nations all tribes and all tongues it's about all cultures it's about all generations it's about all ethnicities God's kingdom expands everywhere if you look at world religions a lot of them are geographically bound they may be large and they may have pockets of of their religions spread around the world but they're geographically bound you know what the difference between other religions and Christianity one of them is on this aspect is that we are not confined by geography we do not all look alike we don't have the same color skin we don't all look the same we don't all act the same we're in different geographics around the world in fact the gospel has spread in many ways around the globe now has it reached the ends of the world I don't believe so not yet I'm going to show you why in a minute I'm going to show you why in a minute but we have done a great job there are Christians everywhere it is not bound to any one nation or any one Kingdom we have become a testimony to the nations there is no borders to God's kingdom it is open anyone that believes and follows Jesus is a true believer of Jesus Christ is our brother and sister they belong to us they belong to the kingdom of God listen to revelation 7 9 a day where this will all unfold as Jesus has played out all the tribes of of Israel and the Then he gets to the fact, once again, even in the book of Revelation, my kingdom is not just about Israel. My kingdom is about the Gentiles too. My kingdom is about all nations. My kingdom is about all people groups. My kingdom is about all tongues and all tribes and all peoples. It says in Revelation 7-9, After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language that no one could number. Stop right there. A vast multitude. From what? Every nation. Jew and Gentile. Every generation. Every tribe. Every people. Every language. No one could count." [01:00:45] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So after these signs of these times are taking place and now we've moved into understanding the persecution of the saints. Now we talk about the endurance of the saints. The preserverance of the saints. Now this text some people will try to say this is a text of salvation. I don't think this is a text of salvation as in implying to you can lose your salvation or not lose your salvation. It is a text some people will use that way. I want to caution us not to look at it that way. I want us to look at the context of verse 13 with verse 10 in mind. So that we get into it. Let's get a balance here. Some will remain faithful to the kingdom of God throughout all that they will go through. So Jesus is saying some will remain faithful. They will endure to the end. They will continue to be faithful to me, to my kingdom, to my purpose, to my salvation, to my cross, to all the things that I stand for. All that I've commanded you to do. Those that will remain faithful, listen to what he says, will be saved. Now. Now my interpretation is those are the true people of God. So whether Jesus is speaking of people that will fall away in verse 10, Judas type of betrayal, Judas type of people. Go ahead and look back at verse 10. Then many will fall away, betray one another and hate one another. See that's not from without, that's from within. From without persecution, that's the world. We're used to that. We should expect that. Within is more complicated. Within persecution is when people. People within the church, the church at large or even within our own church may betray us, hate us, fall away from the truth of God's word. We don't want to see that. But God's saying that's going to happen. But those who remain faithful to the end, those are the ones that are my true believers. Those are the ones that are saved. Now does it mean that person was never saved? Does it mean that person lost their salvation? I don't think it's that at all. Could it be that someone just fades away? They become lukewarm. They become so. So numb to the world that they look more like the world. They become carnal. I think that's more of what Jesus has in mind here. But I don't want us to use this text to imply that one can or cannot lose their salvation. But just simply Jesus is saying that we need to endure to the end and we'll be saved. So what's the message for us? Last week I talked. We can't get carried away about looking so much to the future. It's not about just looking to the future and living towards the future and getting called up. And all these end times prophecies and all this kind of stuff. God wants us to be prepared in the present. The present. How do we prepare for the future? In the present. Not focusing so much on the future that we lose focus on the present. So God is saying endure now. Endure the persecution now. Those are the people that will be saved. Be enduring. Be a faithful servant of the Lord. So I look at it this way. At end times. At end times. Everyone that's watching and everyone that will hear this message, we need to take our faith seriously. We need to seriously think. If I face persecution, am I going to remain faithful? Or am I going to turn my brother and sister in Christ over? Am I going to betray them? Am I going to hate them? Am I going to turn them into the government? Or am I going to remain faithful and say, if persecution comes, persecution comes. I'm remaining faithful because I am a true follower of Jesus Christ. I believe that's what Jesus had in mind and Jesus is telling us in verse 10 and verse 13 there will be some that do not do that but you you be true you be faithful you endure to the end and you'll be saved be the true people of God I believe that's what Jesus has in mind so as we prepare in the present how we prepare ourselves is to say I'm in this for the long haul I am saved I belong to God I'm a part of his church I'm not going to get caught up in trivial things nor am I going to get caught up if things get real serious in our culture and true persecution and prosecution come I am in this and I will endure to the end because I'm part of the saved people of God that should be our attitudes every single one of us let's go" [55:16] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We must proclaim his gospel. We must advance his kingdom. We must be a testimony before all people, all nations, all tribes, all tongues. That's our job. So that all peoples may know that Jesus is Lord. Then we hope. We hope at the end of this, at the end of this age, the rapture will take place, the return will take place and the reign of Jesus Christ will take place and then eventually the new heaven and the new earth and we will live and dwell in the presence of the Lord forever and ever. Amen. Again, we're still a long ways from that. The rapture hasn't happened. The return hasn't happened. The reign is in a millennial reign of 1,000 years where Jesus will reign on earth. And then. Then the new heaven and the new earth and all of eternity will be ushered in. We're not there yet. But we should see it. We should be prepared. Prepared. And how do we prepare for it? Proclamation. How do we prepare for it? Proclamation. Will we proclaim the gospel so that we prepare ourselves for his return and we prepare the world for Jesus' return by testifying to the nations the gospel of Jesus Christ?" [01:10:38] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus calls us to proclaim. Let's go. Let's do this thing. Let's be disciples that make disciples. So now. What I have for you is this. If you're watching me right now. The first step needs to be. I want to be a part of God's kingdom. So if you know you're not a part of God's kingdom. I want you to write down in the thread during this time. This is your time of response. I want to be a part of God's kingdom. Write it down. Praise God. I want to be a part of God's kingdom. I want to be saved. Put one of those two words. I want to be a part of God's kingdom. Or I want to be saved. I want to be a part of it. Then there's others out there. Remember. Go therefore and make disciples and baptize them. So if you're already saved and you've never been baptized. Go ahead and write it in. Even if you've told me you need to get baptized. I want to do this big event in June. Where I have a zoom meeting for all the people that need to be baptized. So when we get back together. Hopefully this summer we can go down to the river. And we can do a huge baptismal celebration. If you need to be baptized. Say I want to be baptized. So I want to be a part of the kingdom. If you need to be baptized. Write it in right now. Even if you've told me. If you've not been baptized and you want to do it. Maybe you've not told me. Maybe you've been thinking about it. Write it in. I want to be baptized. Please right now. Write that in. This is your time to come forward. This is your altar call. I want to be a part of the kingdom. I want to be saved. I want to be baptized. And then here's the last one. For all of us that are a part of the kingdom. For all of us that are saved. For all of us that have been baptized. Jesus says we're supposed to teach and do all that he's commanded. So write this down. I will go. Let's go. I will go. Now don't write it down unless you mean it. But write it down. This is our altar call. This is our time. To respond to God's call. That we are to take the gospel and his kingdom and be a testimony to the nations to the ends of the earth. The Bible Museum teaches us we've got a lot of work to do. Look at our culture. We've got a lot of work to do. Look at our own hearts. Look at our own focus. How are we doing with this let's go thing? Let's be a part of the kingdom. Let's make sure we're saved. Let's be a baptized body of believers. And let's write down in there. I will go. It's your gospel opportunity. I pray you make a commitment today to take the gospel to the ends of the world." [01:19:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We are to proclaim the gospel and the good news of the kingdom. We are to be a testimony to the nations, to testify to who Jesus is. We are even then to do this after all the gospel has gone out to all nations. It says, Then the ends of the earth, then the end will come. Emphasis on the responsibility of you and me. It must be preached. That means you and me. That's not a preacher's job. That's your job. That's my job. We must proclaim his gospel. We must advance his kingdom. We must be a testimony before all people, all nations, all tribes, all tongues. That's our job. So that all peoples may know that Jesus is Lord. Then we hope. We hope at the end of this, at the end of this age, the rapture will take place, the return will take place and the reign of Jesus Christ will take place and then eventually the new heaven and the new earth and we will live and dwell in the presence of the Lord forever and ever. Amen." [01:08:54] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Imagine how important it is to you. Maybe we take it for granted. Maybe we never take it for granted. Our job to proclaim the word of God. Go 2020. Let's go. It's a gospel opportunity. It's a gospel movement. It's a calling for you and me. To fulfill what Jesus is calling us to do. In Matthew 24. To go proclaim the gospel. And his kingdom. And be a testimony to the nations. To the ends of the earth. And then the end will come. It's our job to go. It's our job to go into our families. It's our job to go into our workplace. It's our job to go into our community. Into southern Maryland. To proclaim the gospel. But it must start with you. It must start with me. It must start with us. Being willing to pray. To care and to share. With someone. It starts with you. Saying I'm willing to go and take the gospel. You see Jesus. Has called us to go. Jesus commands his disciples. In Matthew 24. Makes it very clear. Go proclaim my kingdom. Go proclaim my gospel. Go be a testimony. Remain faithful to me. And you'll be saved. Continue to endure during persecution. Continue to do the proclamation. Continue to do the things. That I've taught you to do. Remain true." [01:17:47] (89 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We have to tell these people about the gospel. They need to know the word of God. They need to know who Jesus is. And they need to know, guess what? They need to know about his kingdom. Because they only know about an earthly thing. They only know about idols and statues and false religion. And the world that they have been exposed to. It is our job to advance his kingdom upon this earth. To pray like we did the Lord's prayer. May his will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. So, the Bible Museum. If you have never been there, it is a great thing to go to. And hold on for just a second. I want to get my phone out. Because right now I want to go through some slides with you. And Greg should be putting these slides up on the corner or stuff. So you can see this. I want you to see why we still have a lot of work left to do. Because there
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