Faithfulness Amid Suffering: Supporting the Persecuted Church
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by inviting the congregation to envision the heavenly courts, where God sits enthroned, surrounded by angels, and into this scene enters Satan, the accuser. This imagery sets the stage for a discussion on the nature of suffering and obedience as seen in the story of Job. Satan challenges God, suggesting that Job's faithfulness is merely due to the blessings he has received. This raises the profound question: Do we serve God for nothing? ([01:29] - [03:47])
I then introduced the work of Open Doors, an organization that supports the persecuted church worldwide. I explained that our mission is not to end persecution but to strengthen those enduring it, as persecution is an expected part of Christian life. The World Watch List, a report by Open Doors, quantifies the 50 most dangerous countries for Christians, revealing that persecution is increasing in both depth and breadth. ([03:47] - [04:51])
I shared the harrowing story of Hye-Woo, a North Korean believer who, after escaping to China, wrote out the entire Bible by hand. Her story exemplifies the extreme conditions Christians face in North Korea, where even mentioning Jesus can lead to arrest, torture, or death. ([09:42] - [12:54])
The sermon then took us to Nigeria, where Christians face immense pressure and violence from Islamic militants. I recounted the story of Amina and Daniel, a couple whose faith was tested when Boko Haram militants demanded they renounce Christ. Daniel was martyred, and their sons were attacked but miraculously survived. ([13:26] - [17:35])
I reflected on the story of Hagar from Genesis 16, who encountered God in the wilderness and was instructed to return to her abusive situation. This difficult passage shows that sometimes God's instructions can lead us into suffering, but He also provides promises and assurances. ([18:04] - [22:38])
I emphasized the importance of seeing God's nature correctly, as our experiences with others can distort our view of Him. Understanding God's holy lordship as distinct from worldly oppression is crucial for our willingness to submit to Him. ([25:18] - [26:20])
I concluded by urging the congregation to support the persecuted church through prayer and practical means, such as providing Bibles, business training, and persecution preparedness training. I shared the story of Amina's family, who received trauma care and support from Open Doors, and her heartfelt thanks to those who supported them. ([30:10] - [36:16])
Key Takeaways:
1. The story of Job challenges us to examine our motives for serving God. It's not the blessings we receive that should dictate our faithfulness, but our love for God Himself. This question, posed by Satan, invites us to a deeper reflection on the authenticity of our faith. ([02:41])
2. The World Watch List serves as a sobering reminder that persecution is a present and growing reality for millions of Christians. It calls us to a greater awareness and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who suffer for their faith. ([04:51])
3. The experiences of believers like Hye-Woo and the believers in Nigeria teach us about the cost of discipleship. Their stories are a testament to the power of faith that endures despite the threat of death and the loss of everything in this world. ([12:54])
4. The encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord reveals that God sees us in our suffering and provides for us, even when He leads us through trials. This theophany is a profound reminder of God's intimate care and presence in our lives. ([21:05])
5. Our response to the persecuted church should not be passive. We are called to active engagement through prayer, support, and practical help. By doing so, we live out the truth that the body of Christ is one, and when one part suffers, we all suffer together. ([34:45])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Job 1:6-12 - The heavenly court scene where Satan challenges Job's faithfulness.
2. Genesis 16:7-13 - Hagar's encounter with the angel of the Lord in the wilderness.
3. James 1:2-4 - The testing of faith and perseverance through trials.
#### Observation Questions
1. In Job 1:6-12, what is Satan's accusation against Job, and how does God respond? How does this set the stage for the story of Job? [02:41]
2. What does Hagar call God after her encounter with the angel of the Lord in Genesis 16:13, and what does this name signify? [21:05]
3. According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of facing trials and how should believers respond to them?
4. What are some of the key findings from the World Watch List report mentioned in the sermon, and what do they reveal about the state of Christian persecution today? [04:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the question "Do you serve God for nothing?" challenge the authenticity of our faith, as seen in the story of Job? [02:41]
2. In what ways does Hagar's story in Genesis 16 illustrate God's intimate care and presence even in the midst of suffering? [21:05]
3. How does the increase in persecution, as highlighted by the World Watch List, call Christians to a greater awareness and solidarity with the persecuted church? [04:51]
4. What does James 1:2-4 suggest about the relationship between trials and spiritual growth? How can this perspective change the way we view our own challenges?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the question "Do you serve God for nothing?" How can you examine your own motives for serving God? Are there areas in your life where you might be serving God for the benefits rather than out of genuine love for Him? [02:41]
2. Hagar called God "El Roy," the God who sees. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and care in your own times of suffering or difficulty? [21:05]
3. The World Watch List reveals the increasing persecution of Christians worldwide. How can you actively support the persecuted church through prayer, financial support, or other practical means? [04:51]
4. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to consider trials as opportunities for growth. Can you identify a recent trial in your life and reflect on how it has or could produce perseverance and spiritual maturity?
5. The sermon shared stories of extreme faith under persecution, like those of Hye-Woo and Amina's family. How do these stories inspire you to live out your faith more boldly? What specific actions can you take to strengthen your faith in the face of challenges? [12:54]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of seeing God's nature correctly. How can you work on understanding God's holy lordship as distinct from worldly oppression in your daily life? [26:20]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to support the persecuted church. What are some practical steps you can take this week to engage with and support organizations like Open Doors? [34:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Faith Beyond Blessings
True faithfulness to God is not contingent on the blessings we receive but is a reflection of our genuine love for Him. This concept challenges believers to introspect and consider the purity of their devotion. Is one's commitment to God steadfast only during times of abundance, or does it hold firm even when blessings are not apparent? This introspection is crucial for understanding the depth of one's faith and the motives behind worship. The story of Job serves as a profound example of unwavering faith in the face of immense suffering and loss. His story compels believers to examine their own faith: would they, like Job, continue to serve God with the same fervor if all earthly rewards were stripped away? This question is not meant to induce guilt but to inspire a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, one that transcends the transactional nature of serving for blessings alone. [02:41]
"But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." (Job 2:10 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your personal journey with God. Can you identify moments when your faith was tested? How did your relationship with God change during those times?
Day 2: Solidarity with the Suffering Church
Awareness of the persecution faced by Christians globally is not merely for information but for fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. The World Watch List is a stark reminder that many believers live under the constant threat of violence and oppression because of their faith. This reality calls for a response from the global Christian community to stand with their persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer and support. The call to awareness is also a call to action, urging believers to remember those who suffer and to be moved by their plight. It is a reminder that the body of Christ is interconnected, and when one part suffers, every part is affected. This awareness should lead to a compassionate and practical response, ensuring that the persecuted are not forgotten but are upheld through the collective strength of the global church. [04:51]
"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively remember and support a believer or a community facing persecution this week? Consider writing a letter, praying, or supporting an organization that assists persecuted Christians.
Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
The stories of believers like Hye-Woo and those in Nigeria exemplify the high cost of discipleship. These individuals have faced the ultimate test of faith, choosing to hold onto their belief in Christ despite the threat of death and the loss of worldly possessions. Their testimonies are powerful demonstrations of faith that does not waver under the most extreme conditions. These stories serve as a sobering reminder that following Christ may lead to hardship and sacrifice. They challenge believers to consider the depth of their own commitment to Christ and to recognize the value of eternal promises over temporal comforts. The cost of discipleship is a theme that runs throughout the New Testament, calling believers to take up their cross and follow Jesus, regardless of the cost. [12:54]
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24 ESV)
Reflection: What does taking up your cross in your current life context mean? Are there comforts or securities you feel called to sacrifice for the sake of following Christ more closely?
Day 4: God's Presence in Suffering
The encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord in Genesis 16 is a poignant reminder that God sees and cares for His people in their suffering. Hagar's experience teaches that even when God's instructions lead His people into difficult situations, He does not abandon them. Instead, He provides assurances and promises that He will be with them and that their suffering is not in vain. This biblical account encourages believers to trust in God's presence and provision, even when the path He leads them on is fraught with trials. It is a call to recognize that God's ways are higher than human understanding and that His purposes, though sometimes mysterious, are ultimately for the good of those who love Him. [21:05]
"She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'" (Genesis 16:13 ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's presence? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's nearness during times of trial?
Day 5: Active Engagement with the Persecuted
Supporting the persecuted church is a call to active engagement, not passive sympathy. Believers are encouraged to participate in the lives of those who suffer for their faith through prayer, practical help, and advocacy. This engagement is an expression of the unity of the body of Christ and a demonstration of love in action. The story of Amina's family, who received support after enduring great loss, is a testament to the impact that such engagement can have. It is a reminder that the church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, ministering to those in need and bearing one another's burdens. By actively supporting the persecuted church, believers live out the command to love their neighbors and to be a source of hope and encouragement to those who are facing the harshest realities of faith. [34:45]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 ESV)
Reflection: What practical step can you take this week to bear the burdens of a persecuted believer or church community? Consider how you might use your resources, time, or talents to make a difference.
Quotes
1) "If we go through life without seeing God's nature in the scriptures and in the lives that we share with each other in community and in stories like this then we also don't see that being a servant of God is a good thing. If we think that God is just some lord but not also a friend or a master but also not savior or if he's just king but also not kind then we won't want to willingly submit to him when it's required." [25:18]
2) "One of the things that we do is that we don't just smuggle Bibles. We smuggle Bibles in Braille. We smuggle Bibles that are recorded on a transistor radio for those who can't read. And we also smuggle Bibles that are actually like, you know the solar powered Bibles? You put them in the sun and it like energizes." [32:13]
3) "So Hye-Woo, like many North Koreans who flee, she hears the full story of the gospel only after she's crossed the Tumen River, which is a body of water separating North Korea and China. And it's at a secret safe house, after her escape, that's been run by missionaries and supported by Open Doors, that Hye-Woo's deep yearning to learn more about God inspired her to begin writing out the Bible in a blank notebook." [11:37]
4) "In October 2012, under the sweltering heat of the day, we meet Amina and Daniel, who is the mother and father of five children, four boys and one girl. This is a real photo of a real family that we are allowed to share with you. One day, out of the blue, there's a banging on the door in their compound, and in enters by force a group of men from the Boko Haram." [15:31]
5) "Hagar calls him El Roy. The God who sees me. In Genesis 16, 13 she goes, so she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her. You are a God of seeing. For she said, truly here I have now seen the one who sees me. Truly here I have seen him who looks after me. So in light of what God provisions her with, what if the answer is that sometimes God sends us into suffering." [21:05]
6) "I'm urging you to help strengthen the body of Christ today. Sign up for our prayer updates. 1 Corinthians 12, 25, 26 says so that there should be no division in the body that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored every part rejoices with it." [34:45]
7) "After what happened, Amina and her family received trauma care, financial aid, and pastoral support from Open Doors' local partners and field workers. And she told them this. She says, What I want to say to everyone is that thanking you is not enough. In fact, since then, since the incidents and what I have been receiving in terms of words and encouragement and other things that supporters like you have been giving me, I can just say thank you." [36:16]
8) "The World Watch List continues to show, that Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the Muslim majority north, continue to live under immense pressure from Islamic militants and armed bandits. It is, in fact, the birthplace of an extremist group called the Boko Haram, where boys are turned into fighters to wage war on behalf of a brutal religious leader." [13:59]
9) "The World Watch List is this authoritative report and study that we do yearly. And it quantifies the top 50 most dangerous countries in the world where you are a Christian. And the list actually celebrates its 30th anniversary last year. And in the 31st edition this year, the list revealed that the depth and breadth of persecution continues to increase." [04:51]
10) "Do you serve God for nothing? I know, I think some of you who are familiar with open doors, but in case there's anybody here who isn't, is there anybody who's never heard of us before? We are not a company who deals in doors, like literal physical doors. We're an organization that supports the persecuted church. And it strengthens, we're not only supporting the most persecuted, but we're strengthening the church itself." [03:47]
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