Sermon: Prayer through Persecution

Good morning. It's a joy and a privilege to worship our great Lord with you this morning. Me and my family. And I'm bringing to you the greetings of your brothers and sisters the Saints in Alexandria Egypt. Who are worshiping the same Lord in the same day the day that the Lord has made for us? to rejoice As we and begin our reading this morning, I'll read from the book of Acts chapter 4. And I read something from verse 1.

through verse 31 the book of Acts chapter 4

This is God's holy infallible word.

And as they were speaking to the people the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees Came Upon them. Greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus. There is direction from the dead. And the arrested them and put them in custody until the next day four. It was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed. And the number of the men came to about 5,000.

On the next day the rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem with anus High priests and Caiaphas and John and Alexandra. And all who were of the high Priestly family. and when they had set them in the midst the inquired by what power or by what name did you do this? Then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them rulers of the people and Elders if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done

to a crippled Man by what means this man has been healed. Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel. that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified whom God raised from the dead by him This man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you the builders, which has become the Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by

which we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated common men they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who's healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. but when they had commanded them to leave the council they conferred with one another saying what shall we do with these men? For that are notable sign has been performed through them

is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people. Let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in Disney. So they called them and charge them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God. You must judge. For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.

And when they had further threatened them they let them go. Finding no way to punish them because of the people. For all we're praising God for what had happened. Or the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than 40 years old. When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God

and said Sovereign Lord who made the Heaven and the earth and the Sea and everything in them. So through the mouth of Our Father David your servant said by the Holy Spirit. Why did the Gentiles rage and the people's plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus whom you

anointed. Both Herod and Pontius pilot along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel to do whatever your hand and your plan had breed destined to take place. And now Lord look upon their threats and Grant your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. While you stretch out your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. and when they had prayed the place in which they will gather

together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. May the Lord bless these words. Our souls is mourning. Let's ask the Lord's blessing to his world.

or great Lord of Heaven your word is truth. In a world that is full of lies. We come to your word. And we ask that you would teach us. You would show us. Jesus you show us your strength and power and wisdom and love and mercy towards us. Open our eyes. to see wonderful things in your world in Christ's name we pray.

And as you have heard I am from Alexandra in the Middle East. And we're so thankful for what the Lord is doing currently the Middle East bringing. Good solid teaching to many countries around and one of the things that are happening right now is that people are gathering from different countries? Sometimes to study and to learn reform theology. My wife is participating in some book studies with other women through the Middle East.

And one of the women that were part of this group is a woman from Afghanistan. and in the last couple years you have heard I suppose what happened there, right? And that Taliban took over. and this woman she has she has a family she's married. with her husband The Afghani and they have two children and when these two plays this family had to leave their house. They had to escape because Taliban was looking for all Christians and they know

them by name. They know their place they know their address and they were after them and so they have to leave and for weeks and weeks. They have been. Scabing from one place to another trying to send messages to different brothers and sisters all over the world to pray for them that they may be able. To get out of the out of the country before they are being caught by tollywood. And they remember those days who have been praying for them day after

day following. So concerned that they may be called. People that we know we know by name. Saints in Christ Thankfully they made it out of the country before they are being called. the others didn't others were called. imprisoned killed slaughtered And not not only there this is not a unique story that that happened in one place all over the world. It's happening in different places. It's happening in China. It's happening in

Nigeria. It's happening in the Middle East. It's happening in many places. Places we know places. We don't know people you may not know and people you may know. and then the question comes the question comes especially from reform people. Lord we believe that you are sovereign. We believe that you are in control. We believe that you are omnipotent. We believe that you can do all things.

Why don't you just stop that? Why would you allow your people to be slaughtered?

Why don't you allow people to come and worship? freely because I bet you know, not not all the saints are enjoying the freedom that we are enjoying here right now. Coming freely to worship singing. loud voice I have been to some countries. Where we went to some house churches because we can gather in a building. I would go to a house of a person. Not together everyone alone. With soundproof walls because we can't get our voices high enough that the

neighbors may hear. All of us will be called. Lord why don't you allow us just to worship freely?

To answer such question. About God's sovereignty and what's what's happening to the Saints? How can we reconcile them? Many texts in the scripture can help us and our text this morning can can address this issue? We are before the first wave of persecution. The church has faced in the book of Acts after the resurrection and Ascension. Of our Lord Jesus Christ the first wave of persecution in Chapter 3 of the book of Acts Peter

and John. They made a very remarkable remarkable Miracle a lame person 40 years old. being lame begging at the temple one of the gates and then Peter looked at him. And he was begging asking. for money from Peter and Peter said I don't have money to give you but I have something more important than money. And he healed him in the name of Jesus Christ. And this guy who has been lameful 40 years suddenly. He's jumping he's leaving out of joy and the

people they know him and they know that this person never walked before and suddenly he's jumping. What America? And so they came. To ask how did this happen? What's going on? Who did this? and it was not about showing the greatness of Peter as someone who's able to heal. This was not the point. It was about the name. In whom this man was healed. And Peter preached about this man about Jesus Christ. And 2,000 more believed.

The church became 5,000.

but this was not well received by everyone. You see the great leaders of the nation the Sadducees the high priests those who has the power. They have the power in this place. They have religious Powers they have Political Powers they can do things. Few weeks earlier we killed the master. They killed their teacher. And this cement came to the disciples. questioning them by what power? Are you doing this? How dare you?

And this Saint Peter who denied Christ few weeks earlier. boldly boldly Not just saying we did this. Not just saying we did this in the name of Jesus. We did this in the name of Jesus that you crucified. And not only that they are Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection from the dead and God raised him from the dead. Basically, he's telling them what you are teaching is wrong and what you have been done was murder.

And he preached Christ. What would be the reaction of the great priests the great High priests and this leaders? They were not happy. They put them into custody think of this You Preach you go to the university and you preach you tell someone about Christ and fun. Suddenly someone will. will catch you and put you into custody for a day or maybe more to question what you're doing. This happening to them. And it's not just a nice present. It can

lead to that. They just killed Christ himself.

and then we have been conspiring with each other. What shall we do with this man? The miracle is obvious. We can deny it. Has them again by stop doing this? Be threatened them by the disciples said you judge. Shall we listen to God or to you? You know them okay, if you talk about this man again. You'll be in Greater trouble be threaten them and let them go. Why did they let them go this time? Well, there was a lot of pressure. The man is just healed the people around them.

But they told them you know what we can do. And now the disciples are going back home after being questioned after being taken into custody after being threatened by the greater leaders of the country after being traded by those who killed Christ himself now, they're going back home to the church to their brothers to their friends. And they will pray and what the church will do on that day. The prayer the church will pray the decision

the church will make Was very decisive in the history of Christianity. I can say that our existence today in this place worshiping Jesus Christ the Risen from the dead.

It's because what they have done on that day because the decision that they have made. the Lord used this for the gospel to come even to the states

Let's go and see what kind of prayer did they pray on that day. What did they ask for? in verse 23 when they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and Elders had said to them. and when they heard it They lifted their voices together to God and said they prayed together in unity. They prayed together and this is what they said first thing. Sovereign Lord who made the Heaven and the earth and the Sea and everything

in in them the the title that they have addressed god with Sovereign Lord is a very special word. It's not the common word Lord. It's a it's a word that means the ruler The Sovereign ruler the one who is in control of all things. And the question is why did they remember this title precisely of God? To use to address him with in this prayer. Because they know that everything that is happening. is under his sovereignty

even what they are facing after even what they are going through right now. Sovereign Lord who made the Heaven and the earth and the Sea and everything in them. Everything is made by him. Everything is sustained by him even this leaders. even these high priests Lord we know that you are in control of all things.

and then they quoted the scripture. verse 25 Who through the mouth of Our Father David your servant said by the Holy Spirit? Why did the Gentiles rage and the people's plot in vain the kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed? The coated some too. They know they know the scripture they are using the scripture to pray. They are making good use of the scripture as they are praying and they

remember this some particularly in this situation.

They did not apply it on themselves. They applied in Christ good exercises good interpretation. They applied it on Christ because they said for truly in this city. They were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed both Herod Pontius Pilate along with Gentiles and the people of Israel. the applied the salmon Christ this the Gentiles who raised the Gentiles who gather against your Messiah, this is what happened with Christ pilate Herod.

the Gentiles the Jews the old gathered to kill him.

But he didn't say just to kill him see what they say in verse 28. They gathered to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

They did not just think of some to the applied some to own Christ, and they said what happened to Christ. Was your plan even by these evil men? The case is not that. They this this wicked meant the the decided they plot to kill Christ and then God used it later to bring Salvation out of it. No. No, this is not the case. What we have done every single act they have done that day on that time was part of the plan.

Not in why of it? every single thing

but the question is why did they remember this on that day in this play? Why did they make this application? Why did they use some to as they are praying in their situation? Because they understood that what is happening to them at that time the persecution that they're going through is exactly what has happened to Christ. As it happened to him. It's happening to us. And as God was sovereign. in the case of Christ with every single

element of the plot every single thing that is happening to us right now every single threatening every single persecution. Everything single word said by the chief priests. Or decision will that is going to be made by this priests? Is part of your plan?

Every single harm that is happening to the church.

It's part of God's sovereignty. God is not watching. Feeling sorry for his people. And his hands are behind his back. Can do nothing.

No. This is not the god that we worship. And this is not the god they were praying for.

But the question is, how did he learn that? How did he learn to make this connection between what happened to Christ got sovereignty in the Cross of Christ and that sovereignty during their persecution. How did they make this connection? Where did they learn this from? And the answer is Christ himself told them that. Let's let's turn to the gospel of Matthew chapter 10. and see how did they learn this connection?

This this chapter is about calling the disciples calling followers to follow him. To be a Christian is to follow Christ. And in this chapter, we'll see. What does it mean to follow Christ. What does it mean to be a Christian? verse 1 and he called to him. He's 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction.

and then after we know the names of the of the disciples

would read in verse 16 what Christ is telling them how how they're calling will be what will be their mission? behold I am sending you out. achieved in the midst of wolves So be wise a servants and innocent as those.

What? What a mission. I'm sending you. as she in the midst of wolves If you have a form or if you have been raised in a form and you have sheep. Would you send your sheep? tools

this is what Christ is saying here, right? I am sending you a sheep to the wolves. What would wolves do to see?

You can you can picture it in your mind, right? But this is what Christ is saying. He's saying the coast to follow me the ghost of discipleship. Would be high he is not promising a life of ease, right? When when you are following Christ as he said again? To follow me is to carry your cross right and to follow me.

Later on in the same chapter verse 24 a disciple is not above his teacher nor a servant about his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master if they have called The Master of the House that does Christ builds the bull how much more will the malign those of his household? What do you expect that they would do to you if you call yourself a Christian, what do you expect? If the world hated me they will hate you.

Every persecuted me, they will persecute you if the mock meeting will mock you if they ridiculed what I'm saying. They will do the same to you if they will kill me. They may kill you.

It's amazing that Christ was saying this words in a chapter begins with the calling of the disciples the calling to follow. It's a chapter about Mission and about the cost of discipleship. Put yourself in the shoes of the disciple on that day. What would you feel?

I would be afraid. I will be afraid. This is faithful. and Christ knows this the disciples were afraid. And how do we know this? Because of what Christ said later on he knows that we are weak. He knows that we are fragile we end the disciples are And Christ addressed that fear. He said to them three times fear not. fear not fear not and he did not just say fear not without justification without telling the reason why not to fear he gave them reasons, why

not to fear every reason with them. Let's let's go and see. What was his reasons? Not to feel as we follow him as we are expecting persecution for having his name called upon us. Verse 26 so have no fear of them. For nothing is covered. That will not be revealed or hidden. That will not be known.

every plot that is being made against you in secret in closed rooms will be one day exposed. everything will be clear one day. And you will be Vindicated Those Who Kill you those who plot against you those who persecute you in the name of righteousness in the Name of Love in the name of Justice?

one day the evil Wicked motives will come to the light. And they will be judged and you will be Vindicated.

One day everything will be put into its place. fear not I'm sovereign. I'm watching. I know everything. But this was not the only reason. In verse 28, he's giving them another reason. And do not feel those who killed the body but cannot kill the soul rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body. in hell Basically, this this reason not to feel is a comparison right? He's comparing between two things. between two kinds of fears

Between two kinds of punishment if I may say the first one, is that fear do not feel those who can kill the body do not fear the high priests do not fear those who has power political powers or religious powers. Do not fear. They are men. We Are Men fear Him fear God

if you compare. God with any man. No matter who is or who she is.

You do not need to fear Him. Or her this is whom you need to fear. But it's not just about the person to whom they fear. Think of the punishment do not feel those who can kill the body Christ is not denying that they can kill the body by the way. They can reach your body. They can harm your body. They can beat you they can insult you. They can put you in prison and we can kill you. And it happened many times. All the disciples may be accept one.

will murder and the last one was taken into an exile in a in a line all of them. So we can kill the butt. But this is not what you feel. What you fear is what or to feed the one who can kill the body and soul in him? And this this side of the comparison this is temporarily. It takes some time we can do this for you with weeks days months years. And then it will be done. It will be over. but the other side fear Him who can kill the body and soul in

Hell forever. It will never end. and if you look at the two comparisons There's something common. every every element of the comparison on this side. It's finite the men on Friday night. The punishment is finite and the time is limited. But on the other side every element of the of the comparison is infinite

it is God. Who never sleeps or slumbers? Who was and is and will ever be? And the punishment is forever it never ends. And Christ is telling them whom you shall fear. Who deserve your reverence? You're all your worship your obedience? Going back to some too. If you remember some to the end of some too. This is what the sums say. Kiss the sun worship the sun submit to the son kiss the son out of love lest. He be angry.

This is the one who deserve your fear. Many people are crippled. by the fear of men rather than the fear of God

the third reason not to fear. comes in verse 29 are not Two Sparrows sold for a penny and not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. fear not the third time fear not therefore you are of more value than many sparrows. The first two reason is not to fear had to do with the future right they had to do with the future. The Vindication of the last day everything will be exposed the

final judgment on the last day Christ is referring to but this time he's giving them a reason about their very life about their everyday life. insteading them think of The Sparrows

I didn't say this this morning, but I remember this now. One time last summer. We were in a garage with the young people from the church where I go to and we had a meal and being in the garage. There was some sparrows coming in and they had the nest inside the garage coming in back in out. And we would like maybe 60 70 people. No one even noticed them. No one cares about them. We are busy with other things. We're eating while enjoying our time and the

Spurs. They're going back and forth bringing food to their small birds and They're so small. No one even noticed them. Christ is saying Two Sparrows at that time. Sold for a penny a penny. This is the smallest coin. In other words, you cannot buy one. It's so cheap. It's so cheap. The smallest coin can get you two of them. No one would ever notice them or care about them and he's saying none of them fall apart from your father.

And you are not a sparrow.

You are created in the image of God. Not just that you are a son not of this apart from your father.

your hairs are numbered None of them fall apart from your father. Every single thing that is happening in your life today tomorrow yesterday every single thing. It's in his hands. There is nothing smaller or bigger than being part of his plan or sovereignty and he's not just a sovereign Lord. For Christians, he's the father. And our Lord is a good father a wise father a loving father. an omnipotent father

fear not

everything that is happening to you. Even from these high priests.

Is in your father's hand. but disciples they remember this world. This is what they had in mind as they were facing persecution, and these are the promises. That the whole too as they were praying.

But put yourself in the shoes. knowing this knowing the promises knowing the words of Christ making the connection between Christ and and yourself What would you pray for? What would you ask for? Let's go and see. What did they pray for in the book of Acts? after declaring that God is Sovereign. He's The Sovereign Lord. He's the one who is in control of all things. He's the one who was in control even in the Cross of Christ in every single.

piece of it

what would you pray for? verse 29 from acts 4 and now Lord look upon their threats. And Grant your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. Surprisingly they did not ask for persecution to stop. Although they know that if God wants to stop it he can but this is not what they asked for. They did not ask for persecution to stop because the new it will not stop. In fact, it has been promised. That it will take place if they did this to me.

They did this to you. They would do the same to you.

But the ask for boldness Lord, we want to continue to witness.

Lord we want boldness not fear and only you can grant us.

they asked for for God to fulfill his promises.

Be held to the promises. This is what we call Faith.

Lord grant your servant to continue to witness with boldness because we know that there will be more pressure coming and we don't want to stop. And the Lord answered their prayers. You need the proof. us being here is an is an answer to this prayer because because the witness boldly the gospel went. to the whole world inside the book of Acts itself witness to this reality the beginning of the book of Acts. it begins and

and as Christ is talking to the disciples and telling them you'll be witnesses to me in Jerusalem in Judea in Samaria and to the end of the Earth. few week men from Israel No political power. No religious power. and at the end of the book at the end of the book The Greatest persecutor of the church Saul of Tarsus. Became Paul. Preaching the gospel in the capital of the Gentile World in Rome.

How did this happen? Through lots of preaching through the word of God.

through the power of the Holy Spirit and through many many persecutions and oppositions

this was the first wave the few verse the few chapters. a few first chapters of the book of Acts they show us three waves of persecution. The first wave was in chapter to put to be put into custody and threatened not to preach. chapter 5 To be prison imprisoning them. And beating them. In chapter 7 they will kill one of them. Stephen would be Stone. At every time you see the wave is growing the boldness is also growing and they are

preaching the gospel. God is answering the prayer.

Before I close I have I'll have a quick look with you. in the book of Acts chapter 5 in chapter 5

they preached. And the high priest became angry. Because of what they have been doing the insisted to continue preaching. In verse 18 verse 17 first, but the high priest rose up and all who were with him. That is the party of the third of the Sadducees and filled with jealousy. We are angry. These men with all their powers. They're angry. They're filled with jealousy the arrested the apostles and put them in the public

prison. again But during the late an engine of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said go and set in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life. Amazing, huh? It's not go out and just Escape go out. And stop doing this go out and preach again. and the obey the preach again and the arrested them again. but they they said arresting them is not enough. At that time a guy came called Gamaliel.

And he told them guys we should not harm these people anymore if it's from the Lord. Then we should not resist it if it's not it will disappear by itself. Let them go they listen to them but not completely they decided to do something more. They decided to show some. anger not just verbal threat not just putting them in prison. Listen what they did what they did to the to them. in verse verse 40 and when we had called in the apostles they beat

them. And charge them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. One simple sentence that I just read now right one verse in the scripture, but think of it. How much time do you think this verse take? in real time

They beat them three words.

We don't know. How long did they beat them? We don't know. How did they beat them, but they beat them.

humiliating intimidating

threatening them again. Don't speak of Jesus.

But then see verse 41 there the reaction. Then they left the presence of the council. And the coming word doesn't make sense humanly speaking. They left. the presence of the council rejoicing rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Where did this come from? This is Faith. This is a prayer answered. We Have Heard the words of Christ in Matthew 10 before they were persecuted and you may be hearing this today and you have never been persecuted. But Christ prepared them. Who persecution right?

and these men when they were persecuted the asks for boldness and when we were beaten for the name of Christ we rejoice. very rejoice I'll close with this words from The Sermon on the Mount

Well Christ talked about this same thing that we are watching in Acts 4 and 5. Listen to this words from Matthew 5 verse 11 and 12. Blessed are you when others revalue and persecute you? Another all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. rejoice rejoice rejoice and be glad for you reward is great in heaven or so. They persecuted the prophets who were before you. May the Lord grant us boldness. To witness to his great name.

even as we are persecuted. Let's pray.

our great Lord of Heaven a sovereign Lord the one who is worthy of our worship of our adoration. The one who did not he who did not spare his only begotten son. but give him to die for sinners such as us

Lord we pray that you would lift our eyes. You see the great love. That you have loved us with. to see your greatness Your Glory and to count all things as rubbish or the sake of the knowledge of Christ. And for the sake of witnessing to his great name.

We pray all these things. in the precious name of Christ amen