Persecution will come

Matthew 10:16-25

Persecution will come

Jesus is making this promise and if we are paying attention, He also is promising that He is coming back.  Could these be two promises ignored by the Church of 2014?  If you believe this is only addressing the 12 apostles then how do explain verses 24-25, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above 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 Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.”  As I age, I am reminded of these words from Carroll Ray Jr., “Act like Jesus tells the truth” and this truth is repeated in the Scriptures, persecution will come to all who follow and abide in Christ Jesus.  In the gospel according to John, we have this message from Jesus, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 16:20-21)

God has put you and me in charge of church growth in 2014, not to develop a new plan to attract converts to His Church, has the plan changed?  Now in no way am I saying God has changed the plan given by Christ to His disciples and apostles, but I am looking at what is taking place in the culture of the church of 2014.  It’s a watered-down message, a message of blessing and prosperity, never of suffering and it is a church that will not stand when the storms come, when the church is persecuted, for it is not built on truth; Jesus is Truth.

And this is what Truth has said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16-22)

Let me give a good report, many are in a Church that proclaim the truth, and those churches are preparing the follower of Christ to stand in persecution.  Jan and I are blessed to be part of such a church, and if yours is not, pray for your pastor and encourage him to proclaim the full gospel of our Lord.  Remember the promise of Jesus when He said; “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice