Series | The
Life of Discipleship
Scripture | John 15:20, “Remember what I told
you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will
persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
Lesson 27 | Disciples Are Persecuted
Today around the world
more disciples are suffering persecution than ever before for the sake of
Christ and His teachings. It is
estimated that over 100,000 children of God are martyred each year. Their only “crime” was that they believed in
Jesus Christ as their great God and Savior.
Plus, literally countless
millions of Christians are being displaced from their homes, arrested, and
threatened for their faith in Jesus. The
two biggest influences of persecution towards Christians are Islam and
Communism.
Such places like Saudi Arabia,
Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan, and Egypt have some of the highest rates of
violence in the Islamic world. And even such nations like Nigeria where
Christianity is the major religion; many of the Muslims terrorize the innocent Christians
by burning their churches and destroying their property in hopes of stopping
the rapid growth.
At the same time, Communist
countries like China, North Korea, and Vietnam restrict the Gospel and
persecute disciples that break their state policy of “anti-evangelism” and
“non-registered church gatherings.”
North Korea is by far the worst example of a “state run religion” in a
Communist state. All those who reject
“emperor worship” and promote Christianity are arrested, sent to concentration
camps, tortured physically, and are subjected to mental torture through
“re-education.”
Though some of us may not
live in a nation where persecution is the norm and can result in physical harm
and even death. Many of us in the West
suffer persecution in the form of family rejection, public mocking and
ridicule, and oppression on our jobs and in the public square.
Therefore, no matter where
you live or how bad you’re being hated for the name of Christ Jesus don’t think
it strange. Because if they rejected and
crucified Jesus, our Master and Teacher, how much more will they hate us as His
students. As a result, let us rejoice
when we are hated for the name of Christ for we are being treated like all the
prophets and disciples that followed God!
Reflection | Have you ever suffered persecution?
Action | (1) Pray for the persecuted Christians around the world. (2) Consider how you can support the persecuted disciples around the world. Plan on sending mission’s money to them so they can have Bibles, food, and medical relief. (3) Lastly, rejoice in your times of persecution because you are being honored to suffer for the name of Christ, Matthew 5:12.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, & Proverbs 20:4-6. Click here to read online.
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