Category: Martyrs

Testify

9/8/2021

Scripture: John 15:18-27 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, ‘ A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] He who hates Me hates My Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. [25] But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ [26] “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, [27] and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

Commentary: Should I be concerned? Should you be concerned? According to Jesus, if you are a follower of Christ, the "world" will most likely hate you. "Hate" is a pretty strong word, but it is an appropriate word to describe the motivation behind those that persecute and even murder Believers in Christ.
Jesus explained the reason behind the hubris. Verse 19: "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world...the world hates you." So, I ask again, should you be concerned?
As American Pop Culture turns away from God and the Biblical values that established the moral foundation of our nation; every Believer who defies the darkness and lets their light shine will become more conspicuous. Standing and declaring the truth is our testimony.
The Spirit of Truth testifies that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no-one comes to the Father, but by Jesus. We too testify that Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. This truth grates on the powers of darkness.
Where does the power to testify come from? In Acts 1:8 Jesus declared, "When you receive the Holy Spirit, you will receive power to be witnesses, even to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit fills Believers with the boldness to testify. To declare the "Good News" to a world shrouded in darkness. Our light reveals the darkness for what it is.

Questions to Consider:

The Greek word translated as "Witnesses" or "Testify" is the word (μάρτυς) martus. This is where we get the word "martyr." How far do you think the persecution of Christians in America will escalate in your lifetime?
Do you actively "testify" of your faith? Would you be willing to be a martyr for what you believe?
Have you ever suffered from prolonged persecution for being a Believer in Christ?

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Price of Discipleship

5/26/2021

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Acts 1:4-8. Gathering them together, He (Jesus) commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Note: In the Greek, the word translated as "Witnesses" is μάρτυς (martus) from which we get the word martyr. This means that Believers have the power to live or die for Christ. Indeed, most of the disciples received the power to be martus.

Theology/Apologetics: When I was the pastor in a region of the country that was dominated by one of the world's most powerful Christian Cult Groups, ("Christian" in the sense that they self-identify themselves as being followers of Christ), it was challenging to anyone who was converted out of that cult to leave said cult and declare their faith in Christ. As one young man explained to me: "I have come to see the errors in the theology of the "cult group" and no longer believe in what they teach; but to openly walk away and embrace Christ as taught in the Bible would cost me everything. I would lose my job, my wife, my family, my community and everything that I care about." That is the cost one must be willing to pay if that is what it takes to follow Christ. The cross that you pick up in your pursuit of Christ may look different than someone else's cross. Each of us have a personal price that we must be willing to pay in order to follow Christ. Important Note: This must not be equated to paying the price for your salvation; Jesus, already paid that price. However, in the words of Jesus, to be His disciples we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him.

Questions to Consider:

What do you think Jesus meant when He called on us to "deny ourselves?"
What are some of the "works of the flesh" that seem to need a "daily crucifixion?"
How would you describe the personal cross that you are carrying as you follow Christ?

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Price of Discipleship

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