Why Persecution?
Acts [8:1] And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. [2] Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. [3] But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
[4] Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Have you ever wondered about the persecution of the Church? I don’t mean the things that aggravate us here in the states like hymns or choruses;or lights or dimly lit auditoriums, or suits or jeans? Really? Get over it and worship Jesus!
The purpose of church persecution is to move the Church out of sitting on the premises and to standing on the promises! Persecution is used by God to scatter the Church to carry the message to the world. As long as the church is gathered it is not gaining new converts! The power of the Church is when the Church moves out of its comfort zones and into the war zone! It is when She is giving for Her life that She finds Her Life!
The enemy of the Church is not the gates of hell but the doors of religion. The gates of hell have been destroyed by Christ and never are they a barrier to the advancement of the Church. Yet the doors of religion keeps us in our gatherings to plan, promote and program people to be religious mannequins in their show windows. The only value they have is to attract people shopping for hope to buy into their sales!
God help us to realize His Church finds its power in its ability to leave the gatherings and carry the Word, the Gospel, the message of Christ to the world!
The purpose of Church persecution is to separate, sanctify, and scatter the Church!
He wants us separated not only from the world and sin but from false religious living.
He wants us sanctified so that we allow the Holy Spirit to set us apart for Holy living and honorable service to the World for the Him. We are His instruments, special tools and vessels to spread His message.
He wants us scattered because the message loses its impact and thrust when we are only sharing with one another. Enough of the hand holding and coffee breaks! Enough of the pep rallies and fist pumping to only leave a half hour later to do nothing with the energy. There is a time and a season for all of that. Something has to move us out of the isolated communes and into the world that needs the message of Jesus! With 7000 people groups who have not had an adequate witness of Christ we must be scattered! With four billion people who are unreached we must be scattered! With millions who are hungry, thirsty, naked and sick we must be scattered!
Persecution is used by the Lord to send His Church to the far ends of the World. Saul, who persecuted the early Church had the Lord to speak to him and ask, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” I hope the Lord does not look at you and I and ask the question, “Do I need send a modern day Saul to scatter you to the world who needs my message or will you just obey my Commission and command to Go?”
Acts [4] Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
