June 5
2 Sam 23:24-24:25 | PS 123:1-4 | Prov 16:21-23 | Acts 3:1-26
The persecuted church and the American church are vastly different. Many in America play it safe. Christians in America make a proclamation of faith, then add Jesus into their lives only to a certain extent. In the persecuted church, believers are either all in or not in at all. As we read through the book of Acts, realize the early church after Pentecost was the persecuted church and it thrived. Many would be surprised to learn that the fastest growing church in the world now is in Iran, and is mostly led by women. In the documentary, "Sheep Among Wolves Volume II", those interviewed in what one calls "the Iranian awakening", states concerning this church, "It owns no property, no buildings, no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women." Clearly understanding their risks, they state, "We know that if they get us, the first thing they will do to us as a woman is rape us and then they will beat us and ultimately they will kill us," one believer said. "This decision we have made that we want to offer our bodies as sacrifices. Because I have this thought when I wake up, that when I leave, that door I might not come back." They state that their goal is not planting churches but rather making disciples. As they put it, "Disciples forsake the world and cling to Jesus 'till he comes. Converts don't," the leader said. "Disciples aren't engaged in a culture war. Converts are. Disciples cherish, obey, and share the word of God. Converts don't. Disciples choose Jesus over anything and everything else. Converts don't. Converts run when the fire comes. Disciples don't." Pastor Lloyd Pulley, recently returned from a trip to Africa and described those he met there having this same type of commitment and determination.
When Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, they come across a lame man by the gate seeking alms. We read in Acts 3:6, "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." The story goes of an encounter between the pope and Thomas Aquinas. The pope who was counting the silver and gold coins in his coffers, gleefully held up some coins for Thomas to see, saying, "We can no longer say, silver and gold have we none, now can we?" Thomas looked at the pope and said, "And neither can we say, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." After the miracle the people ran to Peter and John and were amazed, to which we read in 3:12, "So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" After clearly stating how Jesus was betrayed and condemned by these people, he went on in 3:16, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." How things are often so different today. Today, since pride and greed often is a major influence, those engaging in such a healing probably would have caught the entire healing on videotape, then posted it on Youtube. From there they could have launched a healing ministry named after himself, featuring the lame man.
That is where the difference lies. Peter and John were merely vessels to be used by the Holy Spirit and in humility saw themselves that way. They weren't in it for themselves. They were all in, and didn't fear the consequences of their bold faith. We tend to read Scripture almost in a sterile fashion, with Peter and John standing before these rulers in a respectable court-like setting in Acts 4, after their arrest. But these were the same ones who had just crucified their Leader. This confrontation probably took place with the accusers having stones in their hands looking for any reason to start the killing. But they remained steadfast and boldly spoke forth the truth, being the vessels of the Holy Spirit that they were. We in America need to open our eyes. The church in America is in a state of stupor. We have been lulled into a state of complacency. Quite the opposite of the Iranian church, we seek believers and converts, rather than focusing on making disciples. Each and every one needs to ask themselves are you all in, or are you on the fringes dabbling with Christianity. If persecution came, would you run and hide, or would you boldly stand for the name of Jesus Christ. May we not forget in Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus exhorted us to make disciples, not converts or believers. If we want the church in America to stand for something, revival is needed, and this revival must center on true discipleship.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: