If Evangelism were Illegal

If Evangelism were Illegal

March 15, 2009

Introduction

Recently, I received a letter which began this way:

Arrested - tortured - murdered ... for being a Christian -

These are not the plots of new movies - these are the tragic facts of cases we are working on today -
Christians are being targeted for extermination by extremists. Enemies of freedom are relentless; we must be vigilant.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations, a drastic move is reportedly underway to make the anti-Christian measure, ''Combating Defamation of Religions,'' BINDING - MANDATORY - for member nations, including America.

It would criminalize proclamation of the Gospel around the globe. Speaking out against Islam, for example, would be an international crime.

So where are we today? Will we live to see the day when Christianity is illegal in this country? What does the Bible say?

Body

I. We have been warned of bad times to come.

A. Jesus spoke of such times.

(John 16:1-4 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. {2} "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. {3} "And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. {4} "But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

B. Jesus referred to bad times for us as He was being led to His crucifixion.

(Luke 23:28-32 NASB) But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. {29} "For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' {30} "Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, 'FALL ON US,' AND TO THE HILLS, 'COVER US.' {31} "For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?" {32} And two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.

C. We are reminded of the statement in Revelation.

(Rev 6:15-17 NKJV) And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, {16} and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

1. Similar words, but a different situation.

2. This is the case where Jesus is returning, and His enemies are terrorized.

II. What about right now?

A. Jesus calls it the day when we should be working.

(John 9:4 NKJV) "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

1. Just as Jesus worked “during the day,” we need to be working.

2. Jesus warned about saying the harvest is still in the future.

(John 4:35 NKJV) "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

B. We are supposed to be saving the lost.

1. Paul says the gospel is the power of God.

(Rom 1:16 NKJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

2. Peter says God is waiting so more can be saved.

(2 Pet 3:9 NASB) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

C. So what will we do with the time we have?

1. Will we be ready for His return?

2. The story of the virgins makes the point that some will be ready, but others will not.

3. Are we using our time to tell others about their need of a Savior?

III. Is there any way to escape the troubles that are coming on the world?

For some, the answer appears to be no.

1. Christ spoke of great tribulation to come upon the earth.

(Mark 13:19-20 NKJV) "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. {20} "And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

There is some question to the time of this tribulation: Is it the fall of Jerusalem, or the end of the world.
We don’t have time to get into a discussion of which it is, but there is a principle: terrible times come for God’s people.

2. The Hebrew writer also states that not all escaped.

(Heb 11:36-38 NKJV) Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. {37} They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; {38} of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

For others, Jesus spoke of escape.

(Luke 21:34-36 NKJV) "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Conclusion

So what can we say?

We need to work, for the night is coming, and there are lost souls all around us.

We need to pray:

For ourselves, and that we will be counted worthy to escape what is coming.

For the salvation of those out of Christ.

For those who are in Christ, that they will remain faithful unto the end.

(Mark 13:13 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Is your life right with God? Are you ready for His coming?

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