PARABLE OF THE SOWER #9/13

PERSECUTION FOR FINANCIAL REASONS

1. INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY OF THE PREVIOUS LESSON

To understand the parable of the sower, it is essential to understand the spiritual law of “sowing to reap” – Mark 4:26. In the Kingdom of God everything works by seeds: the Word is the seed and the heart is the soil – Mark 4:14-29. The devil tries to prevent the Word from taking root, and one of his strategies is persecution for financial reasons, which will be the focus of this lesson.

2. PERSECUTION

Persecution is: – opposition from other people because of what you believe; – retaliation from other people because we follow Jesus;

–The devil uses people to try to drive believers away from the church, to try to silence a believer who evangelizes, to stop the movement of God, to try to close churches, and to try to make believers ashamed of Jesus;

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against organized demons – Ephesians 6:10-12

Persecution for financial reasons is one of the most subtle and dangerous, because it strikes at the heart – the place where it is decided who the true Lord is. Finances are not the center, but a tool of faith.

Persecution does not destroy, but refines and strengthens character. Whoever overcomes Mammon becomes a steward of God’s true riches.

3. EXAMPLES

a) Young woman who practiced divination – Acts 16:16-24

The young woman’s masters were not concerned with her liberation, but with the loss of profit. When they realized they could not spiritually exploit that young woman, they falsely accused Paul and Silas and provoked a public revolt. The opposition was not only spiritual, but also economic.

Paul and Silas were unjustly imprisoned, publicly flogged, and put in jail, but God transformed the persecution into liberation. The jailer converted, and the Church of Philippi was born, a result of persecution motivated by money.

b) The Goldsmiths of Diana – Acts 19:23-41

Goldsmiths and artisans made a lot of money selling images and miniatures of the goddess.

Demetrius and the other goldsmiths realized that the Gospel was destroying the idolatry market.

The problem was not theological, but economic, as conversions affected profits.

4. EXHORTATION

The Bible announces a time when a global political power will rise up against the saints – Revelation 13:7

This power, represented by the beast, symbolizes the world political system that will oppose Christ and His Church, but the end is already determined – Revelation 17:14

1 Peter 4:12-14

Those who are scandalized and ashamed of Jesus will not have God’s protection, blessing, and help. Those who are not scandalized and ashamed of Jesus will have God’s protection, blessing, and help.

For those who do not yet walk with God:

– Surrender your life to Jesus;

– Study the Bible; – Come to church;

– Begin to walk in God’s way.

For those who already walk with God:

– Do not stray from God’s path;

The response of true disciples, those rooted in Christ, is one of unwavering faith. Faced with political persecution, they remain steadfast in the Word and in God.