FRIDAY MESSAGE
PARABLE OF THE SOWER #8/13
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION #2

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 through 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 religious persecution.

2. PERSECUTION
Persecution is:

– opposition for what we believe;

– retaliation for following Jesus;

– the devil using people to drive believers away, silence evangelism, and try to prevent the movement of God.

a) INSTITUTIONAL OR RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION – John 16:2

The most dangerous and subtle form of persecution is when religion becomes an enemy of truth.

This is what happened to Jesus – the religious leaders (Pharisees and priests) were the main persecutors. Formal religion, without the Spirit, becomes an instrument of the devil to stifle the true movement of God.

Religious persecution comes in the name of God, but without the Spirit of God, and is expressed in two ways:

a) within Christianity: Churches that become lukewarm, traditional, and oppose the movement of the Holy Spirit. They persecute the Church.

b) False religions and false doctrines: Doctrines created by the devil. False prophets, false teachers, and religions opposed to God.

b) PHYSICAL PERSECUTION – Example: Stephen – Acts 7:59
From the beginning of the Church, disciples were imprisoned, tortured, and killed because of the Word.

This type of persecution still happens today in various parts of the world. It is the ultimate expression of spiritual intolerance – when the enemy can no longer silence the truth, he tries to destroy the body that proclaims it.

c) PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
When the devil sees that a person believes in God and that nothing will change them, then the devil disguises himself as religious.

The devil invents false religions:
– he uses people (false prophets);

– they teach false doctrines (that are not in the Bible and/or are contrary to the Bible).

This type of persecution still happens today in various parts of the world. She is the ultimate expression of spiritual intolerance – when the enemy can no longer silence the truth, he tries to destroy the body that proclaims it. Example: Stephen – Acts 7:59

3. THE LETTERS TO THE 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION
a) Church of Smyrna – Persecuted by the devil – Revelation 2:9-10
Approved for: works, tribulation, spiritual wealth despite poverty.

Rejected for: being a synagogue of Satan where there is blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews.

b) Church of Pergamum – Where Satan’s throne is – Revelation 2:13
Rejected for: location of Satan’s throne;

A person can be in the wrong place (even in an environment dominated by the devil), but still be saved, because:

– genuinely believes in God; – “stumbled” on certain truths;

– believes in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.

Even in spiritually false contexts:

– God can heal and act, because the kingdom is not physical, but in the heart.

Salvation and God’s action do not depend on physical institutions, but on genuine faith.

4. STORY OF PAUL
a) Persecution of Saul
Saul, his Hebrew name, was born in Tarsus, an important city in Cilicia (present-day Turkey), and was a Roman citizen (a privilege that granted him important legal rights). He was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and highly educated in Jerusalem, a disciple of the renowned Rabbi Gamaliel, and therefore had a deep knowledge of Jewish law (Torah). He persecuted Christians severely – Acts 26:10-11.

The Jews expected a Messiah, but since he did not come/appear as a politician and liberator from Roman rule. But Jesus appeared humble, preached about a spiritual kingdom, and did not fit religious expectations. For this reason, they rejected Jesus and killed him. Saul converts to Christianity on the road to Damascus – Acts 26:13-18.

b) Paul is persecuted
Paul, the Roman name he used to preach to the Gentiles, goes to Antioch to preach the gospel, announcing that only Jesus is the Lord. The Jews end up divided, as some like and believe, but others revolt and end up persecuting him – Acts 13:14-52.
Whoever does not receive the gospel rejects God/Jesus himself – Matthew 10:14

c) Paul, the Apostle – Main doctrines in the epistles
Paul presents Jesus not only as a teacher or prophet, but as the very Son of God, pre-existent and divine.

Among the main doctrines of the Apostle Paul are mentioned:

– Divinity of Christ – Colossians 2:9;

– Death and resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5;
– Lordship of Jesus;

– The typology of sacrifice and Passover;

– The virgin birth;

– The Lord’s Supper and the meaning of sacrifice;

– Victory over the devil;

– Salvation is freely given through faith – Ephesians 2:8-9;

– Jesus is the only mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5;
– The new covenant replaces the old.