FRIDAY MESSAGE

PARABLE OF THE SOWER #6/12

PERSECUTION BY POLITICAL POWER

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 persecution by political power, which will be the focus of this lesson.

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 God’s movement.

3. PERSECUTION BY POLITICAL POWER

In the parable of the sower, the rocky ground represents those who receive the Word with joy, but do not take root and stumble when persecution comes – Matthew 13:21.

Historically, one of the strongest persecutions comes from political power.

Although political authority is instituted by God – Romans 13:1, corrupt systems become instruments of attack against the Church.

Political persecution manifests itself not only physically, but also through legislative, ideological, and psychological pressures aimed at weakening the faith and silencing the gospel.

4. MODERN FORMS OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION

Today, persecution is more subtle and sophisticated:

Laws contrary to the faith that limit Christian expression;

Ideological censorship against biblical truths;

Economic pressure on churches that do not align with dominant ideologies; Media defamation to discredit the Church;

The enemy’s objective is:

– to control moral values;

– to intimidate Christians;

to replace faith in God with trust in the State.

Result: to prevent the seed of the Word from taking root.

5. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PERSECUTION BY POLITICAL POWER

a) Daniel: Decree of the king that prevented him from praying – Daniel 6;

b) Apostles and Sanhedrin: prohibition against preaching the gospel – Acts 5

c) Roman Empire and the Early Church: emperors transformed the Christian faith into a state crime;

d) King Nebuchadnezzar: imposed state idolatry – Daniel 3;

e) Herod Antipas: ordered the beheading of John the Baptist – Matthew 14:1-12;

f) Pontius Pilate and the Sanhedrin: condemned Jesus to death – John 19;

g) Herod Agrippa I: killed James and imprisoned Peter – Acts 12:1-5;

6. ABOUT SUFFERING

There are two types of suffering:

a) Outside of God’s will — poverty, sickness, eternal death;

b) Within God’s will — suffering for Jesus and for the sake of the Word.

Many believers accept suffering that does not come from God, but reject the persecutions that are part of discipleship – Mark 8:38

7. FINAL EXHORTATION – 1 Peter 4:12-14

Those who are ashamed of Jesus lose protection and blessing; those who remain steadfast receive God’s help.

For those who do not yet walk with God:

– surrender your life to Jesus;

– study the Bible;

– come to church;

– begin to walk with God. For those already walking with God:

– remain steadfast;

– disciples with deep roots are not easily intimidated.

For leaders:

– they are stewards, not owners;

– they should not fight against the house of God.

8. ROLE OF OLDER BELIEVERS

God calls every believer to serve – Ephesians 4:11. The work includes:

– evangelizing;

– transforming converts into disciples;

– training servants;

– protecting new converts;

– accompanying them in courses, small groups, baptisms, and Bible teaching.