The Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
The time when anointed leaders of the gospel are imprisoned or martyred for Christ. “for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name. Among whom are you the called of Jesus Christ -Paul in Romans 1”.
There is a time when Gospel Leadership, those who lead and teach the believers found in Christ; are imprisoned or die for their faith. When the loss of such leadership is occurring; their wisdom and knowledge vanish with them. That is, unless the solid foundation of successive leaders passes through the fire to learn from the ones whom they have lost.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
Rom 10:8-11
(8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Read more: Persecuted Gospel and Christian LeadershipPastor Brunson ministered in Turkey along with wife since 1993. Turkish citizens cannot teach bible. It is among those leaders in Turkey that “No other faith, or indeed non-state-controlled Muslim group, is permitted to train its clergy in Turkey.” Pastor Brunson thus fulfilled this mission to train Christians in Turkey from his position as Pastor of the Imir Resurrection Church. It was a small protestant congregation and one that he ministered to for 23 years. He raised a family. Turkey being a charter member of the UN, an early member of NATO, the IMF, and the World Bank. But Turkey is not a nation where freedom to worship is practiced.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
“Pastor Brunson was wrongly imprisoned for his faith and work as a Christian pastor. Turkey’s latest attack on faith, which underscores why the Open Doors World Watch List ranks it as the 31st most dangerous place to be Christian, is a clear message that religious minorities are increasingly imperiled in Turkey.”
Through the efforts of countless praying Christians, legal representation in Turkey, and assistance of the ACLJ; Brunson was released. We thank the Lord for giving the victory for His release. We also believe the Pressure from the United States and push of President Trump also facilitated the release. While Pastor Brunson is free now and in America, his leaving Turkey made a large hole in the ability to teach and help the Christians where he ministered. This is the problem. While we know that imprisonment, persecution, and even death of Christian leaders does occur; their demise leaves a hole in the structure to teach the gospel. In addition, the persecution of Christian congregants of faith also is worldwide. It is imperative that leadership maintains its role in the perfecting of the saints. When such a leader is struck down, forced to leave, or killed; it is Wisdom lost while Heaven is gained for the leader.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
Rom 10:12-17
(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
(15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
The Apostle Paul warned that he must depart from those to whom he ministered. It is a touching portion of scripture. The people came to love and trust this Apostle. Yet the Holy Spirit made it clear that he must leave. For he would head to Rome eventually and testify before Caesar. A very important mission. But the issue was that when he would leave “Grievous Wolves” would enter in. They would bring doctrine that would destroy what he had built. However, Paul had trained people to take over and this portion was a farewell to them. He told them what to watch out for. This illustrates the importance of making sure you have trustworthy, gospel loving, gospel trained, and field experienced leaders. These are people who have proven their ministry, even suffering for the cause of Christ Jesus. Joshua trained under Moses, the Apostles trained under Jesus Christ, and Timothy trained under the Apostle Paul. This is a short list of examples of the biblical preparedness and training to bring up leaders.
Act 20:23-38
(23) Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
(24) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
(25) And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
(26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
(29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
(31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
(32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
(33) I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
(34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(36) And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
(37) And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
(38) Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
While we report of the many who are in Jail for their faith; we can rest in the fact that they know the Lord. If they live through it, they live for Christ Jesus. If they die suffering for their faith of Jesus Christ, they die in Him. Yet the truth is, their leaving the flock; even for a short time can have a detrimental effect. This can cause wolves, deceit, and more persecution to devastate the believers. We find now in Nigeria especially the flock of Christ faces death daily at the hands of the Fulani tribesmen and from Boko Haram. The government doesn’t stop it, and probably can’t do much about it. In many cases the radical Islamists have more money, firepower, and ability to make war. In Nigeria the army is out gunned many times. The poor and those cities in Nigeria, especially the Christian farmers are simply targeted by those wanting to kill them.
Php 1:21-26 To Abide in the flesh is more needful for you!
(21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
(22) But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
(23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
(24) Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
(25) And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
(26) That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
In China the persecution continues. The government there considers Christianity a tool to destroy the communist regime. There are more Christians in China than communist members.
And today, according to some estimates, there are more Christians in China than Communist Party members. Up to 100 million will be celebrating across China this Easter weekend.
In the recent crackdown that has been ongoing for some time. Pastor Wang Yi and his wife; along with members of his church were all arrested. The church was shut down and its members told they could not have any more gatherings. It was now an illegal organization.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
As a pastor of a Christian church, I have my own understanding and views, based on the Bible, about what righteous order and good government is. At the same time, I am filled with anger and disgust at the persecution of the church by this Communist regime, at the wickedness of their depriving people of the freedoms of religion and of conscience. But changing social and political institutions is not the mission I have been called to, and it is not the goal for which God has given his people the gospel. –Pastor Wang Yi of Early Covenant Rain Church
The persecution concerning Wang Yi, his wife, and his family; along with the church is one among many the Communist regime wants to shut down. In fact, they are making a concerted effort to crush Christianity there. The Communist regime tried that back in the early days under Mao. It didn’t work then; it won’t work now! However, today in America we have Walmart, Target, and many other companies trading with China. Doing business as usual with a nation that is destroying Christian churches, imprisoning Christians, and making war with them. This is unacceptable and on our Warn Radio broadcasts I have made it a point to tell listeners this. We should not have American companies doing business as usual with nations that violate free speech, freedom of religions, and other basic human rights.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
Php 1:12-20 My bonds in Christ are manifest
(12) But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
(13) So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
(14) And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much bolder to speak the word without fear.
(15) Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
(16) The one preaches Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
(17) But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
(18) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
(19) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
(20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
In many cases, just like Pastor Brunson, Wang Yi, and other believers; they are willing to die for their faith. The Lord warned us about the persecution in the last days before his coming. But when you kill the leadership, the flock scatters. It is then open to deceitful wolves who would enter in. In China you have Christians and their leaders submitting to China’s communist first pledge. A pledge to the state, its purposes, and its atheistic agenda. The state first, even before Jesus Christ. No well thinking Christian and believer could do this. Many do it to save their lives and families. The Lord warned, if you save your life you will lose it and if you lose your life for my sake and the gospels; you will find it [Study Mark 8:35, 10:29].
In America, sleepy headed Christian leaders, their flock, and the society where we live are preoccupied. Little do they know America is one step away from the same problems. We have more anti-Christ leaders and doctrines. The push is on to have more. The dragon, the whore of Revelation 17; and the abominations which they push are poured out on the nations, especially America. I find so many this way, not realizing the truth of the uncleanness and sin that is besetting this nation. How long can a nation stand if it rejects God? Afterall, China rejects God in all forms; except man. North Korea accepts God in the form of their precious leader. We can find more examples like these. God has not done a thing about North Korea and its horrific treatment of its people. It is the number one nation for Christians persecution. God has not done anything about China and its hatred of Christianity. There are even more examples here as well. But in all this there is the Sovereignty of God.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
America is not worse than North Korea or China; yet neither of them had the beginning of America. Faith and Christianity were the foundations here. Our constitution based on the Torah, Pentateuch, and the Ten Commandments. When a nation forsakes the God who blessed it, how woeful it shall be.
As authorities tear down crosses, burn Bibles and replace images of Jesus Christ with posters of the Chinese president, Wang Yi, one of China’s most prominent pastors arrested this month, boldly declared that Xi’s god-like status was “incompatible” with the Christian faith.
His church was shut down and more than 100 members of his congregation arrested.
Foreseeing his possible arrest, pastor Wang wrote a letter titled “My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience” with instructions that it should be published if he went missing for more than 48 hours –CBN News
God is in Charge here. I speak of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the great and mighty God. Even our Father, who has given us his Only Begotten Son. Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords, the Almighty [See Revelation One], and will judge all things. Even now he has been protecting his people and bringing his enemies to himself. We have reported many miracles on the mission field. I expect to see more. Even if it gets worse in the world, our God is on the Throne.
Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
We are studying Isaiah now and in the beginning of this book, we find judgment on Israel. Yet the promise given to Isaiah to tell the flock of God is clear! Even during judgment “it shall be well with them”! As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord and trust in his word given to the righteous. God will handle the wicked, including North Korea, China, America, and other nations. Our job is to be faithful, testify, and walk in his light! [see John 1, 3, 10, 15, 17; 1st John 1, 5; Revelation 22]
Isa 3:10-11
(10) Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
(11) Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
The Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
By Dana G Smith
Watchman, Author, and President of the WIBR/WARN Radio
www.Warn-Usa.com www.DanaGlennSmith.com Visit our sites!
The Persecuted Gospel and Christian Leadership
Gods Justice and judgment:
To the righteous, it shall be well with him -v10
To the wicked, it shall be ill with him -v11
Isaiah 3:10-11
NOTE: This article is from the early Days of Advocacy for the Persecuted church. You will not find this published in our archives.
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