WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM? (3 OF 20)
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-12
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What Would You Tell Them? (3 of 20)
Series: 1 Peter
Robert Dawson
1 Peter 1:8-12
I received an email bulletin this week from the American Center for Law and Justice (aclj.org). It was a disturbing, eye opening and heartbreaking email. It said that since 2003, in the last 12 years, that 1.3 million Christians have been displaced, murdered or imprisoned. Here is what really got my attention - it said that 1.3 million was from Iraq alone. That is not including places like Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria, N. Korea or a host of other places that are known to be hostile to Christians.
It was a reminder about the world we live in, the world that we have always lived in. With numbers like this coupled with the intensifying brutality against Christians being carried out by ISIS and its affiliates, like Boko Haram, it makes you wonder how many Christians will make it to next Christmas or even how many will make it to this Christmas.
This was a call to remember them in prayer. It was a call for me to determine beforehand what my response would be when faced with the mounting pressure, threats and persecution they are feeling.
It was also a reminder of the potential temporary costs that accompany our salvation.
Their faith was the reason for great loss and suffering in their lives. Reading that bulletin, not more than a few words and statistics, was a harsh reminder that there is much that can be taken from me or lost. 1.3 million people from a country a little bigger than ½ the size of Texas and roughly 2x the size of Idaho were, listen to these words, displaced, murdered or imprisoned. That means:
- Lost family members. People were murdered. They lost moms, dads, children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters.
- Lost freedom. They were imprisoned. For what? For a crime? No. For Christ.
- Lost their property and possessions. When you are displaced you are forced to leave what you have worked for, what you have saved, what you have amassed and what you ...
Series: 1 Peter
Robert Dawson
1 Peter 1:8-12
I received an email bulletin this week from the American Center for Law and Justice (aclj.org). It was a disturbing, eye opening and heartbreaking email. It said that since 2003, in the last 12 years, that 1.3 million Christians have been displaced, murdered or imprisoned. Here is what really got my attention - it said that 1.3 million was from Iraq alone. That is not including places like Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria, N. Korea or a host of other places that are known to be hostile to Christians.
It was a reminder about the world we live in, the world that we have always lived in. With numbers like this coupled with the intensifying brutality against Christians being carried out by ISIS and its affiliates, like Boko Haram, it makes you wonder how many Christians will make it to next Christmas or even how many will make it to this Christmas.
This was a call to remember them in prayer. It was a call for me to determine beforehand what my response would be when faced with the mounting pressure, threats and persecution they are feeling.
It was also a reminder of the potential temporary costs that accompany our salvation.
Their faith was the reason for great loss and suffering in their lives. Reading that bulletin, not more than a few words and statistics, was a harsh reminder that there is much that can be taken from me or lost. 1.3 million people from a country a little bigger than ½ the size of Texas and roughly 2x the size of Idaho were, listen to these words, displaced, murdered or imprisoned. That means:
- Lost family members. People were murdered. They lost moms, dads, children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters.
- Lost freedom. They were imprisoned. For what? For a crime? No. For Christ.
- Lost their property and possessions. When you are displaced you are forced to leave what you have worked for, what you have saved, what you have amassed and what you ...
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