The ministry of Barnabas Fund is based on Gal 6:10. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The text is 2 Cor 1:1-11.
2Co 1:1-11 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: (2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (5) For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (6) If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (7) Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (8) For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. (9) Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (10) He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. (11) You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Rev Dr Patrick did not come from a Christian background. He only has a distorted account of Christianity. He came across a small community of Christians and eventually accepted Christ. He shared his new found faith with his family. He was presented with a choice – to accept Jesus Christ and no longer be a part of the family or reject Christ and remain in his family. He could not reject Jesus who forgave him and died for his sins.
The Lord who loved me and saved me is the same one who cared for me who died for me and to allow me to be his disciple and to share his suffering. We cannot separate the suffering of Christ with the salvation of Jesus Christ. We cannot separate the pain of Jesus Christ with his peace.
Barnabas’ name means son of encouragement, the one who brings hope. We are to bring divine comfort to those who are in distress.
Our God is a God who brings comfort, live and hope. He is able to bring transformation.
- The suffering community / church – it is a reality.
- What is the impact of the suffering to the mind and psyche of the human being who knows
- Relies on God – what then happens
Youth in the future will be dechristianized. While the church in US will remain strong it will be in decline. In some cases terminal decline like in Europe.
The central of gravity has shifted from the west to the non-western countries in Asia and Africa. The Baptist church in Nigeria has 10 million members. That’s about 1/3 of the population. Dioceses are set up constantly to take care of increasing new members. And that’s only one denomination.
In 1947, missionaries left China. No one thought Christianity will survive and yet it continued to grow tremendously. Christianity grows in India and Korea. There are Christians in major cities in Iran.
We are living in a period of history unlike any we ever had. Churches are experiencing great growth. With this rapid and dynamic growth came growing pains sometimes in the form of persecution. The world looks on and not admire necessarily. They hate.
Whenever God works, Satan also works. Whenever God creates, Satan seeks to bring destruction. Whenever God brings like, Satan brings darkness. Satan is seeking to oppose God.
In the past 10 years, the western countries were busy in wars and conflicts, e.g. against terrorism. People look at the west and they don’t want it anymore.
There is a rise of nationalism. People are rediscovering their own identity. They go back in time to rediscover themselves to plan for their future. Is there a place for Christianity here?
The church leaders revealed a startling fact – it’s harder to share Gospel in Russia to day than when it was under communism. Nationalism in Russian today is a more formidable force than the communism in the former Soviet Union. The same is happening in Myanmar, Uzbekistan and North Korea. What does it mean to Christianity when nationalism is on the rise? Christianity doesn’t seem to have a part in the root of the people.
The rise of religious extremism. Take for instance the state of Orissa, India. The military leaders decided Christianity should not exist in the state. The people are told to return to the original life or be killed. The rise of religious extremism often linked to terrorism threatens Christianity. Wars wage.
Anti-Christian law is 3rd area. India and Sri Langka have passed legislation to outlaw conversion to Christianity. Rev. Dr. Patrick’s new book is entitled Freedom to Believe. He mentioned freedom of worship is guaranteed by UN. We will see an increasing deterioration in religious freedom. The freedom to change faith is no longer guaranteed.
And there there is discriminations. Minority Christian groups are marginalized. Who cares for the vulnerable and the weak?
This is the reality of Christian sufferings, hardship and troubles. Our difficulties today may differ from Paul’s days but they are a reality. Be mindful of what is happening in the world. (v8) Paul wanted us to know why the Christian community is suffering. Paul wanted to give us information.
Paul mentioned distress (v6), despair (v8), death sentence (v9).
The church in China be wiped out in the 11th century. Will the church in Iraq be wiped out in the next 5 to 10 years?
So great is the pressure and suffering we feel like having our life being squeezed out of us – hence death sentence in v9.
An estimate of 2 million Christians died from persecution from 1980 to 2000.
Relying on God is the only solution, it is our only hope. This reliance is rooted on a compassionate God. God is the God of all comfort. He can relief the pressure and allow us to breathe again. He is the God of infinite love and compassion, our Heavenly Father. The omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God.
Some Iraqi soldiers of the Shiiate sect were captured by Iran, who are from the Sunni sect. They were persecuted as Christians, They found out about Christianity from the other Christian solders and came to receive Jesus. They were threatened with death should they continue their faith. They were then sentenced to death. Just before they were executed, Saddam Hussein told the Iran that if they were to kill any Iraqi soldiers, he would kill a great number of Iranian solders. The lives of the newly concerted Christian solders were spared.
Deliverance comes through our prayers. We may wonder what we can do for the persecuted churches. Never underestimate your prayers.
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