Powerful Story From A Persecuted Christian

About this Episode

Powerful Story From A Persecuted Christian is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

John 15:19–20 says” If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours”.

Today we're going to talk about the persecuted church. It may be surprising, but Christian persecution around the world is one of the biggest human rights issues of this era. It happens everywhere and Christians suffer because of their faith.

While Christian persecution takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Jesus Christ. From Sudan to Russia, from Nigeria to North Korea, from Colombia to India, followers of Christianity are targeted for their faith.

They are attacked; they are discriminated against at work and at school; they risk sexual violence, torture, arrest, and much more. Today we have in-studio Pastor Emmanuel from India that is going to share with us his stories of being persecuted and tortured so badly that he almost died.

According to Open Doors just last year Over 340 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination, 4,761 Christians were killed for their faith 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings were attacked 4,277 believers were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned.

Why does Christian Persecution happen?

1. Authoritarian Governments who view Christianity as a threat to power
2. Suspicion of anything outside the majority cultural faith
3. Extremist groups who want to destroy Christians
4. Official and cultural domination of a single religion
5. Religious freedom is a disrespected human right

Bible Verses relating to Persecution

2 Timothy 3:11–12
My persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted.

James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Matthew 5:10–12
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Revelation 2:10–11
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.