Sunday, November 14, 201o (International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church)
MARTYRS FOR CHRIST
One of the ministries we support is Voice of the Martyrs. Those who are martyrs don’t have much opportunity to speak. Often little is known about their stories. Voice of the Martyrs gives them a voice. VOM does this not to glorify those men and women, but to let us and others know what is going on with many of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.
So what is a martyr? We might say, one who gives up his life for his and her faith. That would be a correct English definition of the word. But that same English dictionary will also give the etymology of the word, and you will find that it finally goes back to the Greek word martuV. This very word is used 35 times in the New Testament and it has some kinfolk words that are used even more frequently.
This Greek word martuV doesn’t always mean one who dies for his faith. As a matter of fact, that is not the primary meaning of the word. Did you know that this word is used of God Himself? I’m not talking about Jesus, though it is indeed used of Jesus (Rev. 1:5; 3:14). It is also used of God the Father. 2 Cor. 1:23, "Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth." Phil. 1:8, "For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." We can be certain that God is not dead. Of course, Jesus died, but He rose again. The basic meaning of the word martuV is “witness,” “one who testifies.” The word is often used of the apostles, who were ordained to be witnesses to the resurrection.
So is there a great difference between these two meanings -- “witness” and “martyr”? At first, we say, “Yes, definitely. One is alive and the other is dead. Surely that is a great difference.” But let’s look a bit more carefully. Please turn to Acts 7. This chapter is all about Stephen. Stephen was one of those seven (deacons) chosen to handle the ministry to the widows so the apostles could give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. But Stephen also proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was opposed for doing so. Chapter seven is basically his defense, but he wasn’t satisfied to simply give a defense. He spoke the truth about Jesus and about the people to whom he was speaking. Let’s pick it up toward the end of the chapter and read Acts 7:47-60…
But Solomon built him an house. 48. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49. Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50. Hath not my hand made all these things? 51. Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53. Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Was Stephen a witness or a martyr? How is he referred to in this passage? The only place the word martuV is used in this passage is in verse 58. It is not Stephen who is a witness, but rather those who witnessed against Stephen. They were the first to take up the stones, as was specified in the law. But we are to confined to this passage. Let’s turn over to chapter 22, where Paul is recounting the story of his own conversion. Let’s read Acts 22:17-20…
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 18. And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
So was Stephen a witness or a martyr? The King James Version reads “martyr” (as do NKJV and NIV), but others translate it “witness” (ESV, NASV). Still others translated it “witness” with a footnote explaining that it could be translated “martyr.” It is this Greek word martuV. What do you think? Was he a witness or a martyr? Was he one who bore testimony? Or was he one who sacrificed his life for his faith? I suppose we could say he was both. Which was he first? First he was a witness, testifying of the Jesus he knew.
Let me ask you a question. What would Stephen have been if they hadn’t killed him that day? Suppose they had stoned him, but he survived, as was later the case with Paul (Acts 14:19). Would he have been a martyr? Not in the sense of the modern English word, but he would have been a martuV. Think about it with me. I think some of you are getting my point. Stephen’s actions were the same in either case. Whether or not he died was up to those to whom he witnessed. If they hadn’t killed him, would his witness have been any different? Not one bit. The killing was their part; the testimony was His part.
This is why David Witt has shared with us on more than one occasion that all Christians are to be martyrs. That is, we have been appointed by God to give witness to His Son. The apostles were appointed especially to give witness of the resurrection of Jesus. They had been with Him throughout His ministry, and they had seen Him after He rose from the grave. They were witnesses in a unique sense. Nevertheless, we are also witnesses of the resurrection. While we did not walk with Jesus on the earth as the apostles did, we have their witness in the Word of God. And though we don’t see the risen Christ with these physical eyes, He is just as real, for He lives within us! Oh yes, we are witnesses. Are we martyrs? In the sense of the Greek word martuV, we are indeed martyrs.
Will anyone kill us for bearing witness to Jesus? You may say, “No,” but we simply do not know. The answer to that question isn’t up to us. Jim Elliot and his missionary partners did not know they were going to be killed because of their testimony for Jesus. If they had not been killed, they would have been no less courageous in their testifying for Christ.
Now let’s think of it from another angle. Let’s read that very familiar passage in John 12:23-28a…
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28. Father, glorify thy name.
When Jesus spoke of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying, He was first of all referring to Himself. The time for His death had come. If He did not die, then all His teaching and miracles would mean little. Though people might be impressed, His mighty works would not bring life to anyone. But Jesus says, “If I die, much fruit will result.” In other words, through His death (and resurrection) Jesus would bring life to many. We who have His life are a testimony to that truth.
But Jesus wasn’t just talking about His own death. How do we know? Because of what we read in the next verse. Verse 25, “He who loves his life shall lose it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” This hating of one’s own life in this world is a dying to self. Compare what Jesus says in Matt. 16:25, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
Is this losing of life a literal physical death? Or is it a spiritual dying to self? That question is parallel to the other question we have been asking. Was Stephen a martyr or a witness? Stephen died to self before he died physically. He was a witness before he was a martyr (in the English sense of the word).
Please hear me. The word martuV is used in the sense of dying for one’s faith in Jesus. We find it used twice that way in Revelation and we also found that sense of the word in Acts 22:20, "And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him." When Paul speaks of Stephen’s blood, he is without question referring to his physical death, but again, before he died physically, he died to self. Stephen was not stupid. He was aware of the danger. He could have softened his message to protect himself, but he didn’t. Why not? Because he was dead to protecting his life and alive to being a witness for Jesus. In the English sense of the word, Jesus made Stephen a witness; his enemies made him a martyr. But in the New Testament sense of the word, he was a martyr long before they took his life.
Are you beginning to see? This death to self, this throwing away of self-protection and clinging to one’s own life is the greatest death. This is more important than physical death. Why do I say that? Because this is a death that Christ works in us. For the Christian, physical death is somewhat incidental. We know it’s coming, we just don’t know how or when. But it doesn’t matter because we know it’s purpose and we know what lies beyond. As Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
Someone might ask, “Are you willing to be a martyr?” That’s not the right question. A far better question is this, “Are you a witness for Christ?” Not, “Are you willing to be a witness,” but “Are you a witness.” Physical martyrdom will take care of itself. Would the Lord have been any less pleased with Stephen, if they had not killed him? Of course, not. It is the dying to self that sets us free to be a witness for Christ. Think about it. Once I have died to self-preservation, there is nothing anyone can do to me? After all, what can you do to a dead man? You can kill him, but he has no fear, because he has already died.
Do you see it? Every believer are called to be a martuV. Some will be killed for their witness and others will not. When we realize this truth and live it, we will find great unity with the persecuted church around the world. Right now they are living in great physical danger and we are not. But our situations are only separated by the outward circumstances. We are witnesses to the same death and resurrection of Christ. In that sense, we are all martyrs.
The difficulty is this -- many of our brothers and sisters in China and India and Afghanistan and other places are forced to find out if they have truly died to self-preservation. Persecution does that. We, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to deception. We can kid ourselves into thinking we are witnesses for Christ, even though we haven’t died to this self-preservation.
Let me make one thing crystal clear -- God has called every believer to be a witness for him. Of course, there is the old question, “Do I witness by the way I live or by the words I speak?” Yes, that’s right. Do you love your children with the way you live or the words you speak? Do you express your delight in your grandchildren by the way you live or by the words you speak? This idea that we witness by our lives and not our words is a lie from the devil. You talk about what you love, what is dear to your heart.
Someone will say, “Pastor, you are trying to put us on a guilt trip.” Please allow me to be blunt, “If you feel guilty because you don’t tell people about Christ, it is because you are guilty and what you are feeling is the conviction of the Spirit.” So am I trying to discourage you this morning? Not at all. What we need is repentance and encouragement. Don’t think those are opposites. They go hand in hand. When there is sin in our lives, there can be no true encouragement until we repent. We repent and run to Jesus, and there we find encouragement. If you are not a witness for Christ, repent. Then rejoice that He is able to change you. Cry out to Him and ask Him to do it for His glory.
Please allow me to read 1 Pet 5:6-11…
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
One of the ways the devil can devour you is by silencing your testimony. Resist the devil. Take heart, because you know that there are other brothers and sisters who are facing the same opposition, even great opposition. We are not alone in the fight to bear effective testimony for our Lord. We have brothers and sisters who are faithfully witnessing for him and tell us that Jesus is worth it, regardless of the cost. What encouragement. This is why Voice of the Martyrs is such a wonderful blessing for us. While we may be able to give some support to our persecuted brothers and sisters, their ministry to us is even greater because of the encouragement we find in them.
No comments:
Post a Comment