Temptations and Trials Luke 22 Vs 31-38

Church Announcements and Upcoming Events

Bible study that Pastor Iljin is leading. It's going to be taking place this coming Wednesday, October 2nd at 5 .30. Feel free to join. It's online and in person. So feel free to join. And then lastly we have a Praise and worship night on the 31st of October if you guys are interested at 6 o 'clock p .m.

It'll be here in the fellowship hall just songs and worship that Pastor Iljin and Lauren will be leading that night, so instead of Celebrating or participating in that worldly holiday. We could sing praises to God instead and that'll do it as far as announcements.

Opening Prayer and Worship Set

Dear Lord. Thank you for this day. You've given us Thank you for allowing us to be here and fellowship with other like-minded believers. In your name Lord. As we head into worship and sermon prepare our hearts Lord.

So that we are ready to hear the Word of God and to praise your name Lord before you. In your name we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

And this morning we're gonna our first song is is he will hold me fast. I think the title kind of explains. It's self-evident of what it is, but I wanted to read a few verses John 10 27 through 30 and it's my sheep hear my voice and I know them and They follow me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.

Neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My father who has given them to me is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one and for me, that's those are incredibly reassuring words, especially in the times that we live.

There's a lot of tumult in the world. But when you're in the center of fellowship being with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ It's absolute security. You don't need to worry about all that other stuff.

So let's stand together as we begin our service with he will hold me fast. Next song is great is thy faithfulness old hymn. That's many of you know and God is faithful. He's trustworthy. Let's sing that together.

John 21 and the Shepherd Heart of Christ

Today's scripture reading will come out of the book of John chapter 21 Verses 15 through 17. That is the book of John chapter 21 Verse 15 so when they had eaten breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter Simon the son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?

He said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said to him feed my lambs. He said to him again a second time Simon son of Jonah. Do you love me? He said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

He said to him tend my sheep. He said to him the third time Simon son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time Do you love me and he said to him Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you.

Jesus said to him feed my sheep. This is the Word of the Lord.

Just as I Am and the Cost of Following Christ

Let's stand together as we sing just as I am. I wanted to read the last verse in that as you rise Just as I am I come as I am praise God just as I am. I come broken to be mended I come wounded to be healed.

I come desperate to be rescued. I come empty to be field filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb, and I'm welcomed with open arms. Praise God. So let's bring sing just as I am.

This is a song we learned last week for the first time many of you. Many of us sung it for the first time smitten stricken stricken and afflicted and It's it's reflecting about our Savior what he went through on his journey to the cross and what he did to save us.

Tis the Christ by men rejected. Yes, my soul. It is he. He's the long-expected Prophet. David son, yeah. David's Lord. By his son God now has spoken. He's the true Faithful. Was there and Disowning foes insulting his distress.

But the deepest stroke that Justice.

Temptations and Trials in Luke 22:31-38

Let's turn to Luke chapter 22. Luke chapter 22 31 through 38. Luke chapter 22 31 through 38 and The Lord said Simon Simon indeed Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail and when you have returned to me strengthen your brethren.

But he said to him Lord I'm ready to go with you both to prison and to death. And he said I tell you Peter the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny Three times that you know me and he said to them When I sent you without money bag knapsack and sandals, did you lack anything?

They said nothing. Then he said to them but now He who has money a many money bag Let them take it and likewise a knapsack and he who has no sword let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that which That this which is written must be accomplished in me and he was numbered with the transgressors.

For the things concerning me have an end. So they said look Lord. Look here are two swords and he said to them it is enough. This is the word of the Lord. Let us pray Father we're grateful that we get to hear from you this morning.

Help us to experience your presence help us to delight in your presence and Help us to take in your word and help us see the value in your word more so than gold or silver and help us to be filled with your word and Father help us to be grateful of what Jesus went through for our sin that he would suffer the wrath that we deserved so that we may live and Thank you that we worship the risen King in his name.

We pray Amen so this Passage is the last discussion passage at the Passover dinner it is right before his betrayal and This is what Jesus wanted his disciples to know before he suffered on the cross for their sake and The theme of this passage is has to do with temptations and trials right, the first half is the certainty of Peter who will face Satan's temptation to deny Jesus three times and Then the next one is the disciples necessity to prepare for what is coming with the reality of Serving the crucified Messiah.

Now temptations and trials are Not a popular Topic in our culture. And also, it's not a popular topic in the church's culture because oftentimes the world's culture seeps into the church's culture. In fact one would say that our culture idolizes comfort right.

You deserve to be comfortable, right? That's that seems like the ad that you hear. Oh whether you hear from a pharmaceutical company to a vacation spot. Comfort right living your life in the most comfortable way possible.

Right you you deserve to feel good. In fact, we live in a Country where if someone makes you not feel good by the words, they say it's suddenly a hate speech. Right in certain countries. That's criminal but That's just a natural fruit of idolizing comfort you have just gone against my God.

Which is my comfort? We have horrible allergies to hardship and suffering and that includes temptations and trials. Those are just too unnatural and this idea is even prevalent in the church, unfortunately.

You will meet a lot of young people who grew up in the church but have left Christ because of some trial and They may have been legitimate in trials. I do not want to minimize people's trauma and trials that they go through.

Trials are hard. They can be violent they can be unjust and they can be just outright wicked and This is not to say that trials are new to the church in fact trials and suffering have been part of the church's DNA since its founding yet.

Modern Christians are often disappointed when they face hardship because of their allegiance to Christ. Ironically the only person we cannot blame is Christ himself. Because Jesus never promised the trouble-free life.

When you trust him Jesus has never promised you Best life now that is What Joel Osteen sells you for his book? Jesus has never promised you most comfortable life now. In fact when you take a look at Jesus life Comfort is probably the last thing you would see and He bids his disciples to follow him.

Today's discussion will show that Jesus has warned his disciples to prepare to be rejected. Just as he will be rejected. The main point of today's text is how must we face testing when we follow the suffering Messiah?

How must we face testing when we follow the suffering Messiah first? When Satan attempts to destroy us our only hope is Jesus's redemptive intercession. When Satan attempts to destroy us our only hope is Jesus's redemptive intercession.

Intercession for those of us who are unfamiliar with this term is Someone Praying or requesting on behalf of another right someone who comes in between you and God and intercedes prays for you and In our case Jesus will be the only intercessor.

So the discussion here actually becomes more serious as Jesus's betrayal and death draw near and The Lord said Simon Simon indeed Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. What is odd is rather than focusing on his own fate Jesus tenderly cares for his own flock.

Simon Simon this repeated name shows that Jesus is serious. His tone Is serious. Listen up Simon, I'm not here to joke around Simon Simon. Jesus omnisciently knows what Simon Peter will face in this cosmic battle.

Simon Peter's life is at risk. Sifting is an agricultural metaphor. Right sifting Peter as wheat is actually rather graphic if you ever sifted for grains right, there's a Container or a tool with small holes, but it breaks apart the grains that are being sifted.

So that the grains remain and the chaff go away, but you can see how what happens to the grains they are torn in pieces right. So if we want to take this modern view of it just just if Peter is like wheat then Satan sifting means Satan will take Peter apart.

He He will tear Peter apart. Just as the wheat heads fall off when sifted Satan intends to tear Peter apart totally destroy him and Remember this is Peter Peter Simon Peter. He's the outgoing the most vocal Apostle, right?

He will say all the right answers first, but he will also yell out the wrong answers, too. Right if anyone falls and it's noticeable it would be Peters fall. Right. Now we need to understand the nature of this cosmic battle first.

Jesus knows how this battle will end. At no point is Jesus ever caught off guard by Satan's plan. Right, Jesus doesn't say I Just got the news. Simon, this is serious. We don't know what plan we have but he's about to get you All right.

That's not what Jesus said. Second Satan has to make requests to God. What this means is Satan is not equal to God. Satan is lesser. He's the weaker opponent. Jesus not only is aware of Satan's plan, but he is also sovereign over even Satan.

What this means is Satan cannot possibly beat Jesus. He has zero percent. Now, how does Jesus respond? But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail and when you have returned to me strengthen your brethren.

There are two parts to Jesus response. The first is that Jesus prayed for Peter and this is crucial. The God of this universe personally prayed for one of his flock Simon's Peters case. Simon Peters case was not handed off to some other attorney or an archangel.

Although he could have. This was not Jesus response, don't worry Peter. I know just the right guy who could handle your case. Right. I'm obviously preoccupied with saving the universe. After all he's going to be dying on the cross.

There are some greater things in mind than just one person soul. Yet here we see the king himself interceded on behalf of Peter's faith. God himself intervened prior to the most important and crucial and even excruciating event in history the crucifixion and the resurrection.

What this tells us is to Jesus. Peter's faith was worth pausing to pray for. Even when he himself was headed to the cross. The question is how much do we prioritize our brothers and sisters faith in their time of trial when we are not facing the cross.

The prayer looks at the big picture. This is not that Peter would live a perfect life without sinning, right? This that's not what not fail means it actually means that ultimately Peter's faith will endure until the end.

Right, although Peter's faith may drop temporarily that's not the end. Right. That's not how Peter's life will end his faith will get back up to strengthen his brothers. His faith will rebound it will bounce back it will return.

Ultimately Satan's plan fails because Jesus prays for Peter. Now what's. What may be expected is that instead of trusting Jesus's prayer Peter decides to trust in himself. Lord. I Am ready to go with you both to prison and death.

Here Peter is aware that Jesus is about to face death. This is not just some Hypothetical it may happen in the future discussion. Peter knows what Jesus knows after all Jesus had said it over and over again.

Peter knows it is a serious Event that's coming that Jesus is risking his life. Second Peter, however would rather lean on his own strength. Lord, I am Ready to go with you both to prison and to death.

I'm ready. I'm ready to face whatever you're facing. Third under the reality and intensity of The true trial at hand. Peter's strength will indeed fail and knowing what will happen. Jesus predicts. Exactly that I tell you Peter the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know me.

Jesus's prediction directly challenges Peter's Confidence. Peter's denial will not be some time in distant future, but rather Jesus says it's gonna be this very night. After all roosters crow when it is still dark before the dawn approaches.

Not only will Peter deny Jesus once but it will happen three times. Jesus is aware of both the general and specific parts of the events that will ensue. What that means is there's no detail of history or future in which Jesus misses.

There's no Moment that Jesus just skims over his meticulous care. Covers all of history and when we consider this when Satan attacks Christians It's important to remember none other than the king himself prays for us.

Not Mary not angels. If you belong to Christ the king himself will intercede a couple of things this tells us about Jesus. First Jesus is not repulsed by our weakness. Human Kings human governors human presidents.

Will choose one of their strongest followers. To be in their cabinet. It's the courageous and the bold ones. When the campaign seemed like failing who will become the Secretary of State the press secretary and In fact, I don't know how often they are willing to intercede for their cabinet members when they have weak moments.

Rather they would ask for their resignation the moment there is a downward trend. However, King Jesus sees our weakness and he is not disgusted by it. But rather he is in fact activated to pray our moment of weakness Doesn't drive away Christ.

But our moments of weakness or What precisely. Drove him to pray for our faith. After all his omniscient. He knows what's gonna happen in the future and This has to give us confidence not in our own strength, but in our Savior's strength.

Not in our own prayers, but in our Savior's prayers. If Jesus himself prayed for us. What could possibly separate us from the love of God. And this passage is even more crucial. Considering the fact that he was about to be crucified and face the wrath of God for our sake his prayer request consisted of his disciples.

That Peter would bounce back from his moment of cowardice and doubt and strengthen the others. He prayed to his father that even Peter's temporary moment of failure would be used to strengthen the church.

If Jesus took care to pray for Peter before his very death. How much more is he willing and does he pray? Even in our frailest moments. When he has risen and reigning from above. And when we take a look at Peter's response, we ought to see it as a negative example this text tells us Peter's response is not the response to follow.

Instead of trusting in our own strength. We must trust in our Savior. And this is also true even after we fail. After all we would be lying. If Peter is the only Christian to ever have failed Christ. To deny Christ to have a moment of cowardice.

To say the wrong thing. To not speak up to. To sin when we knowingly knew not to. The temptation is that we look to ourselves with self-hatred after we fall. How could we deny Christ like that? How could I sin against the innocent Lord once again as if our strength wherever it's sufficient to resist Satan and our Sinful desires we go back to our strength to rely on the redemption of our souls.

We're leaning on our own strength rather than the faithfulness of our Savior. And when we dwell in the feeling of guilt and condemnation after sinning We're still Walking the same path. We're still choosing to rely on our own righteousness.

Rather than Christ's accomplishment on the cross. Right when we go back to Jesus and say we'll do better this time. That's relying on ourselves not only that consider the beautiful promise of Hebrews 7 25.

Wherefore Jesus is able to save them to the uttermost That come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession intercession for them. Wherefore Jesus is able to save Completely anyone who comes to God through him.

Because he lives to make intercession for them. This is Spectacular. The reason why none of us Is condemned at any time. The moment we sin. The reason why we don't experience the fire of hell that burns eternally.

The moment we sin against God is because Jesus lives and He doesn't just live for himself. The reason That his resurrection is so glorious is because he is living and as a living Lord as the living king of everything he makes intercession.

He prays for you in one sense. That's what he lives for and not just once. None other than Jesus the Son of God. God the Son prays for you. Not just once but continually. Because we don't just send once we send continually.

Because he lives forever to intercede for you. You will not plunge down into the fire of hell any moment. But that you are lifted up By Christ in his intercession. And whether we've sinned or before we sinning when we're tempted or after we've fallen into temptation.

The only thing we must trust in is Jesus words. Not our strength the words that come out of his mouth the promises of full restoration and the prayers that he prays on our behalf. And. Here are a few verses from the classic hymn that really illustrates this.

Well right before the throne of God above. Before the throne of God above I have a strong a perfect plea a Great high priest whose name is love whoever lives and pleads for me skipping a verse. When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within.

Upward I look and see him there who made an end to all my sin. Don't lean on yourself when you are tried. Don't lean on yourself after you've fallen. Don't look to yourself. After you sin look up to Christ who pleads for you.

Preparing for Rejection and Ministry in a Hostile World

Now, how does Christ's suffering change the nature of ministry? When we identify with the suffering Messiah, we must prepare ourselves to be rejected by this world. When we identify with the suffering Messiah, we must prepare ourselves to be rejected by this world.

From Peter. Jesus addresses the rest of the disciples. When I say you without money bag knapsack and sandals, did you lack anything? This is his reference to Luke 9 3 when Jesus first commissioned the twelve apostles to go out right to To heal people through miracles and also to proclaim the kingdom of God that has come and They were back then specifically commanded to not take all the stuff that they need for the mission but minimally travel.

Solely rely on God. And to this question they reply they like like nothing, right? And as the crucifixion is approaching Jesus gives them a new command. But now he who has a money bag let him take it and likewise a knapsack and he who has no sword Let him sell his garment and buy one.

The money bag was the purse that carried. Whatever money that you have so that you actually can buy for food. And other necessities that you may encounter during your travel your mission trip a. A knapsack would allow them to carry more stuff for their ministry extra garments, right?

Extra sandals. And what stands out here is the command to obtain a sword. Culturally Christians tend to be more peaceful in the least resistant, right? Let me tell you the French Revolution really the bloodiest revolution.

Other than the communist revolution that followed. That wasn't that wasn't done by the Christians, right. They were secularists. They rejected God they were atheists. What about cut the communist revolution?

Communists are by definition atheists. Christians don't revolt. They haven't right. So when you take a look at that, it's a puzzling thing to interpret like obtain a sword. And of course that would have been their Weapon for self-defense, right?

First I do want to go over that the command to obtain a sword cannot be symbolic and The reason is because it wouldn't work for money bag and knapsack. Right, it's just There is not a symbolic money bag or knapsack that Jesus is commanding them to take.

Jesus obviously is telling them they need to prepare even in advance before they go out for the gospel. Because they'll need those things. So it wouldn't make sense to read just the sword symbolically.

Also, we we cannot be allegorizing historical narratives because then the sword can mean anything you want it to mean, right? If you allegorize historical narratives, you can say it can mean anything.

And everything there's no control and that's called eisegesis. Second the sword cannot mean the means of overthrowing the authority like Roman the religious leaders after all when Peter slices off a religious leader servants here in the very close passage Jesus rebukes him and heals the ear.

Right if Jesus meant the sword to be used to fight against the authorities who are Trying to arrest Jesus. Jesus clearly did not show that and it took me a while. So what does it mean to purchase a sword?

I Had to discuss with my mentor pastor Warren about this through text on a Friday night. So I'm stuck it can't be symbolic because that that's not what the text is saying, but obviously I'm not gonna preach out here to you to say go buy yourself a Glock and meet me by the Capitol.

Because that's obviously not what Jesus meant with how we see the sword used. So consider the context of Jesus's discussion. He's about to suffer and die. He will be scorned and mocked and he will be hated and publicly humiliated.

After the crucifixion anyone who has heard about Jesus will have a Shocking image of mind if they have not already trusted him. They would have been quite repulsed or confused by him. Right, that is quite different from the context of Luke 9 where people did not know what Jesus came to do.

What that means is after the crucifixion. And his ascension really when he departs that will change how the disciples are viewed and treated. The followers of the suffering Messiah will not be readily welcomed.

But heavily and skeptically questioned. The world will reject Jesus's disciples just as they rejected him. When Jesus was performing miracles around Luke 9 people loved him crowds followed him but Before the crucifixion after the crucifixion, you'll see the disciples will be kicked out of synagogues.

In fact, it would be the crowd that yells. I crucify him crucify him, right? There is a whole change in the context before the crucifixion and after. This means the sword is for their protection. The disciples traveled on foot.

They walked a lot. They had to go far they walked through wilderness and back then there were bandits on the road and In order to continue preaching the gospel in the unsafe and Christ opposing world.

That has even become more pronounced after the crucifixion and the resurrection. The disciples had to prepare themselves for any circumstances. Which also meant defending themselves after all if they get killed on the road.

That the gospel doesn't go out can you imagine if the 11 Apostles Who are strengthened in the twelfth one who comes. If they just all get killed by the bandits before the gospel goes out. Right, the gospel wouldn't have spread.

It's one thing to be martyred after proclaiming the gospel. Which can bring a lot to faith and you know what the 11 of the 12 would be martyred for the gospel. It's another to be killed in cold blood on the journey to preach the gospel without having preached it.

Jesus calls them to prepare. Not for their own comfort sake but rather so that the gospel may be preached. Right. There is a goal. The goal here is not. So you may feel powerful and influential but rather.

There will be opposition be prepared to face them. But you better go out you got to go out and why are their circumstance changed? Well first for 37. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in me and he was numbered with the transgressors transgressors.

For the things concerning me have an end. Jesus tells them what will change when he is crucified resurrected and ascended and he quotes Isaiah 53 12. He was numbered with the transgressors. He was counted as one of the transgressors sinners criminals and If you know of Isaiah, well, Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest passages that shows the Messiah's suffering.

Now in ancient Judaism it was not at all clear that the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 would have to be the Messiah after all consider the early Passages of Isaiah regarding the Davidic King. He will rule with the Spirit of the Lord.

Right. He his reign will know no end. Vastly expansive and eternal. That's the that's what Isaiah speaks of the Davidic Messiah the Christ. But we get to chapter 53 and there is this servant figure. Who is dying.

For someone else's sin. Right. He will be pierced for others sin and this that so that the servants wounds. By the servants wounds that they may be healed. The servant takes the place of the sinners and the sinners will be forgiven by God.

This is the clear picture of the substitution substitutionary atonement. Someone else dies on your behalf. And for the Jews, they always question who is this guy? Because their mind in their mind the Davidic Messiah is the conquering King.

So who is this servant. Is this another guy. Is this the Prophet. Is this collective Israel. But even in ancient Judaism, they knew it had to be some guy who dies for their sin. Now in order for this to all occur.

This innocent servant will be treated with the lawless criminals although never committing any sin he will be treated like a sinner and When Jesus comes He connects the two dots together. The suffering servant who dies to save his people is precisely the promised Messiah who has come to save.

He conquers and saves. And not by the might of his sword. But through the sacrificial blood spilt for his people the Messiah delivers his people just as promised in the earlier Isaiah chapters, but unexpectedly through his own death.

Now that revelation actually shook Judaism in the first century. That's what split, right? The Jews. From Christians, they couldn't fathom. That's that's the Messiah. Right. That's why they got kicked out of synagogues.

When they started preaching yes, and and that Messiah the Messiah who's come to save you deliver you from all forms of oppression especially sin. That's Jesus. He died on the cross for you. He was crucified and then they said get out of here or we'll kill you.

Get out of the synagogues yet. That was God's ordained way to save his people. Jesus fulfills Isaiah 53 precisely through his death his deliverance comes. Only when he is delivered to die and with that in mind his disciples will no longer be warmly welcomed by all.

They will be persecuted and rejected just as many have rejected Christ. And this is the change in circumstance that warrants the change in command for ministry. The disciples must be prepared to face challenges coming ahead and with that said the disciples find two swords and Jesus says that's that's enough and This command to prepare is important for a couple of reasons.

One. Despite the upcoming trials and rejections Jesus disciples must still engage the world. As much as I love Amish foods and their lifestyle. That is not the command to seclude yourselves in a community where no one disagrees with you and live completely different and away from the world.

Not having a phone is not a command from Jesus. Never engaging unbelievers is not a command from Jesus and This this also goes with Catholic monasteries. What do these monks do they go up in their mountains and they just read scripture all day great.

But they don't encounter the world right. Jesus did not command thus right just live up in the mountain hidden until I come back. Okay, the world's gonna be really hard. You'll be safe though. We're in your own little community.

Second Jesus did not send his disciples unprepared. Now just hope that these strangers will treat you well and provide you with all that you need. That's not what he said. No, this world has rejected me and it will reject you to prepare for some rough times ahead.

Don't be naive. Don't go into the world thinking you'll be welcomed after sharing the gospel sharing that You are a sinner and you need to be saved or you will experience eternal condemnation. Don't don't naively think that people will say please have dinner with us now and tell me more.

Right. I'm in fact Braden told me yesterday. He shared with his neighbor that like you're a sinner and if you Live like this you you'll be experiencing hell. There's a huge chance. He might not hear back from his neighbor again.

But but that's the thing Jesus prepares us. For this world that has rejected him and will reject us, too the world still needs to hear that God became man and Died to save the world and he rose from the dead and it will be rough to identify with this humiliated rejected Messiah and Jesus says prepare yourselves now.

Christians Can be easily discouraged by trials and rejections. Living faithfully is actually never a smooth ride. There are obstacles to faithful ministry and when I say ministry, I'm not saying vocational ministry, right?

Yes, I see Missionaries and you know you hear from missionaries. They they have experienced some really hard events or Pastors for some reason it seems like every pastor's wife has some sort of health problem all the time, right?

That's no accident. I'm talking about just any time you're Living faithfully to represent Christ. Well. Any one of you who trust Christ? That's what you'll face. You'll face obstacles. And especially new believers need to hear this.

Christianity is not a walk in the park because the world has rejected Christ and you're proclaiming to the world. This is my king. I imagine how the world will respond to that. And this is Jesus's exhortation to his followers to prepare.

To be rejected because he also was rejected. Christians need to be prepared to face trials and obstacles because we serve the suffering servant Messiah who also was publicly rejected and humiliated. And the question we have to ask is how could his own servants expect to be any better?

Than when their masters have suffered thus. And when you follow Christ prepare for social ostracization. Uh, your friends and family may look at you oddly. You may get fewer invitations. Yet continue to proclaim the gospel even if it means you lose yet another friend because Jesus told us.

That's what we need to prepare for. There are obstacles ahead to living faithfully and for us. It's not the lack of bread. But rather it's the lack of friends. Prepare for that. And when you follow christ prepare for government crackdowns.

Our nation has often protected religious freedom and um worship for centuries. That's actually not the norm in history nor the world. We have brothers and sisters around the world who risk their lives just to proclaim christ.

And who risk their lives to gather in worship physically? And who will be persecuted by their own government if they were to minister. Many faithful chinese churches have gone underground because they have refused to marry communism and christianity together.

Right to have the picture of mao. And the cross right next to each other. Because that would actually defile christ. And they they have to gather underground. They have to gather secretly. They can't publicly advertise on a billboard.

Meet at 9 a .m. For our worship service. They'd get killed. And we're not too far behind in our nation. In which the government will attempt to censor what is preached and practiced. Churches may lose their tax exemption status depending on what they believe and teach.

Churches may even be fined for preaching the true gospel, which is offensive to the world that is perishing. Yet when you truly identify with christ the suffering servant, we must prepare ourselves for some rough days ahead.

I know people bank on the rapture. But many people have been banking on the rapture for centuries if not millennia. There's no guarantee that uh. There's no guarantee that the rapture would happen just right before america starts to suffer.

It seems like we're always one election away yet when you truly identify with christ. You will be with christ. Even through the hardship. And if we lose the tax exam status and we have to sell the building to go underground.

So help us god. Make sure you have the church directory to know which living room we're meeting in. Churches in america must have this discussion sooner rather than later. Better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.

And lose a sunday of worship. What to do when the government attempts to censor what is taught? What to do when the government ceases to protect religious freedom. A very uh. Famous hymn. A very simple hymn.

I think portrays this well. I have decided to follow jesus. It's repetitive. It's simple. Even I can memorize the lyrics. But here it is. I have decided to follow jesus. The world behind me the cross before me the world behind me the cross before me.

No turning back. No turning back. That's that's the summary of the discussion here. Through the temptations through the trials that are about to come because you identify with the suffering messiah. Will you be prepared.

Will you be prepared until he does come back. Let us pray. Father we're grateful that we follow the suffering messiah who died on our behalf that he would suffer the wrath. That we deserved so that we may be free and forgiven and adopted into your family just by believing.