When Opposition Looms

-
Screenshot of Luke 12:4-12 from esv.org
On December 9th I preached a sermon called, "When Opposition Looms," from Luke 12:4-12. A few days later the story broke about the Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, who was arrested December 9th and has been charged with subverting the government. In addition to him, there have been over 100 members of his church who have been arrested.

In anticipation of such an event, he wrote a piece that was to be published if he was detained longer than 48 hours. In reading it, it seems quite clear that he understands and fully embraces Jesus' words:

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell" (Luke 12:4-5, ESV).

I know little about the man, except what the article states. It seems the church is part of the Reformed Presbyterian Churches. It is a remarkable read and worthy of your time. Let us pray for him and the many others behind bars or under threat of it. May they stay faithful while this opposition falls upon them and may the Lord Jesus receive much honour as these folks "testify to earthly, momentary lives about heavenly, eternal life" (as Pastor Yi put it). 

Popular posts from this blog

Calvin on the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

-
Image
Photo: Google Images On Sunday I used a lengthy quote from John Calvin's commentary on the gospels. It comes as Calvin reflects on the purpose of the parables of the mustard seed and leaven. I wanted to post it here for further reflection and encouragement.   First, the parables (Luke  13:18-21)  are:  18  He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19  It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”  20  And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21  It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”  Here's what Calvin has to say: By these parables Christ encourages his disciples not to be offended and turn back on account of the mean [i.e. humble, contemptible] beginnings of the Gospel. We see how haugh...
Read more

The Essential Church

-
Image
Let's be sure to get one thing straight: the church is essential.  I came across a news report about Alberta's plans to introduce greater restrictions while avoiding full-on lockdown. The article did, however, mentioned a few voices calling for strict lockdown. One such group is called Masks4Canada, which, judging by the name, was formed within the last several months. The article included a copy of their open letter to Premier Jason Kenney. In it they brazenly call for the closure of indoor activities, including "places of worship." However, they later concede that "every effort should be made to keep elementary schools and daycares, which are essential services , open for in-person learning" (italics added).  And here we run into just one of the many problems facing us right now: who gets to decide what is considered essential and, therefore, worthy of making "every effort" to keep open?  Masks4Canada pops up out of nowhere and, with a seeming w...
Read more

The Looming Storm Surrounding Conversion Therapy

-
Image
There has been a storm quietly brewing for a few years in Canada. It is a storm that is now gaining considerable strength, with the clouds starting to burst very close to home. It is centred around the issue of so-called 'conversion therapy.' And with the passing of Bill C-6 in the House of Commons, it is all but assured to be a problem in coming days. [ Note: since publishing this, a new bill has since been passed, Bill C-4, which indeed criminalizes conversion therapy ] Conversion Therapy Origins Historically, conversion therapy referred to therapy that relied on pseudoscientific techniques in order to "convert" homosexuals (or bisexuals) back to heterosexuality. These techniques included things like hypnosis, castration, testicle transplants (yes, you read that correctly), electroshock, and lobotomies. Many who underwent such therapy did so against their wills. It was, of course, largely believed that homosexuality was aberrant in the 19th century, and when combine...
Read more