MEMORY SCRIPTURE
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 16:25)
The gift of martyrdom is the readiness to give one’s life for the Gospel’s sake as enabled by the Holy Spirit. Stephen and so many others are examples. We also have examples of martyrs in our contemporary world
DEVOTIONAL DAILY READINGS
Mon. 14: The Martyr Surrenders Totally (Matt. 19:27-29)
Tue. 15: The World Unjustly Hates Christians (John 15:18-25)
Wed. 16: The Mindset Of The Martyr (Php. 1:19-26)
Thur 17: The Lord Encourages His Disciples (Joh 16:31-33)
Fri. 18: The Cry Of The Martyrs (Rev. 6:9-11)
Sat. 19: Tribulation Of Martyrdom Is Incredibly Terrible (Rev. 7:1-10)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Jesus’ spilled blood and that of the martyrs are the fertilizer for the Gospel to germinate and reach the entire world. What would you do for Christ
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: MATTHEW 14:1-5; 16:24-27; JOHN 16:1-4; ACTS 7:54-60; 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8,17-18
Glory to God once again for the special privilege of benefitting from His Word on daily basis. May His name be exalted forever. Amen! The previous lesson featured extensively: THE GIFTS OF EXTREME SELF-DENIAL, and we were exposed to what these gifts are and what they represent in the body of Christ.
This week, the great Rabbi, through this lesson and the Sunday school teachers would be unveiling to us: THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF MARTYRDOM, another gift of self-denial. We are looking at the meaning, biblical examples and implications for the Church.
May we all be at the level of growth that God alone desires for us at the end of the lesson. Amen!
LESSON OUTLINE
- MARTYRDOM: THE GIFT EXPLAINED
- MARTYRS: FEW EXAMPLES
LESSON EXPOSITION
ARTYRDOM: THE GIFT EXPLAINED
(Matt. 16:24-27; Jn. 16:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:6-8,17-18)
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
(2 Tim.4:6)
a) Matt, 16:24-26: Jesus hasn’t minced words on the blessedness of believers losing their lives for His sake, and that underscores martyrdom. The true believer is ready to defend the course of the gospel, even in the face of death (cf. Rom. 1:16ff; 8:35ff).
b) Jn. 16:1-4 implies rejection and martyrdom. Jesus clarifies that time would come when unbelievers and His haters would deliberately be killing His followers thinking they offer God service (cf, Gal. 1:13,14).
c) VV. 1,4: Jesus says it; We should expect it. He has sent us His Holy Spirit to help us testify of Him, even under such ‘hellish’ condition, so to say (15:26,27).
d)Martyrs are those considered to have been: slain for the Word of God and 6 for the testimony which they held for Christ (Rev. 6:9). The gift is the divine enablement to undergo suffering and death for the Faith (2 Tim. 4:5-7). None is born with this gift but God grants it, as part of the allegiance, and as the need arises (cf. Lk. 12:11-12).
e) 2 Tim. 4:6-8,17-18: Paul’s valedictory words here show one who was ready for martyrdom (cf. Php. 1:19ff. He was eventually beheaded for Christ’s sake by Emperor Nero in AD64. Before and since then, lots of believers have been martyred through sawing, stoning, crucifixion, burning, etc.
f) Matt. 16:25: Are you ready to die for Christ? Martyrs live with the willingness /readiness to lose their lives for the Gospel’s sake to gain eternal life (cf. Php. 1:19ff).
g) v. 27: Those who aren’t ashamed to suffer and die for Christ’s sake (cf. Lk. 9:26) would be handsomely divinely rewarded (cf. Gal. 6:7ff; Eph. 6:8). Paul know this, hence his readiness to be poured out as a drink offering (2 Tim. 4:6,8,18).
MARTYRS: FEW EXAMPLES
(Matt. 14:1-5; Acts 7:54-60)
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”.
(Acts 7:59)
a) Matt. 14:1-5: John the Baptist fell out of favour with the wicked royal couple because of his godly stance. Are we surprised (2 Tim. 3:10ff)? Are you prepared for yours (Php. 1:29; 2 Tim. 4:5)?
b) vv. 9-12: Why these extrajudicial killing and disgrace? He stood for the truth. More importantly, his main assignment in life was to introduce Jesus to the world, which he had successfully done (n. 1:29ff). His time was up and must go home for eternal rest. The God-permitted way was martyrdom (cf. Psa. 115:3).
c) Yet, note that all through John’s persecution, there is no record of him insulting or cursing his persecutors-characteristic of gifted martyrs (cf. Acts 7:60).
d) Acts 7:54: Stephen’s offence was that he preached to his persecutors the bitter truth they didn’t want to hear, or be reminded of. Such people are still there till date (2 Tim. 4:1-5).
e) VV. 55-56: Gifted martyrs are emboldened to die for the Gospel’s Sake by the clear divine assurance from the Lord Jesus who would never abandon His, even in death (cf. Matt. 28:20).
f) vv. 57-60: Martyrs are enabled by the Spirit to go through the worst of deaths in their persecutors’ hands, for the Gospel’s sake, and take it in good faith (v. 60).
g) In- any case, please don’t wait to be part of the martyrs during the Great Tribulation, anchored by the Antichrist after the Rapture (Rev. 6:9 7:17). It would be SO unimaginably cruel and unbearable. Join the rapture train NOW (1 Thess. 4:13ff).
LESSONS DERIVED
- Martyrdom is a gift of the Spirit, and martyrs are extremely special gifts to the body of Christ.
- Whenever you feel discouraged, remember the salvation you freely enjoy was perfected through Jesus’ blood, and the martyrs gave their lives to reach you.
QUESTIONS
- Who is a martyr? Do you covet the spiritual gift of martyrdom?
- What should be the Christian’s reaction to persecutions?
