(Clip) Underground Church Meetings In America
E.A. Johnston urges believers to prepare spiritually, mentally, and practically for potential persecution in America by relying fully on God and staying steadfast in faith.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of being prepared for potential persecution, urging believers to be ready to adapt quickly to changing circumstances to avoid detection. It stresses the need for strategic planning, including having passports, being willing to relocate for God's work, and relying completely on the Holy Spirit. The message warns against hardening hearts during trials and persecution, highlighting the significance of maintaining faith and focus on Jesus amidst hardships and potential loss of material possessions.
Full Transcript
Be prepared to change the meeting of the location at a moment's notice to avoid detection by authorities. You may wish to attend the meetings by arriving at night and staggering the times of your arrival so that a large group doesn't show up at once. You may wish to arrive by bicycle so you can hide your bike in the bushes.
If you choose to drive, you may want a carpool and park several blocks away so not to draw attention to yourself. Hey, I know this sounds crazy to us now, but if tremendous persecution comes to America, this will be sound advice. Get a passport for every member of your family.
If you are forced to leave this country, if you don't have a passport, how will you get out? How will you get your children out? God is a global God. He may move you to Germany during that time to be a witness for him or to another country. You better be prepared to be on the go for God when he decides to move you.
Be prepared for anything. Prepare your heart for the coming persecution through a complete reliance upon the Holy Spirit in all things. Live in the center of the will of God now so you will be able to survive in the center of his will then.
When persecution comes, we must pay attention to the warning in Hebrews, harden not your hearts as in the provocation. We must be careful saints when trials come in the time of persecution not to grumble, not to harden our hearts when we lose everything. I cannot stress the importance of that because that will do damage to the cause of Christ.
We must heed the admonition of scripture while it is called today harden not your hearts. We must keep looking at him through the fire of persecution. That is critically important too.
Our eyes must be on Jesus throughout. Be prepared mentally and this is going to be so hard for us here in the west who have accumulated so much through our through the years and through our lives, but listen dear friends those of you everyone listening to me within the sound of my voice be prepared mentally to lose everything you have materially. Your home, your savings, your vehicles, everything all may be confiscated as an enemy of the state.
Be prepared to see your loved ones suffer pain, estrangement, loneliness, and want. Be prepared mentally for hardships. Second Timothy says to endure hardship as a good soldier.
A soldier gets accustomed to sleeping on the hard ground with no pillow. Jesus.
Sermon Outline
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I. Practical Preparations for Persecution
- Change meeting locations quickly to avoid detection
- Arrive at meetings discreetly and stagger arrival times
- Consider transportation methods to avoid attention
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II. Spiritual Readiness
- Rely completely on the Holy Spirit
- Live in the center of God's will now
- Keep eyes fixed on Jesus during trials
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III. Mental and Emotional Preparation
- Be ready to lose material possessions
- Prepare for suffering and loneliness
- Endure hardships like a good soldier of Christ
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IV. Global Perspective and Mobility
- Obtain passports for family members
- Be ready to move internationally if called
- Understand God’s global mission for believers
Key Quotes
“Be prepared to change the meeting of the location at a moment's notice to avoid detection by authorities.” — E.A. Johnston
“Live in the center of the will of God now so you will be able to survive in the center of his will then.” — E.A. Johnston
“When persecution comes, we must pay attention to the warning in Hebrews, harden not your hearts as in the provocation.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Prepare practically by having flexible plans and necessary documents like passports.
- Cultivate a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast during trials.
- Mentally and spiritually ready yourself to endure loss and suffering without bitterness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the speaker emphasize changing meeting locations?
To avoid detection by authorities during times of persecution and protect the safety of believers.
What spiritual attitude is necessary during persecution?
Believers must rely fully on the Holy Spirit, keep their hearts soft, and maintain faithfulness without grumbling.
Why is it important to have passports ready?
In case believers need to flee the country due to persecution, having passports ensures they can relocate safely.
What does 'endure hardship as a good soldier' mean?
It means to accept difficulties with perseverance and discipline, trusting God through trials.
How should believers mentally prepare for persecution?
By being ready to lose material possessions and to face pain, estrangement, and loneliness without losing faith.