At least once each month, I give a sermon to some congregation in Pakistan via whatsapp. My partner there, Imitaz, translates for me.
As you may know, Christians there suffer great persecution: beatings, martyrdom, loss of homes, jobs, churches and pastors. The attempt to force them to return to the major religion includes torture, rape, imprisonment and sometimes death. Yet most stand firm.
To encourage them I gave a sermon called, “Is it worth it to be a Christian, especially in the face of persecution?” It gives 45 reasons for clinging to our faith in the face of fanatical pressure. Today I will share some of those reasons with you, and more tomorrow.
The contrast: what we were:
1. We were condemned criminals, trapped in the dominion of darkness
2. We were destined to spend eternity in Hell, far from all good.
3. We had no possibility of escape,
4. There was no meaning, no purpose, no hope and no future.
What we have: reasons to be grateful to be Christians, many of these reasons are found in Ephesians
Note that these Reasons are not found in any other religion or philosophy
1. A Genuine, powerful Savior Eph 1:3,
2. Unlimited blessings Eph 1:3
3. Being chosen before we were born Eph 1:4
4. Being Holy and blameless in his sight Eph 1:4b fully forgiven
5. Being a beloved child of God Eph 1:5
6. God is pleased to have us as his children Eph 1:5b
7. He has given us his grace, ie. giving us the opposite of what we deserve Eph 1:5c
8. We have True forgiveness of our sins, all spiritual debts paid in full. Eph 1:7
9. We have Holy Spirit living in us. Eph 1:13
10. We have the certainty of eternal life Eph 1:14
11. We have belonging, worth, competence, Eph 1:18-19
12. We have an all powerful Savior Eph 1:19b-23
13. We have New life in Christ Eph 2:4,5
14. We have purpose, Eph 2:10
15. We have a certain future Eph 2:6
Picture: the immeasurable riches we have in Christ are better than gold!