sermonindex.net Simulcast 2012: Learning From the Church in China
E.A. Johnston emphasizes the resilience and faith of the Chinese church amidst persecution, contrasting it with the complacency of Western Christianity.
This sermon contrasts the state of the church in China, where believers face persecution and suffering as part of following Christ, with the church in the West, which has drifted from God's presence due to arrogance and lack of true power. It emphasizes the humility and dedication of Chinese believers who live out their faith in challenging circumstances, in contrast to the comfort-seeking attitude in the West. The message calls for a return to true worship and readiness to endure suffering for Christ, drawing a parallel between the East and West in their approach to faith.
Full Transcript
Jesus said, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. In China, he is building his church with those who have counted the cost and understand that persecution and suffering is part and parcel of following Christ. Jesus has built his church in China for no denomination can lay claim to it, no man can boast of it, for Christ alone has built his church and all we can do is stand back and say, this is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.
In the West, we have grieved God's manifest presence away from our sanctuaries with our arrogance and pride and corporate sins to such a degree that Ichabod hangs on many church doors advertising the fact that the glory has departed. We in the West have a form of religion, but not the power thereof. In China, the underground church is imbued with power from above.
We in the West listen to a sermon. The Chinese live the sermon. We worship in churches with expensive sound systems.
They gather in caves and worship in prison. We do everything we can to be as comfortable as we can. They do everything they can to live uncomfortably for him.
East and West, two extremes. The East can teach the West how to live on her knees. Don't miss the sermon index conference in October on the church and coming persecution.
Be prepared to suffer for him because he has suffered for you.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The foundation of the church in China
- Persecution as a part of faith
- Christ's ownership of the church
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II
- Contrast between Western and Chinese churches
- The presence of God's power in China
- The emptiness of Western worship
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III
- Living out faith versus merely hearing it
- Comfort versus sacrifice in worship
- Lessons from the Chinese church
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IV
- The call to prepare for suffering
- Understanding the cost of discipleship
- The importance of humility in faith
Key Quotes
“Jesus said, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — E.A. Johnston
“We in the West have a form of religion, but not the power thereof.” — E.A. Johnston
“Be prepared to suffer for him because he has suffered for you.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Embrace discomfort in your faith journey as a means of growing closer to Christ.
- Seek to live out your faith actively rather than passively listening to sermons.
- Prepare your heart for potential suffering as a testament to your commitment to Christ.