0322-Perplexed, Persecuted and Struck Down 心里作难、遭逼迫和受打压

2 Corinthians 4:8-9(NKJV) We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—Perplexed (Strong’s Concordance 639) aporeó/aporeomai means literally to be without a way or path. Thus not to know which way to turn, to be at a loss, to be uncertain, to be “dazed and confused”, to be in doubt, to be disturbed.

We can be perplexed but not in despair because we have a living hope and a covenant with our living God.

God has good plans for our lives. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, comforter and helper therefore He is able to teach us in every situation. He will lead and guide us to know what to do as we seek the face of the Lord. We choose to anchor our faith in the Word that God has given to us because in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Therefore, we are not moved by what we see, feel or experience because our faith is anchored in the Word. The Word of God gives substance to our faith. We refuse to be moved by the circumstances.

John 15:20 (NKJV) Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Persecuted (Strong’s Concordance 1377) diókó means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy – to chase, harass, vex and pressure.

We should not be surprised if we are persecuted for our faith and for acting in righteousness. The world and its darkness will not like light shining into it, revealing all the sins and ugliness of its practices, and therefore there will be persecution. Jesus had already told us that persecution is inevitable. Many of the early Christians and apostles were martyred because of this.

The Apostle Paul experienced shipwrecks, hunger, betrayals by false brethren, beaten by the rod, stoned, whipped twice 39 stripes and left to die for preaching the gospel. Yet, he was able to testify that he was not abandoned, forsaken nor left in despair because God was with him throughout all these different ordeals. He had experienced the power, the presence and the grace of God in his life. Therefore, Paul was able to speak with conviction these words. “We are hard pressed on every side, yet NOT CRUSHED; we are perplexed, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, BUT NOT DESTROYED” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV) (emphasis added).

Struck down (Strong’s Concordance 2598) kataballó means literally to cast down or to throw to the ground.

Most of us might not have been physically struck down by anyone but we would have experienced being undermined, “tripped up” intentionally or betrayed by close ones, business partners and friends. We may feel downcast because of the experience that we have had. Don’t add to your own stress by thinking that no one is able to understand what you are going through during your times of suffering, or that you need to keep everything to yourself because of privacy issues or your position in a company. We are all humans who need comfort, consolation and encouragement whenever we are hard pressed, persecuted, perplexed or struck down.

The good news is if the Lord is for you then you will not be destroyed. You can rise up again if the Lord is for you! Do not be discouraged and despaired because Jesus our High Priest who had gone through tremendous sufferings Himself, is able to empathize with you.

Sermon Series: I Believe Therefore I Speak

心里作难、遭逼迫和受打压

林后4:8-9 我们四面受敌,却不被困住;心里作难,却不至失望;遭逼迫,却不被丢弃。打倒了,却不致死亡。

困惑(心里作难)(Strong’s Concordance 639)aporeó/ aporeomai的字面意思是没有办法。 因此,不知道该转向哪个方向,茫然,不确定,变得“茫然与困惑”,疑惑,困扰。

我们可能会感到困惑,但不会感到绝望 因为我们有活泼的盼望 和一个与永生神所立的盟约。

上帝对我们的生命有美好的计划。 圣灵是我们的老师,安慰者和帮助者,因此,他能够在任何情况下教导我们。 当我们寻求主的面时,他将带领并引导我们知道该怎么做。 我们选择把信心锚定在上帝给我们的话语上。因为在希伯来书11:1(NKJV)中说:“现在,信心是所望之事的实底,是未见之事的确据。” 因此,我们的信心不会因眼见,感受或经历而动摇,因为我们的信心是锚定在圣经之上。 上帝的话语充实了我们的信心。 我们拒绝被环境动摇。

约翰福音15:20你们要记念我从前对你们所说的话:‘仆人不能大于主人。’他们若逼迫了我,也要逼迫你们;若遵守了我的话,也要遵守你们的话。

迫害(Strong’s Concordance 1377)diókó的意思是跟随或紧追,字面意思是指追赶逃敌人-追逐,骚扰,惹恼和施压。
如果我们因信仰和行公义而受到迫害,不要感到惊讶。 这世界和世上的黑暗不会喜欢让光照进它,不想让光揭露它所有的罪与丑行,于是就会有逼迫。 耶稣已经告诉我们迫害是不可避免的。许多早期的基督徒和使徒因此而殉道。

使徒保罗经历过海难,饥饿,假弟兄的背叛,被杖打,扔石头,两次鞭打39条条纹下,并因传福音而被弃之于死。 然而,他能够证明自己没有被遗弃,被抛弃,他也不绝望,因为在所有的磨难中上帝始终与他同在。 他在生命中经历了上帝的大能,同在和恩典。 因此,保罗能够坚定地说出这些话。 “我们四面受敌,却不被困住;心里作难,却不至失望。遭逼迫,却不被丢弃。打倒了,却不致死亡。”哥林多后书4:8-9(NKJV)

打倒了(Strong’s Concordance 2598)kataballó的字面意思是将其击落或扔在地上。

我们大多数人可能不曾遭受过身体上的殴打,却可能遭遇过暗算, 被亲近的人,业务合作伙伴和朋友故意“使绊子”或出卖。我们可能会因为过往的经历而感到沮丧。不要总想着没人能够理解你所经历的患难,也不要因为顾虑隐私或者在公司中的身份而把什么都闷在心里,这样只会给你自己增加压力。我们都是血肉之躯,当四面受困、遭遇逼迫、心中作难或遭受重击时,我们都需要安慰、开导和鼓励。

好消息是,如果主在你这边,那么你就不会被摧毁。 如果主在你这边,你可以再次站起来!不要灰心也不要失望,因为我们的大祭司耶稣亲身体验了巨大的痛苦,祂能体谅你的心情。

讲章系列:我因信所以如此说话