The Seed of the Church (Acts 8:1-3)
Introduction
The events leading up to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, August 24th, 1572.
Review
God's purpose in furthering our faith and the faith of others in suffering and persecution.
Exposition
The gospel has only one of two effects, conviction or rage. What is God's purpose in the latter?
1. Persecution reveals the preciousness of heavenly things to those on earth.
The people are forced to make the choice of Moses (Heb 11:26).
2. Persecution scatters the seed of God's word.
See Acts 8:4-8, 11:19-21, 1:8.
3. Persecution makes God's ministers a flame of fire.
See John 5:35, 'He was a burning and a shining light.'
Conclusion
What happened, then, to the scattered and persecuted Huguenot remnant after St. Bartholomew's Day, 1572?
1. Some gave themselves up to the persecution.
2. Some fought the persecution with swords.
3. Many fled the persecution and scattered the seed of faith.
'And therefore, now he says in our test, 'Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye
men of Israel. I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer is the
Holy One of Israel'' (Isa 41:14). |
