If Christians Are Under Attack... 

If Christians feel they’re being persecuted, maybe they should STOP PERSECUTING EVERYONE ELSE. I love Jesus. But, it’s not my job to shove my interpretation of his teachings down anyone’s throat.

In the US, Christian persecution is when you're being told not to persecute a marginalized group of people.

Before you can believe that someone is a Christian, see how the ones calling themselves a Christian follow the teachings of Christ.

Feeling persecuted and being persecuted are not the same!!

I think a lot of "Christians" are confused between Persecution and crossing boundaries with others. I myself am a follower of Jesus, and I've never felt persecuted. Thanks Rev Ed. Appreciate You.

Christianity is under attack more from the inside than from anything from the outside. The more they stray from the teachings of Christ, the more they lose their own members. And the more the people outside the church point out the problems within the church (especially as the Christians try to enforce their beliefs on others more than they do on themselves.) I love that the apostles point out that Christians will be persecuted. But I'd rather be persecuted for sticking to how I respond with love, rather than trying to impose my "rules for living" on others. How God might see me is more important than how many people I've forced to live by my rules.

He was abandoned by those who said they loved Him.

Off the top of my head, there is only one everyday Christian I can think of who was persecuted for her faith. She was arrested for giving out sandwiches to homeless people after being warned not to.

I'm going to listen to this entirely, but how is the most prolific church under attack. Christianity is basically writing laws and deciding court cases in the US. I truly fear for this country if djt wins the election.

If, as a Christian, you have had your child attacked or house burned down, you have been persecuted. If, as a Christian, you have been chased down and locked in a cage or tied to a stake, you have been persecuted. If, as a Christian, you have had your children removed to be "reprogrammed" by others, you have been persecuted. If, as a Christian, you have had your home, belongings, and your security removed by authority, you have been persecuted. If, as a Christian, you feel persecuted, look at the history of things DONE IN GOD'S NAME to less fortunate people... When you have suffered as much as those who have suffered through Christian "Evangelical pursuits", you can claim persecution.

If I'm not allowed to bully you, then I am under attack.

I consider myself Christian, but I've never, ever felt persecuted for my beliefs. Does that mean I'm not a "real" Christian?😉 I didn't learn about Christ from church. I learned from my mother. My mother was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas in the 1950s, until they came out vehemently against school integration and against the Civil Rights movement. She quit going for that reason and never went back, before I was born in 1961. She taught me to know Christians by their "fruits", and to her, Rev. MLK was a Godly man. Not a perfect man, but one who loved God and his fellow humans. She held him up as an example of how we are expected to do the right things no matter how hard it is. I'm not very devout, but I practise the simple truths my dear Momma taught me. "Before you act or speak, ask yourself, 'Is it true? Is it kind?' If the answer is 'NO', then keep your mouth shut and your hands in your pockets, and just smile." She also mentioned that a person going inside a church doesn't make them a Christian any more than a person walking into a garage makes them a car. I miss my sweet mom, she'd be 104 if she was still with us. She went through life with love in her heart in spite of the cruelty she experienced as a child. She was orphaned at age eleven, but her father's family would not help her and her siblings so they went to an orphanage in the 1930s. Her mother, my grandmother, was mixed race. I was told all my life that my grandmother was "Cherokee", but that was a lie. I recently found that she wasn't, and her family was Welsh with black hair, brown skin, and dark eyes. When I can afford it, I want to get my son's and my DNA analyzed to see if it uncovers answers for us. My brother, who hasn't spoken to me since 2015, is a bigot and he told me not to submit DNA for genealogy, because he "talked to other family" and they have all agreed not to. Why not? What does he want to remain hidden?🤔 I knew nothing about Welsh people, but after reading some history I've learned that my family's dark features could possibly be from N. Africa and/or Iberia. Knowing what a bigot he is, he's probably scared that we might have a couple drops of African DNA!😂 Personally, nothing would make me happier than to know I'm not "pure white" (Whatever TF that means). I've always been grateful to my grandmother, I figure she's the reason I tan easily and not burn. I never got to meet my beautiful grandmother who died young in 1932, but I'm proud of her and the sacrifices she made for her children. They were very poor, never even had shoes until they went to the orphanage. She gave her children a wonderful gift though, she taught them to sing four part harmonies and taught them every song she knew! My uncle became a professional gospel singer and composer, and some of my happiest memories are of family reunions at a state park campground back in the 1960s, when all those siblings got together in the evening under the ancient live oaks and sang the old hymns, funny songs, and scary murder ballads that their Momma taught them long ago. We knew when cousin Dale brought out his guitar, the evening was about to become very entertaining! BTW, as we were loudly singing Gospel praises, did any other campers complain or tell us to STFU? Nope, but my family welcomed anyone who wanted to to join us!😇🤪 Besides, after singing a song like "The Old Rugged Cross", the next song might be the funny and slightly naughty song about a burglar and an old maid who threatens to blow his head off with her pistol if he doesn't marry her. Good Times!😊

I’ve noticed those who feel persecuted are those who tell others their way of life is wrong (divorce, LGBTQ, atheist). They think someone telling them to stop judging them is persecuting them. Like it’s taking away their 1st amendment. Those who just live happily and let others live happily don’t have the same perception of persecution.

I am Christian, and I do not feel under attack or persecuted in any way. I do not shove it in others faces, I keep my faith between me and the only one who needs to know - God. Those who feel "attacked" are most likely far-right conservatives, possibly nationalists, and use this as a bullhorn to scream their narrow-minded views. You can disagree all you want, but if you feel persecuted, then you are bringing it upon yourself by pushing it down others throats. Focus on your own life and live by His word, don't bludgeon others with it.

If someone can take away your faith, you don't have real faith. You put your faith in God. Right is right, even if wrong has the majority voice. I saw a video the other day, where a woman said that God needs our help to get Trump re-elected. I wonder if she really thinks Democrats can stop God's will. Not much faith exhibited there.

Hindus Say "All that Exists is One-People Call that One By Different Names".

Rev Ed Trevors, I am withnessing the words of Christ through you. I am hearing you through Christ. You are also withnessing Christ by caring for his flocks. God bless you pastor and your church of Christ.

In Evangelicals living in the States the whole concept of Christianity under attack is about power, not suffering for your faith. Specifically political power. I believe that is what Trump is promising.

If anything we here in the West and especially we here in the United States have had it really easy to be Christians. We have not been persecuted and in reality if we are persecuted it is as you say because we are Christians because we follow and do what Jesus said.

On Good Friday after our service I met a lady who was from a Baptist church, and she and her husband had come to our church because theirs didn’t have a service. They skipped from Palm Sunday to Easter. The problem is that Easter doesn’t make sense without Good Friday. A triumphalist approach to Christianity fails to prepare people for the reality of having to suffer in this world.

As long as you’re around, I’m so happy to hear about Jesus again! Thank you 💖🙏🏻

I may not be a part of your church, but you are pastor to me.

I don’t fear, secularism. But I do fear A one world order under one religion

I'm glad you brought this up. The book tells us it will happen but it doesn't tell us to take up arms. We are the lamb.

This is a difficult time to be alive in the world.

Following the rules and judging those you don't feel are following the rules, is the act of the Philestines, (who Christ wasn't a big fan of) not the act of practicing Christians.

You show a lot of mercy and forbearance for those that have decided themselves to be the enemy of what you believe. The fact that they claim to follow the same faith only makes it more challenging to react with love and not anger or fear. You turn your enemies into friends that way. Estranged friends, maybe, but still friends. By their fruits shall you know them... I like the fruits you show, and hope I can learn to grow similar ones myself, one day.

Wow…thank you Ed….very comforting teaching.❤

Perhaps I'm mistaken (or it's because of the church communities I grew up in), but I've long thought we miss a couple of subtle contextual clues to "the world hates you because you love Jesus" in the 1 John passage. First (actually second in the passage) the writer doesn't say it will happen, but "if" it happens. The world isn't automatically going to hate those who love Jesus, but that's not what I heard in church. The second, and I think is more important point is the writer warns us not to be "surprised." To me, surprise comes when an outcome we don't expect occurs. If I'm hateful, I really rather doubt I need to be warned not to be surprised if people hate me back. I also know that when I am surprised, I'm not often able to respond the way I would if I were better prepared. It seems to me the writer is reinforcing the notion that we are to love, but that doesn't mean love will be returned. Someone who loves, but is hated, might lash out from the painful surprise they experience. If we are prepared for that seemingly illogical response, we are better equipped to respond with love (and maybe say in them midst of our pain, "Father forgive them . . ."). It makes me wonder at times how often our "persecution" is just people responding honestly and logically to us being jerks.

My priest here in Michigan has been saying this for years. I think he is heavily influenced by right wing media, and I have stopped going to mass because his sermons focus on this. The im people in leadership positions are also of the red-hat persuasion. I’m glad that I found you channel and have someone to tune into who speaks in an inclusive and truly Christian way. Thank you. Peace

Thank you, Ed, for saying it out loud; to follow Jesus will mean suffering what He suffered. Those who cry aloud about the "church's" being persecuted have forsaken The Savior for a savior that is of this world and promises to advantage its worshippers. That "savior" is an idol, a false God and whether in the form of a government or an individual is evil and an enemy of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

The pastor I currently am under often preaches this message. It is the truth. We have to tell new Christians it is not always going to be easy to follow Christ. As far as real persecution, the North American Church has hardly been touch so far. If you look at history , church history , often one group of Christian persecute another group even to killing them. Looking at the former guy supporters who claim to follow Jesus , history may repeat itself.

Thank you for these kind, thoughtful and wise words.

Such a good reminder of what we are to do. Your message is always love.

Only Him can help us. He controls everything.

I found, early in my Christian life, persecution. I found it though, quite ironically, by the hands of other Christians. I was persecuted, and asked to leave, because I had the audacity to ask serious questions regarding my newfound faith; things to this day I still consider as teachings that are an anathema to the story of Jesus and God's ultimate intention with mankind. But that's another story. As with Jesus, though much of his physical abuse came at the hands of the Romans, their impetus for doing so was because those of Jesus's own faith entreated the Romans to do it "for them" so their hands would be (in their minds) free of it. History tends to repeat itself and, as then, and perhaps also during the Crusades, what I see today is Christians of one stripe entreating a Government entity, who has more power than he should, and a party who supports him, to crucify anyone who doesn't believe "their ways of believing" shouldn't be legislated upon them. They should believe it even when real evidence to the contrary says they are wrong in their conclusions. That is the church, a vast, but not complete number of them, doing the persecution here: not the other way around. Edit: And I will add, though it is not true within my household, nearly every Christian I know of the aforementioned mindset, are packing heat. They have all decided to live by the sword.

This is lovely. Sometimes, I go into the woods and yell at God. I figure His metaphorical shoulders are strong enough to handle my disgruntlements. He spoke sentences to me from above. ( I was born March 11th in Bethlehem 61 years ago. I'm no spring chicken. I just look young.) God's voice was kind and clear as a bell. He spoke those sentences to me since 8.4.2015. Over several years' time. God sometimes likes to take His time. He's the boss, the Big Kahuna. I can confirm He has a fantastic sense of humor. I am proof of that. Minimally. Sincerely, Amira Malaka Elah.

Thank you Rev.Ed. this was a very powerful video. It may sound strange but i found it comforting. I have been scared, worried. Not for me. I am 71 and have lived and had a good life. But i was scared for my daughter and granddaughter. Your words greatly reduced that fear. Please take care of you.

We know from history what paranoia run amok can do. 🥺

Has anyone considered that church attendance is faltering because several branches of the Christian church are rotting from the inside - it’s an inside, not an outside, job.

Amen, Amen and Amen. Did I say Amen. Which really goes to show that most of these people who call themselves Christians have no idea what the Bible says, who they are in Christ and who God is. And that really is the most frightening thing when we watch what is happening in our country.

I just love you, Rev. Ed. You are a BEACON. And a beautiful channel of God’s love. One day, my brother. The time is here to give our gifts. You inspire me… so, job done!❤️🏳️‍🌈thanks.

Christian American here. Happy to say I have experienced no attacks of any kind.

I am Christian, but the only place I feel persecuted is watching, hearing, or reading extreme right-wing Christians spew their vile views to anyone who doesn't see the world just like them. They are quick to condemn everyone other than themselves. They aren't pointing at me, but to the whole group in general like me who loves the Lord, loves people, our country, and all the different groups in it. We are/were a people that welcomed the immigrants looking for a better future. We should help people in need. I will never change my views on that. That's the Biblical outlook. Thank you Rev Ed for always finding interesting and creative ways to spread your message to make everyone think about their faith walk. Let's start a MANA movement (Make America Normal Again) Mana from Heaven, our daily bread! 😊

Thank you Reverend.

Thanks Ed I just had to giggle as I watch this. I’m reading Bonhoeffer “the cost of discipleship “and I’m truly truly grateful that I don’t seek cheap grace.

Never doubt the power you have within yourself, and how that power is always there when you need it most. I follow no religion, however I believe and always will that we are here to help each other.

Maybe 3rd time is a charm. After watching Nishop Rachel yesterday, I felt O had to come back and apologize to you. If I am terrified, or if I can't seem to get to the place of forgiving those that are tearing at the fabric of my life, even though Christ is asking that of me, perhaps I need to realize that I should do one of 2 things, or both. Keep my angers and fears to myself and decide if I am strong enough to be a true Christian. So thank you for opening my eyes to my true self. I have lots to think about. This morning Bishop Rachel spoke about real evil. I realized I am terrified that is what I am facing, and it would seem I don't trust in God enough to think all will be well.

sending love to all here

Pick up your cross and follow our King Jesus.

I'm not a Christian, but i do enjoy hearing Rev Ed. I believe all paths are tue just not one is complete. I do and have known Christians who live their very lives by example. Unfortunately I do and have known Christians that wear their Christianity as a shield to demean and even harm others in the name of their faith. They are usually the loudest so it seems there's more of them. I try to remember that they are not. Its hard to do but i work on it.

It is not the violence that sets men/women apart. It is the distance he/she is prepared to go.... Lawless/Tom Hardy

Wow. Thank you for taking that idea and just running with it. Such a fresh approach. And the truth of it comes flying out almost from a blind spot! Thank you Reverand Ed. For covering our blind spot.

I listened this yesterday and I was thinking that although persecution is to be expected when we live as Jesus taught us to, we are often our own worst enemies and draw the well-deserved ire of our enemies on our heads by our actions that are less than Christlike.

The 'persecuted Christian' avoids that nastiness suffered when they were of small numbers by becoming dominant. And it's the fear of losing the long-enjoyed supremacy that engenders a lashing out. Proving a weakness of faith.The concerns of the mortal body in the here and now supercede the spiritual. Prosperity gospel and a cleaving to such an un-Christian as Trump speaks most loudly to this perversion. Now we see an almost frenetic overcompensation by way of religious laws being shoved down the throats of a majority who don't want it. Thus hastening and amplifying antipathy toward the God botherers. Of course the irony is lost. Everlasting contentment in Heaven is not a good enough reward. The eyeblink of time here on Earth must also fit with their corporeal needs and desires, leading to intolerance and hate of the other.

Rev. Ed thank you for a word of wisdom and truth in our present time of confusion in the Church. My first Pastor, Dick Bieber warned us of all of these pitfalls back in the 70's. It was during a time of revival in Detroit as many young people came to believe in Jesus. I am so thankful that I was a part that movement. You are speaking just as he spoke 50 years ago. He was a Lutheran Pastor and opened his church to everyone and he discipled us and cared for us as a good shepherd would.

Welcome being an apostle of Christ. We have so many lost souls.

Amen 🙏❤️🙏 Enjoy Sunday blessings dear Reverend 😊

Respect everyone's religion

Thank you for these sobering yet compassionate words.

Thank you Reverand Trevors. The martyrs didn't run to the government in an attempt to lord their religion over everyone else. I try harder as a Christian believer to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I strongly believe in Jesus Christ! I try to live my life following his ways. However, if I could force everyone who disagrees with me to follow my Catholic religion, I would not! I chose my religion, they have the right to choose theirs. And as someone once said, you may be the only Bible anyone ever reads. My goal is not to force others to obey a law they do not believe in but to shine forth as a practitioner of the shining Truth of Jesus whose way was to set the example.

Ultimately, what happened to Jesus is that he was reunited with his Father in Heaven and raised to sit had the right hand of God.

Pastor Ed I feel that the persecution comes from listening to the deliberate prevarication from the " right" & failure to follow the 11th commandment (Jn15)!

This was a really good subject and video...First being a real Christian there's no labeling people.. Since Christianity began are we really following Jesus, that's what's wrong with a lot of Christians today, what does the Gospels really say , love your neighbor don't judge..Who are people to say the left is ungodly that's false judgement,that's breaking a commandment... Government and religion are becoming very fanatic..... Separate church and state.... Looking back in history first before Christianity there was Jewish law people were stoned to death, if you did that today that's manslaughter crime against humanity..In Middle Ages The Catholic Church was the government we had burning at the stake, the Inquisition..There was no due process of law....In my city different religions live together diversity....Some of these type of Fantic Christians need to stop being such Babies and stop judging and read the gospels the right way.... God bless

Amen.

Nothing but the truth, AGAIN. Thanks, Rev. Ed.

Beautiful message❤

Bravo

Thank you for your clarity, Reverend.

Steven king's the stand, relatable.

Amen

Long ago, Rev. No physical crucifixion this day, but just ridicule and scorn. Up my alley.

Amen.❤

Thanks for your message!

Christianity is a life style that a person chooses themselves. Christianity is on the rise in places like China and Iran. If they can do it, we can too! Yup! Not the easy road… sheep and goats…

Back when I was a very active member of Xenos Christian Fellowship of Columbus, OH that gathering included many Chinese and missionaries to China who told that the Christians in China pray that Christianity in the USA might come under true persecution to separate the real from the false and to grow the numbers of the real and strengthen the ones who already are. As a real one, I don't have to like their line of thinking to agree. Similarity one of the two founders often told us a parable about allied bomber pilots during World War II They didn't know when they were close to some structure of importance to the Nazis until they came under AA fire. Similarity a sign that one is of threat to Lucifer is to come under his fire. Conversely if one does aknowle Yahweh's reality but is living a very comfortable, carefree life then take warning and check your threat level.

amen

Good teaching - thank you.

Thank you for your insightful and truly Christian insights. I am a transfemale who is a Christian (although unable to attend church due to some prejudice). I have been trying to find Christians out there who are more respectful. Listening to you has provided that connection I have been missing.

Writer HST said it best. "Buy the ticket; take the ride."

Beautiful sermon/talk Rev Trevor's 🕊️

the "fine print". Matthew 5: 11-13 "11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, AND PERSECUTE YOU, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and BE EXCEEDING GLAD: for great is your reward IN HEAVEN: for so persecuted they the prophets which were BEFORE YOU.

What you said about Jesus never crying out to worldly powers to save his is true and reminds me of Christian nationalism here in America. They are crying out to the government. Oh you must step in and do such and such to save the morality of our country. We want the government to be our moral compass and tell everyone the way they must live their lives in accordance to our interpretation of the Bible. God bless reverend Ed!

Thank you for these short video sermons. I consider you my new revered. I feel lucky to have found this channel. 💙

A true Christian walks in Jesus' footsteps, not His shadow!

Thank you. I think that many of those who condemn Christianity are comparing scripture with contemporary Christian behavior and attitudes, especially in politics. But they are comparing scripture with reality. Isn't that what we want? They are focusing on scripture. As did Paul in the new testament. Give them time. As Bob Dylan sang" I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now. We may come out of this crucible for the better.

Next up I can't serve this couple: why? It's against my religious beliefs.

Amen ✨️ 🙏

Thank you. My daily inspirarion!

Amen 🙏 thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤

I am concerned about managing my dislike of Trump. It makes me feel like I'm not Christian enough because I don't want to respond with love to this guy at all! I'm filled with disgust about Trump.

John 16:33, my life verse.

From my perspective the church / Christianity isn't being persecuted as they claim. It's other people in our society that are being persecuted in the name of the church and Christianity. Other than that I love you and your message Rev

Ed, have you read the "Book of Jobie"? I think you would enjoy it.

Thank you

These three things remain

Coming from privilege, equally looks like persecution.

I hope I don't get lambasted for this, but I'm going to share it anyways. I've always had a great deal of respect for genuine Christians, and the teachings of Christ. While I may be a practicing Chasidic Jew, I still feel Naches whenever I see Christians following in the example of Yeshua. And while aspects of our theology may differ, we're all children of G-D. And that fact, at least to me, makes the world just that much brighter. Shalom.

I don't think I will ever understand the whole "persecution complex" thing that a lot of Christians have.

AMEN thanks Rev Ed, Loved your message ♥️