1 / 13

Suffering Church Sunday 2012-2013

Suffering Church Sunday 2012-2013. “To proclaim freedom to the prisoners…” (Luke 4:16-21, NIV). 1 in 10 Christians lives with discrimination, violence or some other form of persecution because of their faith . Barnabas Fund’s Proclaim Freedom campaign calls on governments to: .

jon
Download Presentation

Suffering Church Sunday 2012-2013

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Suffering Church Sunday 2012-2013

  2. “To proclaim freedom to the prisoners…” (Luke 4:16-21, NIV)

  3. 1 in 10 Christians lives with discrimination, violence or some other form of persecution because of their faith

  4. Barnabas Fund’s Proclaim Freedom campaign calls on governments to: promote freedom of religion for all, using diplomatic relations, bi-lateral ties, aid, and agreed international obligations on core human rights recognise that Christians around the world currently face unprecedented levels of persecution and are one of the most persecuted groups in the world put the plight of persecuted Christians, both individually and as communities, at the forefront of their relations with the countries concerned promote justice for all and specifically to ensure that those who incite hatred or act violently against Christians are held accountable for their crimes

  5. The “Nazareth Manifesto” (Luke 4:16-21) summarises the basic content of Jesus’ ministry, which includes: “…to proclaim freedom for the prisoners … to set the oppressed free…” (v. 18, NIV)

  6. What is freedom? Release from social and political repression - limited in this age Forgiveness, healing and deliverance from spiritual forces of evil

  7. Who receives freedom? Captives and the oppressed, including: - Those who suffer injustice and persecution at the hands of others - Those who are enslaved to sin, sickness and spiritual powers “The poor”: God’s people in their need and helplessness “The rich” who identify themselves with the poor

  8. Munir Masih and Ruqqiya Bibi Sentenced to life in prison on a false charge of blasphemy Cleared on appeal in early 2012 Munir said, “The Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 94) NIV

  9. Who brings freedom? Jesus is sent to preach the good news to the poor. He is commissioned and equipped to fulfil Isaiah’s promise of freedom

  10. But… Jesus sends out disciples to share in His ministry He commissions His followers to continue it after His ascension He pours out his Holy Spirit upon them for the task

  11. If our Lord’s family are to enter into the freedom He brings, we must: • Pray for them • Act on their behalf, e.g. by • - Signing the Proclaim Freedom petition • - Write to your elected representative • - Provide a financial gift

  12. Jesus has been sent to proclaim the era of deliverance and freedom We are called to join Him in proclaiming freedom for His enslaved people

  13. 9 Priory Row Coventry CV1 5EX Telephone: 024 7623 1923 Email: info@barnabasfund.org www.barnabasfund.org

More Related