We dont have a weak God. He knows the fear that you have. Well, we are all like that. Sometimes people do. A sixth characteristic of the true disciple of Christ: a fervent love for the people of God. On this He bases His judgments. Why didnt the Lord say that to the family at Bethanyto Lazarus and Mary and Martha? After their conversion, they stop using alcohol but after a while they begin using it again. Of course it does. Those who seem to be strong in the faith prove to not have been in the faith. A third characteristic of the true child of Christ: we are one who has deliberately chosen the cross. The Lord never said that to him. And He took him out under the chalice of the night sky and said, Abraham, count the stars. And Abraham said, Lord, I cannot count that many. And God said, So shall thy seed be [Genesis 15:3-5]. Remembering the things of God will help us overcome temptation. And the second characteristic and mark of a true child of Christ is to dethrone self in my heart and to enthrone the Lord Jesus: He is the King of my life. Revelation 2:8-11, Denomination: The Bible discusses faithfulness as being much more than worshipping God. Of those 36 billion who have lived in the past 2000 years, by a very generous estimate, 12 billion were evangelized, had some access to the Gospel. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel (Gal. Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. We are given by choice, by volition, to our Lord and Master forever. Hebrews 9:24-27. today we want to focus our attention on John. What youre about to suffer need not be fearful. II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul was looking with Not some physical anguish or personal disappointment, 2. Father in heaven, we give thanks for Your many blessings. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Psychologist Files Audio Faithful Unto Death (Video) Notes Transcript We can remember the great examples of Scripture. He knew what it was to face external temptation when that suffering came. Why didnt the Lord say that to Zaccheus? And Jesus is waiting for the day of our coming. Yet Paul told Timothy that anyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Suffering. They were poor, but Jesus says, Youre rich. They were persecuted by Jews who Jesus says were not really Jews. Instead, He told them to be faithful unto death. Never. Romans 6:10-23, Denomination: The third thing that had happened is by the end of the first century, some Jews had compromised with Rome. If we are faithful, God will save us and glorify us in the life to come. He lived, he died, he's alive. Moule]. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. WebFAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH II Kings 2:1-12 For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. Faithfulness means you keep bearing witness to Jesus. Well, no, notice what this letter says: The slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not. People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? It was a great city in the day of the flesh of our Lord. And whenever you see a monument to Nathan Hale, you will find inscribed the last word that he said, I regret I have but one life to lose for my country. That is a little comparable patriotic devotion, like us in our supreme love for Christ. We could put it like this death comes to us all, heaven does not. There was a price on the head of our Lord. They will be there on your social media feed, theyll be there on your Instagram, calls to be like-minded ally in things that Christ cannot commend. Some put it much lower than that, if its actually killing you because you confess Christ, the higher number is if in some way the state has starvation or death or opposition to religious groups, including Christians. Let me finish, then, where we started. THREE IMPORTANT LOOKS OR PAUL'S LAST TESTIMONY But, if in a household there was a slave, and when time came, when that seventh year came and the slave was freeif he so loved his master or she so loved her mistress, that he did not want to leave, then they went through this kind of a simple ritual. Darrows The Story of My Life said there is no evidence of immortality, B. Gods That means we are never turning back. I would love to be a professor of English literature. If there was a crime worthy of death, what would it be? His salary was less than two hundred dollars a year. The real hero is not he who makes the fastest schedule but he who lasts the longest. That is the child of God. That is the mark of a disciple of Christ. The reason our adolescents, our young people, fall into, say, drugs, or into drinking, or into a thousand compromising positions, is because of peer pressure. For Jesus sake we pray. Give it up. There are so many things in this world, which keep people from being faithful. And this allowed the Jews and the Romans to coexist. Number one let us pray for the persecuted church. Most people dont consider that they will die. Smyrna was a very pro-Rome city. Ritual of piercing the ear of a slave who refuses to leave his master after 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 WebBe faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 31:23). 3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them. Listen to what it says: Now the blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the first part of the month Xanthicus, seven days before the Kalends of March, on a great Sabbath, about 2 oclock in the afternoon. II Kings 2:1-12 This is a study of the book of Genesis. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. . Which leads to a second point of application. Or whether we die or whether we live, we are with Him [1 Thessalonians 4:15-17]. If I could digress here a minute and make a humble and humble observation: Next anniversary, I begin my fortieth year as pastor of this dear churchforty years, beginning. If I live, bless God, it is to love Him. read more, Scripture: Church Of God, Joshua 2:1-15 THE GREAT ESCAPE Intro: Ill. The second characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian: the denial of self. Speaking of winning the lost, Paul says, The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. Youre going to suffer. He comes with comfort, and notice He comes with commands. And He uses the word stugnaz, translated lowering, the sky is stugnaz, it is lowering. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. In order to be faithful, we must put God first in our lives-You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matt. And because of the necessity pressed upon him in his growing family, he accepted an affluent church in London. May angels attend you in the way as you come. You may say, Well, wait a minute, Pastor. So if we have a late date for Revelation around 90 A.D., then this is some 65 years later, not that long. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. Number two let us be faithful even in our limited kinds of persecution. Theres no point in being fearful now. Once they become a Christians, they begin visiting the sick and shut-in but its just too much trouble so they quit. The same thing is true of those in Hebrews 11. It was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David (1 Ki. The Lord said, if we are faithful unto death, He would give us a CROWN OF LIFE. INTRODUCTION: Just looking in department stores. Remember, they considered the Christians to be atheists because they didnt have any statues, they didnt have idols. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and speak and discuss English literature three times once a week? 14 views Watch this sermon on a Roku or Apple TV! Theyre such a testimony to Gods grace. If they die faithfully, they get a crown of life. Or do with your weekends what everyone else would do. 6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he It is in riches. Be faithful even unto the point of death because brother, sister, friend, when youre faithful to the point of death for Jesus, you get a crown of life. He was arrested by Herod when Philip of Tralles was high priest, during the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, but while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. This comes in chapter 21, the final chapter in some of the manuscripts of The Martyrdom of Polycarp. In the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy is one of the most unusual parabolic instances of devotion that you could ever think for or find in all literature. A pathway deliberately chosen death to the deepest desires of the flesh, Because when the Lord looked into the heart of that rich, young ruler, he loved things more than he loved God [Matthew 19:21-22; Mark 10:21-22]. Or suppose I were to stand here, and if I were trained to be a scientist; suppose I were to lecture on science three times every week? Almost half of those were murdered, starved, died in prison camps in the Soviet Union. Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) Faithfulness is full time until the end of time. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Three Important Looks Or Paul's Last Testimony. 2 letter from Jesus to the church at Smyrna. Call to worship: It wasnt the procedure at this time that you would try to stamp out every Christian, but if somebody ratted you out, often your family, and you were brought there, then you were made to recant. Rev James Porter Be Thou Faithful Unto Death Lets peer inside Pauls heart, and see whats in there. 11:4). I have decided to follow Jesus, the characteristic of a true disciple of our Lord. I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. He knew they would experience difficult times in their lives. I started with the story of Polycarp. Well, the magistrate was not happy with this. Will you praise Him in pain? Later in the letter we read such is the story of blessed Polycarp, although he, together with those from Philadelphia, was the 12th person martyred in Smyrna, he alone is especially remembered by everyone so that he is spoken of everywhere, even by pagans. Repent. I AM the LIFE. We will suffer. False doctrine leads many astray. The fourth characteristic, the fourth mark of a true disciple of our Lordone who continues unswervingly in the Word of God. Our inheritance is not here, it is there [1 Peter 1:4-5]. Faithfulness in the midst of persecution doesnt mean you just grin and bear it, you suppress it, you pretend like it doesnt hurt. 21:25). Pray for the persecuted church. We always face death as Christians remembering that our God has promised us a resurrection. Or suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and lecture on the humanities, or any subject you would choose to name: philosophy, psychology, medicine, astronomy, anything. We all love to be acclaimed. And what you do and what you believe and how you carry yourself is thought strange? So the first command to the Church dont be afraid what youre about to suffer. But to be repudiated and to be censored and to be disliked is a terrible thing to bear. [The Pearly White City, Arthur F. Ingler]. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. And our Lord may the flow of our lives be in praise, and in adoration, and worship, and in love for Thee, O blessed God, that as grace and mercy reached down even to me. [He] went inside the house and sat down and wrote what I think is the most preciously beautiful hymn in the English language. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. Or the story of Polycarp. So we dont have to long for it and want it. And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. He told the disciples do not worry about what you will say in that day. They are clear and unequivocal; the first one is this: supreme love for Jesus our Lord. It is one of the marks and the characteristics of a good disciple of Jesus; our love for one another. Genesis 50:1-26, Denomination: WebFaithfulness unto death is Gods standard for human life. But here God says dont be surprised, dont, when it comes, do not think God is against you. And dont be afraid about what you would do and what you would be like should you face, the church at Smyrna, what they faced. Truly, temptations----works of the devil challenge our daily thoughts and decisions. WebSermons by Bible: Sermons by Category: Sermons by Topic: Sermons by Speaker: Sermons by Language: Sermons by Date: Staff Picks: Comments, ALL -1 sec: Top Sermons: Online Bible: Hymnal: Daily Reading: Our But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. [First John] 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another [1 John 4:11]. The gate is too strait, and the way is too narrow for a man to enter heaven holding the love of the world in his arms [Matthew 7:13-14]. We find them suggested in II Kings 2:1-12. Will God reward you? So 36billion total. Now, before I mention the last one may I recapitulate? Give it up. Would I run away? read more, Scripture: You couldnt help but know a man like that. Our resurrection is dependent on his resurrection- Paul said Now the next verse: And God counted his faith for righteousness, because he believed in the Lord [Genesis 16:6]. I hope you have that somewhere in your regular rhythm. Try to set an example from time to time to pray for it here from the pulpit. The connection of this passage will help us to understand its meaning. Hebrews says since the children have flesh and blood, He, too, shared likewise in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy the one who holds the power of death, that is the devil, and set free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? There proconsul continue to press him to recant Christ and swear by Caesar and Polycarp refused. They are all doing it. and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb. But pastor, does God say anything? Is God first in your life? FAITHFUL If I die, praise His name, it is to be with Him. 1 John 5:13-17. We all love to be accepted. We read when the magistrate persisted and said, Swear the oath and I will release you. So many fall away because they are selfish-they dont care what God says theyre going to do what they want to do. Well be here listening. It is one of the truths of life. He was soon to dieto be rejected [Mark 10:32-34]. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpitI majored in English in college, and I love English literature. Give us ears, give us courage, no matter the time, no matter the opposition, no matter the circumstances. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faithFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of The cross before me, the world behind me, [I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, attributed to S. Sundar Singh]. You cannot help but admire this young man. While we stand and while we pray. Isnt that unusual, that you would have a minister really converted? 1: 5). An appeal for faithfulness in an era when Be faithful unto death. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. Dr. Matthew Everhard Because the one who overcomes this present, temporary, fleeting pain will not be pained by the second and everlasting death. WebKing James Version 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten Because if were reading Scripture, well have the power to overcome temptation. You read these stories of the martyrs and even allowing that perhaps the Church spoke at times with some exaggerated spirituality, maybe, yet we believe that its historically true and happened and happened much like that. When I was a youth growing up, Clarence Darrow, the great agnostic and atheist, literally covered the horizon in the legal profession. It continues to the last stitch. Please, sir, your Majesty, said the pastor, could you grant pardon to the boy? He did it. It had been for a long time. As we apply this standard, our views on many things undergo a radical change. After several months of study we have come to the concluding passage of 1st John. It may mean that you are faithful in the midst of opposition, when your own children make different choices, sad choices, sinful choices, and say that you dont love them and youre not loving if you wont affirm what theyre doing. 8 billion called themselves Christians in some broadest sense of the word. For the white city thats soon coming down. Notice the Lord Jesus says in verse 9, I know your tribulation and your poverty. This was a church that had more pain than they had money. Smyrna won the special privilege to build a temple to Emperor Tiberius. 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