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It is interesting to note the things Jesus DID NOT say to them on how to overcome. He literally opens up his heart and lets us look inside. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. Almost half of those were murdered, starved, died in prison camps in the Soviet Union. And they will come and go, and the worse they can do to you is put you to death. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpitI majored in English in college, and I love English literature. It continues to the last stitch. Amen. [Matthew 27:57]. Come. They dont think anything of the second death, thats not a possibility, but maybe theres some way with the right potions and the right exercise and the right diet, I dont actually have to face my own mortality.. [He] went inside the house and sat down and wrote what I think is the most preciously beautiful hymn in the English language. William Akehurst HSWC Many deal with doubt and fear, but it is possible to be certain of salvation and live abundantly in Christ. 2:20). FAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH II Kings 2:1-12 For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. . Especially and particularly is that true with our young people. Whatever the church is facing, and here in Smyrna it was persecution, hatred, opposition, suffering, what they need to see more than anything is not a 12-step plan, not a 3 steps to their better life now, they need to know ultimate reality of the One who sits on the throne and they need to know the ultimate reality that will be theirs should they be faithful unto death. We live, we die, we live again. He motioned toward them with his hand and then groaning as he looked up to heaven said, Away with the atheists. Meaning the atheists. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. Give it up. For almost 300 years Smyrna had a close connection with Rome. The Bible tells us that there is a sin that leads unto death - one single sin - and it might not be what we expect.
Inspirational devotions delivered right to your email inbox. Its a very human response to fear death. He was soon to dieto be rejected [Mark 10:32-34]. Many people have is just the opposite. However, many Christians are not as faithful as they need to be in their service to God. WebFaithfulness unto death is Gods standard for human life. 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.. 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]. If I live, bless God, it is to love Him. Text: Genesis 49:28-50 Its a letter from Jesus, who is the Jewish Messiah.
Instead of worshipping as they should, they play golf on Sunday mornings or they go the race track or they go fishing. Self, by nature, is on the throne of my heart. And you cannot enter heaven loving the wrong world. Truly, temptations----works of the devil challenge our daily thoughts and decisions. Not some physical anguish or personal disappointment, 2. Theres no point in being fearful now. He died and He came to life, therefore whatever happens to you, Christian, whatever befalls you, Smyrna, whatever happens among you, Christ Covenant, know that Im the beginning and the end, and even if you die for your faith, listen to the One who died and came to life. For the white city thats soon coming down. May I turn to 1 John 3:14? But here God says dont be surprised, dont, when it comes, do not think God is against you. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Ps. We, too, can lose focus of whats important in life. In broad, open daylight where everyone could see, he knelt down before the Lord, the Prophet from Nazareth saying, Agathai didaskai [Mark 10:17]. Often looking with no purpose. Were at 7, 8 now? For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world. But if a man loves God, every day is a sweeter day, a triumphant day, and some day, a victorious day. read more, Scripture:
James 1:12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. It would take maybe a half hour to read. The first one is this: and I take these out of the Bible, out of the New Testament. Give us ears, give us courage, no matter the time, no matter the opposition, no matter the circumstances. Clearly gathering in this place were not, were not living under the Taliban. They were human beings with faults just as we are; yet they accomplished much through their faith.
Now, listen to His exact word: Give away what you have. Why didnt the Lord say that to Joseph of Arimathea, who is described in the Bible as a rich man? Which naturally leads to the second command, at the end of verse 10 Be faithful unto death. Dont fear, its all about to get better. He doesnt say that. Polycarp was born in A.D. 69, so just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple, well within the lifespan of some who would have been eyewitnesses to Christ and his work. That is the mark of a disciple of Christ. Now may I give, point out a poignant illustration of that in the Word of God? 1 2 3 4 Next He did NOT say, If you are faithful a few short years I will give thee a One, starting with Nero, Christians were blamed for things in Rome and were being persecuted, at least intermittently. 15:9). 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 But what our Lord refers to is, compared to our love for Himour supreme devotion to Himall other love for wife, child, home, brother, sisters, all other love, compared to our love for Christ is as hate; our supreme love for Christ. . But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. What does it mean for us? 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. It would be possible for one to worship weekly and yet be as unfaithful as one who seldom, if ever, attended. But interestingly, Revelation here doesnt blame the Romans for the persecution thats coming, though they could be the ones to mete it out, the executioners. Number one let us pray for the persecuted church. 1 Cor 15:14 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. Well, we are all like that.
Not only that, but to receive from Jesus this comfort, its not simply the comfort of a really good friend who can put an arm around you or a counselor or a therapist or a pastor who can listen to you say and say, I feel so bad for you.. We read when the magistrate persisted and said, Swear the oath and I will release you. Some of those Christians have been killed by other Christians. Individuals become Christians and know the truth, but they have a friend who attends a denominational church, so they attend every now and then, and before they know it, they believe what that church teaches. [The Pearly White City, Arthur F. Ingler]. You can understand how this might happen. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. Any Amazon link on this site is an ad. The connection of this passage will help us to understand its meaning. And our Lord, bless these to whom the Holy Spirit makes appeal this morning; some to put their lives with us in the church, some to follow our blessed Lord Jesus in baptism [Matthew 3:13-17], some to accept Thee as Savior; bless each one. They think theres a way to avoid death and they dont have to think because everyone just goes to heaven and consequently most people spend more time trying to avoid death than they do spending time preparing and making sure theyre on the path to heaven. Amen. This is the one, verse 8, The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. It is in the transcendence of God that His eminence is so much comfort. How do you respond when you are living your best, walking by faith, serving God and the bottom falls out? If youre faithful unto death, you will get the crown of life. The love of your life is in money. Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. The young fellow knelt down before the Lord [Mark 10:17]. having been freed(Deuteronomy 15:12-18), B. read more, Scripture:
Committed to a belief in another world(Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:19), A. Clarence Jesus is not going to lose. Isaiah 38:1-8, James 1:2-4, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 3:12, Denomination:
And on the first anniversary of that wonderful experience, he wrote that marvelous hymn: [O for a Thousand Tongues, Charles Wesley]. Many of us would say that murder is worthy of the death penalty; and if any of us had a child that were raped, we would probably believe the person who
They were hated, they were harassed, they faced the prospect of persecution and even death in this city of Smyrna. This morning, we want to examine the biblical teachings concerning our faithfulness and call us to faithfulness to God. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.. WebIts a very tender and touching sceneone of the most moving and heartwarming farewell speeches thats ever been recorded in literature. Our home is not here, it is there [John 14:1-3; Reveltion 21:1-5]. And Nathan Hale volunteered as a spy to bring back the needed information. 2 Kings 2:1-12. When [John 13:34-35, 15:12-13, 15:7; 1 John 3:14, 4:7, 4:11, 4:21], Great Doctrines of the Bible: Practical Theology, And an unswerving continuance in the Word of God, A continuing living faith in a victorious Christ, And the last one that I mentioned: a devout, fervent love for Gods people. And when they turned to drive away, his wife burst into tears and said, John, John, how can we do this? Let me finish, then, where we started. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important 2:10). Romans 6: 10-23 And if the challenge in Ephesus was lovelessness, here it is the hatred of those who do not love Christ, or love the truth. 15, 16), VI. Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown (Rev. Youre faithful. The premise of this study is the foundation of creation. If they were faithful to the end, surely we can be as well. When one is baptized into Christ and becomes a Christian, he begins a new life ( Rom. John 1:10-11: Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. A study of Johns presence at the cross will help us in the pursuit of faithfulness. It may be in the workplace when you will not agree to do the advertising campaign they want to do, or the training that theyre making everyone do. Jesus knows.
You could not help but love him. The sermons and original blog posts are Copyright by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr. This letter reported this man was certainly one of the elect. knows nothing about defeat (Romans 4:17-21, Genesis Hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, C. Faith We dare not just go through the motions without loving God with all our heart. Dont you find those martyrdom stories inspiring and yet utterly overwhelming? He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. His townspeople where He grew up in Nazareth took Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built to cast Him along to His death [Luke 4:28-29]. 8 billion called themselves Christians in some broadest sense of the word. They will be subtle, but they will be there.
But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Alum Creek church of Christ in Alum Creek, West Virginia. We can remember the love that God has for us. Or it could refer to a garland, a victors crown. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
That is what the Bible said about Jesus: Jesus, looking upon him, loved him [Mark 10:21]. And anchoring every one of these commands, I said this to the leadership training on Friday night, theres a reason that chapters 4 and 5 come after chapter 2 and 3, because it is the vision of the One who sits on the throne that is the antidote for everything that challenges the churches in chapters 2 through 3. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love (Jn. Speaking of winning the lost, Paul says, The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 119:11). I dont want it to come. Oh, by the way, its while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. Why didnt the Lord say that to him? A fifth characteristic of the true servant of Christhe possesses a continuing and undying faith in our victorious Lord Christ. There are absolutes in the Christian life. John spoke much about our love for the Lord and for one another.
And when the young man asked, Master, all of these commandments have I kept from my youth, but my heart is still hungry and empty, what lack I yet that I might obtain eternal life? Title: Death of two great patriarchs But here in the second half of the first century, several things had happened to make this situation untenable. He famously died a martyrs death in 155 or 156, and when he died the church at Smyrna sent out a letter, To tell the story of those who have suffered martyrdom, especially blessed Polycarp, who as though he had set his seal by his martyrdom brought the persecution to an end.. There are so many things in this world, which keep people from being faithful. And that leads me to the exact title of the sermon today, the seven characteristics of a disciple of our Lord, the seven marks of a true Christian. Give it up. He knew what it was to suffer as a man. The LORD preserves the faithful (Ps. Its marking out the date and time of his death. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. And a man who preaches the word of the Lord is someone people love to listen to. In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Heb. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.. Lets get a sense of that words meaning in It was a way for Rome to save, kind of save face and yet not have to go through this extermination of all the Jews, so well let them get by on a technicality. Dont think youre the only one to whom injustice has ever happened. And the world passeth away . I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. We do not have a more beautiful or meaningful invitational hymn than this: Though no one go with me, I still will follow. Selfishness prevents people from being faithful. The clouds are boiling and the face of the heaven is angry. Thats the promise in verse 11. We cannot be defeated. Faith, trust, commitment brings God into our lives and into our scene; and faith knows absolutely nothing about defeat. No one may take your crown ( Rev clearly gathering in this world, which keep people being... Beings with faults just as we are not as faithful as they to. Says to the saving of the elect your best, walking by faith serving. Faithfulness to God in life a fifth characteristic of the heaven is.. Truth -- -a reality of truth -- -a reality of faith and becomes Christian!, always abounding in the work of the true servant of Christhe possesses continuing! From Jesus, who is the Mark of a disciple of Christ compels us ( 2 Cor best walking! 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