5:17)-His point is that Elijah was a human being just like everyone else, yet his prayers accomplished much. 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. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. 2:10 states, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. There are too many professing Christians which the Lord cannot depend upon. You allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols (Rev. 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. 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. However, when they entered Rahab's house, they found a woman who had already been touched by the Spirit and False doctrine leads many astray. Romans 10:17: Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God. If someone loved Jesus, he never tires of hearing about Him. Number one let us pray for the persecuted church. 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. We live, we die, we live again. So the men prepared the pyre and stripped Polycarp of his clothes, and as they were about to nail him to the stake, Polycarp interrupted. John 12:42-43 writes: Among the chief rulers, many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than they loved the praise of God.. Come. Its a letter from Jesus, who is the Jewish Messiah. If we are faithful, God will save us and glorify us in the life to come. We always face death as Christians remembering that our God has promised us a resurrection. The Lord never said that to him. take up his cross, and follow Me. The cross is an instrument of death. Give it up and come, take up the cross, and follow me. In many parts of the West, though not facing yet death, are facing increasing hostility and discrimination, not the likes of which our brothers and sisters may see in Afghanistan or North Korea or parts of northern Africa, but yet facing opposition, persecution. When I was a youth growing up, Clarence Darrow, the great agnostic and atheist, literally covered the horizon in the legal profession. It would take maybe a half hour to read. The Pharisees did that (Matt. In a different context, James says, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (Js. We can remember the great examples of Scripture. 2 Kings 2:1-12. We all love to be acclaimed. Remember this is a letter from whom? As the song says, Just one glimpse of him in glory will the toils of life repay. Surely, seeing Jesus face to face will be reward enough for our faithfulness. Revelation chapter 2, beginning at verse 8. You could not help but love him. The one who overcomes, who conquers, will not be hurt by the second death, that is, the eternal punishment in the lake of fire. 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.. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. Three points of application. The second characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian: the denial of self. Instead of worshipping as they should, they play golf on Sunday mornings or they go the race track or they go fishing. You dont forget His promise. read more, Scripture: View all Sermons Faithful Unto Death Series Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,507 views Scripture: Behold the In 23 B.C. The Basis of the Gospel Leave me as I am, for the One who enables me to endure the fire will also enable me to remain on the pyre without moving. Then Polycarp prayed a final prayer and when he said amen, the men in charge of the fire lit it. 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. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 A. Its the basic foundation of the Christian faith it is fundamental Were at 7, 8 now? The ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Lk. 15:58). And it is one of the seven churches of Asia [Revelation 2:1-3:22]: Ephesus, and then right north, Smyrna. Can you imagine after forty years the people here by the thousands listening to me lecture on mathematics or science or literature or the humanities? But to be left out like a lone, lost black sheep is to be hurt and the child is a thousand times sensitive to it. The Word of God tells us to have compassion for our brothers and sisters who are facing difficulty and prison and opposition, and some will even pay the ultimate price of martyrdom. Supreme love for Jesus our Lord(Luke 14:25-26), A. Just do the sacrifices, just do the ritual, and if you want to say youre doing it to the emperors as rulers, to honor them, and not as gods, then so be it. Certainly Christians in many places are relatively free from that threat, but at all times there will be part of the Church that will be called upon to make the good confession in the midst of danger, hostility, and death. But here in the second half of the first century, several things had happened to make this situation untenable. The cross before me, the world behind me, [I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, attributed to S. Sundar Singh]. So he tells him, Swear by Caesar, or recant. Its been translated into English. These things I command you, that you love one another [John 15:17]. Would to God we had ten thousand lives to offer to Jesus. God(John 8:31-32, 14:23-24), A. Any Amazon link on this site is an ad. I started with the story of Polycarp. II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul was looking with When our Lord was on the way to Jerusalem to die, in Perea on the other side of Jordan, He was met, accosted in a town over there by a rich young ruler [Mark 10:17-22]. Many deal with doubt and fear, but it is possible to be certain of salvation and live abundantly in Christ. Faith, trust, commitment brings God into our lives and into our scene; and faith knows absolutely nothing about defeat. They werent so much concerned that the Christians were going to overthrow the Empire, but they thought this, This is a bad look for Rome. Your browser does not support the audio tag. Could you imagine it? That is the mark of a disciple of Christ. He told the disciples do not worry about what you will say in that day. Deuteronomy 2:1-15, Denomination: ON POINT, I John 8:31, 32: If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 14:23-24: If any one love Me, he will keep My words . Which leads to a second point of application. 1:6). There is a marvelous thing that happens when a man places Jesus first in his lifeloves our Lord supremely above all other loveHe hands back to you your home, your family, your wife, your business, your children, every dream and vision of your soul. He dressed like a Tory schoolmaster. Where, O death, is your victory? As long as Christianity was a sect of Judaism, there was little trouble. 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. A fervent love for the people of God(John 13:34-35, 15:12-13, 17, 1 John 3:14, 4:7, 11), A. John What was important to them in the beginning was no longer important. Title: The Face of Faithfulness: John The author of Hebrews had just finished writing about great men and women of faith-He wrote about how they obeyed God out of their faith. Each sermon has to do with our Christian life down here in the earth. Or whether we die or whether we live, we are with Him [1 Thessalonians 4:15-17]. Our inheritance is not here, it is there [1 Peter 1:4-5]. But if a man loves God, every day is a sweeter day, a triumphant day, and some day, a victorious day. Selfishness prevents people from being faithful. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel (Gal. We all love to be praised. 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? For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it. On this He bases His judgments. 15:9). WebWe 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 The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris. That may sound daunting. My Glorious Victor, Prince Divine, III. 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.. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. We allow ourselves to be involved in so many activities that we no longer have the time to devote to Bible study and prayer. It is a place on which somebody is executed, a cross. It is a message to Be faithful until death.. 2:20). Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. It is an instrument of execution, and when I am invited to take up my cross, I am invited to die to myself that I might live to the Lord. A study of Johns presence at the cross will help us in the pursuit of faithfulness. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. They were poor, but Jesus says, Youre rich. They were persecuted by Jews who Jesus says were not really Jews. If we live as Christians simply to avoid death, we are not living as Jesus would have us live. The seven marks of a true disciple of Jesus: Now, the last one, the seventh one, the marks of a true disciple of Jesus: he is committed to a belief in another worldliving, working, looking forward to another world. Scripture is a powerful force in our efforts to remain faithful-You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them (2 Tim. In order to adequately embrace the Gospel, we must understand the Gospel. Speaking of winning the lost, Paul says, The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 1 2 3 4 Next He did NOT say, If you are faithful a few short years I will give thee a 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? May angels attend you in the way as you come. Faithfulness in the midst of persecution doesnt mean you just grin and bear it, you suppress it, you pretend like it doesnt hurt. May I turn to 1 John 3:14? But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important Hes telling us from Gods Holy Scriptures about our Lord. Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. Faithfulness is required for all four quarters, all three periods, all nine innings. Self, by nature, is on the throne of my heart. Committed to a belief in another world(Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:19), A. Clarence 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 Matthew 9:24, Luke 8:53), 2. THREE IMPORTANT LOOKS OR PAUL'S LAST TESTIMONY And a man who preaches the word of the Lord is someone people love to listen to. read more, Scripture: deep, never sated thirst for the Word(Romans Thats a great man, a marvelous man; thats Gods man. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. The fourth characteristic, the fourth mark of a true disciple of our Lordone who continues unswervingly in the Word of God. Pastor Wayne Tindale This lesson examines the Rev. Faithfulness. False doctrine prevents people from being faithful. You may say, Well, wait a minute, Pastor. And the Lord noticed it. Revelation 2:8-11, Denomination: But we also know that suffering brings with it many temptations. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. Lets pray. But listen to the heroes of the faith. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love (Jn. UNTO DEATH THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN, I. That is a big number. Suffering. Verse 10: Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Seeing that Polycarp was not being consumed by the fire, they then ordered an executioner to thrust him through with a dagger, and so finally Polycarp was dead.. 10:17), 1. The Bible discusses faithfulness as being much more than worshipping God. Death has no power over anyone who is in me! Thats why Jesus is able to say in verse 10, Be faithful unto death, and I will give you He said you can avoid that second hellish death and though you may face martyrdom, you can live a glorious, joyous life, because on the other side of the first death, is eternal life. Which naturally leads to the second command, at the end of verse 10 Be faithful unto death. Irenaeus tells the story that on one occasion when Polycarp came face-to-face with the gnostic heretic Marcion, Marcion asked, Do you recognize me? to which Polycarp responded, I do, indeed. Do you need to come to Jesus right now? [Luke 9:62]: No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.. So many fall away because they are selfish-they dont care what God says theyre going to do what they want to do. And after he began his preachingafter he was a preacher, he was wonderfully converted. Now the next verse: And God counted his faith for righteousness, because he believed in the Lord [Genesis 16:6]. The Lord knows. People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? Yes, death is an enemy, and we mourn for death. You got, theres two deaths, and unless Jesus comes back in our lifetime, we all face the first death, but not all have to have the second death. Come. When Jesus said follow Him, this is our life's course. WebIts a very tender and touching sceneone of the most moving and heartwarming farewell speeches thats ever been recorded in literature. and the rich young ruler(Mark 10:21-22, Matthew In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. Of those 70 million that scholars estimate, 70 million Christian martyrs in the history of the Church, 45 million were killed in the 20th century, in the last 100 years. Fearing death is natural, but Jesus means to set us free. 3:11). read more, Scripture: 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.. It is a sermon in the series on the Great Doctrines of the Bible. And in this section, composed of about five sermons, the messages are addressed to us who are Christians. Would I run away? 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]. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. This is the second of seven messages to seven churches. Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) That grace, should that come, and for most of us, maybe all of us, it wont come like that, but when the opposition comes, when the moment comes at your workplace, youre going to go along with this program or who knows what happens to your job. But pastor, does God say anything? The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.. Certain things I try to pray for each day, certain things I try to pray for on a day of the week, and persecuted church is one of those. I AM the LIFE. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. He wants to be acclaimed and accepted and praised by them. But heres the second thing that had happened in 70 A.D. with the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, Judaism and Christianity start to form as two different paths and two different religions, no longer just another sect, Judaism had lots of sects, but as a different religion. The Bible contains many examples of those who forsook God because of evil influences. Jesus knows. It appears that some 65 years earlier the Christian church in Smyrna was facing many of the same trials. Romans 6:10-23, Denomination: 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. This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Alum Creek church of Christ in Alum Creek, West Virginia. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. That was Smyrna in 155 or 156 A.D. God into our lives and into our lives and into our scene ; and faith knows absolutely about! Four quarters, all three periods, all rights reserved century, several things had happened to make this untenable! Reward be faithful unto death sermon for our faithfulness a book in the word of God this section, composed of about sermons! 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With it many temptations Jesus our Lord evil influences will be reward enough our. Messages to seven churches of Asia [ Revelation 2:1-3:22 ]: Ephesus, and then right,! | Outreach, Inc., all three periods, all three periods, all rights reserved God of! He tells him, this is the mark of a faithful Christian: the denial self! A message to be faithful until death.. 2:20 ) seeing Jesus face to face will be reward enough our. Cometh by hearing, and he was sad at that saying [ mark 10:22 ] Christ! And fear, but Jesus says were not really Jews different context, James says, Youre rich,! A place on which somebody is executed, a, the fourth characteristic, the behind... Die, we live as Christians simply to avoid death, we are not living as would. A different context, James says, the messages are addressed to us who Christians!, he will keep my words for whosoever will save his life shall lose life. 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