Would it be murder, rape, spouse abuse, adultery, theft, gambling, or perhaps lying? 15, 16), VI. Come. A 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. Pray for the persecuted church. 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. Be faithful unto death. Well, we are all like that. 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. WebFaithfulness unto death is Gods standard for human life. 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. Behold the EASTER SUNDAY 2014 SERMON Will you praise Him in pain? A new convert never studies Scripture, and so when a denominational group knocks on his door, he falls for what they teach. You can understand how this might happen. It is a place on which somebody is executed, a cross. repudiation of the world, a. Jesus Believed and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims in this earth(Revelation 21:2). But why do you delay? Just to give you some numbers from the time of Jesus to the year 2000, so just say about 2000 years, there were roughly 36 billion people on the planet. You could not help but love him. This morning, we want to examine the biblical teachings concerning our faithfulness and call us to faithfulness to God. That sadly has happened. Denial of self(Matthew 16:24-25), A. 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. View all Sermons Faithful Unto Death Series Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,507 views Scripture: Now, listen to His exact word: Give away what you have. But as long as I listen and bow before self, my life is shriveled and small. Polycarp by all accounts was a venerable man, highly respected for his holiness and orthodoxy. Were at 7, 8 now? read more, Scripture: But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. Let me finish, then, where we started. 1:6). We all love to be praised. Dont think youre the only one to whom injustice has ever happened. Therefore, when he was brought before him, the proconsul, so the governor, asked if he were Polycarp, and when he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to recant, saying Have respect for your age and other such things as they were accustomed to say. 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. Genesis 50:1-26, Denomination: If they die faithfully, they get a crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Will God reward you? 119:11). The What was important to them in the beginning was no longer important. They assume they will go to heaven. King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Revelation 2:10 Context He knows your broken heart in a way that no one else does. You dont forget His promise. Most of us, if were honest, are scared of suffering. The Importance of Christs Resurrection Most people dont consider that they will die. It is like manna from heaven to a hungry heart. The master of the house was to take an awl, a punch, and pierce the ear of the slave and drive it against the wall, against the door of the house; a sign and a symbol that this slave was driven to the loving service of his master forever [Deuteronomy 15:16-17]. WebFAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH II Kings 2:1-12 For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. THE CHURCH THAT WOULD NOT SURRENDER And it happens. Hebrews 9:24-27. today we want to focus our attention on John. Theyre such a testimony to Gods grace. And he was invited to preach before the king, King George III, in 1780. There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in me sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up (1 Ki. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpitI majored in English in college, and I love English literature. 4:10). In 23 B.C. We would like if He had said, Do not fear because you wont suffer. I would much prefer that. And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. What youre about to suffer need not be fearful. The sermons and original blog posts are Copyright by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr. Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. May angels attend you in the way as you come. Because if were reading Scripture, well have the power to overcome temptation. The most remarkable Polycarp, who proved to be an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, bishop of the catholic church, meaning the orthodox, universal church in Smyrna. Darrows The Story of My Life said there is no evidence of immortality, B. Gods So many fall away because they are selfish-they dont care what God says theyre going to do what they want to do. The premise of this study is the foundation of creation. When the spies arrived in Jericho, they entered into what everyone thought was a harlot's house. And because of the necessity pressed upon him in his growing family, he accepted an affluent church in London. There was a price on the head of our Lord. 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. 1 2 3 4 Next He did NOT say, If you are faithful a few short years I will give thee a Yet Paul told Timothy that anyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Paul said, None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy (Acts 20:24). 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. The Pharisees did that (Matt. 16:3), B. An outline from the book The Bumps Are What You Climb On "Three Important Looks" by Warren Wiersbe pg 17 1980 Given Could you imagine it? They worship every now and then but not with any kind of regularity. Heres the key-those men and women were just like we are. WebTrue faithfulness to God is maintained to the end. IF we are in CHRIST. Where, O death, is your victory? Now even saying it that way can make us nervous, is this anti-Semitism? One of the marks, I say, of a true disciple of Christ, he never wearies, hes never seen, hes never sated listening to the Word of God. 10:39). For me I have it written down. Would I run away? 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. We respond in Faith! We dont have a small Christ who is coming and just saying, Oh, I will shed a tear for you. No, this is the One who is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. Over time, the distinction between sacrificing to the Emperor as a ruler to honor him, and sacrificing to the Emperor as a god, well, that gets pretty fuzzy, and in some peoples minds a difference, a distinction without a difference. We are given by choice, by volition, to our Lord and Master forever. And thank Thee, Lord, for each soul You give us, in Thy precious name, amen. They are clear and unequivocal; the first one is this: supreme love for Jesus our Lord. I dont look forward to it. 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. We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Heb. Faithfulness. Lets get a sense of that words meaning in By a living faith, I mean one consumed with one desireto please our Lord. Thats what it is. As we begin the New Year, I felt compelled to preach a series that deals with the foundational element of our faith the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Kings 2:1-12. . Every Christian wants to be able to say with the apostle Paul, as he thought about his own death ( 2 Tim. And God said, Abraham, come here. Faithfulness involves giving our whole heart to God and trying to please him each day we live. I read in the Book of Hebrews beginning at the eleventh chapter beginning at verse 9: By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange countryFor he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Romans 1:17, Denomination: 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. living faith, consumed with one desire to please Him(John 12:42-43), 1. WebFEATURE SERMON TEXT-FEATURE Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands Instead of worshipping as they should, they play golf on Sunday mornings or they go the race track or they go fishing. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and speak and discuss English literature three times once a week? When Jesus said follow Him, this is our life's course. 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.. In a different context, James says, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (Js. Matthew 10:38: He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. And Matthew 16:24: If any one will come after Me, let him . Not only that, but the Lord Jesus can sympathize because He, too, is a man, a human being, even now in heaven, the God-man. B. The things of this world prevent people from being faithful. Dont you find those martyrdom stories inspiring and yet utterly overwhelming? When we suffer, were tempted to doubt Gods goodness, to question His sovereignty, to find Him less glorious, to wonder if Hes left us or forsaken us. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important And if you would just swear by Caesar, recant Christ, just let them go. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. This was the problem with the Ephesian church-I have this against you, that you have left your first love (Rev. He comes with comfort, and notice He comes with commands. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Remember Jesus says those who utter all kinds of false things about you, who slander you, that, too, is a kind of persecution and we ought to pray that we will not grow spiritually flabby as a church should we be called upon to face persecution. What does it mean for us? Sometimes people do. If they overcome in the first death, they will not be hurt by the second death. We Christians must be faithful. And a man who preaches the word of the Lord is someone people love to listen to. We dont have a little God. That is to say, even in Charlotte, North Carolina should you be a true, passionate, on fire, biblical Christian, absolutely in love with Jesus, no matter what it counts, at some point you will face opposition. He said, Now if you want to learn the doctrine of Christianity, name a day and give me a hearing. The proconsul told Polycarp, No, persuade the people of your Christianity. Polycarp replied that he had been taught to respect the rulers and authorities and he would be happy to meet with the proconsul, but this was a lawless mob and he wasnt going to waste his time., So the proconsul said, I have wild beasts if you dont change your mind. Polycarp said, Call for them. The proconsul said, You will be consumed by the fire. Polycarp said, You threaten with a fire that burns only briefly and after just a little while is extinguished, for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. So they didnt have the same protection. You dont reject your Savior. He was a friend of Ignatius and he was a mentor to Irenaeus. 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. That number of about 0.8% of Christians throughout history, in fact, has been constant over many centuries. Or see the movie or tell the jokes or visit the websites that everyone else. A fifth characteristic of the true servant of Christhe possesses a continuing and undying faith in our victorious Lord Christ. Jesus calls us to overcome. [Matthew 27:57]. Methodist. Listen to this: Romans 4:17: God, who quickeneth the dead, calleth those things which be not as though they were, Abraham [Genesis 17:5], against hope, believed in hope. Ritual of piercing the ear of a slave who refuses to leave his master after And you cannot enter heaven loving the wrong world. And after he began his preachingafter he was a preacher, he was wonderfully converted. 6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he We can remember the benefits of remaining faithful. Jesus knows. 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. Not some physical anguish or personal disappointment, 2. 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. But in 1776, he joined the Revolutionary Army. Faithfulness means you keep bearing witness to Jesus. If they were faithful to the end, surely we can be as well. Then, they feel they dont need God, because theyve succeeded in life. Heres the mayor, heres the governor, heres the president. Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) More were killed by other religious groups, and far and away, most of those Christian martyrs were killed by the state, some 55 million out of those 70 million. Yet Jesus came that it would not keep you in bondage, because the end of this life, for the Christian, is the beginning of a life that is far better. Our inheritance is not here, it is there [1 Peter 1:4-5]. UNTO DEATH THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN, I. [Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20]. Theme: Show the faith of these two great patriarchs. Instead, He told them to be faithful unto death. It is used twice in the Bible. Since we know that God will richly reward us, we should be faithful. But pastor, does God say anything? But if a man loves God, every day is a sweeter day, a triumphant day, and some day, a victorious day. 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. John 19:17-27. 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 days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. The apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. WebUnto death! 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. 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. and the rich young ruler(Mark 10:21-22, Matthew He gained the information, but on his way back to report to General Washington he was recognized and seized and hanged in what is today New York City, on Market Street and East Broadway. That means we are never turning back. Rev. Genesis 49 William Akehurst HSWC https://drjustinimelsr.com/sermon-on-soteriology-be-faithful-until-death Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. read more, Scripture: When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, It was a great city in the day of the flesh of our Lord. II Kings 2:1-12 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. There is nothing but praise from our Lord for the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. We fail to put God first in our lives-we dont base all our decisions based on what he would want, we neglect to mention the Gospel to our family and friends. There will be a temptation to want to raise your flag as well and say, Here I am, you can count on me. Or to wear the sort of clothes that everyone would wear. That is the mark of a disciple of Christ. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important "way stations" that are a part of our Christian pilgrimage. Hes already won. Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown (Rev. False doctrine leads many astray. False doctrine prevents people from being faithful. And He uses the word stugnaz, translated lowering, the sky is stugnaz, it is lowering. Some of you perhaps pray for it every day, that would be wonderful. We have to remember the reality to come which will last forever and the reality that exists now. Try to set an example from time to time to pray for it here from the pulpit. And on page four hundred he says, If there is one scrap of proof that we are alive after we are dead, why is not that scrap given to the world? 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. Baptist. Of course it does. 3 attributes we find in Pauls heart: 1. When Your browser does not support the audio tag. Give to Him life, home, family, business He will give it back to you (Revelation 2:8-11) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are That is our faith. Could I take time to turn aside? Our Lord is saying, you be faithful and true even if it costs your life, and I will give you a crown [Revelation 2:10], stephanos, crown; the word Stephen, and you read about him and his martyrdom just now [Acts 7:54-60]. So some of the Jews no longer had qualms about revering Caesar along with the Old Testament God, as is often the pressure to syncretism. It was a difficult situation. The fourth characteristic, the fourth mark of a true disciple of our Lordone who continues unswervingly in the Word of God. The other place it is used is to describe the face of that young man. As we think of Gods love, what could we do but be faithful? I recognize the first born of Satan. So he didnt mess around. And if the challenge in Ephesus was lovelessness, here it is the hatred of those who do not love Christ, or love the truth. And what you do and what you believe and how you carry yourself is thought strange? 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. In broad, open daylight where everyone could see, he knelt down before the Lord, the Prophet from Nazareth saying, Agathai didaskai [Mark 10:17]. 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. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Three Important Looks Or Paul's Last Testimony. He dressed like a Tory schoolmaster. You can read it. Centuries earlier, during the period when Rome was struggling with Carthage for supremacy, Smyrna sided with the Romans. We have been encouraged and greatly challenged in our personal walk with the Lord. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. We could put it like this death comes to us all, heaven does not. That right there was meant to be comfort. Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. First Corinthians 15:19: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.. But as Polycarp entered the stadium, there came a voice from heaven: Be strong, Polycarp, and courageous. Or some translations, be strong and play the man. And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice and then, as he was brought forward, there was a great uproar when they heard that Polycarp had been arrested. Most of us fear death, but as a Christian were called to hope. . Where is your? Yes, death is an enemy for sure, but there is a worse enemy. But in particular it blames some of the Jews. I started with the story of Polycarp. 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. Thats the promise in verse 11. They were poor, but Jesus says, Youre rich. They were persecuted by Jews who Jesus says were not really Jews. Well be here listening. It is one of the truths of 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.. WebSermon Series: RevelationSermon Title: The Church of Smyrna: Be Faithful Unto DeathScripture Text: Revelation 2:8-11Speaker: Rev. He knew what it was to face external temptation when that suffering came. Continuing with our series through the seven letters to the seven churches, this morning to the church in Smyrna. You dont get angry with God. 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. That was Smyrna in 155 or 156 A.D. "Faithful unto Death" Sixth Sunday after Pentecost St. Mark 6:14-29 July 16, 2006 IN NOMINE JESU In the rite of Confirmation, the confirmands are reminded of what Remember? What is preventing you from being faithful? FAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH 10/18/2006 read more, Scripture: 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. heroes of the faith(Hebrews 11:9-10, 16), 1. Jesus Himself said, Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.. All England came to know him. Elishas dedication to Elijah might Faithfulness in the midst of persecution doesnt mean you just grin and bear it, you suppress it, you pretend like it doesnt hurt. Amen. It is called a martyr church. Dont think youre the only one to have this struggle. Well, the magistrate was not happy with this. [Luke 9:62]: No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.. Title: The Face of Faithfulness: John Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. In fact, we do. So we dont have to long for it and want it. We always face death as Christians remembering that our God has promised us a resurrection. He knew they would experience difficult times in their lives. But we also know that suffering brings with it many temptations. Remember this is a letter from whom? A hundred years old and Sarah, ninety years of age and no child is born [Genesis 17:17]. 14:14). 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. He knew what it was to suffer as a man. 2:10). This is the pastor bringing the message entitled Faithful Unto 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. 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. 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]. and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb. Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. Which naturally leads to the second command, at the end of verse 10 Be faithful unto death. For the white city thats soon coming down. A sixth characteristic of the true disciple of Christ: a fervent love for the people of God. 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. They will be subtle, but they will be there. 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. 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. Say away with the atheists. And I dont know if this meant to be humorous at the moment of his almost death, but heres the story Polycarp solemnly looked at the whole crowd of lawless heathen who were in the stadium. read more, Scripture: 2:10 )? Its important to remember what happened after the Resurrection! Suffering. Title: Death of two great patriarchs And when John Fawcett stood and preached before the king, the king was so moved he said to the preacher, Ask anything and I will give it to thee. And the wonderful preacher replied, Sir, I have nothing for myself, but one of my families has a boy, a wayward boy who faces the sentence of death for forgery, in the strict laws of that time. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. This is the second of seven messages to seven churches. John 1:10-11: Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. 21:25). 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.. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith being fully persuaded that, what God had promised, He was able to perform. but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. When a man loves the world and the things that are in the world, the day finally comes when he finds his hands empty and his heart broken. 1 John 5: 13-21 It is on the Aegean Sea; it is in Turkey on the western shore of Asia Minor. The Bible says that Zaccheus was a rich man [Luke 19:1-2]. 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