This is the apocalypse revelation written down by John, who was a Jew, so we ought not take this to be some sort of anti-Jewish polemic. [He] went inside the house and sat down and wrote what I think is the most preciously beautiful hymn in the English language. Holiness. Text: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. View all Sermons Faithful Unto Death Series Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,507 views Scripture: That is the mark of a disciple of Christ. read more, Scripture: Why Jesus, in His letter to the church at Smyrna, instruct those Christians to Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.. 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. In Matthew 16:3 Jesus uses it describing the face of a sky before a violent storm. 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.. by choice to our Lord and Master forever, 1. Try to set an example from time to time to pray for it here from the pulpit. Romans 6: 10-23 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 . The first death is not avoidable. All England came to know him. INTRODUCTION: Just looking in department stores. read more, Scripture: Come. It continues to the last stitch. Jesus told the church in Smyrna, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10, KJV). Amen.. 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. We lament death. Or see the movie or tell the jokes or visit the websites that everyone else. Nathan Hale entered Yale University as a ministerial student studying to be a preacher. Then finally, number three let us remember death is not the enemy. There are absolutes in the Christian life. The clouds are boiling and the face of the heaven is angry. 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. Faithfulness is required for all four quarters, all three periods, all nine innings. He wants to be associated with them. However, when they entered Rahab's house, they found a woman who had already been touched by the Spirit and Faithfulness. But notice who this Jesus is. In fact, Polycarp was a disciple of John, who wrote this book of Revelation. For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. To Him be the glory, honor, majesty, and eternal throne, from generation to generation. 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. Are you faithful? Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Thats loving Jesus. Youre faithful. Suffering. You, too, can read that. He knows your broken heart in a way that no one else does. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpitI majored in English in college, and I love English literature. 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. Its marking out the date and time of his death. 4:2). That is our faith. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. 16:3), B. These things I command you, that you love one another [John 15:17]. Well, no, notice what this letter says: The slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not. Where is your? Yes, death is an enemy for sure, but there is a worse enemy. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.. Jesus does not offer a rebuke to Smyrna. If God says anything, preacher, tell us what does God say? 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. We can remember the benefits of remaining faithful. We cannot be defeated. But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. You can understand how this might happen. 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. He hands it back to you doubly blessed; sanctified, hallowed when I place Jesus first in my life. For me I have it written down. 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 Thats a great man, a marvelous man; thats Gods man. Matthew 9:24, Luke 8:53), 2. take up his cross, and follow Me. The cross is an instrument of death. Hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, C. Faith The love of your life is in money. It would be possible for one to worship weekly and yet be as unfaithful as one who seldom, if ever, attended. That is the child of God. They could offer sacrifices in honor of the emperors, not as gods but as rulers. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. We Christians must be faithful. 11:4). But the Jews had been given a special exemption. The text is taken out of our Lords message to the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. WebFAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH II Kings 2:1-12 For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. 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. There is nothing but praise from our Lord for the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. In fact, as I said last week, the two most struggling churches, the ones facing the greatest weaknesses, at least in an earthly sense, Philadelphia and Smyrna, are the ones about whom Jesus has nothing but good to say: I know your tribulation and your poverty. As long as Christianity was a sect of Judaism, there was little trouble. . 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. Faithfulness involves giving our whole heart to God and trying to please him each day we live. We, too, can lose focus of whats important in life. John 1:10-11: Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. Oh, what a beautiful thing, a precious thing, a wonderful thing: to love our Lord and to follow humbly in the way of Jesus! The Lord knows. Do you need to come to Jesus right now? Jesus will be there with you. A reference to the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Genesis, where Abraham came before God and said, Lord, You say that I am to have a child and then the seed that comes out of my body, my loins, the whole world is be blessed. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 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? Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. 8 billion called themselves Christians in some broadest sense of the word. A Suffering is suffering. Some of those Christians have been killed by other Christians. He stayed there in that tiny church over fifty years; their pastor over fifty years. But if a man loves God, every day is a sweeter day, a triumphant day, and some day, a victorious day. 2:4). Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. 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 Now the next verse: And God counted his faith for righteousness, because he believed in the Lord [Genesis 16:6]. Dr. Matthew Everhard But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. WebBe Faithful Unto Death The sixth step Jesus said, "Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). And Jesus will reign now and into eternity. Which naturally leads to the second command, at the end of verse 10 Be faithful unto death. Our But whether it is a diadem or a garland, whether it is a royal crown or a victors crown, God says if we are faithful and true, at the end of the way He will reward us with a crown of life [Revelation 2:10]. Theres no point in being fearful now. He never knows a turning back or an ultimate defeat. Give it up and come, take up the cross, and follow me. New American Bible Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Each time Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus replied, It is written. One of the best ways to learn how to sin well is never to read the Bible. You have no picture of what actually that word describes at all in He was sad at that saying. The word is stugnaz. The shears with rust are spoiled and yet. Listen to the words of our Lord in Luke 6:26: Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! We are not in this world to be acclaimed, we are to be true to our Lord, no matter what repudiation or scoffing or scorning. 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. Why didnt the Lord say that to Joseph of Arimathea, who is described in the Bible as a rich man? The Basis of the Gospel And what you do and what you believe and how you carry yourself is thought strange? Heres part of the story. We can remember the great examples of Scripture. If youre faithful unto death, you will get the crown of life. So he tells him, Swear by Caesar, or recant. and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Fathers which sent Me. Any true disciple of our Lord has a deep, haunting, never-sated thirst for the word of God. Or it could refer to a garland, a victors crown. . We are given by choice, by volition, to our Lord and Master forever. That sadly has happened. We find them suggested in II Kings 2:1-12. 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. 1:6). 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.. In the little city of Bethany, they plotted His death. Faithfulness means you keep bearing witness to Jesus. The other place it is used is to describe the face of that young man. Most people dont consider that they will die. Will you praise Him in pain? 31:23). An unswerving continuance in the Word of Jesus knows. Theme: Show the faith of these two great patriarchs. Darrows The Story of My Life said there is no evidence of immortality, B. Gods And a youngster wants to belong to the group. Our inheritance is not here, it is there [1 Peter 1:4-5]. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love (Jn. If they die faithfully, they get a crown of life. 8:14). Amen. living faith, consumed with one desire to please Him(John 12:42-43), 1. John spoke much about our love for the Lord and for one another. They are clear and unequivocal; the first one is this: supreme love for Jesus our Lord. It may be in your classroom, when they think that all your beliefs make you a bigot. However fate or providence may assail us, our commitment to our Lord is, first, and supreme. Romans 1:17, Denomination: 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. The Lord said, if we are faithful unto death, He would give us a CROWN OF LIFE. And Jesus is waiting for the day of our coming. Lets peer inside Pauls heart, and see whats in there. 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 may say, Well, wait a minute, Pastor. Give to Him life, home, family, business He will give it back to you 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. 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. . We can remember the things of God. Isaiah 38:1-8, James 1:2-4, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 3:12, Denomination: 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. 18:6). Foursquare. Revile Christ. This was typical Roman procedure. Oh, by the way, its while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. Number one. Why didnt the Lord say that to him? Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. Denial of self(Matthew 16:24-25), A. I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. The LORD preserves the faithful (Ps. read more, Scripture: Why didnt the Lord say that to the family at Bethanyto Lazarus and Mary and Martha? read more, Scripture: Theyre such a testimony to Gods grace. by 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 Is God first in your life? 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. 10/18/2006 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. When the crowd learned that it would not be possible to set a lion loose, thats what they called for, then they shouted for him to be burned alive. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important It is like water to a thirsting soul. And after he began his preachingafter he was a preacher, he was wonderfully converted. 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. You couldnt help but know a man like that. Text: Genesis 49:28-50 Gave his life to be a Baptist preacher, VII. 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 if I abdicate the throne, and no longer is itself, but if I enthrone my Lord, life becomes infinitely blessed, infinitely precious, infinitely meaningful. Methodist. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. THE CHURCH THAT WOULD NOT SURRENDER General Washington needed information concerning the British troops. THREE IMPORTANT LOOKS OR PAUL'S LAST TESTIMONY And that beautiful, symbolic portrayal in the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy is symbolic of all of us. They were poor, but Jesus says, Youre rich. They were persecuted by Jews who Jesus says were not really Jews. Poem, Number one let us pray for the persecuted church. 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. Revelation chapter 2, beginning at verse 8. Isnt that unusual, that you would have a minister really converted? 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. In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. 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. Repent. 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. 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. Dont think youre the only one to whom injustice has ever happened. And thank Thee, Lord, for each soul You give us, in Thy precious name, amen. It is one of the marks and the characteristics of a good disciple of Jesus; our love for one another. 14 views Watch this sermon on a Roku or Apple TV! Our reward is not here, it is there [Matthew 5:12]. 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. So they didnt have the same protection. Genesis and Revelation are two of the most disputed books in the Bible. 22:37). read more, Scripture: 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.
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