Posts Tagged ‘ perseverance ’

The Overcomers

July 11, 2011
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As we study the book of Revelation in Sunday School and in Bible Bowl class, we try to look closely at the text to make sure we understand what it says before we jump to the question of what it means. One thing that encouraged me this week was noticing a phrase that is repeated in the letters to each of the seven churches of Asia: “To him who overcomes…”

The overcomers in Ephesus, the loveless church, were promised to “eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (2:7).

The overcomers in Smyrna, the persecuted church, were told that they wouldn’t be hurt by the second death (2:11).

The overcomers in Pergamos, the compromising church, were told they would be given hidden manna to eat, a white stone, and a brand new name (2:17).

The overcomers in Thyatira, the corrupt church, were promised power over the nations (2:26).

The overcomers in Sardis, the dead church, would be given white garments and a name that wouldn’t be blotted out of the Father’s book of life (3:5).

The overcomers in Philadelphia, the faithful church, would receive a pillar in the temple of God and be given the New Name (3:12).

And finally, the overcomers in Laodicea, the lukewarm church, were promised that they would sit with Jesus on the throne (3:21).

Notice two things: first, the beauty of the promises to those who are faithful even in the face of death. Second, notice that Jesus fully expected that in every church and in any situation—even in the dead and loveless churches, we could overcome. I find great comfort in these words and hope that you will too. Let’s be overcomers together!

 

Hang in There!

May 12, 2011
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Imagine a city, besieged. The enemy has totally surrounded the city. Nothing gets in or out. Within the walls of the city, supplies begin to run low. Morale is lower. Citizens are fearful and despondent.

Imagine what would happen if a spy broke into that city one night with good news, to explain that the leaders of the enemy surrounding them had been defeated, that surrender was eminent, if they could only last a few more days.

Can you imagine the difference that would make in the lives of the citizens of that city? Depression gives way to joy. Despair gives way to hope.

In many ways, this story is the story of Christian life. We are surrounded by forces of evil. It often seems like wrong is destined to win the day, but things are not as they seem. Jesus brings us the good news that he has destroyed death and taken away the sting of the grave. So even though for a moment we are surrounded by the enemy, his power is meaningless and our hope is sure. All we have to do is hang in there for a few more days…

Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope!” (Hebrews 3:6) So hang in there!

Be Steadfast!

November 6, 2009
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A stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. Psalm 78:8

Loyalty is one of those words we often beat around.  It is a good subject for workers, citizens and Christians.  When we have it, things are in proportion.  When we lack it, things are all out of kilter.

It is a regular theme of the Bible that God’s people are to remain loyal (Steadfast).  It is our responsibility to resist the intellectual and moral pressures of our day. We must resist the fashions of the day and remain steadfast in our faith. We are not to allow ourselves to slip, slide or slither in the mud of modern day thinking that is opposed to the Word of God. We cannot let the flood of the modern world to cause us to be shipwrecked on the shoals of present day thinking.

We are called to hold to the Truth of God, to cling to this secure handhold in the storms that rage around us.  We are to Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23). We often sing the song Is Thy Heart Right With God? We must take the “not” out of the statement above and be loyal to the point of death.

Here are some warnings from the pen of New Testament writers:

Paul - So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (II Thessalonians 2:15)

Hebrews - We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)

John - See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. (I John 2:24)

John - Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (II John 9)

When He comes, will he find us being loyal?

James

Playing Hurt

September 21, 2009
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Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. II Corinthians 12:8

Champions learn to play hurt. We know that our favorite football player must play sometimes hurting.  He can’t just stop when he is hurt.  I once read a story about a man who played a half of the game with a broken arm.  That may be a bit beyond the call of duty.

“Amateurs can produce when they feel like it. Pros can produce when they don’t feel like it.” There is a local advertiser whose slogan seems to be “Life dose not have to hurt.”  I’m not sure about that. Life has its hurts.  Pain is a way of life for many this side of eternity.

Perhaps the character of a man is more evident when he has his back to the wall.  What we are really comes out when the pressure rises.  It is at this point that our faith really comes out.  If there is no testing of faith there is no certainty that we are really true believers.  James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Paul was a man familiar with pain.  He faced it with strength and fortitude.  It was a daily battle with difficulty.  When Paul pleaded with the Father to remove the thorn in his flesh, He answered: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

We don’t always equate power and weakness, but Paul did.  When we think of our walk with Jesus, we often can quit because of some pain in our physical of emotional make-up.  It is at this time that our faith is being tested and we need to endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ (II Timothy 2:3)

Don’t Quit Your Race

November 1, 2008
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You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7

Did you ever know anybody who was running a race and just sat down on the side of the track and never got back in the race?  Did you ever see a football player just sit down in the middle of the field and forget about the game?  Did you ever see a Christian who was running the race for Jesus, just decide one day that he was ready to drop out of the Christian race and forget the whole plan to get to the end of the race and see Jesus face to face?

I have seen it happen in races before. A racer is putting it all on the line to win and someone cuts in on him and he either trips and falls or he gets diverted or discouraged and slows down.  The race is lost and he goes down as a loser.

I have seen it in the Christian life.  A runner gets a good start at his baptism.  He reads the Bible and prays every day.  He brings family and friends to worship and several are baptized. Something occurs and he gets cut in on and he falls back and drifts back into the old way of life. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. (Ephesians 4:22)

The race goes on and this discouraged racer drops farther and farther back and in the end he sits at home on Sunday night and before long he sits at home on Sunday morning.  Everyone wonders at the change in his life at the beginning and now they are wondering at the change of his life now.

Paul has a word for the Galatians and for us today: You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

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