Suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and speak and discuss English literature three times once a week? A pathway deliberately chosen death to the deepest desires of the flesh, Rev James Porter Be Thou Faithful Unto Death Not only is there no evidence of immortality, but the facts show it is utterly impossible for us that there should be a life beyond this one on earth. Thats what they say, the unbeliever and the infidel and the agnostic. Theme: Show the faith of these two great patriarchs. By a living faith, I mean one consumed with one desireto please our Lord. [He] went inside the house and sat down and wrote what I think is the most preciously beautiful hymn in the English language. Pray for the persecuted church. Luke 14:25 and 26: And there went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, his wife, and children, his brothers, and sisters, and yea, his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. . For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it. Notice the Lord Jesus says in verse 9, I know your tribulation and your poverty. This was a church that had more pain than they had money. The text is taken out of our Lords message to the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. 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. A sixth characteristic of the true disciple of Christ: a fervent love for the people of God. Jesus told the church in Smyrna, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10, KJV). We cannot be defeated. They were poor, but Jesus says, Youre rich. They were persecuted by Jews who Jesus says were not really Jews. Amen. Thats loving Jesus. Probably dates to around 108 A.D., that is shortly after the death of Ignatius. 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 they had a little boy born to the home and they named him JohnJohn Fawcett. I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. love for Him so great, any other in comparison is as hate, B. 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. Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 Remember this is a letter from whom? But here in the second half of the first century, several things had happened to make this situation untenable. Suffering is suffering. Smyrna won the special privilege to build a temple to Emperor Tiberius. He knows your broken heart in a way that no one else does. But look at Jesus (John 1:10-11, Mark 5:40, Selfishness prevents people from being faithful. We will suffer. The second characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian: the denial of self. Now even saying it that way can make us nervous, is this anti-Semitism? William Akehurst HSWC Heres the mayor, heres the governor, heres the president. The connection of this passage will help us to understand its meaning. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. The real hero is not he who makes the fastest schedule but he who lasts the longest. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. It is far too easy to go through the motions of being faithful without really being faithful. But notice who this Jesus is. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Denomination: Why didnt the Lord say that to Joseph of Arimathea, who is described in the Bible as a rich man? So if we have a late date for Revelation around 90 A.D., then this is some 65 years later, not that long. [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. 5:17)-His point is that Elijah was a human being just like everyone else, yet his prayers accomplished much. Its been translated into English. Revelation 2:10, Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Isnt that unusual, that you would have a minister really converted? and the rich young ruler(Mark 10:21-22, Matthew They worship every now and then but not with any kind of regularity. When one is baptized into Christ and becomes a Christian, he begins a new life ( Rom. General Washington needed information concerning the British troops. My fortieth year as a pastor still preaching the Word, V. A continuing living faith in Christ, A. Oh, by the way, its while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. Remember, they considered the Christians to be atheists because they didnt have any statues, they didnt have idols. take up his cross, and follow Me. The cross is an instrument of death. And thank Thee, Lord, for each soul You give us, in Thy precious name, amen. 22:37). 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. [Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20]. There was a price on the head of our Lord. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important Friends. For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. While we stand and while we pray. These things I command you, that you love one another [John 15:17]. He knew what it was to suffer as a man. The Lord knows. When I was a youth growing up, Clarence Darrow, the great agnostic and atheist, literally covered the horizon in the legal profession. Every sabbatical, every seventh year, the slave in a Hebrew household was to be free. Our Lord, before it comes to pass, we praise Thy wonderful, keeping, saving, endearing name for all You have done for us; died to save us [1 Corinthians 15:3], poured out Thy blood to wash us clean and white [Revelation 1:5, 5:9], that we might stand in the presence of God forgiven [Jude 1:24]. And this commandment that we have from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also [1 John 4:21]. 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. John 19:17-27. In Mark 5, in Matthew 9, and Luke 8, they laughed Him to scorn at Capernaum [Mark 5:40; Matthew 9:24; Luke 8:53]. We can remember the great examples of Scripture. Wed be fooling ourselves to make any sort of comparison. Why didnt the Lord say that to Zaccheus? WebTrue faithfulness to God is maintained to the end. He hands it back to you doubly blessed; sanctified, hallowed when I place Jesus first in my life. If God says anything, preacher, tell us what does God say? 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. Its a very human response to fear death. Not some physical anguish or personal disappointment, 2. 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. Three points of application. You dont forget His promise. That was Smyrna in 155 or 156 A.D. False doctrine prevents people from being faithful. by This morning, we want to examine the biblical teachings concerning our faithfulness and call us to faithfulness to God. Faithfulness in the midst of persecution doesnt mean you just grin and bear it, you suppress it, you pretend like it doesnt hurt. If they overcome in the first death, they will not be hurt by the second 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 Hezekiah held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments (2 Ki. 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]. 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.. I. 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. 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]. 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.. read more, Scripture: It would take maybe a half hour to read. It is interesting to note the things Jesus DID NOT say to them on how to overcome. Maybe take a half hour to read it. We must 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. I dont want to suffer. They are all doing it. Give it up. We Christians must be faithful. 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. 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]. And after he began his preachingafter he was a preacher, he was wonderfully converted. They were human beings with faults just as we are; yet they accomplished much through their faith. It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Cor. Heres part of the story. Well be here listening. It is one of the truths of life. Are you faithful? Losing focus of whats important in life prevents people from being faithful. And the world passeth away . 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. 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. As we remember the words of Scripture, we will be able to fight off temptation and thus remain faithful. It appears that some 65 years earlier the Christian church in Smyrna was facing many of the same trials. They will be subtle, but they will be there. 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.. [Matthew 27:57]. 2 Kings 2:1-12. Jesus does not offer a rebuke to Smyrna. 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