Sermon for 10-12-14 When The Lord Walked The Land (Borrowed): A Word About Faithfulness Revelation 2:8-17 In his address to the churches at Smyrna and at Pergamum, Jesus said things that the modern church must heed as well. Smyrna, the ornament of Asia enjoyed its status as a premier city but Jesus reminded the church that their status in his eyes was much more important. It was the reference to his self-description of being the first and the last. What love he showed. He admonished them to be faithful unto death and warned them of coming trouble. The word for tribulation meant pressure or affliction and he told them it was coming and that they must endure. That endurance would be a result of their remaining true to Christ himself as so much evil was around them in culture, politics and religion. There was a note of victory as he promised a crown for those who overcame and he promised that the second death would have no power over them. This second death statement was a reference to the final judgment which would be the awful fate of unbelievers. The saints at Pergamum also received a word about faithfulness. Those believers were paying a price for identifying with Jesus and they were told to maintain their witness. Again using the sense of overcoming/conquering, Jesus promised them a portion of that hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it. Theologians have long wrestled with what the actual interpretation of these items should be but one thing has been clear: knowing Jesus was better than anything the world or hell could offer. While these letters are nearly 2,000 years old, they still apply to the church today. In this age of false religion and shallow churchiness, it should alarm us that so much of what passes as Christian teaching neglects the inevitability of suffering with and for Christ. The New Testament is clear that believers will suffer yet that message is consistently rejected by so many of todays pulpits. Jesus tells those in Smyrna to prepare themselves as affliction approaches and he says to endure even unto death. This flies in the face of modern, comfortable, cotton candy, warm-fuzzy Christianity. The Church in America is going to begin facing troublesome times. We no longer have government as an ally or at least as a working partner. Culture is rapidly and viciously working to demean any value in the cross. Pastors are told to make their congregations feel good--or else. The atmosphere in many congregations today is related more to a carnival than genuine worship of holy God. Jesus never taught that being a Christian exempted anyone from hardship. Their is no immunity from satanic persecution. Their is no guarantee of popularity. There is a price to pay for a Christian walk that is genuine. He paid that price and when we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are only walking in the steps the Savior has already made. These are strong words but these are desperate times. Join us as we discuss these things. We are at 330 S Liberty Street in Milledgeville, GA or you may listen live at 1450, WMVGam.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:51:22 +0000
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