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. Our resurrection is dependent on his resurrection- Paul said There are many benefits to remaining faithful. Instead of worshipping as they should, they play golf on Sunday mornings or they go the race track or they go fishing. You dont get angry with God. 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. 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. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it. That grace, should that come, and for most of us, maybe all of us, it wont come like that, but when the opposition comes, when the moment comes at your workplace, youre going to go along with this program or who knows what happens to your job. INTRODUCTION: Just looking in department stores. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. It is interesting to note the things Jesus DID NOT say to them on how to overcome. 2014.04.20 HE AROSE and you can too! I absolutely love how the story ends. Given Its been translated into English. Now, listen to His exact word: Give away what you have. If youre faithful unto death, you will get the crown of life. FAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH II Kings 2:1-12 For the child of God, heaven is our ultimate destination. And it is one of the seven churches of Asia [Revelation 2:1-3:22]: Ephesus, and then right north, Smyrna. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3 And said, Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) 2:10 )? I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. His salary was less than two hundred dollars a year. The author of Hebrews had just finished writing about great men and women of faith-He wrote about how they obeyed God out of their faith. 31:23). Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. But listen to the heroes of the faith. The tragic and terrible civil war he was fighting in his heart registered in his countenance, stugnaz; and he lost the battle. I would love to be a professor of English literature. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. [First John] 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another [1 John 4:11]. For the white city thats soon coming down. Every Christian wants to be able to say with the apostle Paul, as he thought about his own death ( 2 Tim. 21:25). Romans 6:10-23, Denomination: But in particular it blames some of the Jews. Remember this is a letter from whom? In 23 B.C. In fact, we do. 6:9). I AM the LIFE. 1:6). I dont look forward to it. FAITHFUL Heres the key-those men and women were just like we are. Christian Life, Faith, Love, Loyalty, Self-Denial, Great Doctrines of the Bible: Practical Theology, 1983, Revelation. An appeal for faithfulness in an era when We have to remember the reality to come which will last forever and the reality that exists now. My fortieth year as a pastor still preaching the Word, V. A continuing living faith in Christ, A. 14 views Watch this sermon on a Roku or Apple TV! The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. This is the second of seven messages to seven churches. 10:39). 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 Now, before I mention the last one may I recapitulate? That sadly has happened. Could I take time to turn aside? So, what is this sin? You cannot fail in Godnever, ever, ever. WebTrue faithfulness to God is maintained to the end. He dressed like a Tory schoolmaster. 1 Cor 15:14 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. So to his sorrowing little congregation, he preached a farewell message and they placed everything on the wagonhis books, his furniture and everythingand he and his wife and the children climbed on the wagon, and they turned to leave. View all Sermons Faithful Unto Death Series Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,507 views Scripture: They are all doing it. We can remember the love that God has for us. May I turn to 1 John 3:14? Give it up. Were at 7, 8 now? They were poor, but rich in what really matters. But here in the second half of the first century, several things had happened to make this situation untenable. Church Of God, Joshua 2:1-15 THE GREAT ESCAPE Intro: Ill. And on the first anniversary of that wonderful experience, he wrote that marvelous hymn: [O for a Thousand Tongues, Charles Wesley]. Which leads to a second point of application. 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. 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. Hes telling us from Gods Holy Scriptures about our Lord. The Lord said, if we are faithful unto death, He would give us a CROWN OF LIFE. 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. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and speak and discuss English literature three times once a week? So if we have a late date for Revelation around 90 A.D., then this is some 65 years later, not that long. Charles Wesley was an Anglican minister. 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. It is like water to a thirsting soul. The Lord never said that to him. Polycarp by all accounts was a venerable man, highly respected for his holiness and orthodoxy. Our inheritance is not here, it is there [1 Peter 1:4-5]. 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. We can remember the things of God. A sixth characteristic of the true disciple of Christ: a fervent love for the people of God. Web10/ 9/ 94 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH REVELATION 2: 10 (PAGE 1785 COME ALIVE BIBLE) JESUS CHRIST is appropriately spoken of as "the faithful witness" (Rev. read more, Scripture: In the little city of Bethany, they plotted His death. Preacher, just stand up there and tell us what God says. It is on the Aegean Sea; it is in Turkey on the western shore of Asia Minor. And the Lord noticed it. Oh, by the way, its while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. read more. But interestingly, Revelation here doesnt blame the Romans for the persecution thats coming, though they could be the ones to mete it out, the executioners. Theyre such a testimony to Gods grace. 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. Would to God we had ten thousand lives to offer to Jesus. Faithfulness means you keep bearing witness to Jesus. [Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20]. The Lord knows. Believing it possible that through Christ we may live in the required manner, that we may avoid sin--desist from sinning--give it up and abandon it altogether, and put it forever away. 2:10). It is one of the marks and the characteristics of a good disciple of Jesus; our love for one another. 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. 5:14)-Just as Christs love compelled Paul to evangelize, it should compel us to live holy lives. 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. He hands it back to you doubly blessed; sanctified, hallowed when I place Jesus first in my life. (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 Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and All seven of the churches of Asia have some castigation from our Lord except this church. We must love for Him so great, any other in comparison is as hate, B. and the rich young ruler(Mark 10:21-22, Matthew The second death is. That is a big number. And what you do and what you believe and how you carry yourself is thought strange? In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. Methodist. Some of you perhaps pray for it every day, that would be wonderful. 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. The second characteristic and mark of a faithful Christian: the denial of self. If we are faithful, God will save us and glorify us in the life to come. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important "way stations" that are a part of our Christian pilgrimage. It appears that some 65 years earlier the Christian church in Smyrna was facing many of the same trials. A hundred years old and Sarah, ninety years of age and no child is born [Genesis 17:17]. 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. And Jesus will reign now and into eternity. Listening to a man expound the unsearchable riches of the Word of God. You couldnt see their god, so they said they were atheists. [The Pearly White City, Arthur F. Ingler]. Would it be murder, rape, spouse abuse, adultery, theft, gambling, or perhaps lying? As long as Christianity was a sect of Judaism, there was little trouble. Continuing with our series through the seven letters to the seven churches, this morning to the church in Smyrna. But if a man loves God, every day is a sweeter day, a triumphant day, and some day, a victorious day. And it happens. Or see the movie or tell the jokes or visit the websites that everyone else. Thats the promise in verse 11. 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. Of course it does. He was called to be pastor of a little church in a little town in Yorkshire called Wainsgate. That means we are never turning back. And when the young man asked, Master, all of these commandments have I kept from my youth, but my heart is still hungry and empty, what lack I yet that I might obtain eternal life? Number one pray for the persecuted Church. 4:7 ), I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. While God promises that He will keep all that He saves, the process is Youre faithful. We all love to be praised. That may sound daunting. I recognize the first born of Satan. So he didnt mess around. Text: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 31:23). A fifth characteristic of the true servant of Christhe possesses a continuing and undying faith in our victorious Lord Christ. But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. When the boy was sixteen years old, he went to hear George Whitefield preach, and he was converted; wonderfully converted, listening to George Whitefield preach the gospel. But I do not have a child and I am old and my wife is old. As your mind scans His life from the wilderness temptations to the last agonizing utterance from the cross, He is observed to be faithful. by choice to our Lord and Master forever, 1. False doctrine leads many astray. WebFaithfulness unto death is Gods standard for human life. But after thirty-nine years, standing here in this pulpit, there are thousands and thousands who come every Lords day listening to what? Romans 1:17, Denomination: Because the one who overcomes this present, temporary, fleeting pain will not be pained by the second and everlasting death. Are you faithful? Come. 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. 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. 10:17), 1. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. May angels attend you in the way as you come. Heres the mayor, heres the governor, heres the president. And after he began his preachingafter he was a preacher, he was wonderfully converted. Paul said there are three vitally important `` way stations '' that a. 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