The first one is this: and I take these out of the Bible, out of the New Testament. Polycarp was born in A.D. 69, so just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple, well within the lifespan of some who would have been eyewitnesses to Christ and his work. So many fall away because they are selfish-they dont care what God says theyre going to do what they want to do. You can read it. Hezekiah held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments (2 Ki. You may say, Well, wait a minute, Pastor. Dont fear, its all about to get better. He doesnt say that. The Elishas dedication to Elijah might Methodist. When we think of all Jesus endured to save our souls, how could we not be faithful? Would it be murder, rape, spouse abuse, adultery, theft, gambling, or perhaps lying? Listen to this: Romans 4:17: God, who quickeneth the dead, calleth those things which be not as though they were, Abraham [Genesis 17:5], against hope, believed in hope. Denial of self(Matthew 16:24-25), A. How faithful are you this morning? 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. We live, we die, we live again. 5-12-03 He was a friend of Ignatius and he was a mentor to Irenaeus. We dont want to make the mistake of saying that just because one worships three times a week every week he is faithful. But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. Smyrna was a very pro-Rome city. Now you have it translated here, And he was sad at that saying [Mark 10:22]. There was read more, Scripture: Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Ps. . Number one. We have to remember the reality to come which will last forever and the reality that exists now. In many parts of the West, though not facing yet death, are facing increasing hostility and discrimination, not the likes of which our brothers and sisters may see in Afghanistan or North Korea or parts of northern Africa, but yet facing opposition, persecution. Any psychologist, any psychologist, will tell you that one of the driving forces in human life is to be acceptableespecially to be acclaimed among our peers. To Him be the glory, honor, majesty, and eternal throne, from generation to generation. WebSermon Series: RevelationSermon Title: The Church of Smyrna: Be Faithful Unto DeathScripture Text: Revelation 2:8-11Speaker: Rev. This is the one, verse 8, The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. It is in the transcendence of God that His eminence is so much comfort. And the Lord noticed it. General Washington needed information concerning the British troops. Paul takes a look around as he gives his last testimony. What was important to them in the beginning was no longer important. It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Cor. My fortieth year as a pastor still preaching the Word, V. A continuing living faith in Christ, A. I love that. They will be there on your social media feed, theyll be there on your Instagram, calls to be like-minded ally in things that Christ cannot commend. II Kings 2:1-12 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. But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that become a part of our pilgrimage. I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. That sadly has happened. There is nothing but praise from our Lord for the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. 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. That was Smyrna in 155 or 156 A.D. Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown (Rev. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. This is the second of seven messages to seven churches. The ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Lk. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Heres the key-those men and women were just like we are. Were at 7, 8 now? Each sermon has to do with our Christian life down here in the earth. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. Often looking with no purpose. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris. Verse 10: Do not fear what you are about to suffer. 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. We dont have a weak God. That number of about 0.8% of Christians throughout history, in fact, has been constant over many centuries. If they were faithful to the end, surely we can be as well. Revelation 2:10, Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Christian Life, Faith, Love, Loyalty, Self-Denial, Great Doctrines of the Bible: Practical Theology, 1983, Revelation. Tempted to disbelieve the Word of God. Every Christian wants to be able to say with the apostle Paul, as he thought about his own death ( 2 Tim. 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. You cannot help but admire this young man. Now, before I mention the last one may I recapitulate? Where, O death, is your victory? That about 1 out of 120 Christians in the broadest sense of the term, may face martyrdom for the cause of Christ. living faith, consumed with one desire to please Him(John 12:42-43), 1. The Importance of Christs Resurrection Charles Wesley was an Anglican minister. A Now the next verse: And God counted his faith for righteousness, because he believed in the Lord [Genesis 16:6]. 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. It is in riches. So you add them all up, and what? All seven of the churches of Asia have some castigation from our Lord except this church. Because the one who overcomes this present, temporary, fleeting pain will not be pained by the second and everlasting death. That is our faith. Give it up. But listen to the heroes of the faith. In Jesus we pray. Well be here listening. It is one of the truths of life. But look at Jesus (John 1:10-11, Mark 5:40, 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. and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb. 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 reward is not here, it is there [Matthew 5:12]. A fervent love for the people of God(John 13:34-35, 15:12-13, 17, 1 John 3:14, 4:7, 11), A. John He knows the fear that you have. The cross before me, the world behind me, [I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, attributed to S. Sundar Singh]. read more, Scripture: Psychologist Remember this is a letter from whom? Any Amazon link on this site is an ad. And on the first anniversary of that wonderful experience, he wrote that marvelous hymn: [O for a Thousand Tongues, Charles Wesley]. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. Gave his life to be a Baptist preacher, VII. 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. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. By a living faith, I mean one consumed with one desireto please our Lord. Leave me as I am, for the One who enables me to endure the fire will also enable me to remain on the pyre without moving. Then Polycarp prayed a final prayer and when he said amen, the men in charge of the fire lit it. Amen. Jesus Himself said, Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.. As we apply this standard, our views on many things undergo a radical change. Then finally, number three let us remember death is not the enemy. Or it could refer to a garland, a victors crown. The Bible says that Zaccheus was a rich man [Luke 19:1-2]. Faithfulness is required for all four quarters, all three periods, all nine innings. 16:3), B. If there was a crime worthy of death, what would it be? But why do you delay? Its been translated into English. He was called to be pastor of a little church in a little town in Yorkshire called Wainsgate. read more, Scripture: However fate or providence may assail us, our commitment to our Lord is, first, and supreme. But what our Lord refers to is, compared to our love for Himour supreme devotion to Himall other love for wife, child, home, brother, sisters, all other love, compared to our love for Christ is as hate; our supreme love for Christ. The apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. When the spies arrived in Jericho, they entered into what everyone thought was a harlot's house. Some of you will be thrown into prison for a time. We must Thats a great man, a marvelous man; thats Gods man. 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. Would You hold fast Your Church around the world, facing so much more in opposition than we face, and when we are called upon to face whatever trials and difficulties, whether suffering at the hands of others or suffering from natural disasters and infirmity and the age of life, may we be faithful even unto death. 12:1). Number two let us be faithful even in our limited kinds of persecution. As your mind scans His life from the wilderness temptations to the last agonizing utterance from the cross, He is observed to be faithful. sanctified, hallowed, blessed, II. 2 Kings 2:1-12. 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). 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