Category: Steadfastness
Subject: Steadfastness
Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 3:7-15
We are to mimic our Lord in faithfulness. Christ was faithful to His Father, and the Holy Spirit calls for us to be faithful. Israel is given as an example here, but an example to avoid rather than follow. They rebelled against God, and it cost an entire generation their inheritance in the land of promise. God said, “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest” (11, cf. Psalm 95:11).
The rebellion of the Jews is well described, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways” (10). This is a problem in every generation. Men determine to do their own will, often because they do not even know God’s, but often because they ignore God because they prefer their own way.
We must not be guilty of the same. We must not depart from God, which He categorizes as an “evil heart of unbelief” (12). Instead, our call to be Christians is a call to faithfulness. We are to “hold our steadfastness to the end” (14). This is the Holy Spirit’s description of partaking of Christ!
The Significance of a Steadfast Walk
There are many warnings in scripture regarding the consequence of departing from the straight path. It stands to reason that it is both possible and consequential to stray. If not, the warnings are extraneous.
One example is the call to Christian growth found in Peter’s second epistle:
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11).
A simple reading of this text reveals why it is important to live a righteous life. It is not something that you merely should do, but something God’s requires! Consider the bold sections of the text, and their significance:
- If you add these characteristics you will not be barren nor unfruitful. If you don’t add them, you may . So what? Well, Jesus said that unfruitful branches are gathered and thrown “into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).
- You can forget you were cleansed from your sins. To be enlightened but lose what you have brings a need for renewal that is impossible (Hebrews 6:4-6).
- If through adding these characteristics your call and election can be made sure; then not adding them can bring uncertainty. That is why Paul told the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
- Adding these characteristics precludes stumbling, and provides an abundant entrance into heaven. But our names can be blotted out (obliterated, erased) from “the Book of Life” (cf. Revelation 3:5), if we do not overcome. If sins can be erased (Acts 3:19), then our written names can be erased from the Book of Life in the same way.
This is the reason for the warnings. Heed them and live! Ignore them to your own eternal peril!
2 Timothy 2:14-19
Paul here called upon Timothy to remind the brethren of the need for steadfastness, even through persecution. He knew the blessings that would come to those who maintain their faith.
He instructed Timothy to rightly divide the “word of truth” (15). It is important to note that handling the word of God loosely will invite error, but a strong appeal to the context and proper understanding of each passage serves well the child of God.
Timothy was to stay away from discussion of religious topics that were unhealthy (but common) in his day. He called them “profane and idle babblings” (16). We note Paul’s willingness to name names in talking of these things, pointing out Hymenaeus and Philetus as men who claimed the resurrection had already happened, overthrowing the faith of some of God’s people.
Finally, verse 19 shows that God requires those who are His to “depart from iniquity.” His warning shows steadfastness is required of every child of God. We may fall if we don’t persevere!
Sermon: At the Crossroads!
Matthew 7 indicates two “ways” that can be taken. Either to life or destruction. This illustrates for us the consequences of choices we make in life. Applications are made.
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Sermon: Beloved
The apostle Peter warns his readers of dangers associated with the delay of Christ’s second coming in 2 Peter 3:1-18. He tells them to be mindful; do not forget; be diligent; and beware. Each exhortation is discussed
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Working on the House of the Lord
The book of Haggai is a short work, a series of messages from the prophet to Zerubbabel (governor), Judah (high priest) and the remnant of Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity. The people had returned to rebuild the temple, but years had passed with it unfinished. An introduction to the book indicated that Haggai’s message was a call for renewal, a renewal of courage, holiness, and faith. This seems to be a rather apt description of the message God gave to the prophet.
First, notice why the people had left the temple unfinished for several years. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’” (Haggai 1:4-5). The people had become distracted, shifting their priorities from the greater to the lesser. They were more concerned for their own comfort than for serving the Lord. Misplaced priorities are a big problem for just about every generation! In this the returned exiles were typical, “It is time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” The remedy is, as stated, to “consider your ways!” Continue reading “Working on the House of the Lord”
Sermon: How to Handle the Gospel
Neither the religious world, not our secular society have any real idea how to correctly handle the word of God. This lesson establishes 7 truths on the matter.
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Total Commitment
Sometimes Christians don’t get it, but the Bible very clearly reveals that our walk with the Lord pleases Him only if it is characterized by total commitment. This truth was made very clear by the Lord in Luke 18, where Jesus admonished the young ruler. The young man was diligent is keeping the 10 commandments, revealed in Exodus 20. He said, “All these things I have kept from my youth” (21).
Jesus wanted more from the man. He was very rich, and apparently liked his riches. Jesus knew they were too important to him, so he said, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (22). Continue reading “Total Commitment”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10
Our text brings to mind the common saying, “A picture is worth a 1,000 words. In verse 8 of the passage, Paul affirms that their example had traveled far and wide, so that “we do not need to say anything.”
It is indeed powerful to note that the Thessalonians had turned away from serving idols, and embraced God due to the preaching they had received from Paul. They had readily received him and the gospel (though not all did, cf. Acts 17). They were content to bear their burden until the coming of the Lord.
This is something we all need to emulate. A good example is of great importance, as is steadfastness. God has promised, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). Remember that the world (and the Lord) are watching. We have spent enough time living as the Gentiles (1 Peter 4:3). Now we are to glorify God in our life (Matthew 5:16).
Sermon: Be Like Daniel!
Daniel was a man of purpose, purity, principle and prayer. We would do well to emulate him.
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Sermon: Paul’s Indomitable Approach to Life
The apostle Paul, even while in prison, was positive in outlook, and in his determination to minister to others.We can learn from his example.
Militance in the Faith
The term militant is defined in the English language as—1) engaged in warfare or combat : FIGHTING; 2) aggressively active (as in a cause) : COMBATIVE. (Merriam-Webster).
Interestingly, the term has a bit of a negative connotation in our day and time. To be militant in anything is frowned upon. That is why militance is paired with words like extremism, dogmatism, radicalism, and intolerance. Today a large section of our society looks askance at full devotion to any cause. Continue reading “Militance in the Faith”
Sermon: The Christian and Maximal Effort
Lupe Florez shares a message of personal integrity and effort as Christians, as we respond to the gospel, and God’s gift of salvation.
