We Must Be In This For the Long Haul. God never promised that our walk with Him would
be easy. All who dare to live Godly shall suffer persecution. Persecution is being treated
badly for doing good. It is a wise person who will advance in adversity. The testing of
our faith is very precious, because faith that has not been tested is not faith at all. We
must learn how to let our problems drive us closer to Jesus. As we learn how to respond in
the correct manner great advancement can be accomplished. Paul warns us in 2 Timothy 3:12:
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." The Word of God gives us very clear instructions
on how to respond to persecution. Jesus said in John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world. The secret of abiding in peace is to abide in
Christ. "He is the Prince of Peace!" It is most difficult to rejoice and be of good
cheer when you are going through hard times. However, the key word is through. We
are going to overcome, because Jesus has overcome. In Christ Jesus we are more than
conquers. Never forget, "Greater is HE who is in you, than all the evil power loose
in the world" (1John 4:4). The Cause of Christian Casualties Is... It is sad to see so many fall by the wayside in
their Christian walk. What could be the cause of such casualties? ...A Mis-representation of The Gospel One of the answers could be the true gospel has
been mis-represented. Christ Jesus did not promise to save us from our troubles, but He
did promise to forgive us our sins. ...And By The Cares of This World Many stop because of the pressures of this world.
Jesus gives us a life lesson using seed and soil - Notice what Jesus teaches in Mark
4:15-19: And these are they by the way side, where the
word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word
that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground;
who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root
in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution
ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they, which are
sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the
deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it
becometh unfruitful. HE IS AUTHOR AND FINISHER We need to understand much more about the
wonderful grip of God’s grace that will not let us go when times get difficult. One
of the greatest promises in the scriptures is the promise that Jesus Christ finishes what
He starts. Notice Paul’s words of encouragement in Philippians 1:6: "Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ. . ." It is important to heed the name given Christ
Jesus in Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The word used here for "author" is the
Greek word archegos which means:
[1]
The chief leader, prince; used of Christ [2] One that takes the lead
in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, a pioneer. However, it is very important to know that Jesus
is not only the "author," the one who starts, but He is also the
"finisher." The Greek word is the word teleiotes - which speaks of completer or
consummater, One who brings the matter to a complete close. Live In Order To Hear These Words - "Well
Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant." Each of us should so conduct our lives that when
we finish our race and cross the finish line we can stand before the Lord and hear HIM say
these words, recorded in Matthew 25:23, to us: "Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord." The test of a true workman is that he finishes
what he starts. Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course..." GOD - GIVE US SPIRITUAL BRIDGE BUILDERS The Brooklyn Bridge, which links Brooklyn to
Manhattan Island, is one of the most legendary bridges in the world. At the time it was
first envisioned in 1883 however, bridge building experts throughout the world told the
designer, a enterprising engineer by the name of John Roebling, that his idea would not
work. Many scoffed and mocked at such an unconventional concept. Roebling convinced his son Washington, who was
also an engineer, that his idea had merit. The two of them developed the concept, resolved
the problems others had fore-cast, and enthusiastically engaged a crew to build their
bridge. After only a few months of building, a
devastating onsite accident took John’s life and severely injured Washington, who
became unable to talk or walk. Everyone speculated the project would have to be abandoned,
since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew the dynamics of building such a bridge. Washington, however, could still think and he had
a burning desire to see the bridge finished. As he lay in his hospital bed, he had an
inspiration. He would communicate with the engineers by using one finger to tap out in
code on his wife’s arm what he wanted her to tell them. Washington tapped out his instructions for 13
years until the bridge was built. What an incredible lesson in steadfastness. One cannot
begin to imagine the patience and forti-tude it would take to communicate in such a
restrictive manner. Yet, because of their teamwork and resolve, millions upon millions
have traveled across this famous bridge with most never aware of the price paid to
accomplish the task of linking people together. THE NEED TO LEARN TO COMMUNICATE Never has there been such an open attack against
the Church in this arena of communication. Therefore, notice that Washington and his wife worked
together in order for his vision and dream to become a reality. The Church of Jesus
Christ must learn to work together because none of us can accomplish the task before us
alone. We desperately need each other. This type of leadership is needed in the Body of
Christ. Leaders are not only to be self-starters, they are to be finishers. We must have a
vision of finishing in order to have real perseverance. This is a time to finish, not
faint. May God grant to each of us the grace to put our hands upon the plow and not look
back but ever go forth with grace and determination, diligence and endurance in order to
establish the Kingdom of God. God grant us grace to echo these words of Paul I have fought
a good fight, I have finished the course I have keep the faith. Demonstration Of God’s
Power Ministry with Bobby Conner
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December 25, 1999
