como vencer al diablo

1) Un espíritu malo (Hechos 19:15) dijo que "conocía a Jesús". Este espíritu también dijo que "conocía a Pablo".
2) Este espíritu maligno dijo que no "conocía" a algunos judíos que afirmaban expulsar a los espíritus malignos.
3) Satanás y sus ayudantes "saben los nombres" de aquellos que tratan de servir fielmente a Cristo. Diapositiva
4) ¿Qué tipo de persona (cristiana) atrae la atención del diablo?  a) Jas. 2:19; 4: 7.
5) Hechos 19 afirma que Satanás toma nota de ciertas personas.
¿Qué se necesita para hacer que el diablo se siente y se dé cuenta de nosotros?
6) Una respuesta a esta pregunta es vivir una vida dedicada a Dios.  Diapositiva
7) Todo verdadero cristiano debe ser un guerrero de oración.
8) Dios tuvo mucho que decir acerca de la oración, y lo que Él dijo debe ser aplicado por cada cristiano.
9) Imagina lo que Satanás podría pensar cuando un cristiano está comprometido con la oración cada día:
10) Diapositiva
a) Cuando alguien escucha la palabra, Jesús dice que Satanás aparece "INMEDIATAMENTE" (Marcos 4:15).
b) El mundo a menudo se burla de la Biblia, pero eso no es verdad para el diablo.
11) Si somos un estudiante cercano de la palabra de Dios, espere que el diablo sepa nuestro nombre.
12) En Hechos 17:11 leemos acerca de algunos cristianos que estaban interesados ​​en la Biblia.
13) Estos cristianos "examinaron las Escrituras diariamente" para ver si estas cosas eran así.
14) Satanás también debe ser consciente de algunas congregaciones.
15) El Señor sabe quiénes son también su pueblo y el diablo.
16) Satanás no solo tiene algún conocimiento de "quién es quién", sino que lo usa - Slide
a) Mientras el Señor estaba en la tierra, Satanás tenía conocimiento de quiénes eran los apóstoles.
b) Jesús le dijo a Pedro que el diablo quería "tamizar a los apóstoles" (incluido Pedro) como "trigo".
17) Los cristianos fieles complican los esfuerzos del diablo; cristianos fieles significan usar más recursos.
18) En el monte. 12:26, ​​Jesús dijo que Satanás tiene un "reino".
a) ¿Cuánto está dispuesto a gastar Satanás en un solo cristiano antes de renunciar?
b) Cuando Jesús fue tentado, el diablo invirtió algunos recursos significativos.
c) Satanás estuvo dispuesto a envolver más de un mes para tentar al Señor.
d) Satanás también le mostró a Jesús todos los "reinos del mundo" y la gloria de ellos (Mt. 4: 8-9).
19) ¿Cuánto está dispuesto a ofrecer el diablo por nosotros? ¿Él siquiera sabe nuestro nombre?
20) En 2 Cor. 2:11, Pablo habló sobre los "recursos" de Satanás.
21) Satanás tiene una variedad de herramientas, él sabe cómo usarlas, y él es capaz de planificar.
22) Tenemos información sobre cómo el plan de ataque del diablo para Eva y para Jesús -
23) Si Satanás tiene un plan de ataque, tiene sentido para nosotros también tener un plan.
24) Diapositiva
25) La información ya dada debe ser parte de nuestro plan: necesitamos orar, estudiar, justicia.
26) Nuestro plan también debe incluir una confianza absoluta en Dios.
27) Nuestro plan para vencer al diablo debe incluir un recordatorio diario de cómo tenemos un enemigo.
28) Pedro (1 Pedro 5: 8) lo comparó con un león rugiente que caminaba tratando de devorar a las personas.
29) Un buen plan comienza con saber que tenemos un oponente que nunca se rinde queriendo destruirnos.
30) Jesús (Juan 10:28) dijo que ninguna fuerza puede arrebatar a un hijo de Dios de sus manos (protección).
31) El lugar de seguridad es "permanecer" en Cristo (Juan 15: 4).

 

Teach by Properly Interpreting God's Word; listen to Your Teacher, Obey and Bear the Fruit that Pleases God

 

And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:4-21

A local leader of a church in Kenya, whom I have been helping with sound teaching for a few years, recently asked me the meaning of the above Scripture. Here is my exact answer:

 

What he uses by way of illustration in Luke 8:4-8 he then explains in 8:11-15.

Jesus is using the everyday planting of seeds by the farmer to illustrate planting the word of God in people's lives. The various kinds of soil are like the various states of man's heart: some too hard to penetrate, some absorb the seed for a while, but then problems crowd it out, until finally we have the good and honest heart that hears the word and keeps on bearing fruit.

Jesus finishes in 8:16-18 by explaining that God's word is meant to be shone into the hearts of men - instead of being hidden away - and those who are prepared to listen and obey will be blessed.

The reason we have so many denominations is because the wrong seed is being planted. What you plant is what you get. If you plant apple seed, you get apple trees. If you plant the pure word of God, you get true Christians, but if you plant the traditions and doctrines of men, you get all sorts of denominations. This is why my teaching is always filled with God's pure word.

 

What is sown is reaped. The disciple reaps the rewards from what is revealed in Scripture, or from what the teacher has taught. If the teacher has worked hard to interpret the Scriptures correctly, 2 Timothy 2:14-15, and then taught the outcome of that hard work by accurately teaching the word of God, then the disciple who absorbs this teaching in their good and honest heart, will be rewarded by bearing the kind of fruit that pleases God.

But if the teacher has been sloppy, and not ensured he has interpreted Scripture accurately, then the disciple who

absorbs this teaching, despite their good and honest intentions, will fail to reproduce what God wants. The disciple

will have been misled or deceived by poor teaching.

Notice a very important lesson taught by the apostle Paul as he addressed and warned the Ephesian elders:

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came

to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set

foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:17-32

There are six points here that every preacher, teacher and church should remember:

1.  Paul did not shrink from declaring what was  profitable. V.20.

2.  Paul testified to the grace of God. V.24.

3.  Paul was innocent of the blood of all, for he did not shrink from declaring the whole  counsel of God. vss.26-27.

4.  Paul warned that savage wolves would come amongst the disciples, not sparing them, speaking twisted things, and drawing disciples away with them. vss. 29-30.

5.  Paul had spent years admonishing them. V.31

6.  Paul commended them to God and the word of his grace, which, he knew, would build them up and give them the inheritance. V.32.

We see those who speak “twisted things” every day when denominational teachers sometimes do not teach everything that is profitable, nor the whole counsel of God. This is not because they are deliberately trying to deceive people, but because they have not been diligent as workmen who rightly handle the word of God, 2 Timothy 2:14-15, foolishly preferring their inaccurate church traditions. We could list many examples. Here’s one:

A thorough interpretation of the New Testament reveals that the water baptism of a believer was commanded by Jesus as essential to eternal salvation. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:18-22. John 3:5 in the context of John 3 also teaches the essentiality of water baptism.

However, many denominations, while requiring baptism, do not believe that the baptism of a believer is essential to salvation. There are two reasons for this:

1)  They are following their church tradition instead of the word of God. Jesus condemned any traditions that are  substitutes for God’s word. Matthew 15:1-14.

2)  They have determined that only believing is necessary for salvation. This is because they have  not studied the Scriptures closely enough so as to be “rightly handling the word of God.” They have not drawn their teaching from “the whole counsel of God,” but only from their favourite proof-texts. Thus they have not noticed that saving faith must be obedient faith. Romans 1:5; 6:3-4,16-18; Hebrews 5:8-9.

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19

Unlike the apostles, today’s teachers are not inspired. They get the truth they need for teaching from the Scriptures, God giving them insight into their own diligent reading and study, as the Scriptures above and below demonstrate.

the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:3-5; compare 1:15-20.

How many millions of souls have been lost through poor teaching? Let’s reverse that trend. Let’s check for ourselves any teaching we hear by comparing it with what’s written in the New Testament. Acts 17:11.

 

Read the whole of Colossians 2 and see how many times the apostle warns about deception and false teaching. Plant the pure word of God in people’s hearts, and accept only what is consistent with the pure word of God.

 

Jesus said: “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Mark 4:24-25, NLT. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:9-15.

                 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11

 

David Carr

 

Hebrews 5:9

 

Thought for the Week

 

Hebrews 5:9--And having been made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all  those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.

 

The thought of being saved eternally is a beautiful thought full of comfort and peace for a weary soul. Having reached those "golden years" of life, the words of Jesus found in John 14:1 bring much encouragement and comfort as I travel through the troublesome times of this life: "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also".  Just reading the description of that dwelling place in Revelation, chapters 21 and 22 thrills my soul as it fills my heart with the desire to one day  fly away to that land where joys shall never end.

 

It was the salvation of man's soul that brought Jesus from heaven to earth (Luke 19:10). We must understand that the Lord's promise of eternal salvation has always and ever will be only to those who are willing to obey him (Heb. 5:9; John 14:15; John 15:9-10). Salvation of the soul is the result of God's plan not man's. Because of this, we must be absolutely sure that what we believe and practice is founded on God's word. Hear and heed the words of Peter as he says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Listen carefully to John as he tells us in 2 John 9 that anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

 

When we stand at the judgment bar of God (2 Cor. 5:10)., we will face a loving, kind, tenderhearted God who will speak words of gladness to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master" (Matt. 25:23) or we will face a God of wrath speaking some of the most terrible words we will ever hear, "Depart from Me, accursed one into eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41). The choice is ours as to which of these we will hear. Abide in the teaching of Christ, have both the Father and Son and find eternal salvation. Go too far, do not abide in the teaching of Christ, have not God and be lost in eternity.

 

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation (Psalms 18:46).

 

Charles Hicks

Isaiah 38:1--".........Set your house in order; for thou shalt die and not live".

 

These are words spoken to King Hezekiah by the prophet of God, Isaiah (2 Kings 20:1). We can assume that on the morning of Isaiah's visit, Hezekiah had awakened from a night of peaceful rest to go about his daily routine. He is young in years being only 39 years of age and probably felt that he had many more years to live on this earth. Little did he know what this day was going to bring into his life.

 

So it is with you and I. We awake each morning with great plans for not only today but often times we are even thinking in terms of the days to follow. Friends, we need to pause for a moment and seriously think about these words spoken to Isaiah. For you see, we don't know what the day is going to bring into our lives. It could be success or failure; happiness or disappointment; peace or turmoil. It also could be the day we shed this earthly tabernacle and go out into eternity to face our God in judgment. We just don't know.  Of a surety I do know in this hour that there is nothing in life as uncertain as life itself and nothing more certain than we are going to die (James 4:14; Heb. 9:27).

 

 It is imperative that we set our house in order while we have the opportunity to do so. We know not when we are going to take our last step on this side of eternity (1 Samuel 20:3).  Who knows, you or I might be among the thousands who will depart the land of the living before another sunrise. The best way to set our house in order is to learn God's will for our lives and on the day of our departure from this life be found doing his will (Matthew 7:24-25).

 

I know that many consider death as being an unpleasant subject to discuss but it is reality and we need not only to think about but prepare for it (Amos 4:12; Acts 17:30;Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). If we do not set our house in order now (2 Cor. 6:2), it will be the most tragic mistake we ever make (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Are you ready to stand face to face with God in judgment? If not, why not?

 

I leave you with these words from Hebrews 10:31: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

 

Charles Hicks

Justice, Mercy, and Grace

Justice, Mercy, and Grace

I was returning home to Fort Deposit one evening deep in thought, but I wasn't thinking about how
fast I was driving. So, I really didn't pay attention to the sign that indicated that the speed
limit changed as you entered the city limits.

Then I saw two headlights come on suddenly to my right. The thought immediately came to my mind.
"Uh-oh." I looked down at my speedometer as I passed the Fort Deposit police car. Yes, I was going
faster than the 40 mph speed limit. I immediately pulled over and, just as I expected, there were
flashing blue lights approaching me from the rear.

"52 in a 40," said the policeman as he walked up to my open window. "Yes, sir," was my sad reply.
I couldn't deny it or dispute it.

Justice is served when you get what you deserve. I broke the speed limit; I deserved to pay the
fine. Did I get what I deserved?

No, I didn't. The officer said, "How about slowing it down next time?" My relieved response was a
jubilant "Yes, sir!"

I didn't receive justice; I was shown mercy. Mercy is extended when you do not get what you
deserve. I couldn't have been more thankful.

Suppose that I did receive justice on that occasion. I would have received a speeding ticket. But
suppose after the policeman handed the ticket to me that he followed it up by pulling out his own
wallet and giving me the money to pay the fine. That would have been grace! Grace is demonstrated
when you get what you need but don't deserve.

Because of our sins - and all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) - we deserve justice. What is the
penalty for sin? Death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

But because of His great love, God has extended mercy and grace to us (read Ephesians 2:1-10). He
gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The sinless Son of God
took upon Himself our sins and paid the price for our redemption (1 Peter 2:24). "For Christ died
for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

In the cross of Christ, we see the justice, mercy, and grace of God. Justice was served because
Christ paid the price for sin. Yet, because of the cross of Christ, mercy and grace are offered to
sinners who will accept His offer of salvation and eternal life.

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

We deserve justice. But God offers us His mercy and grace.

Why would anyone refuse that wonderful offer?

Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

How Does The Spirit "'Bear Witness?"'

Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The big question is, of course, how does He do this?

There are many that would suggest that the Spirit "bears witness" by means of some better-felt-than-told experience. Usually we are given an account of some episode that left the person with an overwhelming emotional feeling. Because of this experience the person claims salvation and is certain that it was the work of the Spirit that caused it all to happen.

There are some problems with this approach. First, as we study cases of conversion in the New Testament, we find not a single case of an individual who was saved through such an experience. In cases where individuals actually had supernatural "experiences," they still had to hear the Word and obey its commands. (Saul - Acts 9; Cornelius - Acts 10; the Jailer - Acts 16, etc.)

Also, we are puzzled by the fact that various individuals who claim to have experienced this confirmation of the Spirit have differing views on fundamental doctrinal issues. We wonder how that could be if they are truly receiving some action directly from the Holy Spirit. Do you see the problem?

So, how does the Spirit "bear witness with our spirit that we are the children of God?" How can we have this confidence and confirmation of the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit through inspiration produced the written word of God. When we compare our lives with that perfect revelation, we are able to see if we have done those things that are commanded in order to be a child of God. Have you believed (Heb. 11:6), repented of sins (Lk. 13:3), confessed faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and been baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? Do you continue to faithfully serve the Lord (Rev. 2:10)? If so, the Spirit "bears witness" through the Scriptures that you are a child of God.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Arctic White Car

Tommy South has a unique car.  He has used it to teach a unique lesson.

 

He writes: Some of my friends at church like to make fun of my car.  It’s been variously described as a mailbox, a refrigerator on wheels, a cracker box, and a mail truck.  You see, it’s a 2005 Scion XB, one of those boxy little imports that defies all our ideas of what “aerodynamic” means.  And, it’s white – “Arctic White” the manufacturer calls it – which adds to the refrigerator/mail truck/cracker box imagery.  But I don’t mind, because it’s a great little car.  It has served me well for more than ten years now, and at very little cost.

 

But last week-end I learned something about that car.  If you had asked me what color it is, I would have said without hesitation, “It’s white – Arctic White, to be exact.”  But last Saturday we had a snow storm, a big one (for us, anyway – 8-10”).  When I thought it was about over (I was wrong by about 6 hours!), I went out to clear the snow off our cars and shovel off at least part of the driveway.  While clearing the snow from my car, I suddenly realized that, compared to the snow, it isn’t very white at all!  In fact, as I brushed away the snow, my car looked somewhat gray and dingy, nothing like what I imagine the Arctic looks like!  Of course, it is white, but compared to that snow, it just doesn’t look it.

 

Seeing the whiteness of that snow against the supposed whiteness of my car reminded me of Isaiah 1:18, where God promises Israel that, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  Then I remembered Psalms 51:7, which goes even further, as David pleads with God not to cast him off [due to his sin], but to “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  What marvelous promises: God will cleanse us so that rather than being tainted by our sins, we are “as white as snow,” and when He washes us clean we shall be even whiter than snow.  We serve an amazing God!

 

Some may object to the idea of being called a sinner, saying, “I’m not that bad.  I’m not perfect, but I’m a pretty good person.”  They may view their personal righteousness as white – even Arctic white – compared to the dark sins of the world around them.  “I’m better than they are.”

 

Have you ever thought that way?

 

But compared to the pure, pristine righteousness of God, even the “Arctic-white, righteous” sinner is gray and dingy.  Actually, it’s worse than that.  Isaiah’s description of our sinfulness is more appropriate: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), even the “best” of us.

 

But that’s what makes God’s promises so wonderful: because of His great love for us, He desires to “wash us” and make us “whiter than snow.”  He has lovingly made provision for our sinful condition; we can be washed clean.

 

The provision is the blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 7:14).  The Lamb, who is Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 2:24).

 

God will “wash in the blood of the Lamb” and make “whiter than snow” those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  Then, as we continue to we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son” will continue to cleanse us “from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

 

Tommy South stated the good news well:  “So even if your life looks a bit dingy – even if it’s filthy with sins the color of scarlet – take heart.  You can be cleansed and become whiter than snow.  Not Arctic White, but better than that!”

 

Won’t YOU allow Him to wash you whiter than snow?

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

A Wake-up Call from Revelation: Jesus is not asleep on His throne

 

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6

 

Jesus is addressing the performance of the church in Sardis, Asia Minor, around AD70. He has some good news and some bad news. Even the bad news is good news if Christians would heed it.

 

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

 

Ouch! They thought they were doing ok, but Jesus jolts them into reality. Jesus knew all about what they were doing. They were spiritually dead! Jesus had not found their works complete in the sight of God. No, Jesus isn’t just being picky!

 

Do you remember Paul warning the Corinthians?

 

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12

 

The Bible is not only filled with God’s lavish promises; it also has many scary examples of bad behaviour, and many dire warnings. Brethren, let us not get complacent. Remember from Revelation 1:14 and 2:18 that Jesus’ eyes were a flame of fire. In Revelation 3:1, Jesus has the seven spirits - the Holy Spirit sent into the world. Revelation 5:6 says, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Jesus doesn’t miss a trick! He sees everything we do and don’t do. Remember that Jesus is on our side. He sees and corrects to help us.

 

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:19-22

 

Let’s ensure we’re completing the works God has given us to do, and so receive our reward. Revelation 22:12.

 

Some of those, to whom Jesus was writing in Sardis, would lose their lives in the impending Roman persecution. Jesus doesn’t want any, of those He died for, ending up dying in sin. John 8:24,30-32; 1 John 1:5-9. Believers in Jesus need to abide in Jesus; John 15:1-11, and walk with Jesus. 1 John 2:1-6. He wants us all to take a good look at ourselves, pull up our socks, and spend all our time in meaningful, holy pursuits.

 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15.

 

“Repent!” Such a lot of this exhortation in the Book of Revelation. Let’s wake up, take notice and get on with living for Jesus who is preparing our glorious home in heaven. John 14:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-16; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 21:1-2.

 

David Hunter

 

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