We shared a good time of praise and worship leading into announcement and preaching. Our interim Pastor reminded us that last week’s sermon was “Will You Endure?” He reminded us to be rooted, refreshed and reminded to endure to the end, until salvation. This applies to both for our short lives and the church age. We have a will to choose who we serve.
This Sunday’s sermon was titled” “Will You Help Others Endure?”
Paul says he will “endure everything for the sake of the elect.” 2 Timothy 2:8-10.
If we are Christ followers we should be prepared to take up His cross, and endure to the end.
Like Paul, we may suffer hardships. Persecution may/will come. But our Christian walk is more than just ourselves, but it is ‘so others can be saved.’
If you can't make it, who can? Your enduring impacts and influences others.
*Others are watching you.
Jesus tells us we are to be salt and light to the world. Matthew 5: 13-16.
You have to be light to others. We need to be ‘uncovered’ Christians, not hiding in the quiet places. Others should be able to see we are Christian. Can they see that your Jesus relationship is real?
What glorifies the father? Praising God, even when, or especially when things are going bad. We should have no whining, no complaining. We should be bearing much fruit; being productive unto the Lord. Our lives should be an example to others and we should endure to finish our work as Jesus did.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4.
*Others are counting on you.
Mark 2 tells the story of four men who climbed on the roof to lowered down the bed with the paralytic. When Jesus “saw their faith” he forgave the man his sins. The man saw the need and helped the man to reach Jesus.
Someone else's eternal destiny may depend on what you do or don't do. Your faith makes a difference. If the church doesn't do it, who will?
We shared in a time of prayer, but Pastor noted it isn’t just prayer. .
*Others are waiting for you.
John 5:1-8 tells the story of the curing waters at the pool of Bethesda. When the waters were stirred, the first to touch the stirred water would be healed. Jesus asked an invalid man who had been there 38 years “Do you want to be made well?” The man replied, “I have no one to help me…"
Bethesda means house of mercy or house of pity. Our light points people to the healer! We should be helping those who need help to reach Jesus.
God sent Philip on assignment and Philip went although he didn't know what it was. When Philip came upon the Ethiopian official reading the scripture, Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading? Acts 8:25-31.
There is power in a question. We cannot provide the healing but we can ask questions that lead others to the healer.
Let light shine and be for God’s good works.
Be like Paul -- all in for the sake of others.
Do not forget James 4:17 that says: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Will you help others endure?
I like this song which recognizes that we are frail and imperfect but we have found the One who saved us and we can share the Healer when we "Point to You". with others.
Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 2:8-10 NIV
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Oh Lord, I pray that I am open and obedient to You to glorify You, to shine Your light, and to help others find You.
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