Jesus Is Coming…Be Persecuted!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 2 of 4: “Grace that Saves Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Jesus’ Teaching on his 2nd Coming!
Can I be honest with you? I wish Jesus didn’t say this.
Matthew 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
I wish Jesus would have said, “If you have faith in me, you will have no problems, people will love you and life will be great while you wait for me to return.” I wish he did.
But he didn’t.
Jesus is very real with us today. He warns us that Satan is going to throw every effort he can muster to get us to walk away from Jesus and deny our faith. Nothing would please him more.
Jesus is real with us today to point out that the persecution we may go through pales in comparison to what is waiting for those that persevere and remain faithful. “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Satan tried the same tactics on Jesus himself. He threw the persecution of the Pharisees. He riled up hatred against him. Many loved Jesus’ miracles, but walked away from him when the commitment got to high. Friends betrayed him. Religious teachers looked pious but were teaching contrary to the message of the Messiah. By the end of his earthly life, the love of most toward him had grown cold.
If this is what the teacher endured, so will his students.
So Jesus is real with us, not to frighten us, but to strengthen us.
When you know what you are facing, you can better be prepared and better endure. How so?
If I know people will hate me simply because I am connected with Jesus, I can realize what Jesus told me:
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
If I know false prophets will appear and try to deceive me away from grace, I can be ready. As the Apostle John wrote:
1 John 4:1-3 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.
If I know that wickedness will increase and love will decrease, I will not be surprised, but love anyway.
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor z and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Jesus tells me I will be persecuted, so when I am I will stand firm, remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus. Be ready. You will be persecuted as a follower of Jesus. But don’t give up. Remember the promise:
Revelation2 :10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Apply: While persecution in our country is relatively minimal today, how does these words of Jesus help you be prepared for the persecution that does and will exist?
Prayer: Keep me faithful to you Lord, to the point of death. Give me the crown of life you have promised through Jesus Christ! AMEN.
Jesus Is Coming…Be Productive!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 2 of 4: “Grace that Saves Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Jesus’ Teaching on his 2nd Coming!
Did your parents ever leave you home alone as a teenager? When they left they gave you a list of chores they wanted to see you accomplish by time they got back. You probably calculated how long it would take you to do those chores and then pushed starting to the last minute…hoping you’d have enough time to get them done and stay out of trouble.
Disaster happened when your parents came home early!
Jesus left his disciples and us and said, “I’m coming back.” He didn’t tell us when, but he did leave us with a job to do while he was gone. The temptation will be to procrastinate or simply focus on the things we want to do, rather than investing in expanding and growing his kingdom. Jesus told a parable which teaches this point:
Matthew 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The amount didn’t matter. The owner simply wanted the talents he had entrusted to his servants to be put to work. The amount of return didn’t matter. He simply wanted what he had given to each servant to be put to use.
What has Jesus given to you to put to work while we wait for him to return? He’s given you the message of grace and the Gospel you can share with family and friends. He’s given you material wealth that you can give freely and generously to the spread of the Gospel. He’s given you abilities and talents which you can use to advance the Gospel message. He’s given you time which you can spend to work and witness for him.
When Jesus returns, he desires to see that we have been productive for him. He isn’t going to compare us to others, simply expects that what he has given to us be put to use.
Don’t try to time his return and be lazy up to that point…every day take the faith, the time, the talents, the wealth he has given you and find a way to invest it for a return to God’s kingdom!
Apply: Evaluate your investments for the Lord. Perhaps this parable calls you to repent of laziness…perhaps it encourages you to expand your work for the Lord. What can you invest today to bring a return for the Lord when he returns?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for trusting me to be part of your kingdom work. Help me to be a “good and faithful servant” to bring a return for your kingdom with all that you have entrusted to me! AMEN.
Jesus is Coming … Semper Paratus!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 2 of 4: “Grace that Saves Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Jesus’ Teaching on his 2nd Coming!
Semper Paratus! … Always prepared!
This phrase is the motto of the United States Coast Guard. Not knowing when an emergency will call, they need to be ready at a moment’s notice at all times.
Semper Paratus…Always prepared!
This is also a great motto for the Christian as we await the return of Jesus. Jesus is coming back, but we don’t know when.
In Matthew chapters 24 & 25, Jesus gives teaching on what to look for and what to expect. He gives signs that signal the end is coming, but yet he never gives day, month and year. Rather, he just wants us to be ready. This week we’ll explore a few of the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24 & 25.
Being prepared is a mindset. It is a mindset that believes something will happen, even though we don’t know when it will happen. It is a mindset that leads us to want to be prepared so we are not caught unprepared.
To drive home this point to his followers, Jesus told the parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Jesus’ story is a poignant reminder of the reality of Jesus’ coming, but yet the unexpected nature. It’s easy to get tired of waiting and become complacent. What the oil represents in the parable is perhaps unclear, but whatever it represents, it teaches us to have extra. If its faith, don’t let go of your faith thinking it doesn’t matter. If it’s simply representative of a mindset that reminds us Jesus IS coming back and we need to be ready, the truth is evident.
No one wants to be an unprepared fool, but rather an always prepared wise person. Preparation keeps us always connected to Jesus (He knows us.) and it always is ready for Jesus to appear (He saves us.)
Semper paratus, Christian!
Apply: What distracts you from being ready for Jesus’ return? What might be helpful to keep the reality of Jesus’ coming forefront in your mind and heart?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being willing to come the first time to live, die and rise again for us. Thank you for your promise of a second coming. Keep us vigilant and always ready! AMEN.
The Word Brings Eternal Truth
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 1 of 4: “The Scripture Leads Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Psalm 119 – Benefits of the Word!
Wednesday of this week I tried a new walking trail that I hadn’t walked on before. Not far past where I started I came across a perhaps the oldest public cemetery in Georgetown, TX. Situated on the banks of the San Gabriel River, just a short distance from the old down town, the plot of ground was used from 1840-1902 as the city cemetery. “Many pioneer citizens lie buried here” most today in unmarked graves.
Creepy? Perhaps (After all, it was a few days after Halloween!)
Sobering. For sure.
One day I too will be in a grave, perhaps marked for a while, but 100 years later perhaps the stone will be missing or a passing walker will stare at the faded headstone and wonder “What was his story?”
Moses said our time on this earth is “Seventy or eighty years, if we have the strength” (Psalm 90:10).
But those years are given to connect to that which is eternal.
My curiosity of those who walked the same ground I was 170 years ago drifted to wondering if I will get to meet any of them one day in heaven. Who was the infant who died on the day of their birth? Who was the young child whose years were only eight? What was the experience of those over whose remains I walked not even knowing they were there? Did they fight in the Civil War or know someone who did? More importantly, did their temporal story intersect with the eternal? I pray so.
God’s Word transcends every generation. It communicates to us ETERNAL truth, not just temporal wisdom. It is the message and meaning to life and eternity that God desires all people to come to know and believe.
It’s perhaps weird and creepy for some to stroll through a cemetery…it communicates death and finality. And so you might stay away from it.
How different is strolling through the pages and truths of Scripture…they are life and eternity!
Psalm 119:89-91 puts it this way:
89 Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
Everyone has a story…you do to. One day it’s last chapter will be written on this earth. Let that day be the first of your heavenly story…because God connected your story to his eternal truth found in his Word!
Apply: Remember that every time you read a portion of Scripture you are reading something that has endured for over 2000 years! But it’s not just past history, it is current and eternal truth…so pick up the Bible and stroll through the eternal truth it contains.
Prayer: LORD, thank you for the time you are giving me on this earth. May each day be a day I connect to your eternal truth and my eternal story found only in you and your love and grace given to me in Jesus Christ, AMEN.
The Word Brings Knowledge and Judgment
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Thoroughly Equipped”
Week 1 of 4: “The Scripture Leads Us!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Psalm 119 – Benefits of the Word!
Is turning to the Word of God often times a “last step” instead of a “first step?” We try to navigate a relationship issue on our own without prayer or guidance from the Word…does that end up well? We face a work issue and leverage all our skills and resources without asking God for wisdom and insight? Do we face a major decision and never pray for good judgment?
Human nature and rugged individualism lead us to try all the things we can do or think of and then perhaps seek the Lord and his Word. Often times we struggle or suffer more figuring it out ourselves before going to God and his Word to seek knowledge and good judgment.
Why not start there?
Look at what Psalm 119:65-68 tell us:
65 Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
What does God promise us in his Word?
- His Word will not mislead us. It is truth and it all is given to us for our good.
- His Word teaches us knowledge. It gives us information, perspective and a worldview to make sense of life and the things that happen.
- His Word guides good judgment. God gives us his commands for our blessing and guidance. They are trustworthy. No need for situational ethics, or relativistic decisions. We have God’s commands that form a foundational core to our judgment of what is right or wrong, good or evil.
- His Word prevents us from unnecessary affliction. How many heartaches, emotional struggles, relationship challenges could have been averted by a promise or truth from God and his Word. The absence of God’s Word in our life will lead us astray. Obedience to the Word of God will keep us in the path of blessing from the Lord.
- His Word teaches us what is good. When you see someone experience success you may ask them what they have done to achieve it and then seek to replicate it. When we recognize the Lord is good and all he does is good, he is one we want to follow. Teach me LORD! Teach me your decrees! I know they are good and will bring good to me!
So I am reminding my readers and myself. Start with the Word…don’t use it as a last resort. Use it as a first resort. Spare yourself the additional affliction and hardship!
Apply: What situation in life have you experienced challenges when you forgot to seek the Lord first? How did things change when you sought God’s knowledge and judgment into the situation?
Prayer: Lord, you watch me struggle when I do things apart from you. In your grace remind me sooner than later to turn to you. Then teach me knowledge and good judgment! Amen.