Words of encojragement

sermonindex May 29, 2013

Acts 14:21-22
They preaced the good news in the city and won a large number of deciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." they said.

imagine telling somebody after accepting Christ they are going to experience hardship, suffering, and possibly death in following Jesus. "Wait a minute" the modern evangelist says "should we not emphasize the joy and blessing of following Jesus?". Indeed in our modern mindset to speak of a cross and suffering will turn a person off. They will fall away.

Yet the modern gospel of a Christ without a cross is causing many professing believers to fall away. In the teaching of the parable of the sower Jesus shows that the seed that fell on shallow soil falls away because of hardships, testing, persecutions, etc. Intersting these are shallow believers. The same we see in many mega churches today.

The preaching is couched in a "this is your best blessed life now". It speaks of a life with Jesus that is fun, blessed, no suffering, free of pain, etc.

Thankfully Paul and Barnabas were not modern evangelist but knew what Jesus meant when he said to deny yourself and take of your cross to follow me. The Apostles encouraged the new believers to stay true to the faith. They told them it is through many hardships or tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. This was their words of encouragement.

This reality of entering Christ's kingdom through hardship and suffering is understood in places like Eritrea, N. Korea, China, Nigeria, and over 50 other nations. When a person becomes a believer in those nations it is understood there will be a price to pay. For sure in the midst of sufferings there is the joy and the blessing of Christ's presence. But the suffering part is far from the American Christian.

Evven in this forum there were objections to post by Greg and others that were preparing the way for last years SI conference on persecution. The detractors kept saying why this gloom and doom. Far easier to talk of theology then speak of suffering of the cross.

Is it safe to quote from Paul Washer in this forum? I ask again is Paul Washer still respected in this forum? Does it come to anyone's surprise that Paul Washer believes persecution is coming to America. Bear you are crazy! Paul Washer does not belueve that! You must have eaten some rotten berries!

Go dig up his video where Paul Washer is responding to a question about persecution. Then you tell me he does not believe persecution is comibg to America.

I pray God may raise up men of courage sho will encourage their congregations to stay true to the Lord. For surely it is tthrough many tribulations and hardships we must enter the kingdom of God. And American Christian that means you.

From the bear den.

Bearmaster.

E

enid May 29, 2013

You would think, that Christians would realise that we will be persecuted. And that it is a matter of when, not if.

And not just to America. Wherever in the world Christians are, persecution will come.

Here is a promise in the word of God, that is a promise that we would prefer not to be one.

2 Timothy 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

Jesus told us to take up our cross daily, and to follow Him.
That was not a request, but a command.

And if we love Him, we will obey His commands.

God bless.

D

deltadom May 29, 2013

There are sometimes that I really need words of encouragement and the time is now.
Sometimes I feel like I just need a hug and cry. I so need hope. When going out evangelizing encouragement is so needed with the amount of rejection that you receive and then even being rejected by people in church.
Normally in the way people even rebuke people can hurt, some people never say you are doing this and this well but..
We live in a rat race where I feel I am under constant criticism.

sermonindex May 29, 2013

Brother I have no doubt God is pleased with your faithfulness. For that I would say be encouraged. I send you a big bearmaster hug from across tthe pond.

My post was meant for a sleeping western church that equates encouragement with blessing free of suffering. The apostles Barnabas and Paul were encouraging the young believers to stay true to Christ in the midst if their sufferings. Perhaps that word may encourage you.

Bearmaster.

D

davidc May 29, 2013

Bear, what you wrote were words of encouragement to me, especially about the seed sown in shallow ground,as I find my own life to be shallow and lacking fruit.

But as soon as I turn to the Lord, all fears and doubts just fade away, and He speaks and gives me encouragement.

I don't know about you but I find that all of life here in this world is tribulation and distress.Physical persecution may indeed come as it comes to some saints in Erutraya, North Korea and other places you mention. But our lives here as we follow Christ are filled with all manner of conflicts in our souls and minds,even though we may not suffer physically as others. God has wrought such a miracle in saving and making us new creatures in Christ, that it's a wonder that we remain in this world at all.

Anyway thank you again for your words of encouragement. Here's some really encouraging scripture. Your brother in tribulation, David

2Co 4:6-18 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

sermonindex May 30, 2013

David I agree. Hardship or tribulation can come in many forms for the believing saint who follows Jesus here in the west. The loss of a job, illness, marital difficulties, rebellious children, perhaps losing a home in a natural disaster, demonic afflictions, etc. The thing is following Christ will not exempt one from life's difficulties. The question is can we stay faithful to Jesus during these difficulties.

Bearmaster