Faith Hope and Charity

Dear Brethren,

Years ago, when we were first called by God, did any of us expect that we would get to the year 2011 without having Christ's return?  Why has this age gone on for so much longer than we expected?  Why have we seen the greater Church of God dwindle down to next to nothing?  There must be a reason. What has God been accomplishing during these almost twenty-five years since Herbert Armstrong's death?

We didn't know it back then, but God knew there were many among us who had not put Him and His Way first in our lives.  Jesus told His disciples that there would be an end-time sorting out.  "Let both the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."  (Matthew 13:30)  This time of separating and sorting is almost upon us.

Jesus Christ needs to test each of us individually to see whether we will hold on – "hold fast" during the tough times.  "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."  (Revelation 3:11)  After Mr. Armstrong died, false doctrines and false ministers that had been lurking beneath the surface appeared, and most members failed to hold fast.  They failed their test.  But those of us who held fast were given additional tests – new obstacles to face and overcome.

In some cases, we joined organizations that let us down.  Many ministers who were once seemingly on track started preaching watered-down, false doctrines.  Many of those ministers behaved in an unchristian manner toward the brethren.  Ministers arose who claimed the "mantle of authority" or sought a personal following.  Many ministers and members oppressed their fellow servants.  We certainly learned that we could not always rely on others to hold us up spiritually, but had to make wise decisions as we worked out our own salvation.  "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  (Philippians 2:12)

God needs to have hard evidence from each of us as to our faithfulness – faithfulness to Him, or to this present evil world.  “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [‘pistis’], having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the profession of our hope [‘elpis’ assurance] without wavering; (for He is faithful [‘pistos’] that promised;)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love [‘agape’ - charity] and to good works.” (Hebrews 10:22-24)

During this difficult time, each of us is writing our own record that God will use when the great tribulation begins.  We all hope we will be counted worthy to escape the tribulation – but the scriptures show many brethren will not have been adequately practicing their Christianity.  "The dragon was wroth with the woman [Church brethren], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [the unprepared brethren], who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  (Revelation 12:17)

Those who will have to endure the tribulation will eventually see that they had not followed Christ's example in laying down their lives for the brethren.  They allowed themselves to drift away from the practice of God's truth.  By their own actions and decisions it will be clear to them that they were remiss – they had not fulfilled their Christian duty.  God will not make an arbitrary decision to send anyone into the tribulation – only negligence on our part will bring that about.

In many ways, our situation today is similar to the latter days of the first century Ephesian era.  Many of those members left their first love and fell away, thinking that Christ had "delayed His coming."  The excitement of their calling had worn off.  Brethren accepted false doctrine, sought high position in the Church and mistreated their fellow servants.  The assembly they had been called into, which had many baptisms, declined to almost nothing.  The majority wanted to be where the action was, and so they gravitated toward the organization that eventually became the Catholic Church.

In spite of seeing the apostles die and many of the top ministers and people leave their fellowship, the members of the Ephesian Era had to hold on.  They had to adjust their expectations and realize that Christ would not return during their lifetime.  They had to persevere during a time when persecution of the saints grew ruthless.  God expects the same diligence and perseverance from us, today.  We need to tighten our grip and hold fast.  We have more spiritual battles to fight.   We were told that many would fall away, but just like those who held fast during the Ephesian Era and will be resurrected at Christ's return, let's not forget the hope of our calling.

Brethren, our Lord has not delayed His coming – let's encourage one another in faith, hope, and charity so much the more as we see the Day approaching – and see this Christian struggle to the end.

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Sermon:

"Faith Hope and Charity"