|
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.
***
Sermon: |
"Faith Hope and Charity"
|
|
|
|