Continue…

[Message: Pastor Sunil D’Souza (Udupi, Karnataka). Hope I haven’t missed much. Happy reading…]

Thanks be to God for this hour and this day. Without Him {Jesus}, I can do nothing (John 15:5); and in the words of Paul “By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). And from the book of Lamentations, we know that we are not consumed because of His great mercies. Great is His faithfulness.

In the book of Revelations, the word ‘Blessed’ occurs 7 times. We must endeavor to find ourselves within the categories of the ‘blessed’ people. These are the last days and the coming of Jesus is at hand. It is important for us to know what God thinks about us. Are you and I among those having a good testimony from God?

You see, God had a testimony about David – a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22); and about Moses – a man who is faithful in all my house (Numbers 12:7). God who does not look at the outward appearance, but searches the depths of the heart – does He have a testimony about you and me?

Revelation 1:3 says: Blessed is He…that reads… meditates… and keeps the words of this book.

Relatively speaking, the reading and meditating part is quite easy… but the difficult part is to walk the word. Jesus spoke the parable of the wise man and the foolish man, building their house. He likened the wise man to those who hear and keep the God’s word as against the foolish, who only ‘hears’ the word. So, the difference is really in walk only!

It’s easy to come to church, sing some great songs on Sunday, show yourself a Christian, maybe, even take the water-baptism; but it’s the other days of the week that really count for a Christian! What is the difference then? Is it just nice to hear sermon after sermon, be uplifted in our spirits and then wait for the next sermon? Matt. 13:23 says that those who understood the word produced fruit (harvest) – some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and others hundred-fold! So, hearing the word is good; but it is better to understand. This is my prayer too, as was the prayer of Paul to Ephesians “…that the eyes of your heart maybe opened…” (Eph. 1:13-17).

Opening of the eyes of the heart is what matters! It happened in the time Jesus (Luke 24:45-48). It happens even today, because of the Helper. If our eyes of understanding is not opened, it will profit us nothing. (Why do people still think child baptism is okay?) It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus (James refutes that even the demons believe that and tremble). Do you love Jesus? So many people say that they do! What is the difference then? Simply put by John in 1 John 5:3: For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments…

1. Stand in the word of God

Ezra 7:10 says: For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel…

Many today read the word of God only to teach others… When a Pastor was preaching from the pulpit, he noticed that a man sitting in one of the front pews lean and shift towards his left; after a few moments, the same person leaned towards the right. He kept doing this during the entire message, and so the Pastor met him after the service and queried him about his actions. He replied that he leaned this way and that, so the message will ‘hit’ the right person sitting in the pews behind him.

If the entire ‘message’ is for others, then why are you here? I have been in ministry long enough to notice wives giving long glances to husbands, and husbands- to wives, according to the word that is being preached. When you read and meditate on God’s word, would you keep in mind that this word is primarily for you to keep? Otherwise, you will be like the foolish person building his house upon the sand. The rains came, the floods rose and the winds blew and beat upon that house. And it fell… and great was its fall.

A story is told about four people in a boat; rowing hard to reach the other shore. It was dusk and they continued rowing all through the night; but they could not see nor get to the other shore. When morning dawned, they found that they had rowed nowhere, but were in the same spot, because the rope anchoring the boat to the shore was still not untied!

There are many wanting to go to the other shore; but few are willing to leave this shore. They fear their time is not yet come, or they fear their peers and friends who may mock them. Or maybe, it is his or her brother, sister or one of the close relatives, who is working against their decision to follow Christ. Prov. 29:25 says: The fear of man brings a snare; but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is safe. Is it not better to be safe now than be sorry later?

Ezek 38: 7 and Amos 4:12 calls for the people of the Lord to be ready for the coming of Jesus and to stand before Him. How are you doing in your little boat? Are you building on the rock solid word of God? How? -By walking the word! You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Christianity is not a religion to observe and opt for; it is the life giving word bringing salvation to all-through Jesus Christ- He’s the only way.

2. Continue in the Grace of God

Acts 13:43: Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

The word of God says: …where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. (Romans 5:20). And Paul continues in Romans 6:1,2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

But there are a certain group of people, who misuse grace. They have the mindset that they can continue to live as they please and still count on grace. They attend church; they may even take baptism; yet, continue in their ‘usual’ lifestyle. A Pastor on a house visit found the man quickly changing the TV channel as he entered his house. The new channel showed up similar images, and the man of the house quickly changed to some other channel; only it happened to be worse… The pastor remarked “Maybe the earlier one was better…”. These are the ones who have not understood repentance-which is turning away from sin.

I was a drunkard; ad when I was drunk I used to beat up just anybody in my youth. And if I found none, I used to beat my friends… I was good in karate and had a good physique. But then, I came to Jesus; He changed me. He gave me grace… sufficient to continue in it. I cannot turn back and know my old days again… I cannot go back to sin.

The time of grace is limited. Soon it will be over. Yes, the coming of Jesus is at hand and grace will cease. The church, the bride will be taken up. But, now is the accepted time… we can turn away from sin and come to Jesus… and continue in that enabling grace of God that He supplies. Matt. 25 talks about the wise and the foolish virgins. All ten were willing to meet the Bridegroom; but only five of them were really ‘prepared’. Are you prepared? 1 Peter 1:16 demands, that we be holy, because He is holy.

3. Continue in Christian Faith

Acts 14:22 says: …strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

There was a man named Bartimaeus. He was blind and he called out to Jesus who was passing by. Do you know what others told him? The Bible says …many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more… (Mark10:48). What is it to walk in faith? Why do you hesitate to follow Jesus? Is it because of others-maybe your friends, or your close relatives? Do you say that I do not come to church because my father, mother or brother does not like it? Do others ask you to be quiet, and they tell you that you know nothing?

There was a man named Kartar Singh in Punjab, India. He came to the knowledge of the truth of the gospel and gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Though a rich Sikh, he had to leave his family and home, because his father publicly renounced him as his son, after trying hard to make Kartar reject Jesus. Donning the clothes of a Sadhu, he began to preach Christ in Tibet. He was caught and bound up in a wet yak skin that would slowly dry when the sun was up, causing the skin to shrink and his bones to break. This slow torture continued for three long days, but the peace and joy of the Lord flooded the soul of Kartar Singh as he lay in physical agony. Waiting for death, Kartar sang songs of praise and prayed for the salvation of his enemies. Finally, on the third day as death drew near, he asked that his right hand might be set free. Probably from curiosity rather than mercy, his request was granted. With his free hand Kartar wrote on the fly-leaf of his New Testament, “I pray that my love for Him may not be less than that of the Hindu woman who burns along with the corpse of her dead husband. When for the dead husband, who she may not hope to meet again, she does so much, how much more should I do for a living Lord who is moreover the Lord of life?”

There are many other life examples to narrate. People who sacrificed all; all for the sake of Jesus! There is only one heart, and it is given to Jesus; this is my story, and this is my song. This is the faith that I more precious than gold. This is the faith worth fighting the ‘good fight’ for. This is the faith to keep; and this is the faith to share. This is the faith in which we must continue. Paul declares: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7).

4. Stand in the Gospel

1 Cor. 15:1 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.”

There are many things written in the gospel of Jesus Christ-His life, His ministry, His death, burial and resurrection, His second coming... These have been given to us that we may understand the gospel and STAND in the gospel. Otherwise, sooner or later we will be deceived! There is the 'Father only' group of people; then there are those who propagate there is no Holy Spirit; then there are others saying, 'Only Jesus'-All these forget the truth of the gospel; the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

There was a lay preacher, who wanted to visit one of the members of our church and share 'his' gospel. He was from the 'Jesus only' sect and the said member, after talking to me, told him: Please come this wednesday; but our Pastor will also be there to hear your 'gospel'. Although we waited, he didn't turn up that day. That is why I say, you must share such things with your pastor and grow in fellowship. There was also this self-proclaimed prophet in Mangalore, who met a member and warned him not to marry; lest he faced dire consequences and possibly death! We went and tried counselling and showed him what is written in the Word of God. Paul does warn Timothy "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry...". But, the frightened man never recovered and he remains a bachelor till now, although he is 42y. What am I saying? You stand in the gospel; stand on the word of God.

5. Continue in Brotherly Love (Hospitality)

Heb. 13:1: Let brotherly love continue.

I am a guest here in Mumbai, and I have received hospitality from members of this church. Each one of us is called to love and help your brothers. The writer of Hebrews continues in verse 2: Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

6. Walk worthy of God

1 Thess. 2:12

7. Continue in the Hope of the Gospel

Colossians 1:23