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The Cost of Discipleship is Great but Worth it."

6/29/2014

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Matthew 24:3-14
Jesus never promised his followers an easy life. He always urged prospective disciples to count the cost before making their choice. Even after they chose to follow him, he warned them well in advance that trials and persecutions would come.
Jesus knew that persecution and difficult times would arise from different sources; from religious leaders, civil authorities, even from relatives and friends. But Jesus impressed one thing upon his disciples, that being; however severe the persecution might be, they must not forget their mission. Nothing should dim their vision nor lessen their zeal. Even their appearance before kings and rulers should be seized upon as God-given opportunities to bear witness to the truth. Furthermore, Jesus promised them that in those public trials the Holy Spirit would give them wisdom and strength. The Holy Spirit would guide them in what they should say.
You realize, don't you, that the Holy Spirit lives and works in you, too, just as it did in the disciples. You realize, don't you, that your mission and vision should b e that as of the first disciples; to bear witness to the truth that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah; the Son of God, the Savior of mankind. And as Jesus promised his disciples, the same promise is made to you and me, "He who endures to the end will be saved." Your unfailing loyalty will be rewarded with eternal salvation. The future reward, you see, makes all the present trials fade into insignificance. Amen.
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History's Best Kept Secret

6/4/2014

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Matthew 24:36-51
By means of divine inspiration God has shared some of his secrets with man. Many things which were once inconceivable and hidden mysteries to man have now been made known to us. And all that we need to know about our redemption has been made known through Jesus, God's only Son, our Lord and Savior.
However, Jesus tells us that there is one great secret which God has never disclosed to anyone, not even the angels in heaven; not even to His own Son while he was on this earth.
What I'm talking about is the secret of Christ's return to the earth - his second coming. God has revealed that there will be certain signs preceding the event, but this is history's best kept secret.
The unpredictability of Christ's return should be a powerful incentive for us to live holy and honorable, righteous lives and faithful service. John writes in his epistle, "Everyone who has this hope of Christ's return purifies himself (that is "keeps himself/herself clean)." Jesus reminds us to be about the work of God "for", as he says, "the night is coming when no one can work." And in his second epistle Peter admonishes us to be about God's work with such words as "be mindful," "do not be ignorant," "be diligent," and "beware." Not knowing when Christ will return, we are to be especially careful to live holy and useful lives. We must live and work as though Christ were coming today. Amen.
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