Last night I had the privilege of presiding for the Louisiana Baptist Convention and preaching the president’s message to conclude the night. While some business is conducted at the first session on Monday night, the meeting is primarily a time of inspiration and worship.
We were blessed by tremendous music by from the choir of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville (near Pineville, Louisiana) and from the Voices of LC, a chorale from Louisiana College. Also, Jason Brooks sang before I preached. Andrew Stoner and Juliette Cantrell played with Jason.
My sermon was an adaptation of what I preached Sunday at my church concerning the church at Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17. The church at Pergamum sought to minister for God at the worst of times and the worst of places. Jesus commended them for being faithful in spite of living where Satan had his throne. Already, a faithful disciple named Antipas had been killed in Pergamum–“where Satan lived.”
My title was “Living for Christ in the Worst of Times.” How do you do church in the worst of times?
First, live out your faith in practical ways. Though we may find opposition to our beliefs and our message, we will not find opposition to our kindness, compassion, and goodness. As we let the fruit of God’s Spirit work in our lives (Galatians 5:22), we will bless the people around us. Even if people do not like your beliefs, they will love your actions.
Second, live obediently. The church at Pergamum obeyed Christ in the worst of times. Jesus commended them for obedience and faithfulness.
Third, live joyfully. Though life is tough and opposition comes often, God’s blessings and mercies are new every morning. We have every reason to be joyful.
Fourth, put on the whole armor of God. Whether in good times or bad, we need the protection of God’s armor. By spending time with God and relying on His protection, we are prepared for whatever we will face.
Finally, shine your light for Christ. When the world is at its worst, the church must be at its best. More than ever in the worst times, the world needs the church.
May you and I be faithful in spite of opposition.
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One Response
To maximize the application of your instruction, to increase the relevance, to challenge, to celebrate, to realize the Talents, Gifts and each portion of Faith in the Bride, to overcome evil with Good, to overcome the battles within ones heart: join in shining His Light on the Truths within individual lives within the Body. The small, as you point out so well, is a concern of God. Can one expect Victory when refusing to do the little? The rules of witnesses work for evil too! Those who support a lie know it. A ‘truth’ is declared and then prevails with social support. Such support makes a lie in unison the prevailing ‘truth.‘ It is the darkest example of evil at work. It should be the easiest to flush out into the Light of the Son. The tears of Heaven are upon us: behind our doors/walls, within our shell or our cloistered groups insulated from the battle.
“…for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:
Get up sleeper,
and rise up from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14
Blessings.