In the book of 1 Corinthians,
it encourages Christians all around the world to stand firm.
This is what it says, 1 Corinthians 16:13,
When I was about 16 years old,
I got my first speeding ticket.
My parents know about it, so I can say it out loud.
So I got my first speeding ticket,
and I thought, "Hey, I am gonna go,
"and I am gonna go to the courthouse,
"and I'm gonna convince the judge
"that I should not have gotten this speeding ticket."
I just wanted to reduce the points,
but I went there all excited.
But as soon as the judge started questioning me,
I melted,
and nothing happened.
I was so flustered in fact, that when I left the courthouse
I went the wrong way on a one way street
past the police station.
We'll just end the story there.
How many times I wish that was the only time
that I folded and melted under pressure.
I wish that was the only time,
that when I had an opportunity to speak some truth
to someone, that I didn't just forget
and kind of become a wallflower.
I think about the Christians who actually followed
1 Corinthians, they stand firm in their faith.
The Coptic Christians in Egypt who come off a bus
only to be killed because they confessed their faith.
There are more martyrs in the last 100 years
than the previous 19 centuries combined.
People who stood firm for what they believe in.
How do you do that?
How did the reformers 500 years ago,
stand firm and say, "I don't care about the consequences.
"I don't care about life or death, or reputation.
"I'm gonna stand firm on this truth."
They trusted the source.
If you're part of a church that trusts the authority of God,
for this is what it means for your life,
to look to God's Word to discover what God has to say.
A holy God who actually communicates to us
through His Word.
You can go back to people in the past
who stood on the truth of God's Word,
but how do you defend it?
How do you get the courage like they did,
to stand up and say, "This is what I believe in"?
How do you get the courage to go before people
that are questioning you, or are making fun of you,
and say, "This is what God says,
"I don't care the consequences"?
Well to paraphrase Charles Spurgeon,
you defend God's Word the same way you defend a lion,
you let it out of the cage.
God's Word is living and active,
and God's Word cuts open our heart.
It's sharper than any double-edged sword.
It opens up and let's us see inside ourselves,
and our own greediness, and sinfulness, and selfishness,
but it's that same Word
that brings healing,
and brings forgiveness, and brings acceptance.
So stand firm,
and let the lion out of the cage.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
500 years ago they thought your truths of salvation
by grace alone was worth dying for.
And we know that hasn't changed.
So help us have the courage to stand firm
and speak what we know is true,
that salvation comes only through you,
and only through your grace.
Amen.
We are so moved by the love and support
that you have shown us for these messages
that we produce at 'Your Time of Grace.'
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to help us do even more.
First, share these with your family and friends,
but also, if you'd like to give a financial donation,
please just click the link below,
and we'll see you soon.
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