David Henneke's Podcast

Last week we talked about how the execution of Christ all began with a conspiracy. The “chief priests” (religious leaders) and the “elders of the people” (political leaders) conspired together to kill Jesus. 

This conspiracy led to the ARREST of Jesus. Before you can have a trial and sentencing you must first have the incarceration.

Jesus was conscious of all the events that He was about to face. 

He knew He would be UNLAWFULLY arrested.  He knew He would be UNFAIRLY tried.  He knew He would be UNJUSTLY convicted and He knew He would be UNMERCIFULLY executed.

Jesus laid down His life so that those who believe in Him will live.
 
 Do you believe?

Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:7-13

Have you lost the interest & zeal for witnessing, for serving others and for seeing others grow in Christ? Have you become formal in worship instead of being alive in Christ? Do you attend worship services or Bible studies out of religious obligation instead of hungering and thirsting after righteousness? Do you sit in church half asleep or consistently allowing your mind to wonder instead of focusing upon the life changing power of the Word of God? If so, hear and head the command our Lord gives to the church of Sardis.

People will often compromise what they know is right, in order to get what they want. Worldly Compromise damages the testimony of the church. The Church of Thyatira is a perfect example of this reality. Christ said that the judgment would only happen if they failed to repent. No matter what we have done…No matter how terrible it is….Christ calls us to repentance. If we repent, then God will forgive us our sins, save us from destruction and deliver us from judgment. 

The Christians at Pergamum had been true to God under severe testing 
The Christians at Pergamum had been true to God under severe testing 
but they had compromised their testimony in other ways. Compromise (1) never occurs quickly, (2)always lowers the original standard, (3) is seldom offensive and (4) is often the first step to total disobedience. Present judgment comes to a church when it compromises the Word of God.

Rev. 2:7-10
The church at Smyrna, unlike Ephesus, was facing persecution, poverty, imprisonment & even death. The heart of the message was not “repent,” but be faithful, even to the point of death, and the COMMAND was reinforced, not by a threat, but by a promise: I will give you the crown of life and you will not be hurt by the second death. It costs to be a dedicated Christian…..in some places more than others. As end-time pressures increase, persecution will also increase; and we, as God’s people, need to be ready and faithful.