RLCF Sermons

We are called to be careful followers of Christ in persecutions and sufferings along with all the aspects of godliness (II Timothy 3:11-12). This pathway leads us to eternal life (Mark 10:24-31). And this is what it means to truly know Jesus (John 17:3). Suffering will be difficult if you haven’t counted all things as loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). To truly know Jesus is: fellowship in His sufferings; being conformed to His death; experiencing power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11). God uses suffering to put to death every little bit of “righteousness of your own” (Philippians 3:9). In you trial if you seek for Christ you will find Him: in appearance as a man; obedient even to the point of death; highly exalted by the Father (Philippians 2:7-8). This is true evangelism: inviting others to “follow me as a follow Christ” in His sufferings. Suffering proves you are an heir with Christ. (Romans 8:14-15) God causes all things to work for good (Romans 8:28). If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35). In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer! (Romans 8:37) In the midst of your trial, hear the whisper of Jesus, “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A warning especially to men about the deception of hypocrisy: Beware of becoming content with a good reputation in the church, when your inner life is not ignited by the fire of God. A deception watch-list especially for men: sexual lust and addictions; anger; Mammon; unforgiveness. Jannes and Jambres were able to duplicate miracles using rods which were not empowered by a secret igniting encounter with God like Moses’ rod was (Exodus 7:10-12, 8:18). In the same way, the Devil will try to deceive Christians with a duplicate “godliness” which lacks true power within. A warning especially to women about the deception of insubmission: Beware of pursuing knowledge that leads you away from submission to your husband. A deception watch-list especially for women: when your husband is spiritually weak or struggling; when your expectations of your husband are not me; when you are discouraged or swayed by impulses. This is how you can test the real knowledge of the truth: it comes through repentance (II Timothy 2:25) and will result in your being set free from sin (John 8:32).

Christians will be persecuted. We know this from God’s Word (Matthew 24; II Timothy 3:1,12, etc.), and from the fact that Christians have been and are being persecuted even today. If it was the last hour in John’s time (I John 2:15-18), then we are in the dying minutes of time. Satan’s trick: “If you can’t beat ’em join ’em!” (II Timothy 3:2-5) As the world demonstrates increased lawlessness, most “Christians” will demonstrate a cooling in their love (Matthew 24:12,24). Four Types of Lovers: Lovers of Self: boastful and arrogant; abusive in speech (revilers); disobedient to parents; ungrateful, unloving, and irreconcilable; brutal, malicious gossips; Lovers of money: Pharisees (Matthew 16:13-15); Lovers of pleasure: unholy; without self-control; Lovers of God: those with a pure devotion to God (James 4:4, I John 2:15). The most prominent sign of the end times is that Satan will present “another Jesus” (Matthew 24:5,11,23,24,26) — promoting religiosity mixed with Self, money, and pleasure! Babylon is built as a result of spiritual immorality (Genesis 11; Revelation 17-19).

When Satan sees that we are serious about discipleship and fellowship, he will try to distract us by getting us to quarrel with someone (II Timothy 2:23-24). The world can be divided into two categories of people: sleepers in darkness, and warriors in the light. When Joshua asked the angel of the Lord if he was for him or against him, the angel replied, “No” — he was not on either side, but on God’s side. (Joshua 5:13-15). The church is built through prophecy (I Corinthians 14:3-4). Prophecy is fueled by love (I Corinthians 8:1). True love is to lay down your Self (John 15:13). Instead of quarreling, we are instructed to: have a kindly disposition, with courtesy and gentleness; be patient and forbearing, willing to suffer wrong; make it your goal to rescue those held captive by the devil (II Timothy 2:24-26). Be a lamb in the earthly realm, who is a lion in the spiritual realm! Will you live as one who’s been forgiven? Will you walk with joy in knowing your debts are paid, that your name is clear before your Father, and that you are His child and will not be afraid? Will you, so greatly pardoned, forgive your brother? Will you the law of love gladly obey? Will you live as one who’s learned compassion? Having been so loved, will you risk loving too? Do you know how fear builds walls instead of bridges? Will you dare to see another’s point of view? And when relationships demand commitment, will you be there to care and follow through? Will you let God feed a hungry world through you?

When a telescope’s focus is sharpened to view a distant, higher object clearly, nearer, lower objects become more blurry. In order to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives we must have a “one thing” mentality toward Jesus (Matthew 13:46, Luke 10:42). Purity of heart is purity of devotion to Jesus, which means that we don’t have room in our heart for anything else besides Jesus. We only see God (Matthew 5:8) and only do His Will (Acts 13:22). To be a true disciple and to experience true discipleship is to “hate”. A disciple of Jesus is one who hates: all rights to himself; wanting to be remembered; his own desires, interests, and conveniences; bringing Self into the picture; his selfish ways. True fellowship is in having the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose, with the same attitude that Christ had.Fellowship is built by hating: all selfishness and empty conceit; anything that does not come from humility of mind; thinking of yourself as more important than anyone else; looking out for your own interests, rather than for others’ interests. The kind of church we want to see God establish here is one in which we come here not thinking, “Is this the church that will best meet my needs?” but rather: “Is this the church where God can use me to best meet the needs of others?” When we waters others, God will water us (Proverbs 11:25). That’s why it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

We must be aware of Satan’s schemes and not allow him to take any advantage of us (II Corinthians 2:11).

Vessels in God’s house that bring Him embarrassment are those who are full of Self-filled chatter — thoughts and words that are worldly (not originatinig in God) and empty (not empowered by God). Self-filled chatter causes the Holy Spirit to leak out of our lives. Words are the indication of the treasure that fills the heart. God will weigh our words to either justify or condemn us (Matthew 12:34-37). Vessels in God’s house that bring Him honor are those who are full of God-filled words, by cleansing themselves of Self-filled chatter, and whom God then sets apart in His “China Cabinet”. God’s testimony of Samuel was that none of his words fell to the ground because God was with him. God’s Word will not return empty without accomplishing that for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11). And when we speak as God’s mouth, the same can be said of our words. New Covenant prophecy is to speak as God’s mouth, giving edification, exhortation, and consolation to the Body through a variety of spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 14:3,26). We must rid ourselves of all rotten words, and learn to speak prophetically in every situation — i.e., a word perfectly suited to each moment, imparting grace to the hearers (Proverbs 25:11, Ephesians 4:29). The two-fold seal of God’s firm foundation is this: 1. The Lord intimately knows the treasured vessels whom He puts in His “China Cabinet”. 2. If you desire to be such a treasured vessel, abstain from wickedness. (II Timothy 2:19)

Paul suffered hardship and was endured all things for the sake of God’s chosen people (II Timothy 2:9-10). Paul had this attitude because he sought nothing for himself, having already counted all things as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). To suffer so that others would benefit was the spirit in which Christ came to earth. To suffer so that others will benefit is the spirit in Christ’s Body today. Church membership is a relationship of care — sharing in the suffering of other members, and rejoicing in the honor of other members (II Corinthians 12:25-26). Suffering is the means by which the children of God claim their inheritance of Christ’s glory (Romans 8:17). When your suffering is not contaminated with murmuring or complaining, it becomes a drink offering that God pours out on the lives of others (I Peter 4:12-13; Philippians 2:17-18; II Timothy 4:6-7). “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” ~C.T. Studd

Eternal Life is to Know God

The true mark of spirituality is having the humility of Jesus, who learned it by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).