I am sure many of you are eagerly waiting for us to finish our study on Ecclesiastes, and I promise you we will. However today I would like to just share a few thoughts. I was thinking today about a question and answer time at a conference I attended earlier this year. It was the "Straight Up Conference" at Harvest Bible chapel, and the session was with two of the greats Bible teachers of our day, James MacDonald, and John MacArthur.
I don't remember the question that was being answered, but the answer was "Let some persecution come, and then see where the emergent church is at." I preached a message this past Sunday on the first chapter of James, and the topic relates to the answer.
James 1:2Count it pure joy when you meet trials of various kinds. For the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (ESV)
Unfortunately this passage has been reduced to over used cliche's such a "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" however when you look at the total picture of what was taking place when James wrote this letter to the "twelve tribes in dispersion" we can see a much deeper meaning.
James wrote this powerful letter around 45-50 A.D. He was a leader in the Church at Jerusalem, he had already seen his brother Jesus, whipped and beaten beyond recognition and hung on the cross. James the brother of John had been killed by Herod, Stephen had been stoned, and Nero was about to become emperor.
the early church was facing great persecution, a little more serious then simply having a bad day. Yet James wrote to "Count it all Joy" The reason we are to count it joy, is because of what God is doing in us during these "trials of many kinds" and that is God is making us "Steadfast".
In order for us to fully follow Christ we need to be steadfast, unshakable, and totally committed. All this said, to bring us back to Dr. MacArthur's statement. I wonder if persecution really hit us, as it did the early church, as it is in other countries today, what would happen to not only the emergent church, but my church, your church, and the churches I grew up in.
Today let's stop and think what would Sunday morning look like if persecution came. Would you count it as joy? Are you ready to be steadfast? Are you totally committed to following Christ? Tough questions, but better decided now, rather then later.
Speech is a mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.Your speech is very nice.
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