Articles
Courage, Anyone?
I was looking through some old sermon outlines when our son Monte read something to us from his phone regarding Governor Gavin Newsome’s recent order that churches in 30 California counties are forbidden to meet indoors, including group home Bible studies.
Only moments after he read that, I found this in a sermon from 1986: “What size would this church be if it became illegal to assemble?”
Back then, it was hard to imagine. But things have changed—a lot!
We live in strange times. Dangerous times.
The title of that 1986 sermon was “Courageously Faithful, Part 1.”
What does it mean to be faithful—even when it gets a bit dangerous?
Are we prepared for that if it comes? Or more accurately, WHEN it comes?
But right after that rhetorical question, “What size would this church be if it became illegal to assemble?” is this statement, “But if we are not even willing to sacrifice in small ways now ...”
When we were baptized did we understand what we were signing up for?
Addressing the church in Smyrna, Jesus said, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10 NASB).
“Do not fear. You will be tested. Be faithful until death.” Did He really mean that?
No question about it: We are being tested. We will suffer. Are we fearful? Are we faithful? Are we striving for the crown He promises?
Will we be courageously faithful?
