Pastor Ryan's message was on Hebrews 10:32-39, titled Remembering as We Endure. Those early Christians knew that taking a stand for their faith meant immediate persecution. They joyfully accepted the loss of property, possessions, and lives because they found One who was the better possession and abiding one. Yet, the writer of Hebrews needed to remind them. They needed to remember this so that they would endure and not throw away their confidence.
These statements stood out to me:
They lost the things we cherish in our comfortable Christianity - comfort and security, being liked, material goods - three things that plague 21st century Christianity.
We take perseverance lightly. We believe that it is by faith alone in Christ alone but in the back of our minds is it with the thought that I get to keep my comfort and security, too?
This message was so timely because on Friday evening, I was shaken by something. It really wasn't that much, but it was enough. Almost immediately, there was conviction from the Holy Spirit because I knew my reaction wasn't right. When I began to examine my reaction, I realized that I was putting confidence in something other than Christ. Subtly, I was starting to put my security in something temporal. This was only a week and a day after God intervened on my behalf in the courtroom.
I felt so ashamed. It was good that I had an hour or so alone in the car. All I could do was confess my sin and pour out my heart to God in prayer. The words "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." went through my head again and again.
There's part of me that feels, "Okay, I've learned my lesson now. Can I have some security and stability now?" Part of me wants to treasure Christ above all things, but at the same time I must confess that wouldn't mind some earthly security as well.
Just like those Hebrew Christians, I need to remember my former days. Although it cannot compare to what those early brethren suffered, there has been a hard struggle with sufferings, being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and the plundering of property. Through it all, Christ became the only thing worth having and the only that would last.
Lord, don't let me forget. Please give me grace to remember and not throw away my confidence. I still have need of endurance.
These statements stood out to me:
They lost the things we cherish in our comfortable Christianity - comfort and security, being liked, material goods - three things that plague 21st century Christianity.
We take perseverance lightly. We believe that it is by faith alone in Christ alone but in the back of our minds is it with the thought that I get to keep my comfort and security, too?
This message was so timely because on Friday evening, I was shaken by something. It really wasn't that much, but it was enough. Almost immediately, there was conviction from the Holy Spirit because I knew my reaction wasn't right. When I began to examine my reaction, I realized that I was putting confidence in something other than Christ. Subtly, I was starting to put my security in something temporal. This was only a week and a day after God intervened on my behalf in the courtroom.
I felt so ashamed. It was good that I had an hour or so alone in the car. All I could do was confess my sin and pour out my heart to God in prayer. The words "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." went through my head again and again.
There's part of me that feels, "Okay, I've learned my lesson now. Can I have some security and stability now?" Part of me wants to treasure Christ above all things, but at the same time I must confess that wouldn't mind some earthly security as well.
Just like those Hebrew Christians, I need to remember my former days. Although it cannot compare to what those early brethren suffered, there has been a hard struggle with sufferings, being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and the plundering of property. Through it all, Christ became the only thing worth having and the only that would last.
Lord, don't let me forget. Please give me grace to remember and not throw away my confidence. I still have need of endurance.
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