Sermon Nuggets Fri Jan 16
Theme Called to Service
Verses- John 21:23-25 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
The Culmination of Service
Today ends our year long devotions from the Gospel of John. He has been the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was probably he youngest of the disciples. His call to service led him down a different path than Peter’s path. Each was called to follow the Lord.
Why am I on a bed of ease compared to my brothers and sisters in other parts of the world whose daily lives are threatened with persecution, torture or death because of their commitment to Jesus Christ? Why has Stanchfield Baptist Church survived 143 years of peace without authorities closing us down?
Unlike my experience in Detroit, the ministerial association here has some place in our community and although not all leaders may be active Christians most are church goers and respectful of faith matters. Long before the debate of prayers in the schools I could never identify with the controversy in the 60s because that was never part of my school life. My pastor and church told us clearly that Christians are in the minority and there will be opposition to the truth of Jesus Christ and most people around us are not saved. I always felt different because hardly any of my classmates went to church.
Those days are approaching us in this era. Whether popular or not, whether people are respectful or not, the call of the believer is to live a life devoted to Jesus Christ that is different than the world. Unfortunately most of the polls report it makes no difference between how church attendees and unbelievers live anymore.
Jesus is coming again. The disciples were debating at John’s writing which ones would die for their faith and which one’s might live until Jesus comes back. Does anyone have that question any more in the USA? John states that Jesus didn’t say he wouldn’t die a martyr’s death only that it was none of Peter’s business the path to which Jesus called John to follow.
Our service for the Lord will continue throughout eternity. But it will be a far different service. Our work on earth will be over. Either when we die or when Jesus comes again our witness will be completed and it will be worth it all. There is no purgatory when we will pay off the debt of our sins. There will be no chance to change our minds. What we have done will be the basis of rewards beyond salvation. Faithfulness to the call will be whether we have been good and faithful servants.
A faithful Sunday School teacher who loves and prayers for her children will be completing her devotion as well as Billy Graham who sought to do what the Lord wanted to do in his life. The widow who gave her two mites was praised far more than the high priest in the temple with all his religious power and influence. As one song says, “What we do for Christ will soon be past, only what we do for Christ will last.
Paul could say, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. Henceforth there is now laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. He is coming again. John is doing all he can to be that witness to the world. “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Jon 20:31. These are the events of Jesus while on earth. This is the way it happened as he knew the Lord intimately. But there is so much more that he could have written about Jesus. There is so much more we do not know about Him. The world could not contain all the books that could be written about him. But what is written is what is important for us to know. He wins. He is coming again. There is blessing evermore. It is worth our lives, our money, our family, our devotion and our service. What else can he say to convince us this is true?
Loving God and loving others is the call to service. John was faithful until the Lord took him home. When he could travel no more, he was exiled on the island of Patmos and wrote the experience of his revelation. He saw Jesus no longer as the baby born of Bethlehem, nor the wandering rabbi of the hills of Palestine. He was more than the miracle worker for the masses. He was no longer the beaten body put on the cross and laid in the tomb. John witnessed His resurrection and all the mystery that surrounds it. He saw him speak, eat, comfort, go through walls, and give his final instructions.
But for John those were not Jesus final words to him. He saw what none of the other disciples saw when the Lord opened his eyes to the unseen world. He saw someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Rev 1:13-19
Jesus was the culmination of his service. I’m glad he finished his earthly assignment and wrote what Jesus told him to write.
Pastor Dale
