Where Was God? (2 of 6)
Series: The Jesus Diaries
Jeff Strite
Revelation 2:8-11
OPEN: Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations.
As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple.
The minister smiled and said "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars,".
"You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free."
APPLY: What did Clarence Jordan mean by that? What did he mean that once upon a time "Christians could get crosses for free?" He meant that 1000s of Christians had died for their faith. They died on crosses, they died in arenas, and they died in lonely prison cells.
Christians down thru the ages have suffered terribly for their faith.
ILLUS: We recently received word, that some missionaries in Honduras were attacked by wicked men who not only robbed their college of its computers and other equipment.
They also robbed the missionaries of their personal possessions. The missionaries had to return to the States for intense counseling.
One person who heard about this tragedy asked a very harsh question: "Where was God?"
I. You could have asked the same question at Smyrna. Smyrna was not a friendly place to be a Christian.
In Revelation 2:9 Jesus tells them "I know your afflictions and your poverty...! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not..."
In the next verse Jesus essentially tells them that this is only the beginning:
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
What did ...
Series: The Jesus Diaries
Jeff Strite
Revelation 2:8-11
OPEN: Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations.
As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple.
The minister smiled and said "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars,".
"You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free."
APPLY: What did Clarence Jordan mean by that? What did he mean that once upon a time "Christians could get crosses for free?" He meant that 1000s of Christians had died for their faith. They died on crosses, they died in arenas, and they died in lonely prison cells.
Christians down thru the ages have suffered terribly for their faith.
ILLUS: We recently received word, that some missionaries in Honduras were attacked by wicked men who not only robbed their college of its computers and other equipment.
They also robbed the missionaries of their personal possessions. The missionaries had to return to the States for intense counseling.
One person who heard about this tragedy asked a very harsh question: "Where was God?"
I. You could have asked the same question at Smyrna. Smyrna was not a friendly place to be a Christian.
In Revelation 2:9 Jesus tells them "I know your afflictions and your poverty...! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not..."
In the next verse Jesus essentially tells them that this is only the beginning:
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
What did ...
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