Don't let folk who are not on their way to heaven keep you from maximizing heaven's opportunity. Dr. Tony Evans talks about why it's more important than ever for Christ followers to be faithful. This is not a time for weak-knee Christians. This is a day to name the name of Jesus Christ.
This is the alternative broadcast, featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans. It's not as easy to be a Christian in America as it used to be, and it's likely to get harder. Dr. Evans says that means commitment and faithfulness to Christ are more important than ever.
A challenge He'll help us meet as we turn to Revelation chapter 2, beginning in verse 8, for today's lesson. John the Apostle writes to this second church. The church at Smyrna. He says The first and the last, the one who was dead and alive, says this.
So I'm going to give the message, but Jesus is doing the talking.
So, if you get mad at what I'm getting ready to say, talk to Jesus, leave me alone. Because he just told him to say what he was saying.
So, in that little phrase, Jesus speaks of both his deity. And his humanity. He's the first and the last. He's God. But he died.
So he's mad. He says Yeah. I know your tribulation. I know. Your trouble.
I know what you're going through. I know you're hurting right now. He says, I am fully aware. That you're going through it because I'm God. But I'm also fully aware of what it feels like because I'm man.
Yeah. If you feel like you're dying, I know what that feels like because I died. I've been through all of the Categories of trouble that any human being has been through as man, even though I am simultaneously. Deity. Yes.
I know your trouble. If you're hurting today, he's aware of it. If you're crying today, He's aware of it. If your world has been shaken... Today He's aware of it.
Not only because he's omniscient. God But because he's human. Man. And so he's got that dual reality of identification. while transcending time And being involved in time.
He says, I know. You got trouble. They worship Caesar as Lord. You had to recognize Caesar. as God.
Well, these Christians had another declaration. Jesus is Lord. That created a problem. Because once you rejected Caesar... You are now an enemy of the state.
And as a result of that, There was confiscation. of property. It says you are having trouble And you are poor.
Now it's bad enough. To have trouble. But it show not bad. when you have trouble and no money.
So they were spiritually rich. That's why he says in the next phrase: you are rich. You are rich because of your decision. To be committed to me even though it's costing you a price tag. Nothing happens to you that doesn't pass through his fingers first.
Yeah. It's called sovereignty. Nothing, in order for it to get to you, it's got to go through him. Which means it has to have permission.
Now I'm not talking about suffering because of you doing evil. That's one kind of suffering. I'm talking about when you're trying to live for God, when you're trying to proclaim Christ, when you try, and it's still going south. It had to pass through his fingers first.
Okay. One reason he does it is to humble us. 2 Corinthians 2 Twelve or seven. To humble us. In other words, he wants to deal with something in our character that we either actually or potentially are headed toward.
So he allows something in our lives. Paul says, God allowed a messenger of Satan. A thorn in the flesh. A thorn is something that pricks you. that irritates you.
He calls it a messenger. He had a person in his life who was driving him nuts. An irritation. And he says, I prayed to God to get rid of it. Three times, and God says, I will not get rid of the irritation that I allowed the devil to put in your life.
And the reason I'm not going to allow it is two Humble you.
So that you don't think more of yourself than you ought to think. And he says, my grace will be sufficient. And in your weakness, I'm going to make you strong. Another reason He lets us when we're seeking to live for Him. Yes.
2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 4, Paul says, in our affliction, we going through stuff. We're trying to serve God, love God, please God, walk with God, and we are underneath affliction, suffering. He says God met us in our affliction. Watch this.
So that we would now be able to comfort others. Who are in the same affliction.
So God lets you go through stuff. Even though you're trying to please him and are publicly associated with him, because he has somebody else down the line who's going to be going through what you are now going through. And he doesn't just want you to quote Bible verses. He doesn't just want to say, I'm going to pray for you. He wants you to feel what they feel and emote where they moat.
And because you've been where they've been. And he wants to use you experientially. Isn't it irritating?
Somebody trying to help you that don't know what you're talking about? Cause they never been there. He says, I want to use the comfort I give you in what I allowed you to go through. He does it for another reason. To grow us.
James chapter 1, verses 2 to 4 says. The testings of your faith. is to develop you. He wants to take you to another level.
So there is purpose in the pain. If you're seeking to Live for him. Publicly. I ain't talking about privately. I ain't talking about in church.
I'm talking about declaring out there Jesus is Lord. That he will allow people to come against you, people to reject you, people to talk about you as sure as you're born. He will allow that, people to scheme against you, he will allow people to politic against you, he will allow somebody else to get that promotion. That you've been working hard. Because he has a reason.
Oh, here's one. To deepen his reality in your life. Watch it. is called in Philippians 3.10 the fellowship of his suffering. Fellowship means Increased intimacy.
He said, you know what? When you are hurting, You don't just want to know your doctor's name. You'll just want to know his telephone number. Because you were in pain. When you're fine, you may not call Doc.
But when the pain won't go away long enough, deep enough, Oh, you're gonna get him on the phone. You're going to rearrange your schedule. You're going to make sure there's a hookup with the doctor because it's hurting so bad. You need somebody who can meet you where you are. God knows if it's only blessing.
He ain't gonna get your undivided attention. If it's only blessing, you may not pick up the phone. If it's only blessing, you may not get desperate enough.
So he brings you to the fellowship of his suffering. He lets you feel with it. Like to be him when he was going through, when you're going through, because he knows you're gonna snuggle up a little closer. You're gonna spend a little bit more time in prayer. You're gonna meet him longer in the word when it's hurting bad enough that you need him.
And so he does that to deepen the intimacy. with his people. He says, I know what you're going through. I know you're struggling right now. But he says it's even worse than that.
I know, verse 9: the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Oh wait man. He started with the secular world.
Now he says. you get in trouble from the religious world. Synagogue. That's a place of worship. These were the Jews who rejected Christ.
who are now persecuting the Christians. These are Church folk who reject you. Because you've taken your stand for Jesus Christ. Because just because they're in church, don't mean they're right. Just because they in church carrying a Bible under their arm, because these Jews were carrying the Old Testament, just because they carrying a Bible under their arm doesn't mean they committed.
Just because they're saying amen, hallelujah, praise the Lord, standing up, sitting down, clapping their hands, that don't mean a thing if Jesus is not Lord. In fact, he said you got a church full of devils. There is resistance from the synagogue of Satan. The religious folk were against them. Because I want to tell you that if you take your stand for Jesus Christ.
Churchful! We'll say you're a fanatic. Church folk, we say you being too serious about this. Church folk will start calling you Rev. Church folk will do that.
and become your persecutors. Because you're taking your stand for God. I know what you're going through. You've served notice. That your allegiance is to me first.
It's public. It's not hidden. It's like the political campaigns. It's a placard. It's been put on notice.
It's advertised. And you are paying a price for it. There's a cost to it. He goes on to say, oh, I like this. Do not fear.
Yeah. Don't be afraid because You will undergo some trouble for 10 days. In other words, I got my hand on the clock. Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna allow it.
But I'm also going to determine when it's going to end. Dr. Evans will return in a moment with more on God's perfect timing. But first, if you'd like some practical tools to stay strong when your faith is tested, Check out Tony's Jesus Challenge study package. It includes all eight full-length lessons from our current series.
and focuses on how to develop a stronger faith, healthier priorities, increased commitment, and more. You'll also receive Dr. Evans' book, Living as an Overcomer. as well as its companion workbook and Bible study video, packed with exclusive teaching segments from Tony. And here's the best part.
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Well, Dr. Evans is back now with more of today's message. Come on, you ladies know what it is to use a timer. You use a timer to tell you when the meat is ready. You use a timer to tell you when stuff is done.
And if the bell goes off, And it's not done, you're going to put it back in the oven because it ain't ready yet.
Okay?
So watch this. If God says, in 10 days it's going to be over. You want to make sure you done. Because you don't want to see it extended any longer than what his clock called for. See sometimes we going through stuff Cause we ain't done.
No, we're still not confessing Christ. We're still not living for Christ. But we want to say, get me out of here.
Well, God said, well, the bell rung, but you ain't ready. You raw all on the inside. You ain't done. God says, I control the clock. That's why you don't have to be afraid.
I got this clock. And Satan is on a leash. And I've given him 10 days to do his stuff for me to do in you what I want you to do, but at 10 days, I'm jerking that sucker back. 'Cause he's not just the devil, he my devil. And I use them as I please.
If you don't believe me, ask Joe. He my devil. I tell him how far he can go, and how far he can't go, and how long he can stay there. Because I am the sovereign God and I am in charge.
So you make sure you identify with me. This is not a time for weak-knee Christians. This is not a day for silly saints. This is a day. From men and women who name the name of Jesus Christ to name the name of Jesus Christ.
And do not fear, he said. Oh, Moses was afraid. Moses was afraid. God said, Go tell Pharaoh and let my people go. Mose, you got to be kidding me.
Them people are gonna kill me. In fact, when I go over there, I'm going to tell you what they're going to ask me. They're going to ask me. Who sent you? Who said she?
And made you boss. He says, you tell them when they ask you that dumb question. I am that I am sent you. And the reason I'm going to tell you to tell them I am that I am set you is because I am going to be whatever you need when the time comes. I'm going to be your sovereign, self-sufficient, eternal support.
See, here's the deal. If you want to go through Down times, suffering times, tribulation times for following Christ, the key thing you're going to need to know is He's there. Even if the circumstance hasn't changed, you need to know he's in the vicinity. You need to know that Mr. Rogers is in the neighborhood.
You need to know that God is right there.
Well you're going through it. Yeah. is dependability regardless of circumstances.
Sometimes it's easy to be faithful because everything is up and up.
Sometimes it's rough to be faithful. He says, I want you to be faithful. It's following through on your commitments regardless of the difficulty of the circumstance. It's continuing to go until the whistle blows. They tell a player now if you don't hear the whistle you keep going You keep going.
You go till the whistle blows. You say, But I've already tripped up. I've not been faithful. Get up. It says, be faithful unto death.
And your commitment to me and your living underneath my lordship. Yeah, yeah. I will give you verse 10 says the crown of life. I'm going to give you the crown of life. And he closes by saying, he who has an ear, let him hear.
What the Spirit says to the churches, and then he speaks to you as an individual. He who overcomes. will not be hurt by the second death. That is a curious phrase. He who overcomes, what does he mean by overcoming?
He who overcomes the temptation. To abandon your confession. during tough times. He who overcomes the temptation to walk away Because things have gotten rough because of your faith. The overcomers will not be hurt by the second death.
Now the reason why that's a curious phrase is that the second death refers to hell. Bible says hell is cast into the lake of fire and that is the second death.
So that's hell. But wait a minute. He's talking to Christians here. These are believers who are suffering.
So they're not going to hell. They're going to heaven.
So why would he tell believers, if you are an overcomer, not just a Christian, but you overcome the temptation of not being faithful in the midst of tribulation, you will not be hurt by something that has absolutely nothing to do with you because the second death is hell and that's not where you're going, so it's an irrelevant topic. Don't let folk who not on their way to heaven Keep you from getting all that heaven has for you because you are more committed to them who can do nothing for you ultimately than you were committed to me. Don't let the second death, hell-bound folk, keep you from maximizing heaven's opportunity. Don't let those sinners mess you up. Don't let those sinners take away your reward.
Don't let those sinners destroy your fellowship with me. Don't let folk who are going down keep you from maximizing going up. Don't let them do that! Your commitment must be to me. And when you fail, dust off, confess, repent, get up.
and go on the road to faithfulness. Don't throw in the towel. Don't quit. And if we are not developing those kinds of Christians as a church, we failed. Because our job isn't to have church.
Our job is to create disciples who are not ashamed to say, Jesus Christ is Lord. We're in a political correct environment now.
Well, you can't bring up this and you can't bring up that. Of course, you can cuss like a sailor if you want. You can talk about women like a dog if you want. You can be insulting to the faith if you want. But bring up Jesus and you in trouble.
Well, I'm just going to have to be in trouble because I'm bringing up Jesus. Like Paul, I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. You do it lovingly, you do it appropriately, you do it wisely, but you do it clearly.
So, you don't quit. If you're going through a tough time and you're living for Christ, if you're not living for Christ, that's a whole different story. That's getting right. But if you have made the decision, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. You've made it known.
Everybody understands that that's who you are. If you were accused of being a Christian at work, there would be enough evidence to convict you. Because you come through that way, you live that way, you make your decisions that way. Because that's who you are and that's your normal modus operandi. None of us is perfect, but that's your normal modus operandi.
You keep going. God's got the clock. He knows how many days. He's got a purpose in the pain. You keep going?
Perhaps you've not yet made that decision to follow Jesus, but now you're ready. If that's you, visit tonyevans.org today and follow the link that says Jesus. There, Dr. Evans will explain everything you need to know about being a real Christian. and how to start your brand new life.
That's tonyevans.org. or you can get the latest on Tony's ministry and resources and sign up for his free email devotional. Also, while you're there, don't forget to take advantage of our current special offer. The Living as an Overcomer book, workbook, and Bible study video. Plus, all eight full-length audio messages from the Jesus Challenge series.
digitally as well as on either C D or USB flash drive. This powerful, life-changing package of resources is yours with our thanks when you help us keep Tony's teaching on this station by making a donation. This is a limited time offer, so don't wait. Visit us today at tonyevans.org to take advantage of this offer. or call us at one eight hundred eight hundred thirty two twenty two.
and let one of our resource team members help you. That's 1-800-800-3222.
or online at tonyevans.org. Witnesses view events from different angles, and although their personal perspective is relative, reality never is. Tomorrow, doctor Evans shows how to resist the world's efforts to redefine the reality of God's Word as he takes a look at the consequences of treating truth like nothing more than a matter of opinion. Right now, though, he's back with his final illustration for the day. You'll remember in closing the story of the little girl who who was in the shopping cart with her mother.
You said uh As the mother went down the cookie aisle, Mama, please for chocolate chip cookie. Mother said, You had too many sweets today, no chocolate chip cookie. Mother going down another aisle, she said, Mama. I really want some chocolate chip cookies. She said, I told you you've had too many sweets today.
I'm not getting you any chocolate chip cookie. Mother going down another aisle. She said, But, mama. I need some chocolate chip cookies. Told you, I'm not giving you any chocolate chip cooking.
Mother gets in the checkout line. A little girl stands up. Pause a hand. Looks up to heaven. Jesus They taught me in Sunday school last week, if I called on you, you'd meet all my needs.
And I need some chocolate chip cookies. The ladies in back of the mother said, Why won't that woman get that girl some chocolate chip cookies? The mother got real embarrassed, went and got a whole bunch of chocolate chip cookies. Put it in the cart, little girl stood up and said, thank you, Jesus. For answering my prayer.
There may be somebody here today and you're in the checkout line. You want to quit? You want to throw in the towel? It's too tough. You know, you're too embarrassed to name the name of Jesus Christ.
Before you check out, Check up! Because when God comes through for you, when God... Even if it's letting you know he's there, you will discover that greater is he that's in you, in the fire. than he that's in the world.
