The Church that left the door cracked

February 6pm, 2000 The Church That Left The Door Cracked. Rev. 2

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

A young boy was allowed for the first time to go with his parents to see what it was like in "big church." There was to be a service of Holy Communion, followed by the sermon. As the minister stood behind the communion table, and broke the bread, the boy whispered, "What does that mean, Dad?" His father said, "That's what Jesus said we must do to remember Him." Then the minister lifted the chalice. The boy whispered, "And what does that mean, Dad?" His father said, "That reminds us how Jesus shed his blood for us on the Cross." Finally, the minister moved to the pulpit. He took off his watch with a flourish, and put it down in front of him. The boy asked, "And what does that mean, Dad?" His father said, "THAT, my son, means absolutely NOTHING."

On these cold days we are always quick to shut the door, and if anyone leaves the door open then the things that outside always come in quickly. The dogs, cats, and the cold are quick to come in and begin to cause problems. The church at Pergamos had let the doctrine of the devil to creep into their church.

A farmer was walking over his farm with a friend, exhibiting his crops, herds of cattle, and flocks of sheep. His friend was greatly impressed and highly pleased, especially with the splendid sheep. He had seen the same breed frequently before, but never had seen such fine specimens. With great earnestness he asked how he had succeeded in rearing such flocks. His simple answer was: "I take care of my lambs." --Scottish Magazine

Purpose to show that the 21^st Century Church and youth in particular have to persist in the teaching of the truth and to live that truth in an evil world.

Scripture Text: Rev. 2:12 (KJS) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].

Students live in the place where Satan rules. Keep the devil out of your life. Don't allow his life style to come in. Hold on to the end. Antipas has set the example. Cassie at Columbine stood for her faith even in the face of death. Don't leave the door cracked.

Students have to hold on to the name of Jesus. Believe in the name of the Lord and let him come into your life to save you. Live for him in the world that is against all that he stands for. A little girl hurried home one day from Sunday School and weighed herself. Why are you weighing yourself again today when you weighed yourself just yesterday?" her mother asked. Because," the little girl replied, "I gave my heart to Jesus this morning - and I wanted to see how much I weigh WITHOUT it. And Mom, I don't know why, but I still weigh the SAME!"

A Sunday School teacher was telling her class about heaven. She spoke of the happiness they would experience there, and the beauty they would see. Finally, she said, "How many of you want to go to heaven?" Everyone put up their hand, except little Robbie. The Sunday School teacher asked, "Don't you want to go to heaven, too, Robbie?" "Oh yes, I do," said Robbie, "but I thought you were making up a group to go right now!"

The young son of some atheists went to his parents one day, and said, "Do you think God KNOWS we don't believe in Him?"

Students have to confess and not deny the Lord. June was a curly headed little girl of five years. She lived in a small Illinois town where her father was a pastor. Her mother frequently sent her to the Post Office for the mail. She was a bright, cheerful child, and a general favorite with the people. One day as she was on one of her trips to the Post office, an old man stopped her and asked, "Little girl, where did you get those pretty curls?" "God gave them to me," she sweetly replied. After a few more words of conversation she looked up earnestly into the old man's face and asked, "Mister are you saved?" He was greatly surprised and deeply impressed by this question and sorrowfully answered "No, little girl, I'm not." "Well," answered June, "You ought to be, for you're getting to be a pretty old man." Then she ran on to fulfill her errand. Several weeks after this the old man attended an old-fashioned revival meeting and was saved. He testified in the meeting that it was the question that the little girl had asked him, that he could not get out of his mind, and had at last brought him to Jesus. On the way home that night from the revival, the car in which the old man was riding was struck by a train, and he was hurled into eternity. This was very sad, but how blessed it was that he had been saved just in time, and sudden death was to him sudden glory. --Selected

Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Teachers have to be sure to teach the truth of the Word by word and deed. Who are we seeking to please in the church? Are we pleasing the Lord or men? Will standing on the truth cause too much controversy? Remember to teach and to live the truth of the life of those who have themselves to Lord. Remember the promises… A man went to steal corn from his neighbor's field. He took his little boy with him to keep a lookout, so as to give warning in case anyone should come along. Before commencing he looked all around, first one way and then the other; and, not seeing any person, he was just about to fill his bag when his son cried out, "Father, there is one way you haven't looked yet!" The father supposed that someone was coming and asked his son which way he meant. He answered, "You forgot to look up!" The father, conscience-stricken, took his boy by the hand and hurried home without the corn which he had designed to take. William Moses Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations."

Remember his promises.

I will bless you, Gen. 12:2

I will not fail you, Josh. 1:5

I will heal you, 2 Kings 20:5

I will guide you, Ps. 32:8

I will instruct you, Ps. 32:8

I will teach you, Ps. 32:8

I will deliver you, Ps. 50:15

I will satisfy you, Ps. 132:15

I will help you, Is. Isa 41:10

I will strengthen you, Isa 41:10

I will uphold you, ; Isa 41:10

I will hold Thine hand, Isa 42:6

I will not forget you, Isa 49:15

I will comfort Thee, Isa 66:13

I will forgive, Jer. 31:34

I will restore, Jer. 30:17

I will be your God, Eze. 36:28

I will put my Spirit within you, Eze 36:27

I will save you, Eze. 36:27, 29

I will love him, John 14:21

I will manifest myself, John 14:21

I will come again, John 14:3

I will sup/eat with him, Rev. 3:20

I will give you a crown of life, Rev. 2:10