2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Anchored In His Word
.. We are seeing that through God’s shaking now all that is not of God and built upon God is being exposed. So we begin to understand why God gives us such titles as this – ‘ Enduring And Remaining Faithful To His Word ‘ – because this is what doesn’t change. Whatever our circumstances, whatever our week has been, whatever the enemy has been trying to suggest – this doesn’t change. The Word of God doesn’t change. This is why He anchors us upon His Word and His promises which we make much of in this assembly.
What’s Happening To People?
One day we’re going to appreciate and understand why God dealt and spoke with us in the way that He has and does. Because.. this is going to preserve and hold us intact – from going under or just ‘ losing it. ‘ We know – we’ve got people in families, neighbours, freinds.. who are having mental issues. Many of them have had breakdowns. They can’t cope, they feel suffocated, they feel as if they are losing it and going under. The epidemic of panic attacks now is off the chart, it wasn’t half so much in my days as it is now and it’s younger and younger people. What is all this telling us? ..
The Faithful Church
.. It’s telling us that of course they need God in their lives, but that society has become so insecure. And so we see more and more why God is drawing us and calling us to stay with The Word. Having said all of this let’s look again at Revelation three and verses seven through to twelve which speaks of the faithful church in Philadelphia. Out of all the seven churches this is the one that is commendable in God’s sight. And God has got a remnant today who are of the Philadelphian spirit and heart.. Remember these seven churches – you can still see these types today around the world.. .. ..
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Colossains 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Acts 3:21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
