To have the motivation to take on a great task, we must know what is at stake: The souls of billions!
Revelation 14:9-13 NIV
[9] A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, [10] they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” [12] This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. [13] Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Verse 10 NOTE: Cup of his wrath. In the Old Testament God’s wrath is commonly pictured as a cup of wine to be drunk (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15).
This our righteous God’s response to those who refuse his love and grace. Torment… for ever and ever (Revelation 14:11 NIV). Revelation offers no support for the doctrine of the annihilation of the wicked (also compare Revelation 19:20 NIV with Revelation 20:10 NIV).
1) HEARTS MOVED BY GOD
Exodus 35:20-29 NIV
[20] Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, [21] and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. [22] All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. [23] Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. [24] Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. [25] Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. [26] And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. [27] The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. [28] They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. [29] All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.
Do you act like a person who is part of a supernatural church? Are you staying moved by our supernatural Father?
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
[19] “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
2) CHURCH BUILDING AIN’T FOR BABIES
Examine yourself and and ask others this question: Are you growing up or still acting like an infant in God’s church?
Do you dread special missions to evangelize the world? Do you resent being called to be devoted? Do you throw tantrums in your heart? Are you building deep friendships in the Kingdom? If you struggle with some of these issues, you probably are still a big baby in Gods church. It’s time to grow up in your salvation!
1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV
[2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Hebrews 5:11-14 MSG
[11-14] I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one-baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
3) READY TO SERVE AND FOLLOW
John 12:23-36 NIV
[23] Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. [27] “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. [28] Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” [29] The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. [30] Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. [31] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. [32] And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” [33] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. [34] The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” [35] Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. [36] Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
We must grow up to build up God’s Church!
If you aren’t growing, your dying!
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist