THE FEARLESS CHURCH
Rev 2:8-10
By Ps Darryl Woodson
God is raising a fearless
generation that will not back down. There has been persecution for the church
but in the last century, it has had more Christians killed than in the first
years all together. e.g. Nero the roman emperornetc. many have
suffered severe deaths for standing to serve the true God.
These waves of persecution have
always made the Christians stronger when they stood through them. One of the
churches persecuted in those days was the church of Smyrna. It made losses in business and every other
area to the extent of seeming poor but Christ assured them of their eternal
riches. It is the sting that happens to us on the inside that begins to make us
strong on the outside.
There is a hatred that is coming
upon the church around the world in literal terms but the Lord is going to
raise a fearless or courageous generation. It is not that they will not be
entirely afraid but that they will still stand even in the midst of those
fears. Thus is the generation the Lord is raising. They will die but they will
not go out without a fight. A fearless generation looks at fear and says, “Am
not retreating.” Certainly the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the
church.
There are certain things you will
never do if you are not offered a reward. The pastor illustrated this in this
way. He called from the audience people who really feared chameleons and got 3
girls. He challenged them to face their fear and touch the chameleon. One
somehow mustered some courage and touched it so she left. The other two could
not dare touch it. He offered 1000 shillings and none could still come forward.
He extended it to 5000 shillings and still none moved forward. When he made it
2000 shillings one dared to come, all trembling he encouraged her to touch the chameleon
that was now on his arm, she in trembling moved forward and touched it slightly
and moved her hand away. It took 60000. He concluded that there is a greater
reward in Heaven that cannot be compared to any earthly riches. This should be
a great motivation for the believers to stand for Him (See 2 Co 4:16).
Four things we must be assured of
in the last day persecution.
1. Financially
affected, losing education opportunities, Forced labour etc. Mt 6:25-26 is a
wise portion to consider at that time
and be fearless about your money
2. The
church will be fearless about the opinion of others. If you stand for Jesus, He
will stand for you
3. The
church will be fearless about the spirit of antichrist
4. The
Church will be fearless about the antichrist himself
Read 2 Co 4:16,
James 1:7, Rev 3:11, 1 Co 10:13