BUFCATEAMHUDDLEJanuary7th2015Revelation:

EnduranceandDeath

You have endured, and have patience, and for My name's sake you have labored and you
have not given up. Nevertheless I have something against you, because you have
abandoned your first love. Remember from where you have fallen, repent and do your
first works, or else ... (Revelation 2:3-5)
Right now, a lot of people are hoping and praying to hear these wonderful words: "You're
hired!" So many people have lost jobs or graduated college and cannot find a job. If you
are blessed enough to be working, perhaps you can remember the excitement you felt
when you first heard those words.
Hopefully, you came into your new position with enthusiasm and hope for a great
experience. If so, the chances are good that after working for awhile, you lost some of
that momentum. You may be saying to yourself more and more, "I'd better just be
thankful that I have a job."
For most of us, our life of faith works the same way. We begin with enthusiasm for that
new sense of forgiveness and peace. We try to learn and grow. But soon, the work strains
our excitement. Jesus does not leave these Christians without help. He gives instructions
about how to get the excitement back: Remember, Repent, and Return.
Remember spend some time contemplating the feeling and sense of excitement
you had before the dryness set in.
Repent that is, determine that you will not be satisfied with a begrudging faith.
Return to your first works in our life of faith, the dullness comes into the
business of religion when we separate it from the love relationship we have with
God.
All Christians should be doing good works in this world. But good works will eventually
exhaust a soul that does not refill itself with God's power and love. Jesus affirmed that the
greatest commandment begins with "love God with all of your soul, mind, heart and
strength."
Revelation: 2:10- Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil
will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be
faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Story:
When Martin Brodeur first started playing goalie in a game when he was six years old, he
didnt know what he was in for. He moved in ways he hadnt had to move when he was
playing forward. Skaters charged him like never before, and at that age they dont all
have the stopping thing down to good. But he stayed in it. And after facing and stopping
thousands of hard shots through the years, in 1994 he was chosen as the NHL Rookie of
the Year (Calder Trophy). He still pressed on another season playing even more and
seeing more NHLrs blast pucks at him. In that season, he led the New Jersey Devils to
their first Stanley Cup victory. He stood strong through a countless barrage of top NHL
shooters flinging pucks at him to win 2 more Stanley Cups and 3 Most Valuable Goalie
awards (Vezina Trophy). Not what he originally intended when he took to hockey at age
3, but thanks to that fateful day when his coach put him in goal, he has traveled down a
very successful path.
Verse Revisited:
Fear none of the things that you will suffer, the devil will throw some of you into prison
so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even to
the point of dying and I will give you a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
The Bible talks about death a lot. The obsession for most of us is avoidance of death.
Denial. We do not want to consider the possibility for ourselves. Everyone knows it
cannot be avoided. But we can avoid talking about it, thinking about it.
But death will come. During this week remember Jesus is our example. Jesus did not
want to die. Remember that He prayed, "Father, all things are possible for you. Take this
cup away from me." He did not want to drink the cup of death. But He also concluded
this prayer with the words, "Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done."
Sometimes a life of purpose and integrity brings a premature death. This church to whom
John was writing in the passage quoted above was facing this choice. Follow Jesus and
die or deny Jesus and live. No doubt they also were praying that God would deliver them
from death and persecution. But like Jesus, whom they followed, they accepted the
promise of a greater reward.
That reward is not just a crown in heaven. Jesus' reward was not His resurrection. Jesus'
reward is the salvation of people. When we value faithfulness above life, we challenge
the horrible lie that the strongest and most powerful will always destroy the weak. Jesus
conquered the world through sacrifice. Our toughest demons, our biggest monsters, will
be defeated when we accept death as a prelude to real life.
Life Lesson: The paths that God lays out for us are not always easy. They are paved
with trials and tribulations that build strength and character. When the road is hard, he is
there to carry you. Keep you eye on the destination that God has called you to, there you
will find the reward for every step you took.