Make Your Calling and Election Sure

Thank you. I'd like to say hello to anyone that's listening in or watching the webcast today. We're glad to have you. Anyone that might be here for the first time, welcome. Many of you know I just got back from a trip and it seems like quite a few of you wanted to hear a little bit about the trip anyway, so I don't want to disappoint you. So I'll start out this sermon by giving you a few highlights of the trip, some stark realities from our visit to Turkey. Among other things, we certainly visited the seven churches of Revelation. So let me just share a few things with you. Number one, we walk the streets and the countryside where Paul, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Epaphras, Ephrodites, Trophimus, Apollo, Aquila, Priscilla, Onesimus, and Polycarp all walked roughly 2,000 years ago. Now, I'm sure there were others. I didn't try to go through the Bible and find everyone, but I did go through quite a few that were at these places that we visited, so that was exciting in itself to know that those men and women had gone before us. Secondly, we had much in common with Paul, I realized. I knew that anyway, but as he and all the others that I mentioned kept the spring holy days in the midst of a very pagan world, and we saw lots of pagan ruins and testimony to the gods and goddesses of the land, but we were there keeping the spring holy days, and we know they were there as well some 2,000 years ago keeping the spring holy days. And today we live in a very confused, I'll call it a Christianized pagan world, a godless world in so many ways, so a lot of parallels. Thirdly, we visited the seven churches of Revelation. We went to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea, as well as a few other first-century churches such as Hierapolis. It is mentioned in the Bible, and it is a beautiful place. It has some hot springs. It was a really nice resort area. People were hanging out in the hot springs, and there were a lot of balloons up in the sky, and it was just a very beautiful setting there in Hierapolis. We also went to Miletus and to Colossae.

Number four, we sat in the theater in Miletus and read the inscription to the god fears, which was kind of cool. It was on the marble seats. Miletus is where Paul and the elders got together, the elders from Ephesus, and Mr. Lucas mentioned that in the Sermonette, where they met along the shoreline and they said their goodbyes to one another, I don't believe they saw each other after that particular get-together.

So we saw many ancient ruins. We saw theaters, we saw temples to Zeus to Artemis to Dionysus to Trajan. So it was all quite interesting from place to place as we went. Number five, Asia Minor, now Turkey, was a very vibrant true Christian community as churches were established all over the area in the first century AD. Now, you didn't see evidence of that now, but we know from the Bible that there are many churches in Asia Minor. The ones that I mentioned already, plus Derby and Iconium and Lystra, Antioch of Pisidia, and a whole bunch of others. So it was a very vibrant, growing Christian community in the first century. Number six, there were 54 true Christians visiting this area for 10 days, and we observed much of the days of 11 bread while we were there. So that was pretty cool. We tried to be careful not to get into any 11, and we had a really great tour guide who went out of his way to have various chefs make us unleavened bread. The really thin kind. It was really good. It's probably the best unleavened bread I've experienced. So really enjoyed that part. And the shiskabobs, oh, the lamb, and the beef, and the chicken. Very scrumptious. Very good. So there were 54 true Christians on the bus. Now there was a bus driver who was probably Muslim, and there was our tour guide who actually considers himself Christian, but it was only four or five years ago when he converted to Christianity. And I think it was mainly because he was giving these tours, and after years of talking about Jesus, he decided there was something to this. So he was really a wonderful tour guide. His name was LaVent, and he was funny. He was just a he really kept things moving and did a good job with all the hotels and the buses and the airport transfers and everything that was going on. So it was pretty cool, and I'm sure he was quite intrigued by our group. So I have a feeling he never had a group like that that was keeping the days of Unleavened Bread. He never had to go out of his way to get Unleavened Bread before, so it was a new experience for him as well. Sabbath keepers that called themselves Christians that believed in Jesus Christ. So number seven, it was clear from our group that God is still calling people to his church today, as we had members from many age groups that were on the tour with us from around the United States. We had a couple from Italy as well, and I got around and tried to hear a lot of the stories as to how they came in the church. And it's pretty clear that God is still calling people, not just old fogeys like me, but quite a few younger people and various age people. So that was encouraging. He may not be calling many people over there in Turkey. In fact, we don't know that he's calling anyone unless maybe Levent, possibly, who knows? We'll have to wait and see on that one.

Number eight. The biggest stark reality to me, however, is that as far as we know, in a country of 80 plus million people, 99% of them being Muslim, that we were the only true Christians present after 2,000 years. Now, I suppose there might have been some other Church of God group touring at the same time, but we didn't bump into them. So it's probably not likely. But persecution, scattering, death, many passing generations, various regimes, it took its toll on the true Christians in the area. So that was very interesting to note that it was such a thriving community. Back 2,000 years ago, Christian community, Paul was establishing churches just about wherever he went. And now, no churches. A lot of ruins, but no churches. So what was the big takeaway for me that I'd like to share with you today? Well, the biggest takeaway for me is now is our day of salvation. Now is your day of salvation. Now is my day of salvation, just like it was their day of salvation back when they were living in the first century, the second century, maybe the third century. We don't know how many true Christians were there at that point, but it was their day of salvation as well. It was Paul's day of salvation. Silas, Timothy. It was their day of salvation, and it's your day of salvation. It's my day of salvation, and it's very important that we focus on that today. It's a very, very important concept that we all need to buy into, wrap our hearts and minds around, endorse, embrace, and benefit from understanding and knowing this.

So as I said, it was the day of salvation for all the 53 other people on the trip that were there. God had called them, obviously, out of this world to understand His truth, His way of life. And this really was a big event for 54 true Christians to be there, together, keeping the days of 11 bread. As I mentioned, only a smattering of true Christians have been in that area over the centuries. We don't know how many exactly, but not really all that many. Now, our group in 1989 was another example of this. Remember I told you about the shoeshine boy? Some of you heard about the shoeshine boy from Turkey. By the way, I didn't see a single shoeshine boy this time. I think they ran them all out of the country after that incident back in 1989 with me. But seriously, that was an awesome trip, too, where I visited Ephesus for the first time then, but also went to Corinth, to Athens, to Patmos, and to Crete, the island of Crete, where no doubt true Christians would have lived in the first century, as well as some other Greek islands. So again, it was their day of salvation when God called them and opened their minds to His truth and way of life. And most importantly for us today, we need to realize this is our day of salvation. So, brethren, make your calling and election sure so that you may be found worthy to enter the kingdom of God at Christ's return.

Make your calling and election sure. We're going to talk about making our calling and election sure today. So let's go to 2 Peter chapter 1. Of course, Simon Peter was a contemporary of the Apostle Paul. It doesn't appear that he was likely in this land. He went other places preaching the gospel. He may have been there, but we don't read about it. In 2 Peter chapter 1, we do read about Simon Peter, a bondservant, a slave, an apostle of Jesus Christ to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Verse 3, as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life. So God has given us all things that really are important, that pertain to life. He's revealed these things to us. These are the words of life that we'll be talking about today.

And Godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. These are exceedingly great and precious promises, so there's no way to overemphasize the importance of how great they are and how precious they are impossible. That through these, these promises, you may be partakers of the divine nature. Now that's huge, isn't it? To put on the very nature of God, to be a partaker of the divine nature, to no longer be bogged down by all the carnality, the shackles that come with the flesh. Not that we're completely rid of them, but we can certainly soar above those things with God's help. We are to change. We are to grow. We are to be partakers of the divine nature. We are to put on the fruits of God's Holy Spirit. We are to produce those fruits, and we are to be different. We are to become more and more like God as we live our lives here on this earth.

Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. There's a lot of corruption in the world because of the lust of this world, the pride of life, you know, all of the things, the material things in this world. We have to fight back against it. Verse 5, but also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control.

Now you'll notice some of the fruits of God's Spirit as we go through these eight or nine fruits, depending on what you count. If you start with diligence, there's actually nine of them. So self-control, perseverance, to perseverance, godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness that was talked about, and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you'll just embrace these things and live them, then you will not be barren. You will be abundantly producing the fruit of God's Spirit that we're all called to do. For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness. We know that Satan is the god of this world. It says he has blinded the hearts and minds of people today and throughout history.

For many, many years since Adam and Eve, he has blinded people and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. So this is someone who would have been baptized, who would have come out of that watery grave, walking in newness of life, but then things were getting the best of him or her. And they were struggling, and they were not doing as well. And they had forgotten that they were cleansed from these old sins, and they had gone back to some of those old sins.

Therefore, brethren, therefore be even more diligent to make your call and election sure. Be even more diligent than ever before, since you were baptized, for if you do these things, you will never stumble. You'll never stumble to the point of stumbling into the lake of fire. That's not going to happen. You may stumble, but you'll get back up, and you'll keep on moving, and you'll keep on going on, and God will give you entrance into his kingdom.

As it says in verse 11, For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is an eternal, everlasting kingdom that God is offering us. For this reason, I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. So Peter was not negligent, nor shall I be negligent, but will remind you of these truths today.

Again, we need to make sure that we are confirming our calling and election, and that we're dialed in, and we're obeying and following God. So this is profound, this calling, this election that we have. Do you believe that? Some of you teenagers, have you really thought this through completely? Do you believe what we say up here? Do you believe what the Bible says?

Or are you still questioning? We probably are. You know, I'm sure I was. In fact, I was going to a Methodist church when I was your age, most of you. It was 18 and 19 when I began attending God's church. So it's natural for you to think about these things, to question these things, but you will need to come to a conclusion and make a decision on whether this is something that you truly believe. So for a long time now, I've believed this and have attended church, have kept the Sabbath, the Holy Days, tried to keep the Ten Commandments not just in the letter, but in the spirit of the law, and have tried to walk in the spirit of God's law.

And God has surely blessed me throughout all this time, and I know He has blessed all of us, every one of us. And so that's a wonderful thing. Will you be counted worthy in the days ahead?

It's a good question to ask. Will you be counted worthy? Will an entrance be supplied for you into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? I know that's what we all want. Now is our day of salvation. In the first century, again, it was their day of salvation, but now is our day of salvation.

God was doing a work in the lives of those members in the churches mentioned in Revelation and in the lives of other true Christians in other cities in Asia Minor and the Middle East and in Israel. But a lot has happened since then, hasn't it? A lot has gone on. I looked for true Christians. I was not finding them over in the land of Turkey, where all these churches had been. It's taken its toll. Satan has taken his toll on so many. And of course, God is in charge and God is the one that does the calling.

And God will call those He chooses. It's certainly our desire to respond to that calling. So God is doing a work in the lives of real people today. I'm convinced that there were real people living in those cities that we visited. Onesimus, Philemon, those were real people. You know, they breathe, they got up, they slept, they did everything that we do. They were real people, and God called them. And many of them gave their lives for the truth of God. We know the disciples, most of them had to lay their lives down for what they believed in.

All right, let's go on to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 now, as we consider our calling, making our calling on election sure. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. I didn't mention Silvanus. But Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians. Now, when I was in the city of Corinth, I saw signs to Thessalonica. We didn't have a chance to get over there, but it wasn't that far away, and we could have. But Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy's writing to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. So often, we'll notice that Paul mentions that he prayed for these people. He prayed for them continually and gave thanks to God always for them. Verse 3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith. Notice how encouraging Paul is. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, your labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father. Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. God is the one that elected or selected you and called you out of this world. Out of eight billion people, you have been chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. In other words, they set an example as the ministry of loving and caring and being willing to lay their lives down for the brethren, which is what true ministers of God should be doing today. That's the example we need to set. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. So Paul is saying that the people in Thessalonica were wonderful examples of God's way of life. And I hope and pray and believe that you are also wonderful examples of God's way of life as you salt and pepper the world around you, as you go out each day, as you work, as you go to school. The people see there's something a little bit different about you, something special that God is doing in your life. That's an awesome example, so please continue to keep that up. This example was seen in Macedonia, Macedonia and Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out so that we do not need to say anything. We don't need to say anything because your light is shining, and that is a beautiful thing. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you and how you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Now, I know that there were lots of idols back in those lands that we visited in Turkey. We saw temple after temple. We saw theater after theater to various gods, goddesses, altars to Zeus, to Apollos, to Artemis. And so it was a very pagan world, but these people turned to God from idols. They were no longer moving in that direction. They were resisting that, coming out of it to serve the true and living God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. Jesus is our Messiah. He will deliver us. We can count on Him. We can trust in Him.

When we were in Sardis, it was interesting that there's this huge temple to Artemis there, big pillars. And by the way, Jamie Schreiber took lots of pictures. So did Peter Eddington. So did I. But I have a feeling their pictures are probably better, and they'll put them together in such a way that you will enjoy. And I didn't have time to even think of trying to do that for today's sermon. But I'm sure one day you'll see lots of... it'll be posted, and perhaps sermons will be given, and you'll see those. Darius McNeely may give one. Peter may give one. Others will. So a lot to look forward to from that regard. But when we were in Sardis, huge pillars of an ancient temple to Artemis, and a small little Christian church was there. And Levant, I think I mentioned Levant, right? Was our tour guide. And did I mention that he became Christian a few years ago? Four or five years ago. Came out of the Muslim world. 99% of Turks are Muslims. So he is stepping out, and he was exposed to us. So who knows what God may do in his life in the future? But Levant made the comment that those temples to God's, to pagan God's, had fallen apart, fallen by the wayside. And that little Christian church was in the shadow, but there were still people who believed in Jesus Christ. Now, true Christians, perhaps not, not likely. But nevertheless, there were true Christians there standing in the shadows of those ancient ruins that had gone by the wayside. But God was working with us individually, collectively, as his people. So I found that inspiring. In Ephesians chapter 1, verse 13, Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 13, In Him, in Christ, you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. It is all about... Excuse me. I still have this crazy cough and head cold that I've had for three weeks now. So please pray that God will be merciful and allow it to go by the wayside. Thankfully, I wasn't sick enough to miss anything. I still felt decent enough to go to everything. There were a few people that missed a few things, but most of us were pretty healthy throughout the trip. And again, I did my best to make sure I wasn't contagious. I stayed home for about a week before I left. So hopefully no one got it from me. But who knows? Who knows? I don't know. So I'll try not to cough on you. But, you know, life goes on. Okay, so verse 13, "...and him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. It is the good news of your salvation, in whom also having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." So at baptism, we were all sealed by the Holy Spirit. When God grants us His Holy Spirit, He seals us. So if we were to die the next moment, we're sealed. We don't have to be concerned about death because we're going to be in the first resurrection because we've been sealed. God is granted us His Holy Spirit. So that's very reassuring.

And it is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. Okay, who is the purchased possession? Or what is the purchased possession? You are the purchased possession. I am the purchased possession. We've all been purchased by the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of His glory, we shall all be redeemed one day, whether dead or alive. If we're alive, we'll be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. If we've died, we will come out of the graves, and we shall be redeemed because we've been sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayer. So that is something we should all be doing, praying for one another, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling. What is the hope of God's calling? It's the resurrection. God will resurrect us, and we will become spirit, born into the very family of God, having the very divine nature of God. We will be like Christ.

What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead? He was in the grave for three days and three nights, but He did raise Him from the dead, and He walked among His disciples, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body. We are the body of Christ individually and collectively. We are His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. God lives in us. Christ lives in us. Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Christ lives in us. The Father lives in us, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Christ is the head of the church. So now, Ephesians 4. We'll drop down a few chapters in Ephesians 4. As again, we continue this theme of making our calling and election sure. Paul says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you are called. Are we walking worthy of the calling? I hope and pray that we are. I believe that we are. I believe God is pleased with us. You know, God is happy that we're here today, that we're observing the Sabbath, that many of us have observed the Sabbath for decades. And we're continuing to do that. It's no small thing. That is not something that we should take lightly to be faithful and to continue to keep the faith all these years. I commend you for your faithfulness, for your love, for your consideration and concern for each other. And I know God commends you for that as we walk worthy of the calling with which we were called with all lowliness and gentleness, with humility, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love. God is love, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the Spirit, I'm sorry, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called, in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. This is not all that complicated. One faith, one Lord, one baptism. There is simplicity in Christ, and God the Father has revealed to us His truth, so these hidden truths have become known to us. Verse 6, One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and again in you all. But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Christ gives us spiritual gifts that we can share with one another, that we can use to edify the body of Christ. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, we again continue this theme of our calling. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because your faith grows exceedingly. So the Thessalonians were really known by their love, by their faith, by their example, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other so that we ourselves, both of you, among the churches of God, for your patience and faith and all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.

And frankly, I've heard a lot of people in these congregations talking about how wonderful everyone is. You know, when someone is sick and someone calls them or visits them or sends them a card, it does make an impression. It does matter. So people feel warmth in this church. So continue to show the love, show the warmth, embrace each other with that holy kiss that Mr. Lucas talked about.

Let's see. I think we're on verse 5. Second Thessalonians 1 verse 5, which is, Manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. It's not an easy road, this narrow road that leads to eternal life. It's difficult, but we have to be willing to pay the price. We will suffer to some degree, but the suffering does not compare with the joy and the blessings that come along with it. Verse 6, Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, see, God also has our back. Be sure God loves you and is looking out for you as well. Benjids says, Mine says the Lord, I will repay. We don't need to go down that path, but we need to allow God to do that if that's what he chooses to do, for the good of the other person as well, because it is good that people learn lessons, right? And we do reap what we sow, and when people sow bad seed, they should harvest a bad crop. And it will happen.

Let's see, where am I? Verse 7, And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. When he comes in that day, when he's returning to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore, we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling. Pray for one another that God will count each of us worthy of the calling that we have.

And fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

So again, God will see us through all of the trials and the tribulations that come our way, and he will count us worthy to endure and to continue on into his kingdom. In 2 Timothy chapter 1, here it says, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Again, he says, I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience. Now this was Paul who had murdered people, but thankfully he was able to have a pure conscience because he repented of all that. He repented of those things. He felt awful for what he had done, for the fact that he had murdered true Christians. He felt badly his entire life, but on the other hand, he was repentant. And so he had that clearing that comes through true repentance, you know, that's talked about in 2 Corinthians chapter 7, that zeal, that clearing of the self, all of that. He experienced so he had a clear conscience because he dedicated himself from that day forward when he was struck down on the road to Damascus, blinded physically, but then spiritually had his eyes opened, also physically. So he really did walk in newness of life. And we need to also walk with a pure conscience and not, you know, not carry a lot of baggage around that we don't need to carry. Don't let it weigh you down, repent of it, and move on. Now that's what God really wants us to do, not have a pity party and belabor all the mistakes that we've made, the sins that we've committed, but to simply repent of them and go and sin no more. That was Christ's instruction.

Okay, so back to 2 Timothy chapter 3. I'm sorry, chapter 1 verse 3, talking about a pure conscience as my forefathers did, as without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers night and day. Again, Paul was a faithful man who prayed for the brethren. He loved them, he prayed for them, and we should pray for one another, greatly desiring to see you being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. So Timothy was coming along after his mother Eunice, his grandmother Lois, and he says, and I am persuaded is in you also, of course, that same genuine faith. God often works with families. He works with lots of families here today, and God will continue to do that. He says, therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. And of course, that gift was God's Spirit. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Yes, we can be immortal.

Super men and women, immortal, living forever.

Some people want to be superheroes. I guess we'll all have that opportunity to some degree. Verse 11, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. It was clear that Paul was effective in his teaching to the Gentiles. There were many Gentiles in the land of Asia Minor who accepted Christ as their Savior, who dedicated themselves to God and to his way of life. And that was largely because Paul laid his life down for them and served them faithfully and tirelessly. Now Hebrews chapter 3. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 1.

So therefore, brethren, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who is faithful to him, who appointed him as Moses also was faithful in all of his house. Moses was one who set one of the best examples of love and service of any man of God. He truly was willing to lay his life down. He said, God, blot me out. You know, blot my life out, but don't, you know, don't kill all these people. Blot me out. God was going to start over with Moses. But Moses didn't want that. He wanted these people, he wanted God to give him another crack at it, another chance. So Moses set that kind of example for us. He was faithful in his house. Verse 3. For this one, Christ has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, and as much as he who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but he who built all things is God. And, of course, before Moses, Christ is. Christ lived. You know, he existed eternally before that, before Moses was created. And yet he did come after him as well. And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, that Christ as a son over his own house, whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope, firm to the end. And that's the key.

That's the key. We have to be firm to the end. And never give up, never give in, but firm to the very end. Hold fast.

Okay, so we've talked about our calling, making our calling and election sure. And now I would like to go to the seven churches of Revelation and hit some of the high points here, actually most of the high points, in regard to the church in Ephesus, Myrna, Pergamum, and so forth, because it ties in so well to this theme of our calling and election. So let's read to the church in Ephesus to begin with. This was the first church mentioned in the book of Revelation. Revelation is a prophetic book, so it only stands to reason that there are prophecies in these words to all these churches. And I think we'll see that pretty clearly as we go along. So first, to the church in Ephesus. To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these things says, He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamb stands. So when we were in Ephesus, we read these verses.

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil, and that you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not. They are false false apostles, and have found them liars, and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name's sake, and have not become weary. You are not weary in well-doing. You continue. Nevertheless, I do have this against you. He mentions a number of good things that he was all happy about. But there are a few things that I have against you that you have left your first love. That's pretty huge. They didn't have the same zeal, the same love, that they once had. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, repent and do the first works. Or else I will come to you quickly, and I will remove your lamb stand from its place, unless you repent. So God is pretty clear that we do need to continually repent. We have to continually repent. It's not enough to repent most of the time. We have to continually repent. Repent of our sins. Ask God to forgive us. And then we shall be in good stead when we do that. Verse 6, But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an heir, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. So that's a prophecy to him who overcomes those in Ephesus. I will give to eat from the tree of life. Now to the church in Smyrna. Verse 8, These things says, the first and the last who was dead and came to life. I know your works, your tribulation, your poverty, but you are rich spiritually, and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested. God will test us. The devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested and you will have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Again, the key is to stay faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. May he die of the first death, but even then, we don't need to fear the first death.

And we surely don't have to fear the second death because we'll never see it.

Now to the church in Pergamos. To the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know your works, where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. There was an altar to Zeus right there in Pergamum, where we were. I don't know if this is could perhaps could be a reference to that or not, but Zeus was the major god, you might say, little G, Satan's representative. And you hold fast to my name, and did not deny my faith, even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols, to commit idolatry, and to commit sexual immorality. So two big, big issues, idolatry and sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolai Iotans, which thing I hate, repent, or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says, to him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. So there are rewards for overcoming, for resisting sexual immorality, for resisting idolatry, for resisting all manner of sin. And now to the church in Thyatira. The angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things, says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, who has feet like fine brass. I know your works, your love, your service, your faith, your patience. And as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel. Jezebel was, I guess, probably the worst of the women out there mentioned in the Bible. You've heard, you know, it's a phrase, she's a Jezebel. You know, it's not a good thing to be like Jezebel. Who calls herself a prophetess to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Again, idolatry, sexual immorality. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality and she did not repent. God gives all of us time to repent. But do we repent? Do we repent? We need to repent of whatever we've done, contrary to God's way.

Indeed, I will cast her into a sick bed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of their deeds. Again, God will allow people to repent at any time. We can always repent if we have a mind to repent, if we have a heart to repent. But if we don't repent, then our salvation is not secure. If ever you are living in your sins and you're not repenting, your salvation is not secure. We need to come to repentance.

He says, I will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. God looks at our minds and hearts and I will give to each one of you according to your works. We all reap what we sow, whether good or bad. Now to you I say and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan as they say, I will put on you no other burden but hold fast what you have till I come. So continue to hold fast to God's truth. Continue to observe His holy days, His commandments, all of His laws, and to learn to love each other. Hold fast till I come and heal over comes and keeps my works until the end. To Him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron. We shall become kings and priests and rule along with Christ in His kingdom. And I will give Him the morning star. Now to the church in Sardis.

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things, says he who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, I know your works that you have a name, that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. God had a problem. They had some good things going for them, but they were not completely alive. Some were dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Hold fast and repent. Okay, so this is all about true Christians living up to the very last days. Various people living throughout the ages who God called at that time. It was during their day of salvation. Now is our day of salvation. And there are certain things about all these churches that we can learn from and grow from and do our best to please God and to not be found wanting.

Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names, even in Sardis, who have not defiled their garments. And they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Few who overcome shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life. God has written our names in the book of life.

Those he seals with his spirit have their names written in the book of life. And he will not blot those names out unless he takes his spirit from us because we refuse to repent. As long as we are in a repentant heart and mind and state, then we shall continue in the book of life. But I will confess his name before my father and before his angels, so he who has an ear, that I am here with the spirit, says to the churches.

And now to the church in Philadelphia. To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things, says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens, and no one shuts, and shuts, and no one opens.

I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength. You've kept my word, and you have not denied my name. Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Indeed, I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you, because you have kept my command to persevere.

I also will keep you from the hour of trial. This is clearly prophetic. God is going to keep these people from the hour of trial, which is coming at the end, the very last days. We shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. God will test all people who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly.

Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. I will write on him my new name.

And then to the church in Laodicea. To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things, says the Amen, the faithful, the true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, I know your works, that you're neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. If something's cold, at least it can be refreshing. You know, a cold drink on a hot day is refreshing. Something that's hot can be soothing. If it's lukewarm, nah, coffee lukewarm, nah.

So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say I am rich, have become wealthy, have need of nothing, and do not know that you're wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. So here's someone that's no doubt justifying themselves for their sins, is not willing to admit their sins, is not willing to repent other sins. God finds them naked in that sense, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eyesave, that you may see, no longer blind, but now able to see and able to repent.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. God does not give up on those he loves. It says, he chastens those he loves. He will continue to do that. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him.

I will dine with him, and I will be with him for all eternity. So we do need to make our calling and election sure. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. So he who has an heir, please, let's hear what God is saying to us today.

Now is our day of salvation, just as sure it was Paul's day of salvation when he walked in Ephesus, in Smyrna, in Pergamum, in Thyatira, in Sardis, in Philadelphia, and in Laodicea. God really isn't calling very many at this time. He hasn't throughout the past 6,000 years, but he is calling you. That is very profound. He is calling you. Will you make your calling and election sure so that you may find entrance into the kingdom of God at our Savior's return?

Again, this is a high and a holy calling. It's worth whatever effort, whatever humbling of the self it takes. Let us all repent and be right with God.