Faithfully Continuing With Christ Until The Crowning Day

LUKE 22:28–30-28

He wanted the highest Personality in heaven and earth to worship him. This is what the children of the devil do, they want everyone, high and low, preachers and hearers to bow and worship them. They keep taunting preachers of righteousness so that they would do their bidding.

vs 10. Jesus rebuked him to get behind Him because it is written… You need to learn a lesson from how Jesus overcame. The tempter could not change His language, faith, doctrines, steadfastness or anything He committed Himself to. As He resisted the tempter, you must also do everyday, even if they insult or assault you, even if they provoke you, don’t get angry, if they intimidate you, you must choose to be fearless. Keep on the same track of steadfastness.

vs 11. The devil left the Lord for a while. The devil will leave you, everything he brings to test, torture and derail you will fail. Then Angels came and ministered to the Lord.

Hebrews 4:15-16. Christ the Saviour who lives in us was tempted at all fronts, yet, He did not sin. He will help you, You will stand, and temptations will not overcome, destroy you, or your Christian life.

ch 2:17-18. Jesus understands how forceful, violent, dangerous and determined the tempter and temptress could be. He is able to succour and sustain all who are tempted because Himself was tempted but He overcame.

ch 7:25-26 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” He will help you.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” There are times we make open proclamations and give loud testimonies. Whenever we give testimonies, it is to say what God has done for us, you don’t need to talk about other churches, or other believers because we know that Satan is at the bottom of every temptation, but our trials will be turned to triumphant testimonies in Jesus name.

Whenever we talk about other people being tempted, look at David, he was tempted. We don’t talk about who tempted him – the woman who was washing herself, leaving the bathroom door open, doing the right thing in the wrong way. Unfortunately for David who was at his balcony, he saw her and temptation took hold of him, and he sent for her. Please, understand that David would not have fallen into that temptation if not for the careless woman. And her husband was not around. When you talk about a man making advances at you, you have not spoken about how you dressed to the office to have attracted the man. You are not the only one there, or the only beautiful woman there. When you were preparing for the office that day and you stood in front of the mirror, what thoughts were running through your mind?

When the man said he would terminate your appointment, did you change your dressing, did you humble yourself and spoke to him respectfully? Eventually, you were out, and the man’s appointment was terminated, don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t rejoice when the person you thought is your problem gets dismissed, and you were recalled to your job. We have to be Scriptural. And this happened in a church office, though she didn’t mention the name of the church. Our Turning Point crusade is not to pull anyone down. Even in our church here, men can be tempted, why do you want to pull another church down?

What has Bathsheba done? She laid the foundation for her husband to be killed. Brothers and sisters, by exposing herself and washing where she should not have, she compromised and brought death to her husband. We must not focus on David alone, we must also talk about the woman who started it all. Women, married or unmarried must be very careful how they dress, appear, expose themselves and get near the men, because you may lose all sanctity that you have and eventually be the cause of your husband’s death, because they want you so much that they don’t mind taking your husband’s life. Let the tempters and temptresses take care.

vs 13. There is no temptation that is too much for you to conquer. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, we will stand. He will always make a way of escape, a way out of the problem. We will overcome.

1 Timothy 6:9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” These are people who engage in cybercrimes, they don’t want to work, or go to school – to them, that process is too slow – but they want to be rich quickly. They want to  have cars, mansions and things other people have laboured for, and the churches are not helping the situation. All programmes and exhortations for young people are now based on how they can succeed and get to the top. No one wants to hear about salvation, but we must keep to the Bible.

vs 10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Do our programmes, and announcements not bring the love of money to the hearts of the young and old? Do we emphasize salvation, holiness, and heaven in the announcements? Everyone is taken up with money, finance and prosperity. This is the only time they shout, clap and jump for joy, but if the preacher comes and preaches that the love of money will ruin them, they are cold and not happy. Let us be careful in the way we publicise our programmes. This is why the world is perishing and crimes are increasing, the churches must not be all about prosperity because going in that direction, we will drown in the atrocities of the world.

vs 11 “But thou, O man (woman, child) of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

1 Peter 5:8-9. Be sober, don’t be lousy, careless, frivolous inside and outside the church of God, or anywhere you are, be holy and righteous, have your mind and sobriety intact. Your adversary, the devil is always there, the tempter will try to push, and provoke and drive you to the point that you give up your vigilance, sobriety, and yield to him, and go back on our decision to serve the Lord. You must resist him steadfastly, you are not alone, other believers go through the same challenge. You will be victorious.

1. LOVING JESUS, REFLECTING ESSENTIAL TRIUMPH DESPITE APPARENT TRIBULATIONS (Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4; Matthew 13:20–22; John 16:33; Romans 8:34-35,37–39; 12:12–14,17,20–21; Revelation 7:9–14)

The church has forgotten that apart from the great tribulation at the time of the Antichrist, and even now, we have trials and tribulations, and every time they have any problem, they can’t come to worship God. They don’t understand that these things must come, and we are supposed to remain steadfast and continue to love Jesus and stay till He deems it fit to remove them from us.

Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” We have to continue till the crowning day. Some preachers and evangelists make mistakes, they think that everything will be a bed of roses on the evangelism field, but when they come and find suffering, pressure and difficulties, they say they will not go out again because if God cannot remove their problem, what are they doing on the field? You are on the field because you are in the kingdom and you are inviting other people to come in. Stop thinking about yourself, stop looking for luxury and comfort because we will through much tribulations enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 5:3-5. We are not sorrowful or cast down, Jesus said rejoice when you are faced with persecutions because this was how they treated the prophets that came before you. You are saved and your life is turned around, but you must know that not everyone in the church loves holiness and righteousness, but we should be happy and excited that we are in the right way. There are people who will not accept all you preach, but don’t be discouraged.

Some believers are impatient, so, in dealing with this, God allows some mimicking, trials, and mocking, and other things to come to them to help them grow. If they get angry, they are working against the purpose of the tribulation, but we must know that we need such experiences to grow. In a new place, you will be able to recount past victories you got on the same issue. Tribulations in a new year will not jolt you, because you went through the same in previous years and overcame.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.” We are supposed to endure tribulations and not be shocked by them even when they are coming from unexpected quarters. We must not expect that everyone will make us happy, but to rejoice when we are tried, and our faith, devotion, love and consecration will continue to grow.

Matthew 13:20–22. Tribulations make some people draw back, slow down and even stop, and they are offended and are not able to bear fruits, or bring their calling to perfection. Something went wrong and they saw it as trouble, complaining about why it should be so. Because of this, they drop their faithfulness and commitment.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus wants us never to give up our deeper life, faith, commitment and consecration because of tribulations. As long as we are in the world, and not in heaven, we shall have tribulations whether we are young, old or aged. You will overcome everything in the world that is coming against your life in Jesus name.

Romans 8:35. What will separate you from the love of Christ? Inlaws, problems, business, challenges at work? No. Tribulations must not separate us from the love of Christ.

vs 37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Some people say they are more than a conqueror because they got a new job, her husband smiled at her, he got an alert of a big amount of money, etc. But our text says when there are tribulations, persecution, when the enemies concentrate on you, that is when to say nothing will separate you because you are more than conquerors through Him who loves you.

Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.” Be patient and don’t go here and there because of tribulations. Some people serve God for bread and butter, and when it finishes, or butter is not available for the bread, they run here and there, and everywhere. God wants you to persevere and continue in prayer.

vs 13. Even when you are going through tribulations, still do your duties, pay your tithes and offerings, do good to others, help all who need help around you. Be given to hospitality.

vs 14. Bless them that persecute you, bless and curse not. Some preachers on the pulpit respond to those who stray into the church to silence the voice of holiness, curse not. Someone from your in-laws’ side came to live with you, and is taking the attention of your husband, and they are always sitting and having long discussions, don’t be angry because anger is not of God. When people repeat over and over that we should be angry at sin and not the sinner, we all know that it is very difficult to achieve. If you are not angry with her, why did you not answer when she greeted you? Why did you frown when you saw her? Sin, God will deal with that, you are a preacher and not a chief judge in the Christian faith going around, judging this, criticizing that, pulling that one down. May God save us from anger in Jesus name.

At times, it is the membership that is angry, why are you angry at the preacher who wants you to get the full message? By the time I go from the beginning to the end, one hour is gone, and I’m still standing and preaching and you get angry. You must ask yourself, is God angry at His servant for preaching for more than one hour and he is explaining everything deeply so that everyone will understand? I trow not, I don’t think so. God is not angry at him, why are you angry at who God is not angry at? “Bless and curse not”, you will not curse people anymore in Jesus name.

vs 17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” You are angry when you do this. Don’t pay evil for evil, be honest in the sight of all men.

vs 20 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Wives, don’t be angry at your husband. Feed him when he is hungry, don’t tell him to go to the kitchen by himself.

vs 21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Revelation 7:9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

vs 13-14  “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They went through painful and perplexing tribulations but they continued in the Lord and did not allow it to sway, push them down or make them backslide. They remained in the presence of the Lord and will remain joyful there forever.

1. LIKE JESUS, REVEALING THE ETERNAL TRUTH WITHOUT ANY ADULTERATING TRADITION (Matthew 22:16; Mark 7:13,20–23; John 1:14,16-17; 8:30-32; 18:37; Ephesians 6:14–17; Psalm 15:1-5)

Matthew 22:16 “And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person (face, frown, gimmicks) of men.” Jesus stood on, preached, lived, emphasized and planted the truth in the hearts of all who came to Him. And we must be like Him, and reveal eternal truth without any adulterating tradition.

Mark 7:13. The Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes had many religious traditions which made the word of God to be of no effect. They spread their tradition rather than the truth, and this happens almost in every denomination. Things that are not part of the word of God are given more attention. They force their opinions, ideologies, traditions, hypocrisy and errors on others, while putting down the truth of the word of God. Such people are not like Jesus. He challenged them on this because He is full of grace and truth, and you will be like Him.

John 1:16-17. We receive grace for salvation from sin, righteous living, sanctification, removal of the Adamic nature. The law came by Adam, but fullness of grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

ch 8:32. This means if you are not free from sin, the truth has not sunk deep in your heart. When you know the truth and allow its grace to work in you, it will set you free.

ch 18:37. Because the world did not have the truth to lead them to life eternal, God sent Jesus to the world to bear record to the truth, proclaim and drill it into the ears of the people. All who are of the truth hear His voice. I pray that the truth will save, strengthen and establish you in the kingdom in Jesus name. Traditions and opinions of men are flying everywhere, and wrong ideals are being proposed in every local assembly, the people just want to drown the truth of the gospel, the truth that saves and sets free, they are no longer interested in the saving and delivering truth, they just want to shovel tradition to cover and bury the truth. May God deliver us from them in Jesus name.

Ephesians 6:14-17 “Stand therefore…” You will stand even when others are not standing anymore. They are bending their lives before satan and the world, but the grace and backbone stamina to stand upright and tall the Lord will give you. You will stand even if there are people around you not standing upright. You will not bow to any idol or those who made themselves to replace God. Don’t shift your attention from God to them. A man or woman making himself or herself the final authority in the house of God is the worst idol anyone could serve. They are the image of Nebuchadnezzar, but you will stand and not serve them.

vs 15. The gospel is not for violence, quarreling or fighting, but of peace. It brings peace to us everywhere – our hearts, home, and church.

vs 16-18. The Lord sustains, strengthens, stabilises and establishes you on the truth of His word this day, week, month, year, and beyond in Jesus name. Only then can you be with him on the final day.

Psalm 15:1-2 “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” He has the truth, He possesses and speaks it in his heart just as Jesus did without any adulterating tradition. The grace of God comes upon your heart, the salvation of God shows in your life, the sanctification that Jesus paid for be reflected in your character in Jesus name.

Loving Jesus, living like Jesus, you will resist all temptations from all tempters. You will be like Jesus at home, in the office, in the business places, in your services in the church and everywhere you may be.

God will answer your prayer this morning. Rise to pray and take to Him all you have heard today.