Therefore…Be Steadfast

Therefore…Be Steadfast

Illustration:

Most people have heard the name William Carey but may be unfamiliar with his story. Carey, like many in this room, was a Baptist minister and pastor. He grew up loving the church, reading his Bible, and wanting to tell others the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

William Carey is known today as the “father of modern missions”. He had a particular passion for the Indian people. He grieved for the Indian people because they did not have a Bible that they could read. How could they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they could not read for themselves God’s Word? Carey visited scholars and theologians asking them if they could translate Holy Scripture into native Indian languages. Some laughed at his passion and others ran Carey from their classrooms and universities.

Thankful William Carey did not give up. Instead of tossing in the towel, shrugging his shoulders, and going home, Carey got to work. He studied and became fluent in the languages of Bengali, Punjabi, Oriya, Assamese, Marathi, Hindi, and Sanskrit. In fact, William Carey translated the Bible single handedly into all of those difficult languages.

One would think that the simple rejection of his peers would have been enough for William Carey to just quit. However, he remained steadfast in his commitment to Jesus Christ. He was steadfast in his calling. What most of his peers and contemporaries did not know about William Carey, while he was translating Scripture, his wife suffered from catastrophic insanity. He learned and translated Scripture while she ranted and raved from the room next door.

William Carey could not find anyone to print his Bibles. Maybe it was racism agains the Indian people? Maybe publishers didn’t think that there was any money to be made by selling Bibles translated into Punjabi? Again, William Carey could have quit. Instead of giving up, William Carey opened up his own publishing company and print shop. Still adversity plagued his endeavors. A few years later, his print shop and publishing company burned to the ground. Still, Carey persevered, and he went forward and accomplished his goals. He was determined, steadfast, faithful. He once wrote, “There are difficulties on every hand, and more looming ahead. Therefore we must go forward.” Christians today give William Carey credit for the millions of Indians who received Jesus Christ. Without Carey and his work to translate Scripture, they would have never heard the Gospel.

What about you friend? Does the story of William Carey inspire you? When adversity and potential persecution comes to knock on your door, do you scram or remain steadfast? Do you trade your faith for the security of the crowd or do you hold fast to your commitment to Jesus Christ?

In preparation for this message, I looked up the definition of “steadfastness”. To be steadfast means to be firm, unwavering, and resolute in one's beliefs, values, and actions. It involves staying true to one's convictions and commitments, regardless of the circumstances or challenges that may arise. A person who is steadfast is characterized by a steadfastness of mind, heart, and will, and is not easily swayed or discouraged by difficulties or setbacks.

One of the things that you can count on as a Christian, you will have setbacks. You’ll face adversities, hardships, sufferings and trials. No doubt about it. But here is the good news this morning and it doubles as your “Today’s Thought”. Christ saved us, we are being sanctified, so we should remain steadfast. Praise Jesus for His salvation. Thanks be to God that we are engaged in the process of being conformed into Christ’s image. That is sanctification. Because of our salvation and sanctification, we should remain steadfast.

Another name that you may have heard is Jim Elliot. Elliot is a hero of mine. He too was a missionary and incredibly brave. He faced hardship, persecution, adversity and even death. In 1955 Jim Elliot, along with 4 other missionaries, went to an unreached people group in Ecuador. These people were notoriously vicious and violent. They were known for attacking and killing any outsiders. Elliot and his partners made contact with the group and shared with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No long after, they were martyred for their faith. They were murdered by the very people they were trying to save. Thankfully, years later the very people that killed Elliot and the other missionaries committed their lives to Jesus Christ and embraced salvation. William Carey and Jim Elliot knew a thing or two about what it meant to be steadfast. Listen to this amazing quote from Jim Elliot.

“Steadfastness is a virtue that is developed through practice. It is the ability to remain firm in one’s beliefs and principles in the face of adversity.”

This morning we are reading from I Corinthians 15:50-58. Before we read that passage together, I’d like to share with you the background and context of the Scripture.

Today’s Thought:

Christ Saved Us, We Are Being Sanctified, So Remain Steadfast!

Today’s Quote:

“Steadfastness is a virtue that is developed through practice. It is the ability to remain firm in one’s beliefs and principles in the face of adversity.”

-Jim Elliot

Background and Context:

I Corinthians is one of the most interesting of Paul’s letters. The letter was written around AD 55-56 from the city of Ephesus, where Paul was staying during his third missionary journey. The Corinthian church was really struggling at this time. Paul wrote his letter to the church to address various issues and problems.

Some of the early believers were denying the resurrection of the dead which is an obvious fundamental Christian belief. Paul wrote this very chapter in his letter to address specifically that heresy. Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised, then their faith is in vain and they are still in their sins. He presents evidence for the resurrection, including the eyewitness accounts of those who saw the risen Christ.

Paul also addresses the good news of the resurrection body, affirming that it will be a new and imperishable body. He emphasizes the victory that believers have over death and sin through Christ's resurrection. He concludes the chapter by exhorting the Corinthians to stand firm in their faith, to remain steadfast, and to live in light of the reality of the resurrection.

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.

Today’s Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ESV

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [55] "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Be Steadfast Because of…

I. Our Transformation vs. 50-53

I Corinthians 15:50-53 ESV

Fill in this morning’s first point. Be steadfast because of our transformation.

Let’s be honest friends, steadfastness is hard. One does not remain steadfast in their faith without a little encouragement. Chances are you have gone through some tough times. Maybe you have even had a crisis in your faith. Maybe you were battling an addiction, trying to kick that bad habit, and that addiction or habit seemed to be kicking you. Anytime you are facing discouragement or difficulty, you need that little something, that encouraging word, that pat on the back to keep you going.

If you are into weight lifting you call this person a spotter. The spotter is the person who keeps his or her hands on the weights that you are lifting. Think of a bench press. You are the one pushing the weights, lifting the bar, but your spotter has their hands on the bar as well. They are just there to give you confidence. They are just there to speak to you, encouraging you. They tell you that “you’ve got this” and that “you can do it”. Without your spotter, you might not even attempt to lift that weight. Without your spotter, you lack the confidence in yourself to get the job done.

If you are runner, you call this person a training partner. Running by yourself is no fun. You need a partner. A partner can push you along when you feel that you cannot run any further. A running partner speaks positive, self affirming words to you when you think that you can’t put one foot in front of the other. A running partner help you set a pace. They cross the finish line with you. They motivate you. Push you. Propelling you to victory.

I Corinthians 15:50-53 is one of the most positive and encouraging passages in all of Scripture. Basically Paul is saying, “pull in real close here Corinthians, I have a secret to tell you. I know that things are rough right now. Times are dark. Things are bleak. Cheer up. Things are going to get way better. You won’t believe how fast Jesus is going to turn these bad days to sunshine. He is going to clear away the rain and the sun will return. I know that you are suffering today, but one day Jesus is going to make this all better. Keep pressing on”.

Isn’t that a great word? Boy, if you look around, it is really easy to get discouraged. Crisis at the southern border. Debt ceilings. The economy is in a tailspin. Mass shootings are on the rise. Murder and killing was something for the nighty news to tell us about from far off distant places, now deadly killings are happening in the neighborhood next door. There has been an assault on marriage, an assault on gender, an assault on sexuality. It seems that society is crumbling around us.

What is a believer to do? Where is a Christian to turn? How should we respond? Our response is simple. Be steadfast because of our transformation. You see friend, Jesus is not just going to transform this world, but He is going to transform me and you. He is not just going to cast aside all other rulers, all other countries and societies. He is going to renovate, rejuvenate, and recalibrate me and you into new creations.

Let me share with you an illustration. An illustration from my own life. About three and a half to four years ago, I was struggling. I don’t know if it was because I had entered my 40’s. I don’t know if my chemistry was changing due to aging. You see brothers and sisters, depression runs in my family. I was depressed. I was unhealthy. In many ways I was unhappy. I was struggling personally. I was not healthy on the outside which meant that I was unhappy on the inside. I was struggling professionally. Some of you that have been here longer than 4 years will remember that those were hard days in the life of Eastern Shore Baptist Church. I remember coming to this place feeling scared. I had no idea what would happen. I was terrified of making a mistake. Many of you remember how dark those days were. Then the pandemic hit. We shuttered the doors as many churches did during those days. I felt lost. Angela will tell you that the darkest day of our marriage were days leading into the pandemic and the days of the pandemic. If Im being completely transparent with you, I didn’t think that I would make it. At one point, I even told Becky Jones, my ministry assistant that I thought that I was finished. I was beat. I felt bruised. I thought that I had dug for myself a shallow grave and the Devil was going to bury me.

Have you ever felt that way?

Clearly things are different today. I’m still here thank God. So what changed? How did it turn around? I’ll tell you.

Jesus is a God of transformation. He transforms the broken to blessed. He turns the sinner to saint. He gives the lost direction. Remember friend, in order to bloom you must first be buried.

Can I get an “amen” for that one. Let me say it again.

IN ORDER TO BLOOM YOU MUST FIRST BE BURIED.

If you are in the middle of hardship, there is help for you. If you are hurt, hope in Jesus. If you are feeling bruised, ask for blessing. Are you lost, look to Christ. How did I get through it? I didn’t get through it, Jesus got me through it.

I did stumble upon a song during that period of time. The song is by MercyMe and it is entitled “Hold Fast”. Maybe you should put it on repeat in your car or at your home. Let me read the lyrics for you this morning.

To everyone who's hurting

To those who've had enough

To all the undeserving

That should cover all of us

Please do not let go

I promise there is hope

Hold fast

Help is on the way

Hold fast

He's come to save the day

What I've learned in my life

One thing greater than my strife

Is His grasp

So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?

Can we stop this ride?

Will we see the sun at last?

Or could this be our lot in life?

Please do not let go

I promise you there's hope

Hold fast

Help is on the way

Hold fast

He's come to save the day

What I've learned in my life

One thing greater than my strife

Is Your grasp

So hold fast

You may think you're all alone

And there's no way that anyone could know

What you're going through

But if you only hear one thing

Just understand that we are all the same

Searching for the truth

The truth of what we're soon to face

Unless someone comes to take our place

Is there anyone?

All we want is to be free

Free from our captivity, Lord

Here He comes

Hold fast

Help is on the way

Hold fast

He's come to save the day

What I've learned in my life

One thing stronger than my strife

Is Your grasp

So hold fast

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Be Steadfast Because of…

I. Our Transformation vs. 50-53

II. His Triumph vs. 54-57

I Corinthians 15:54-57 ESV

[54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [55] "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be steadfast because of our transformation. That’s point one. Point two is be steadfast because of His triumph.

That’s right brothers and sisters, we can be steadfast because Jesus has already won the victory. What do we have to fear? Should we be afraid of men? What can men do? Sure they can kill these bodies but that’s it. If that were to happen we would just go to heaven and be with Christ for eternity. Should we fear poverty? No, because Scripture is clear that Jesus is going to meet every need that we have. God will make sure that we are taken care of. We are His children, He is our Father. He is the best Father there is, so rest easy knowing that He will keep His promises. Should we fear being lost? No. Again Jesus went to heaven specifically so that the Holy Spirit could manifest Himself in our lives. The Holy Spirit speaks to us, guides us, and directs us down life’s roads. We do not have to fear death. We do not have to fear poverty. We do not even have to fear being lost.

Jesus has transferred His victory over death on the cross to me and you. As long as I am with Jesus, I’m good. Friend, as long as you are with Jesus, you are good.

His triumph is my triumph. His victory is my victory.

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory.

One of my oldest friends is Clay Pruitt. I have known Clay since I graduated from college in the year 2000. When I met Clay, he was the head manager for the University of Alabama Basketball Team. In fact, Clay lived in Colman Colosseum there in Tuscaloosa. Clay was a couple of years younger than me but he and I became fast friends. As it would have it, Clay asked me to come and speak to the Men’s Basketball Team before one of their games. I was so excited. I jumped at the opportunity. I arrived early and Clay told me where to meet him. It was a side door at the athletic building that housed the football, basketball and baseball teams. At this point, they were all under the same roof. When I came to the door, I was stopped by a security guard. He asked me for my credentials. I didn’t have any credentials. As the guard was about to escort me from the building, Clay came entered the room and told the guard that I was with him. The guard turned me over to Clay. Just like that I was in. It was time to eat. We went to the athletic cafeteria where the most unbelievable spread of food that I have ever seen was being served. Clay told me that I could get whatever I wanted to eat. He said “as long as you are with me, you can have whatever you want”. I piled it high. After lunch Clay asked me if I wanted to take a tour of all the locker rooms. I couldn’t believe my luck. We entered the football building. Immediately I was stopped by a security guard. Clay showed him his pass and the security guard stepped aside. Clay just looked at me and said, “stay close to me Stuart and you can go wherever you want”. At that time Mike Shula was the head coach of the team. As it would have it, we saw Coach Shula. Clay said, “Stuart you want to meet Coach Shula”. What do you think I said? I said “no way Clay that guy is a loser”.

Just kidding! Of course I said “absolutely”. “Coach Shula, this is Stuart Davidson. He is the youth pastor at FBC Birmingham”.

“Nice to meet you Stuart. Any friend of Clay is a friend of mine. Enjoy your time here.”

The coach of the team was now my friend, not because of anything I did, but because of what Clay transferred to me.

Are you starting to see the point of the illustration. Clay passed on to me his credentials. Clay gave me access. Unfettered access. Without Clay I just another bum trying to get in. With Clay Im somebody. I belong. Im a winner.

That’s the same way with Jesus. Without Jesus we are lost. Blind. Hopeless. However, Jesus transferred His credentials to me and you. With Jesus we have victory. We have access. Unfettered access.

With Jesus you and I are overcomes.

1 John 5:4-5 ESV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Be Steadfast Because of…

I. Our Transformation vs. 50-53

II. His Triumph vs. 54-57

III. Our Task vs. 58

I Corinthians 15:58 ESV

[58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

So, remain steadfast because of our transformation. Remain steadfast because of his triumph. His victory. Last, remain steadfast because of our task.

Friends we cannot give up on this Christian walk because everyone in this room has a job to do. You and I have a very specific calling. A calling, a race that is marked out for me and you.

There is your “therefore” this morning.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Our labors are not in vain. Because of what Christ has done for us on the cross, because of what Christ has done for us through His resurrection, we can be steadfast and immovable.

When you take the words “steadfast” and “immovable” back to the original Greek, the picture being painted is a huge boulder.

Paul is basically saying be a boulder. Be a rock! Stand firm.

Now this is a trick isn’t if folks? It is a trick because standing firm on the rock of God’s Truth may mean you are called a bigot, one of those “phob” words, or some other name. Question, what happens to a rock if you call it a name? Nothing right? If you shout and hurl insults at a rock, does it weaken? Does it crack? No. Does it cease to be a rock? Does it turn to jello? No. It remains firm. It remains a rock. Brothers and sisters, church, we must be a rock. If the world turns against us because of our commitment and devotion to God’s Word, then so be it.

We can retain this calling and task because we know a central truth. That central truth is that Jesus wins! He is the victor and all glory belongs to Him and only Him.

The other day I finished a book written back in 2010 called Black Hawk Down. The book actually became a popular movie. The book is about an even that took place in October of 1993. The story is about 100 soldiers who were dropped by several helicopters into Mogadishu, Somalia. Their mission was to capture a top warlord living in the area and bring him back to the US base just outside of the city. What was supposed to be a 30 minute mission turned into an overnight gunfight. 18 servicemen lost their lives.

There is a scene in the book where a rescue convoy finally made it to the area of the city where the men had been pinned down. Some of the men were badly wounded, others had died. There were two men in particular who were in command, their names were Shughart and Gordon. When they approached the convoy, one of the officers said to abandon the badly injured and dead so they could save themselves.

“They are going to die anyway sir” one of the men yelled as gun fire split the night sky.

Shughart and Gordon refused. The last thing that their commanding officer told them was “No man gets left behind”. They took that order seriously. It was Gospel. It was their Great Commission. They didn’t leave anyone behind. They retrieved their dead and their injured. 5 soldiers were giving the Medal of Honor for their heroics in the incident.

We have a task as well friends. No man, woman, boy or girl left behind. Our task is to remain as steadfast as those soldiers. Our task is to remain faithful to the call that Christ has given to each and everyone of us. To share the Good News of the Gospel of our Savior.

Live this Christian life with integrity, pleasing to the Lord. Strengthened by His Spirit. Endure.

Colossians 1:10-12 ESV

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Remain Steadfast For God’s Glory!

Bibliography

Websites:

https://www.gotquestions.org/steadfast-and-unmovable.html

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/822/Steadfastness.htm

https://www.moneywisesteward.com/steadfast-in-the-bible/

https://manhoodjourney.org/steadfast-and-immovable/

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/steadfast-and-immovable

https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/15/1-Corinthians-15-58.html

https://wellspringchristianministries.org/be-steadfast-and-immovable/

Books:

"The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer