The following message was preached Wednesday, November 4, 2020, following a series outlined in August. As the text unfolds, we can rest assured God is not silent. The listener will also notice a new podcast I have been working on. You can learn more by visiting Hearing is Believing.
In 2014 I was introduced to “Louie” Zamperini through the major motion picture, Unbroken. Zamperini has been rightly described as a champion - he was an Olympic athlete; a survivor - he survived a plane crash in the middle of the Pacific during WWII drifting over 2,000 miles in a small raft for 47 days until he was captured by the Japanese and endured two years of torture in a prisoner-of-war camp. Zamperini was a hero but the most legendary aspect of Zamperini’s life was what came in 1949 when he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He would live the next 67 years of his life as an inspiration to millions and serve as his highest honor - an ambassador for King Jesus.
Zamperini completed his last book at age 97, Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In, where he shares wisdom and insight from his many experiences. Here is the last line of a chapter entitled Commitment and Perseverance Pay Off:
My older brother, Pete, put it all in sharp perspective for me when I was young and trying to become a championship runner: “Isn’t one minute of pain worth a lifetime of glory?”
Grit, determination, tenacity perseverance. All of those terms are part and parcel with what it means to be a Christian. Paul Tripp in his book, Dangerous Calling, reminds ministers, “The call to ministry is a call to suffer.” Tripp would be fine if we extended his definition to say, the call to follow Jesus is a call to come and die. Jesus said, no man who takes the plow and turns back is worthy of the kingdom of God. Jeremiah is reminded when he was tempted towards timidity, “If you have raced with the men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” (Jer. 12:5)
The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4 assuring him not of better times but of difficult times. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy is don’t expect things to be rainbows and roses. Be prepared to have folks disappoint you, desert you, but you keep calm and carry on.
Don’t panic, instead pursue faithfulness. As you do, do so with confidence in the God who calls, empowers, and sustains. All is according to plan. We might not understand it, we don’t have to understand it, our marching orders are clear. Hold the line. Stay faithful. Faithful in your home with that husband who mocks your faith. Faithful in front of your kids who think you strange. Faithful at work when your values mean you are excluded. The God who started a great work intends to complete what he started. Jesus’ coming, dying, and rising from death was a moment the world will never be able to undo or outlive. He is faithful and true and he will finish what he starts, and he will do it his way and in His timing. In the meantime, don’t panic. Instead, pursue faithfulness.