filet o' faith, part 1

" "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." Revelations 1:8-9 New American Standard


Too often today I see Christianity sold as a name it claim it, believe it receive it, cure-all, get rich quick scheme where Jesus is some 'santa clause in the sky' who will pave your way to early retirement. "Don't have the car you want yet? Go ahead and claim it in the name of Jesus! It's already yours!" I can hear the sweating, overweight preacher now on TBN. Sometimes I wonder if evangelists want people to believe they are selling timeshares to an social club where everyone just lays around on the beach and reads copies of the Prayer of Jabez. that's not the christianity i signed up for. whatever happened to, 'In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world...'? I honestly think we have forgotten all about suffering and tribulation and persecution. After all, why should Satan persecute the American church?

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation ...
In the above verses, an exiled and elderly John the Apostle is writing to 7 turkish churches. His great advertising gimmick is this: "Come suffer with me!" That's not one you hear too often from the pulpit on sunday morning. In fact, the whole reason for him being imprisoned on the island was the Gospel of Christ. you know what would happen if he wrote that to churches today? they'd laugh in his face. they'd tell him that it's not like that anymore. they'd send him pictures of their summer homes and new cars and tell them how well liked they are in their communities. they'd tell him all about their church softball league and the youth mission trip to Tahiti. they'd explain to John how there is nothing offensive about Jesus.

...and kingdom and perseverance...
I tell you what, Jesus is extreme. You either hate Him or love Him. He literally asks us to die with Him. No easy street, no gravy train, no retirement plan. John knew this. He'd seen his fellow believers hung, beheaded, tortured and crucified, all for the name of Jesus. He knew what this Jesus is all about. Aside from when you are in church, what does the word 'kingdom' make you think of? Knights and castles and battle and brave deeds and loyalty and fealty sworn to a worthy Lord? Me too. It's still that way. There are still battles to be won and fights to pick. There are still trials to persevere through. Do you believe it? I want to be the one with his sword held high when Christ sounds the alarm. And for Christ's sake, I want to be persecuted! At least i would know i was getting something right. Wouldn't it be nice if He became more than a curse word or political leverage? Let's give people something to curse about. Let's turn this world on it's ear with the ferocity of Christ's love. It won't be easy...but who wants easy? You only live once, so i've heard....