keeping going in the faith. Having deep roots

Mathew 13: 1-23 Matthew 7:21-23 New International Version (NIV) True and False Disciples 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ I am going to do a series of three talks on the subject of “Keep Going”. How do we keep going in our faith? Ginny reminded us last week that not all who join OM went on to continue to serve the lord and Steve encouraged us to look at TRUE DISCIPLESHIP. I was considering looking at this subject and what they had to say seemed to me to confirm that I should do this. Let me start by saying that I do believe that true believers do go on, and for those who do not, let us not not comfort ourselves or them by saying they are only back sliden. They may be, but perhaps they were never truly saved. I think that is clear from Mathew 7:21-23 THE MULTIUDE. We are told that a multitude gathered to hear the lord and he got out on the sea in a boat to speak to them. I think that in our day, if that happened, or if we filled a stadium, we would count that as a great success. Jesus did not look at it that way. He saw it as a fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 6: 8-13 We like statistics, and as guides they are helpful in our work, but ultimately that only statistics that will really count, are the names recorded in the Lambs book of life. I want to be sure that my name is in that book READ ISAIAH 6: 8-13. Isaiah was told that people would not listen, and Jesus referring to this prophecy was saying that it was still being fulfilled. People would hear the parables, but not hear or understand them, and that was what was happening with the multitude. They heard, but did not hear. They certainly did not understand. They were like the seed that fell on the path/road and immediately the birds came and ate the seed. It did not take route, and for many they heard the word of god, but did not believe it. Some fell in the rocky places and sprung up quickly, but did not have deep roots. Others fell among the thorns and grew and the thorns choked them. I have known people, who seemed to be good solid Christians, whom I respected and looked up to, but you will not find them naming the lord as saviour any more, or if they do, they have a lesser place in the estimation of the church, because their lives no longer have a credible witness. Some went on for a good number of years before they fell away. Their roots were not deep and the cares of the world overwhelmed them. I take that as a warning. I ask myself the question, “How deep are my roots?” I take stock of my life. I want to hear Jesus say to me “WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, ENTER INTO THE JOY OR YOUR LORD.” Mathew 7: 21-23 warns us that for many, that will not be the case even though they expect it. Jesus further warns us Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Gary reminded us that sometimes we grow tired, physically and spiritually and we need to take a break, eat, be refreshed and that is what God did for Elijah I think some grow tired, spiritually and give up. When we feel that way, as indeed sooner or later we all do, I find comfort in this. Matthew 24:13 But the person who endures to the end will be saved. I find that glorious. It motivates me to go on. I think that is why Mathew has recorded that for us. To motivate us to keep going with that end goal in sight of being admitted into Gods presence when we pass from this world. There are people in the bible, who seemed to be faithful believers, but proved false JUDAS Mathew 26: 17-25 All the disciples said, “Surely not I” They could not believe that any of their own company would be a traitor, yet this had been fortold. Jesus said woe to him, it would have been better for him, if he had never been born. Judas was trusted with the money. When jesus sent the disciples out and they worked miracles, Judas would have gone out like all the others and worked miracles. He seemed to be just like the others. Seeking truth, seeking the lord, lamenting his sin. Yet, his heart was turned and even when Jesus handed him the sop that identified him as the traitor, Judas still did what was in his heart. He betrayed Jesus to his enemies. Judas proved to be like the seed that grew up among the thorns. He would have heard the parable to and had it explained to him, yet that did not stop him doing what he did. Let us look at someone else Turn to Colossians 4: 1-14 (read it) From this passage I conclude we are to be alert and devote ourselves to prayer. Paul names people in this passage. People who sent their greetings to the church at Colossi, one of whom was Damas. The fact that he is mentioned here means that Paul held him in high esteem. Indeed Demas was with him in the ministry while Paul had his first spell in jail IT SEEMED TO PAUL THAT DEMAS LOYALTY TO HIM AND TO THE LORD WAS BEYOND QUESTION. Turn to 2nd Timothy 4:9-10 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. The good, and loyal Demas had proved to be not so good or loyal. Paul is disappointed and lonely and wants Timothy to come and bring Mark with him for he was useful. In that one sentence Paul is saying that the person he relied on, “Demas” has let him down, and the person he had rejected “Mark” has now proved his worth and paul wants him. Sometimes it is the most unlikely people who truly have deep roots. Paul had argued with Barnabas about Mark and they had parted company. With passage of time, Paul has changed his mind. When I look back, I am so glad that I had a number of Barnabases who did not give up on me. They thought I was worth it. I trust they were right AMEN