CHRISTIAN CONSTANCY

1 CORINTHIANS 15:5

A. "THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD."
  1. The resurrection: The fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians is the very heart of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead:
    1. In this memorable chapter Paul emphasizes the resurrection of the dead.
    2. He ties in with the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead the hope of God's children.
    3. "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain; ye are yet in your sins."
  2. He closes this wonderful chapter with the admonition to the believers to be steadfast and unmovable to the end:
B. CHRISTIAN CONSTANCY
  1. "Therefore, by beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable":
    1. To be steadfast and unmovable, one must be well rooted and grounded in the truth, in the doctrine of Christ - Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7
    2. Not to be carried away with every wind of doctrine - Eph. 4:14
    3. It is good for the heart to be established in the love of the truth - 1 Pet. 5:10; Heb. 13:9
  2. We must build solidly:
    1. On the Holy scriptures - 2 Tim. 3:15-17; John 7:37, 38
    2. On the teaching of the Apostles and the prophets - Eph. 2:20-22
    3. On Christ the rock of ages - Matt. 16:18, 19; 1 Pet. 2:8; 1 Cor. 3:11; 10:4
    4. Upon Present Truth - The prophetic messages of Rev. 14:6-12 is the true basis of the Great Second Advent Movement. It will be impossible for one to remain steadfast in this Movement, unless he knows the truth from experience.
  3. Unmovable:
    1. This requires a sure foundation.
    2. And the implication is, that to be unmovable, we must live the truths we profess to believe - Matt. 7:24-27
    3. Only the doer of the word of God shall be saved - Jas. 1:22, 23; Rom. 2:13
  4. The above admonition to be unmovable suggest:
    1. That our faith will be exposed to severe tests.
    2. Recall our Lord's words to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift you as wheat" - Luke 22:31
C. PAUL'S TIMELY ADMONITION FINDS A SPECIAL APPLICATION IN THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S REMNANT CHURCH
  1. Rev. 12:17 has, I believe, special reference to the Seventh Day Adventist Church:
    1. They are a small remnant, or that which remains before Christ comes - Rom. 9:27; Rev. 12:17
    2. They keep God's law - Rev. 14:12; 22:14; Isa. 51:7
    3. They have the testimony of Jesus - Rev. 19:10; Isa. 8:16
    4. It is against this group of Christians that Satan will declare war.
  2. Many of God's people will actually:
    1. Go through the experience of Jacob's trouble - Isa. 14:1; Jer. 30:7
    2. They will be left alone to lean upon the God of Israel - Gen. 32:24-29
    3. Many of them will be deprived of their rights as citizens; they will have their Bibles taken away from them; they will be declared persona non crata; they will be hated by all men - Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17
    4. It is then that we need to be rooted and grounded in the truth -
      1. Like Joseph was - Gen. 39:9
      2. Like Daniel and his friends were - Dan. 3:6
      3. Like Martin Luther and his associates were.
      4. "Be ye steadfast, unmovable."


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