Committed Christians - Certainty Of Purpose!

What was the certainty of purpose that propelled the early Church into action?

Let's look back for a moment -

The Crucifiction

.....To the disciples it seemed as if everything was over. They felt helpless as they stood off at a distance and watched Jesus, the light of their world, fading before their eyes. As He was being nailed to the Cross, all of their hopes and dreams were being nailed to it also. Their reason for living hung before them bleeding and dying. Looking at the blood-stained body of Jesus, the disciples shook their heads in dismay. This was the man that they had seen give sight to the blind, open deaf ears, cast away demons, and feed thousands with a few loaves of bread, and fish. This was the man who spoke into the darkness of a tomb and called a dead man back to life. This man who was now on a Cross, laboring to breathe.

Can you picture the despair that was on the faces of all the disciples, not to mention in their minds, envisioning danger, capture, and the end of a dream?

In those dark hours, they forgot the promise of Jesus.
The promise to rise again on the third day.

.....Their moment of darkness could have been an occasion for expectancy. Had they focused on the promise instead of the problem, they would have known much sooner that it was not the end, but the beginning.

.....In John 20: 1-8, the Gospel proclaims, "Jesus was resurrected. The tomb was empty. Tribulation was turned into triumph. Jesus was alive." A new beginning had dawned out of the darkness. God's grace shined for all of mankind. He showed us that even when things looked dark, and it seems nothing can be done, that is when your faith should be strongest. To God, your dark tomb of tribulation is just the fertile ground from which He will resurrect your deliverance. The instant you exercise your faith in His Divine Power, your tribulations turn into triumphs. In our hour of despair and darkness, we are to take our eyes off our problems, and turn them toward Jesus, the Light of the World.

.....Christ's resurrection provided His shaken disciples with a solid foundation of hope. His empty tomb gave new life and meaning to the disciples. It strengthened their shaky structure of faith, and gave them all something to live for, and die for. They were no longer afraid. The resurrection of their master turned their certain break-up into a breakthrough of certainty. Each one of them became a man of great faith and action.

....Then on the day of Pentecost, these men and 108 others, emerged from the upper room, and possessed a certainty of purpose. No longer did these disciples cower behind locked doors and deny involvement in the cause. They had a sure foundation of faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit as their guide and comforter. These 12 men allowed no hardship, no tribulation, no threat of death, to hinder them from proclaiming "Truth," Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and coming King. Despite every test, and torture, these men remained constant in their resolve. They kept their feet firmly planted in the Word, and their eyes fixed on the prize. From that point in their lives, they preached the Gospel with boldness, having the authority given to them by God through the revelation of what truly happened and what they witnessed, even unto death.

James, the brother of John, "The Revelator," was so adamant of his faith in Christ he was beheaded.

Thomas, the one who believed only after seeing the nail scares of Jesus with his own eyes, proclaimed the Gospel throughout Persia, and took the message of Christ eastward to India. There he declared his faith openly, up until the very day he was slain with a short spear.

Simon, The brother of Jude and James, was a dynamic witness for the Son of God, and was crucified in Egypt.

Simon, called Zelotes, preached throughout Africa, and also was crucified.

Mark, taught about Jesus throughout Egypt, and during the terrible reign of Trajan the Emperor, the evangelist was dragged by ropes into a fire, and left there to burn.

Bartholomew, missionary to India, later went to Armenia and withstood numerous persecutions. He was finally beaten mercilessly with sticks, then crucified. And afterward, beheaded.

Andrew, the brother of Peter, proclaimed the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for about 50 years. He brought many to the understanding of salvation. He confronted the Governor of a large territory in what is now known as Ethiopia for worshiping idols, boldly declaring the Son of God. The Governor became afraid of Andrew's growing influence and ordered the disciple to be, "fastened to the cross with all speed."

Mathew, wrote a New Testament Book and taught against pagan practices in Ethiopia, and Egypt, leading many to salvation, when King Hircanus, the ruler of the area, sent a servant to him and ran him through with a spear.

Phillip, fearlessly declared the teachings of Jesus throughout the nations of the Middle East. And after persevering through many trials, he was crucified and stoned until dead.

James, Governor of the early Church, he persuaded both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the promise Messiah. He was killed by the Scribes, and Pharisees, and buried where he fell.

Peter, traveled the World testifying of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Facing a multitude of adversity, including scourging, imprisonment, and trials before Kings. Peter suffered the agonizing torment of death on an upside down cross.

John, Author of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," live to be 100. Dedicated his entire life to Christ and the administering of His Church. Was banished to a life in prison by the Emperor Domitian on the Island of "Patmos," which means My Killing.

.....All of these brave, and dedicated men of God were committed, excited, and sure of their faith. And that is why miracles followed them. They built up the Church of Jesus Christ, and courageously looked death in the face, proclaiming the Gospel with a certainty of purpose. These first Christians were committed to seeing lives transformed by the power of God, despite the personal dangers.

.....God is looking for committed Christians today who are certain of their convictions, and willing, without hesitation, to stand up for their beliefs. He is looking for those that have the tenacity to stand their ground, no matter whose toes they have to step on. The example committed Christians set during adversity today will drive men to either get right with God, or get left behind. The Word is our responsibility. Our response to God's Ability. Tribulation helps us to learn not only of God, and from God, but also enables us to teach others about God, so that many will be drawn to God. Adversity makes the strong stronger, and the weak weaker. Are you ready? Are you committed to Christ? Are you ready and willing to go out into the World and rescue the hurting, the dying, the lost? Let us take our cue from the 12 disciples. If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Like those who have gone before us, if we are to survive the heat, we must be prepared to walk through the fire, for Christ, and acquire God's special mark of "Certainty."

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