Some and Others - Pastor Wirzfeld Sermon

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/ij34k3jMPQA?si=nYhhC3cgaG964Yp4

1 Timothy 4:1–3

[1] God's Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. [2] They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling. [3] These liars will forbid people to marry or to eat certain foods. But God created these foods to be eaten with thankful hearts by his followers who know the truth.

Matthew 13:3–8

[3] Then he taught them many things by using stories. He said: “A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. [4] While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. [5] Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep. [6] But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have deep roots. [7] Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants. [8] But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered.

Revelation 3:1–6

[1] This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Sardis: I have the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Listen to what I say. I know what you are doing. Everyone may think you are alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what little you have left! Even what is left is almost dead. I have found that you are not completely obeying God. [3] Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don't wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does. [4] A few of you in Sardis have not dirtied your clothes with sin. You will walk with me in white clothes, because you are worthy. [5] Everyone who wins the victory will wear white clothes. Their names will not be erased from the book of life, and I will tell my Father and his angels that they are my followers. [6] If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

2 Timothy 4:1–4, 10

[1] When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you [2] to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. [3] The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. [4] They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories.

[10] Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.

Psalm 27:5

[5] In times of trouble, Lord, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.

Revelation 12:11

[11] Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and the message of God. They were willing to give up their lives.

Hebrews 11:32–40

[32] What else can I say? There isn't enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. [33] Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions [34] and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away. [35] Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. [36] Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. [37] Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. [38] The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground. [39] All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. [40] This was because God had something better in store for us. He did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.