Sermon Central
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For Heaven's Sake Series
Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: what heaven is, and how it effects us
For heaven’s sake, Paul was willing to risk his life time and again to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For heaven’s sake, then, what will we do? We will not live like cowards. We know that the devil cannot get us to fall as long as we stay in the word. We will be confident in God’s protection. We will be confident that God works all things out for good. We will look forward to heaven. We will take risks to see other people there. Instead of walking around ashamed of who we are and afraid of persecution, we will be afraid of nothing knowing that God promises us an eternal reward of heaven in Christ.
Devereux Spratt, an Englishman, was captured with one hundred and twenty others in 1641 by the Algerian pirates. He was put to work with his fellow-slaves on the fortifications around Algiers. Cut off from congenial company, he looked to God for sympathy and strength, and God’s grace proved, as always, sufficient.
Finding his fellow-captives full of despair, he began to cheer them with words of faith and hope; and soon he had gathered about him, through his faithful testimony, a little band of praying and worshiping Christians. Through the influence of his brother in England, after several years, Devereux Spratt was ransomed, and the order for his release was brought to the fortifications.
His fellow-captives rejoiced with tears at his good fortune, but expressed regret that their leader was to leave them. However, Devereux Spratt refused to accept the ransom, and remained until he died, a slave among slaves, that he might continue to comfort those whom God had brought to Christ through him. For heaven’s sake, Devereux picked up his cross and followed Jesus - all the way to heaven.
For heaven’s sake we will do things that people will not like in this world. We’ll tell them they’re sinners. We’ll work to protect unborn babies. We’ll proclaim Christ. We’ll take risks, knowing that God has us in His hands. We’ll give God our firstfruits. We’ll take time to look after each other. Why? For heaven’s sake, why not? Amen.
