Remain Faithful And Refuse To Compromise Series

REMAIN FAITHFUL & REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

Revelation 1:9-11

Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was apprehended and persecuted because of his faith in Christ. Once captured, he asked for an hour in prayer, and his request was granted. Polycarp prayed so intently that his guards repented that they had been instrumental in taking him. He was carried before the proconsul & condemned to be burnt at the stake. The proconsul then urged him, saying, “Swear, and I will release thee; reproach Christ.” Polycarp answered, “86 years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?” He was tied to the stake and the fire was kindled, the flames encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him. As a result, the executioner was ordered to pierce him with a sword. When he did a great quantity of blood flowed out and extinguished the fire. Polycarp eventually died for his faith, but he left a lasting impression on those who were present at his execution. Polycarp had a choice, compromise or take a stand for what he knew was right. He was courageous in the face of death, rather than take the easy way out, he took a stand for his Lord.

We are blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to worship without fear of physical persecution. But there will be times when you will have to decide whether you will stand for what is right, or whether you will compromise. I pray that no matter how intense the opposition may be, that you will plant your feet, stand firm and refuse to compromise. The Bible gives us an example of a man who did just that; a man who when faced with the opportunity to compromise, chose to remain faithful to his Savior. That man's name is John. I would like to survey his story today and preach on the thought "Remain Faithful & Refuse To Compromise".

In a town called Bethsaida a man named Zebedee and his wife Salome had a son named John. This young man grew up and became a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. One day he met Jesus and soon thereafter Jesus invited him to become one of His Disciples. John willingly left everything behind and began to follow Jesus. He became part of Jesus' inner circle alone with his brother James and Simon Peter. These three men were present when Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, they witnessed Jesus as He was transfigured on the Mountain and they were present when Jesus prayed in great agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

When Christ was crucified, John was the only Disciple to be found, and he was there at the foot of the Cross. Not only was he at the Cross, John was one of the first to witness the empty tomb. Shortly thereafter, John came face to face with the Resurrected Christ. He and the other Disciples were able to spend some time with Jesus until He returned to Heaven. John was also privileged to witness the Ascension of Christ. (Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.)

John was faithful to the work of Christ, and because of his service to the Lord, many lives were changed. There came a time when John suffered great persecution, and was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. This is where John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ. John is a man who had been a part of some of the greatest works of God in the history of the world. He was a faithful servant of Jesus but he found himself persecuted and exiled to a prison camp. John did not get bitter or angry about his situation. He did not blame God for putting him on Patmos. Instead, John continued to serve God, he continued to worship God, and he continued to commune with God. He says in Revelation 1:10-11, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia"

On the surface, John's situation may seem to be a wasted opportunity. John was a man who had reached numerous souls with the Gospel and now he was banished to a rocky island in the midst of the Aegean Sea. But God had not forgotten about John, and God was not punishing John. In fact, God was setting things in order so that He could use John in a mighty way. Jesus was going to use him to bless Christians for generations to come. There on Patmos, Jesus would appear to John and give him the Revelation.