The Glory of Government
The title of today’s message is “The Glory of Government.” This topic may seem complex, but I hope to connect the dots and clarify its significance. I want to begin by reflecting on the incredible message we heard last week from Robert Duran. Let’s be honest; it was amazing, wasn’t it? No one wants to follow a sermon like that! But Robert provided us with a very real example of the struggles and trials that accompany our journey with God.
Often, we find ourselves in congregations where some Christians appear to have an incredible love, grace, and joy in the Spirit. It’s easy to think that they have it all figured out, while we wrestle with our own difficulties and challenges. But the truth is, nobody becomes like Jesus without going through the fire of trials and tribulations. It’s through these experiences that the dross is removed, revealing the gold within us and showcasing the glory of Christ on earth.
So, let’s dispel the notion that any trial we face is unique to us. Scripture tells us that such trials are common to all. The question we should ask ourselves is, in these moments of struggle, do we turn away from God? Many times, we do. Yet, He relentlessly pursues us, guiding us back to Him. There is also a transformative way to navigate these trials: we can turn to Him and ask, “Lord, where shall I go?” He has the words of eternal life, bringing peace, grace, and hope amid our struggles.
The Revelation of Jesus
In light of this, I think of the book of Revelation, authored by John, the great Apostle. John is a hero to many; his gospel is distinct from the others, and he even calls himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He found his identity in that love. After the day of Pentecost, God had much more to say, but He knew that the disciples weren’t ready to receive it all. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth.
The disciples followed Jesus, believing they would reign with Him. However, they faced countless offenses that challenged their faith. Each time, they had to decide: do I turn away, or do I keep following? They chose to stick with Jesus, and when Pentecost arrived, they were prepared to change the world. But the early church faced immense persecution, with many Christians being thrown to lions in the Colosseum. In this context, the book of Revelation serves as a word of encouragement for that time and for all times.
Revelation reveals Jesus in a way that empowers us to overcome our trials. John’s vision begins with a powerful image of Jesus, which we all need. I encourage you to read Revelation chapters 1 through 16; it’s transformative. One striking image is where Jesus says, “Behold, I hold the seven stars in my hand, and I walk among the seven golden lampstands.” This imagery conveys that Jesus holds the church in His hand and is present with us. This changes everything!
The Letters to the Churches
As we move deeper into Revelation, we encounter letters to various churches. I want to focus on the church at Laodicea, as I believe the messages to these churches reflect struggles that Christians face throughout the ages. The structure of these letters presents a vision of Jesus, the condition of the church, God’s response, and the reward for overcoming.
In Revelation 3:14-22, we read about the church of the Laodiceans. Jesus introduces Himself as “the faithful and true witness” and “the beginning of the creation of God.” He paints a picture of Himself that is crucial for their understanding of overcoming. He says, “I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of my mouth.”
This imagery of lukewarmness is significant. Laodicea had no water supply of its own; they brought in water via aqueducts, which arrived lukewarm and unsatisfactory. Nearby cities had refreshing cold springs and healing hot springs, but the Laodiceans were neither refreshing nor healing. The church was affluent but lacking in spiritual vitality, a state that might sound familiar to us today.
Spiritual Indifference
Jesus continues by addressing their pride: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ you do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” His counsel is profound: “Buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed.” This is an indictment against their spiritual indifference. They thought they were fine, but they were spiritually impoverished.
Jesus invites them to seek true wealth, which is found through trials and refinement. This echoes the message we heard from Robert Duran. It’s a hard word, but necessary for growth. We need to desire gold refined in the fire, even if it comes through suffering. We must be willing to embrace the trials that God allows to shape us into His image.
The Importance of Holiness
Holiness is a theme that runs through Scripture. It’s not a four-letter word; it’s a reflection of who God is. Holiness encompasses love, mercy, and grace. It’s not about being self-righteous or hypocritical. We must long for holiness and be clothed with it. This journey of refinement is essential for maturity in Christ.
In my early Christian walk, I often wrestled with the apparent powerlessness of the church compared to the early believers. I encountered a vision that illustrated the path to power through suffering. It was a silver cup filled with suffering that was handed to me. We must be refined in the fire to become like Christ; there is no other way. Hebrews tells us that no one enjoys the fire while in it, but it is in the fire that we are transformed.
Wrestling with God
To experience true transformation, we must be willing to wrestle with God. This is a necessary step in understanding our identity in Him. If we do not wrestle with God, we will never know who we are or the glory He has for us. It’s through this wrestling that we come to find our identity as children of the King.
Consider the story of Jacob. Jacob, whose name means “deceiver,” had a profound encounter with God that transformed him into Israel, a prince with God. He faced trials that challenged his faith and identity. In his desperation, he wrestled with God and emerged transformed. This story illustrates that our struggles can lead us to a deeper understanding of our identity in Christ.
The Call to Maturity
As we reflect on the journey of Jacob and others like him, we recognize that God desires to raise us up into positions of influence and authority. However, He cannot do this without finding maturity in us. We must be willing to undergo the refining process, to buy gold refined in the fire, and to seek true transformation.
Prayer is essential in this process. It’s not just about going through a prayer list; it’s about wrestling with God. We must lay ourselves before Him, seeking His will and direction. The church needs to come to maturity, and it begins with each of us individually. We are all in this together, and we must support one another in our journeys.
Conclusion: A Season of Transformation
As we conclude, let us remember that the world is suffering, and we have a role to play in its healing. God’s government is good, and He desires to reveal it through us. We must rise above the lukewarmness that can easily creep into our lives and churches. We must be a people transformed, ready to represent Christ in the world.
Let us seek the fire of God, asking Him to refine us and make us like Jesus. Let’s embrace the trials and struggles, understanding that they are part of our journey toward maturity. May we all say “yes” to God’s work in our lives, allowing Him to lead us into our destined positions of authority and influence.
As we pray for one another, let’s commit to pursuing holiness and maturity together, bringing glory to God through our lives. Amen.
