Steering Through Turbulence
Pastor Llewellyn Roberts
12 November 2023
Do you know what a compass is? A compass is an instrument that reveals what direction one is heading in. It is so easy to become lost and seek direction from the wrong thing. That is the beauty of God: He did not leave us nor forsake us. He sent His Word, Jesus, to share and reveal to us all truth. In these tough times, it can be so easy to lose focus on God. But be encouraged, He has not lost focus on you! He is here to encourage you to have faith in these end times and live a life guided by Him. How are we guided? By His Word and the church. The church is not just a place of worship, but a spiritual training ground where we learn righteousness and understand the true essence of faith. The Bible is not just a book, but it is the roadmap for our lives and how we encounter the voice of God.
What is Truth?
All scriptures are the Truth. That means that God has given you the Bible to reveal His truth to you. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reveals that the Word of God has been breathed on by God, given by His inspiration and are profitable for instruction, reproof, and conviction of sin, correction of error, discipline in obedience, and training in righteousness. Have you picked it up today? Be encouraged, God wants to speak to you today through His Word!
Fear or Faith?
The times we live in are filled with uncertainty, but as Christians, we are encouraged not to fear. The Bible speaks of end times filled with wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, and the rise of false prophets leading many astray. What is your response when you hear these things? Fear or faith in God?
“And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:6-7.
Why do we not fear? Because Jesus has delivered us out of the darkness! The good news of the Gospel is that by the grace of God, we have been chosen and redeemed from the darkness of sin. We have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son.
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” Colossians 1:13.
Truth that Brings Change
As His children, we are also corrected and guided by Him, not out of anger, but out of love. We need to live a life that reflects the truth of God. Know this: Jesus is both Saviour, Judge, and Victor. The vision of Jesus in the Book of Revelation that Apostle John encountered was terrifying. John saw Jesus holding seven stars in his right hand, standing among seven gold lampstands. (Revelation 1:12-13). This image should cause you to pause and marvel at the power and authority that Jesus has. Jesus is not small – He is all powerful and we should have the fear of the Lord! We fear the Lord because we understand the power and authority that He has. The fear of the Lord should bring us closer to Him and emphasize the importance of persuading others to turn to Him. He is God!
Overcoming or Surrendering to this World?
The current state of society and the church should raise concern. Society’s moral fabric is deteriorating and this decline in ethics is impacting the church too. Pastors have been caught engaging in unethical and immoral conduct. Where is the fear of the Lord? This should cause you to pause and reflect on your own life and faith. No one is above falling into sin. It is only, through our clinging to Jesus as our Lord and Saviour that we too can claim victory. He brings us victory over sin, hell, and death. The power of good to overcome evil is emphasized and the promises of the Bible are only given to those who overcome.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.
Overcoming through Revelation of God
As a child of God, it is important to have a revelation of God as holy and understand the distinction between a heart of faith and a heart of unbelief. If we have the wrong view of God’s holiness, how can we have a true understanding of who we have faith in?
“No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2.
Overcoming through Repentance
We must put God first and recognise Him as our Advocate. We need to repent and confess our sins. Jesus died for you. His sacrifice brings us forgiveness because of His faithfulness.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
Overcoming through the Church
The church serves as more than a mere gathering spot for religious ceremonies; it is a sanctuary for spiritual development, a hub where we are educated in righteousness, and a beacon that illuminates the authentic core of faith. It is here where we engage with divine teachings, which are critical for our spiritual growth, our understanding of righteousness, and our faith journey.
“…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25.
Stand in Faith and Truth!
We must stand in faith and reverence before the Lord. This reverence for God should be part of all our prayers, our worship services, and our daily lives. This is not a call to religious ritualism but a call to a life of genuine faith, honour, and commitment to God. This is a call to navigate life’s challenges with the compass of faith, guided by the Word of God, encountering Jesus in every step, and thriving in the face of adversity.
Remember these truths:
- The church is not just a place of worship, but a spiritual training ground where we learn righteousness and understand the true essence of faith.
- The Word of God is our roadmap for our life.
- Encountering Jesus as both Judge and Victor has implications on our faith. This calls us to overcome evil with good and live a life of honour towards God.
- We must live a life of reverence and honour towards God, recognising Him as our Advocate, and understanding the importance of repentance and confession of our sins.
- Prayer, healing, and worship services are crucial in demonstrating our faithfulness and reverence towards God. These acts bring about healing and help us live a life of honour towards God.