by Eron Henry | Mar 1, 2024 | Lent 2024
By Rev. Dr. Cureton L. Johnson
“These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. … Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” Rev. 2:8b, 10c (NIV)
Jesus knew that fear is a human condition, but the Master encouraged the saints of God to choose faithfulness over fear. As he drew near to the cross during the last days of his life, Jesus faced death and the temptation to fear. In the end, Jesus chose faithfulness over fear in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
In the book of Revelation, Jesus did not express a single complaint against the church at Smyrna. His post-resurrection voice encouraged them “to be faithful unto death” and “not be afraid” of persecution and evil threatening them. Today, our nation is divided as culture wars threaten us with book banning, with revisionist Black history, and even the denial of the evils of slavery. White nationalism and racial violence have increased, but we Christians today, like those in Smyrna, must remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ even in times of great danger. Don’t worry about the next election, just be faithful and vote.
Faithfulness is steadily putting your trust and hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus told the Smyrna Christians that their time of tribulation would be limited (Rev. 10b). That’s good news brothers and sisters, for it lets us know that Satan is a defeated foe! Indeed, Christ’s words assure us that God will bring us victory out of the worst of times! (Hebrews 10:23)
Therefore, be faithful, don’t let the Devil distract you from God’s calling upon your life. Don’t let fear keep you from praising the Lord and sharing your faith in Jesus Christ. If you are faithful to Christ, you will receive the crown of an overcomer—the crown of life! (Rev. 2:10)
Dr. Cureton L. Johnson is the Pastor Emeritus at the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. where he served as senior pastor for 28 years.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we stand in the shadow of the cross, we call upon Your name, seeking Your guidance and strength. We are reminded by Your words in Revelation 2:8b, 10c that You call us to be faithful, even to the point of death, and that in doing so, You will give us the crown of life. We are inspired by Your faithfulness in the Garden of Gethsemane, where You chose to trust in the will of the Father rather than succumb to fear.
In this time of division and uncertainty, we are encouraged to remain faithful to Your teachings, just as You encouraged the church at Smyrna. We are not to be afraid of the challenges that may come, whether they are cultural wars, racial violence, or the denial of historical injustices. We are to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our time of tribulation will be limited and that You, Lord, are our victor over the forces of evil.
We trust in Your promise that faithfulness brings victory, as stated in Hebrews 10:23. We choose to put our trust and hope in You, Lord, even as You promised the Smyrna Christians. We will not let fear distract us from Your calling on our lives or prevent us from praising You and sharing our faith in You. We are faithful to You, Jesus, and in that faithfulness, we believe that we will receive the crown of an overcomer—the crown of life.
Lord, we pray for Your strength to stand firm in our faith. We ask that You would silence the lies of the enemy and guide us to step over his traps. We trust in Your promise to protect our way and bring us safely through the trials we face. We choose to set our eyes on You and not on our circumstances, choosing joy over despair, peace over worry, and faith over fear.
We pray for Your will to be done and not our own, and we choose to find rest and joy in You today. We thank You for Your goodness and favor over our days, for Your great hope, and for the purpose You have for our future. We lay it all down before You, trusting in Your promise to be with us and to fight for us, even behind the scenes where we cannot see.
Lord, help us to be strong and courageous, not to fear or be discouraged, for You are with us wherever we go. We pray for Your help to release the burdens we carry and to fill us with fresh faith in Your promises. We ask that You would open doors and close those that are not needed, and help us to stop wrestling with our circumstances. We trust in Your mighty hand to guide us through the darkest nights, for You are near to us and with us always.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Feb 29, 2024 | Lent 2024
What is agape love? It is the highest form of love, the kind of love that God has for us and that we are called to have for one another. It is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, and active. It is not based on feelings or emotions, but on a deliberate choice to seek the best for others, even when they are undeserving or unresponsive.
This love is the foundation of the church, and this love’s foundation is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the perfect expression of love, who came to earth to die for our sins and to reconcile us to God. He loved us while we were still sinners, and commands us to love one another as He has loved us. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, ESV)
How can we love like Jesus? We can’t do it on our own. We need the Holy Spirit, who pours out God’s love into our hearts and enables us to love with agape love. We also need to abide in Jesus, who is the source of love. He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved You. Abide in my love.” (John 15:9, ESV) As we abide in Jesus, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Agape love is not easy, but it is possible. It is possible because God first loved us, and gives us the grace and the power to love others. It is possible because Jesus is our example and our motivation. It is possible because the Holy Spirit is our helper and our guide. It is possible because we are the church, the body of Christ, and we are called to love one another as He has loved us.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for Your agape love, the love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless. The love that never fails, never gives up, and never runs out. The love that sent Your Son to die for us, and that raised Him from the dead.
Lord, we confess that we often fall short of Your love. We struggle to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We struggle to love our neighbors as ourselves. We struggle to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. We struggle to love the least of these, the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the forgotten.
Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness and Your grace. We ask for Your power and Your presence. We ask for Your Spirit and Your guidance. We ask for Your wisdom and Your discernment. We ask for Your courage and Your compassion.
Lord, we pray that You would help us to love like You love. To love with agape love, the love that is possible because of You. To love with agape love, the love that is possible because of Jesus. To love with agape love, the love that is possible because of the Holy Spirit. To love with agape love, the love that is possible because of the church.
Lord, we pray that You would fill us with Your love, and that You would overflow us with Your love, so that we can share it with the world. We pray that Your love would transform us, and that Your love would transform the world. We pray that Your love would be seen, and that Your love would be known.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Feb 28, 2024 | Lent 2024
What is justice? How do we know what is right and what is wrong? How do we judge ourselves and others? These are questions that have occupied the minds of philosophers, theologians, and ordinary people throughout history. But the answer is not found in human reason alone, nor in human laws and conventions. The answer is found in God, who is love, and who reveals love to us in God’s word and Son.
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him (1 John 4:16). This is the core of the Christian faith, and the source of our understanding of divine justice. God loves us so much that God gave God’s only Son, that whoever believes should have eternal life (John 3:16). God loves us so much that God forgives our sins, heals our wounds, and restores our dignity. God loves us so much that God calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
But God’s love is not a sentimental or indulgent love. It is a love that is holy, righteous, and faithful. It is a love that respects our freedom, but also holds us accountable. It is a love that demands our obedience, but also offers us grace. It is a love that challenges us to grow, but also supports us in our struggles. It is a love that seeks our good, but also respects the good of others. It is a love that is just, but also merciful.
Divine justice is the expression of God’s love in God’s dealings with creation. Divine justice is not arbitrary or capricious, but consistent and reliable. Divine justice is not harsh or cruel, but gentle and compassionate. Divine justice is not blind or indifferent, but attentive and personal. Divine justice is not retributive or punitive, but restorative and transformative. Divine justice is not exclusive or partial, but inclusive and universal.
To understand divine justice, we need to look at the cross of Christ, where God’s love and justice meet. On the cross, God shows us the depth of God’s love for us, by taking the consequences of our sin and offering us forgiveness and reconciliation. On the cross, God shows us the height of justice for us, by vindicating God’s righteousness and establishing God’s kingdom of peace and joy. On the cross, God shows us the way of love and justice for us, by inviting us to follow God in self-giving and service.
To live in divine justice, we need to abide in God’s love, and to let God’s love abide in us. We need to receive and share God’s love. We need to obey and reflect God’s love. We need to trust and to rejoice in God’s love. We need to love God, and to love our neighbor. For love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). And love forms the basis for an understanding of divine justice.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God,
We thank You for Your love that is beyond our understanding, that is revealed to us in Your word and in Your Son. We thank You for Your justice that is rooted in Your love, that is expressed in Your dealings with Your creation. We thank You for Your grace that is offered to us through Your love, that is manifested in Your forgiveness and reconciliation.
We confess that we have not always loved You with all our heart, soul, and mind, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We confess that we have not always acted justly, nor have we sought justice for others. We confess that we have not always received Your grace, nor have we extended grace to others.
We ask for Your mercy and Your help, that we may abide in Your love, and let Your love abide in us. We ask for Your guidance and Your strength, that we may obey and reflect Your love, and live in Your justice. We ask for Your joy and Your peace, that we may trust and rejoice in Your love, and share it with others.
We pray in the name of Your Son, who showed us the way of love and justice, Amen.
by Eron Henry | Feb 27, 2024 | Lent 2024
All created beings begin to die as soon as they begin to live. This is a sobering truth that we often try to ignore or deny. We live in a world where death is inevitable, and we are constantly reminded of its presence and power. But how should we, as people of faith, respond to this reality?
Death is not part of God’s original design for creation. God created everything good and beautiful, and gave humans the gift of life and the responsibility to care for the earth. But when humans rebelled against God and chose to follow their own way, sin and death entered the world. Sin corrupted everything, and death became the consequence and the enemy of life.
But God did not abandon us to this fate. God loves us so much that God sent God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from sin and death. Jesus lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, and rose again in victory over death. He defeated the power of death and opened the way for us to have eternal life with God. He also promised to return one day and make all things new, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
This is the hope that we have as Christians. We do not have to fear death, because we know that it is not the end of our story. We have a living Savior who has conquered death and who holds us in His hands. We have a loving Creator who gives us life and who will never let us go. We have a glorious future where we will see God face to face and enjoy God’s presence forever.
But what does this mean for us now, as we live in this world where death is still a reality? How do we cope with the loss of our loved ones, the pain of our own mortality, and the uncertainty of our future?
First, we need to acknowledge that death is an enemy that we hate and grieve. It is okay to feel sad, angry, or afraid when we face death. God understands our emotions and comforts us in our sorrow. God invites us to express our feelings to God in prayer, and to seek God’s help and strength.
Second, we need to remember that death is not final or fatal. It is a temporary separation that we endure. We have the assurance that those who die in Christ are with Him in paradise, and that we will see them again when He comes back. We also have the confidence that nothing can separate us from God’s love, not even death. God is with us in life and in death, and God will never leave us or forsake us.
Third, we need to celebrate that life is a gift and a calling. It is a precious and sacred thing that we receive from God and that we share with others. We are called to live our lives in gratitude, joy, and love. We are called to honor God with our bodies, minds, and souls. We are called to serve God with our gifts, talents, and resources. We are called to bless God’s creation with our care, compassion, and justice.
Life and death are realities that we all face. But we do not face them alone or without hope. We have a God who is the source and the goal of our life, and who has defeated our death. Let us trust in God, follow Jesus, and live by the Spirit. Let us live and die for the glory of God.
Prayer
Dear God,
We thank You for the gift of life that You have given us. We praise You for Your love and grace that sustain us in this world. We acknowledge that we live in a fallen and broken world, where sin and death are realities that we face every day. We confess that we often try to ignore or deny the truth of our mortality, and that we sometimes doubt Your presence and power in the midst of our pain and loss.
We ask You, God, to help us face death with faith and hope. Remind us that You have sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from sin and death. Help us to trust in His death and resurrection, and to follow His example of living and dying for Your glory. Assure us that nothing can separate us from Your love, and that You are with us in life and in death.
We also ask You, God, to help us celebrate life with gratitude and joy. Help us to see the beauty and goodness of Your creation, and to honor You with our bodies, minds, and souls. Help us to use our gifts, talents, and resources to serve You and Your kingdom. Help us to care for Your creation and Your people with compassion and justice.
We pray for those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones, and for those who are facing their own death. Comfort them with Your peace and presence, and give them the hope of Your promises. We look forward to the day when You will return and make all things new, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
We thank You, God, for being the source and the goal of our life, and for defeating our death. We love You, God, and we worship You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
by Eron Henry | Feb 26, 2024 | Lent 2024
The kingdom of God was announced and inaugurated by Jesus Christ, the God in life. The kingdom of God is not a geographical or political entity, but a dynamic and relational reality, a reality that is characterized by compassion and justice, by love and peace, by grace and truth.
Jesus Christ, as the agent of compassion and the animator of justice, brought together both dimensions of helping the poor in their survival and steering them toward justice. He did not only address the immediate and urgent needs of the poor, but also challenged and transformed the underlying and systemic causes of their poverty. He did not only perform acts of charity, but also advocated for acts of justice. He did not only minister to the poor, but also empowered the poor to be agents of change in their own communities.
We follow the example and the command of Jesus Christ, are part of His kingdom movement, and are His witnesses and His workers in the world. We are called to be compassionate and just, to be generous and righteous, to be merciful and faithful. We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, but also to release the captives, free the oppressed, and proclaim the good news of God’s reign. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We pray and act, seek and do, hope and live for the kingdom of God, which is at hand, which is among us, which is within us, which is coming in its fullness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we honor the kingdom of God as announced and inaugurated by Jesus Christ, the God in life. We acknowledge that the kingdom of God transcends boundaries and is a realm of compassion and justice, love and peace, grace and truth.
Lord, we remember Jesus Christ, the agent of compassion and animator of justice, who united the relief of the poor with the pursuit of justice. We are inspired by His example to address not only the immediate needs but also to challenge and transform the root causes of poverty. We are called to embody His spirit of service and advocacy, empowering the less fortunate to become agents of change in their communities.
As Your followers, we are part of the kingdom movement, serving as Your witnesses and workers in the world. We are called to be compassionate and just, generous and righteous, merciful and faithful. We are called to care for the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, and to liberate the captives and oppressed, proclaiming the good news of Your reign. We strive to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We pray and act, seek and do, hope and live for the kingdom of God, which is at hand, among us, within us, and coming in its fullness. We pray for spiritual awakening, boldness in evangelism, unity among believers, wisdom and understanding, and the provision of financial resources. We pray for healing, protection, and the guidance of leaders, as well as for the youth, marriages, families, governments, missions, revivals, persecuted Christians, and outreach programs.
We pray for the salvation of souls, the impact of Your kingdom, the laborers in Your harvest, unity in the body of Christ, and the manifestation of Your power. We pray for discipleship, mentorship, kingdom resources, expansion in nations, influence in education and media, the persecuted church, revival, influence in government, and wisdom and revelation.
Father, we ask that Your kingdom come quickly and that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant us the grace to be instruments of Your mercy and the courage to stand firm in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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