Stand Firm
November 6, 2025. Luke 21:5-28. Pastor Leslie Nolin
Foxe's Book of Martyrs describes in detail the persecution of Christians who would not accept the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.
They were told to recant “heretical” beliefs that did not align with their doctrine or face horrific tortures and painful death.
Methods of torture used are: hands were bound behind the back, then the person was raised until hung in the air; from Asia, a form of torture called bastinado (caning the soles of feet and forced to walk); water torture (similar to modern day waterboarding), a rag was stuffed into the mouth and water pored over to give the impression of drowning; stretching on the rack (others forced to watch); neck fork, a pronged fork was placed under the chin facing down so that the person could never relax; the most well known is burning at the stake.
Bearing testimony with God's wisdom;
Act 4:13; “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
1 Cor. 2:4; “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.”
We do not know what we will encounter in the future, we need to prepare our hearts to believe God will provide when grace is needed.
Elizabeth Elliot (Through Gates of Splendour) is quoted to say, “There is no grace for the imagination.”
Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place), when worrying about the future, her father asked her when she was given the ticket to get on the train. Corrie Ten Boom said, “I sniffed a few times, considering this, 'Why, just before I get on the train.' 'Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we are going to need things, too. Don't run ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need just in time.'”
I had mentioned the torture of Christians by the church of Rome described in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Many times, unschooled believers (including wives) would confound the interrogators by their wisdom and courage.
Betrayal and hatred of the gospel, even in one's household. Jesus had warned the disciples earlier in Luke 12:51-53 that even families would be divided because of Him. It is not surprising that those who are most sure of their own righteousness would be the most hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stand Firm.
The word perish in verse 18 does not mean you will be unharmed in this life (v. 16; “...they will put some of you to death.”). The word perish (αϖόλλυμί; apolloomee) is to give over to eternal misery in hell.
Matt. 10:28; “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
We are admonished to stand firm and win life.
Matt. 10:22; “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
When we choose to stand firm in our convictions and beliefs, we stay true to ourselves and this paves the way for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
James 1:12; “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Romans 5:1-5; “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Enduring hardship leads to spiritual growth and life.
As I have discovered, this is not, as Erin shared in a past message, a microwave experience, not achieved instantly. It is called endurance leading to life. It is worked out, often with painful failure without giving up, before that joy in endurance is won.
The reward, LIFE!
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Watch this sermon presented live here: https://youtu.be/kCMYDvb5TWY
