Faithful Sermons: Kevin L. Jones' Spiritual Guidance

In his sermon, 'Don't Stop Now', Kevin L. Jones encourages his audience to persevere in their work for the Lord, drawing on the example of John Wesley, who faced rejection but ultimately persevered and reached many souls for Christ. Jones also highlights the importance of not giving up, even in the face of discouragement and exhaustion, as quitting is a temptation for all who serve the Lord. He reminds listeners that God is faithful and will provide the inspiration and motivation to keep pressing on. Jones' message is a powerful call to action for those actively serving God, urging them to stick to their faith and not stop now.

The importance of being a positive example of a disciple of Christ

Being a disciple of Christ means being wholly devoted to the cause of Christ. It means surrendering your life to Him, leaving things behind, lifting some things up, and living out your faith. It is more than just accepting Jesus as your saviour; it is a daily walk with Jesus Christ. It requires sacrifice and stepping out of your comfort zone.

John, the "Beloved Disciple", is a positive example of a disciple of Christ. John, along with his brother James, were the "Sons of Thunder". John was a fisherman by trade and was influenced by the ministry of John the Baptist. When Jesus called him to be a disciple, he immediately left his job, his family, and his home to follow Jesus. This kind of surrender is what marks the beginning of a faithful disciple's journey.

As Christians, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus. This may require us to leave some things behind, such as our old selves and any worldly attachments. It may also require us to lift up our burdens and struggles to God and to live out our faith through actions.

John addressed this in his writings, saying, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). Being a disciple of Christ means having a different set of priorities and values, which may require sacrificing worldly comforts and pleasures.

In Luke 9:57-62, we find an account of several people who struggled to leave certain things behind in order to follow Jesus. They wanted to follow Jesus, but they also wanted to bury their father, bid farewell to their families, or put their hands to the plough. Jesus' response was clear: "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Being a disciple of Christ requires single-minded focus and dedication.

In conclusion, being a positive example of a disciple of Christ is of utmost importance. It means being wholly devoted to the cause of Christ, surrendering your life to Him, and stepping out of your comfort zone. It requires sacrifice, daily denial of self, and living out your faith. By following the example of disciples like John, we can strive to be faithful followers of Christ and bring glory to God.

The need to surrender one's life to Jesus and step out of one's comfort zone

In his sermon, Kevin L. Jones emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's life to Jesus and stepping out of one's comfort zone to become a faithful disciple of Christ. He uses the example of John, one of the greatest characters in the Word of God, who left his job as a fisherman, his family, and his home to follow Jesus. This act of surrender and stepping into uncharted territory demonstrates John's faithfulness and sets an example for Christians today.

Jones highlights that becoming a faithful disciple requires more than just accepting Jesus as a savior; it entails a full surrender to Jesus. He explains that being a faithful disciple will require Christians to leave some things behind, lift some things up, and live out their faith daily. This may involve denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Jesus. Jones references Luke 9:57-62, where several people express their desire to follow Jesus, but when faced with leaving things behind, they are unable to do so fully.

The Christian life, according to Jones, is a daily walk with Jesus Christ that requires surrender and sacrifice. He cites John's later writings in 1 John 2:15, where he admonishes believers not to love the world or the things in it. This, Jones acknowledges, is not an easy task. However, he encourages Christians to remember the transformation that Jesus brings and to be willing to make sacrifices in order to follow Him faithfully.

Jones concludes by emphasizing the importance of fully surrendering to Jesus and stepping out of one's comfort zone to become a faithful disciple of Christ. He challenges Christians to examine their own lives and identify areas where they may need to leave things behind, take up their cross, and actively follow Jesus.

The danger of churches becoming spiritually dead

In his sermon "The Letter to the Church at Sardis", Kevin L. Jones warns of the danger of churches becoming spiritually dead. He begins by recounting a story of a boy who found a snake on his grandfather's farm. Despite its head being cut off, the snake still tried to bite, prompting the boy to remark, "Grandpa, that snake is dead, he just doesn't know it yet!" Jones draws a parallel between this snake and churches that appear active and vibrant on the outside but are spiritually dead on the inside.

Jones refers to the church in Sardis, which had a reputation for being alive but was deemed dead by Jesus. He highlights the presence of a faithful remnant of Christians in this church, which likely prompted Jesus to offer them a chance to repent rather than face destruction. Jesus's letter to the church at Sardis serves as a warning and an encouragement to remember, repent, and return to Him.

Jones emphasizes the importance of recognizing spiritual lifelessness within a church. He describes the church at Sardis as having a majority of unregenerate congregants, going through the motions without genuine spiritual life. Jesus knew the true state of the church and sent a letter to confront their errors and warn them of the consequences if they failed to repent.

The letter to the church at Pergamos further emphasizes the dangers of compromise and idolatry. Jesus praised the Christians in Pergamos for their faithfulness in refusing to renounce their faith despite persecution. However, He also rebuked them for issues in their doctrine and warned them of the consequences if they did not repent.

Jones stresses the importance of remaining vigilant and faithful to Jesus, avoiding the destructive force of compromise. He encourages churches to learn from the errors of the church at Pergamos and to guard against the powerful currents of compromise that can lead to spiritual shipwreck.

In conclusion, Kevin L. Jones' sermon "The Letter to the Church at Sardis" serves as a powerful reminder of the danger of churches becoming spiritually dead. By examining the stories of Sardis and Pergamos, Jones highlights the importance of recognizing spiritual lifelessness, compromise, and idolatry. He encourages churches to remain faithful to Jesus and heed the warnings found in these biblical letters.

The power of God's love and transformation in a believer's life

In his sermon, Kevin L. Jones emphasizes the power of God's love and the potential for transformation in the lives of believers. He begins by acknowledging that there are times when we fail to recognize God's work in our lives and forget all that He has done for us. This is where surrender comes in. Faithful disciples of Christ, like John, surrender their lives to Him, leaving behind their jobs, families, and homes. This surrender is a crucial step in the Christian walk, and it requires stepping out of our comfort zones and denying ourselves.

Jones also highlights the importance of perseverance in serving the Lord. He shares the story of John Wesley, who faced rejection and difficulty but continued to persevere and reach souls for Christ. Similarly, believers today may face discouragement and temptation to quit, but Jones encourages them to "stick to it," reminding them that God sees their efforts.

Additionally, Jones examines Jesus' letter to the Church at Sardis, a church with a lifeless profession. Jesus rebukes them for their sin and calls them to remember, repent, and return to Him. He also points out the glimmer of hope—the faithful remnant of Christians who worshipped there. Jesus encourages them to remain faithful, demonstrating His long-suffering, patient, and merciful nature.

The transformation that Jesus brings is highlighted through the example of the Apostle Paul, whose life was changed eternally. Jones emphasizes that what Jesus did for Paul, He can do for all who belong to Him. He invites the congregation to pray, "Lord, remind me of Your love," acknowledging that we sometimes need to be reminded of God's love and all that He has done for us.

Jones concludes by reminding the congregation that God knows us better than anyone and loves us anyway. He encourages believers to recognize the transformation that Jesus can bring and to humbly ask the Lord to remind them of His work in their lives.

The importance of remaining vigilant and faithful to Jesus in the face of compromise and worldly influences

In his sermon, Kevin L. Jones warns against the dangers of compromise and worldly influences, urging Christians to remain vigilant and faithful to Jesus. Using the example of the Church at Pergamos, Jones highlights the positive attributes of the church but also points out its major problems. Located in Pergamos, a city that was once the center of Greek culture and education, the church faced the challenge of remaining faithful in a secular and idolatrous society.

Jones emphasizes the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus and guarding against the destructive force of compromise. He likens the powerful currents of compromise to a treacherous current that can lead a ship off course and into danger. Similarly, if Christians take their eyes off Jesus, they risk being lured away from their faith.

The Church at Pergamos faced issues with its doctrine and was warned by Jesus of the consequences if they did not repent. Jones draws a parallel between their situation and the modern-day church, stating that we must remain alert, watchful, and always on guard. He emphasizes the need to examine the letter from Jesus to the Church at Pergamos to learn from their errors.

Jones reminds Christians that Jesus is the ultimate judge of His churches, possessing the authority to judge with accuracy and righteousness. He concludes by urging Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, holding fast to Jesus' teachings, and resisting the temptations of the world.

In summary, Kevin L. Jones' sermon serves as a timely reminder for Christians to stay vigilant and faithful to Jesus, even amidst worldly influences and compromise. By examining the Church at Pergamos, Jones highlights the dangers of drifting away from our faith and the importance of heeding Jesus' warnings.

Frequently asked questions