Standing Firm in the Last Days by Mark Finley

the things you fail to conquer now you'll be tested on again compromise is a slippery slope once an individual begins to compromise their integrity it's much easier to take the next step downward and further downward in compromise you know it's a dangerous thing to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit Upon Our conscience repeatedly yielding to The Temptations of Satan in the face of the clear teachings of scripture is fatal compromise is a spiritual disease that is sweeping across Christendom and affecting Adventist as well now it's important to discover the roots of spiritual compromise and

to understand what it is so we can reject it pastor and author Paul Chapman powerfully States it this way every generation must fight its own battles over compromise if we're to successfully Steward the truth and pass it on to the next Generation we have no choice but to understand compromise recognize it and reject it so what is compromise you know if you speak a compromise in practically human terms we might say compromise isn't that bad for example if I say to my wife what restaurant would you like to go to and she says oh maybe

I'd like to go out to get a Fegan pizza or maybe I'd like to go out to get some Mexican or maybe I'd like to go out to a salad bar what do you think Mark and I say you know maybe I I'm leaning One Direction but I say you know you you choose so maybe that's a little compromise or maybe my wife says honey when would you like to clean the garage and I might think three years from now but no I I make compromise I can't do it today but I'll certainly do it

tomorrow or what if we ask uh where do you want to go on vacation we talk about it back and forth and so compromises in those practical terms simply show respect for another person they shows that we're not rigid and hard noos and we don't enter into conflict but compromise in the spiritual sense is is quite different as Chapman says is this another definition of compromise is to make a dishonorable or shameful confession this form of compromise is always wrong especially when it comes to things of God he is the only one who should always

get his way way don't you like that God is the only one who should always get his way compromising the principles of God's word doesn't happen all at once there is that gradual slow step downward a Chinese proverb puts it this way it says the Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a single step now that's true as we approach the major tasks of life if you have some big task you got to begin the Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a single step but it also has to do with compromise compromise often doesn't

happen all at once it is that slow progression of concessions toward evil that lead us on that path downward one of the clearest examples in the Bible of compromise is pilot in the last days of Christ's life now the story of pilot is really instructive because the mob is coming for us too according to revelation we too will face judgment all we to face civil penalties and ultimately death so the story of pilate is is instructive we find that story in Luke chap 23 Luke chapter 23 tells us the story of pilot and compromise you

remember the crowd is clamoring for the blood of Jesus they want to see Jesus crucified they bring Jesus to pilate and they begin to condemn him and they say we found this fellow Luke 23:2 perverting the nation in forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar saying that he himself is Christ the King pilate interviews Jesus and at the end of that interview he sees in Christ's demeanor demeanor godliness he sees in Christ's very attitude not one of a criminal but one who is innocent and pilate says I find no fault in this man now if you

find no fault in him what should you do you should release him but to satisfy the crowd pilate says I find no fault with him herod's visiting Jerusalem at the time I'll send him to Herod so he sends him to Herod Herod quizzes Christ Herod interrogates Christ and Herod finds no fault to them so he sends him back to pilate lesson number one the things you fail to conquer now you'll be tested on again those sins that the Holy Spirit convict you of today that you compromise God's going to bring you around them around to

you again and again so pilate could not ignore it he had compromised once and it made him easier to compromise the second time so he comes back Jesus comes back to to pilate and we read about the story here in verse 14 and 15 the scripture says that um pilate says again you brought this man to me as one who misleads the people and indeed having examined him in your presence I have found no fault in this man concerning those things which you accuse him nor neither did Herod for I sent you back to him

and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by him I will chastise him and and release him why are you going to chastise Christ if youve already said that he is an innocent man if you find no fault in him why chastise him why whip him why subject an innocent man to the cruel barbaric flagellation of strong armed Roman soldiers just to appease the crowd thought if he showed a little blood if he he could show the bloody back of Christ they would be satisfied but the beating only made the crowd more anxious for

Christ's death it only made the crowd more incensed and eager to see Jesus die after beating after the beating pilate gave them what he thought was an easy choice will it be Jesus or the hardened criminal barabus and they Shout noted in verse 22 of Luke 23 so it's amazing when you think about it why he said to them the third time what evily has he done I'll chastise him let him go he chastises him he gives him the he shows him the blood he offers them barabus they CED barabus barabus barabus and what does

pilate do one of the saddest verses in the Bible is verse 24 so pilot gave sentence that it should be as they requested what a compromiser he finds no fault in Jesus so he sends him to Herod finds no fault in Jesus so he has him whipped and flagellated with that Roman whip that that whip that leather whip with a metal Jagged metal embedded in it and Bone and Jesus back is torn apart lacerated to Stripes flesh ripped off bloody he says that'll satisfy him but it does not then he says what do you want

Jesus a barabus he's trying to get out of it but he plays to the crowd and and they say barabus and he says I'll give you what you want crucify him pilate yields to the demands of the crowd he listens to the crowd rather rather than the convictions of conscience God even sent a dream to his wife to warn him of the dangers of violating his conscience now Ellen White makes this insightful statement about Pilot's compromise desar Ages page 732 if at the first pilot had stood firm refusing to condemn a man whom he found

Guiltless he would have broken the Fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived had he carried out his convictions of right the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him Christ would have been put to death but the guilt would not have rested upon pilate but pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience he had excused himself from judging with Justice and Equity he now found himself almost hopeless in the hands of the priests and rulers his wavering and indecision proved his ruin

when you are faced with a test when you are faced with the temptation to compromise your indecision can prove your ruin there's somebody that is sacrificing their body on the altar of indulgence following the desires of fleshly inclinations rather than standing firm for Christ eating what we want drinking what we want no knowing it's destroying our bodies feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit not to do it but yet doing it there's somebody that you know the things you're watching on internet are not in harmony with God's will you profess to be a Christian but

yet you're compromising your integrity there's somebody that you know God is leading you to be faithful in your tithes and offerings but you're making all kind of excuses and compromising there's somebody that you know that God is calling you to keep the Bible Sabbath but you're compromising your integrity just for some money look my friend when we compromise our integrity we are on the slippery slope downward open your heart and mind to the movings of the Holy Spirit pilate yielded to the demands of the crazy mob rather than risk losing his position he delivered Jesus

up to be crucified the very thing he dreaded after It Came Upon him listen Des our of Ages page 738 his honors were stripped from him he was cast down from his high office and stung by remorse and wounded Pride not long after the crucifixion he ended his own life so all who compromise with sin will gain only sorrow and ruin the slippery slope of compromise only leads to disaster it only leads downward to the pathway of ruin it only leads to sorrow and heartbreak Pilot's compromise at the end of Jesus life is a visible

example of the tests that God's people will go through at the end of time once again the mob is coming once again persecution will arise once again we'll face civil penalties in the threat of threat of death but we need not fear writing to the church at Smyrna who faced persecution in the first century Jesus said fear not any of those things that you will suffer fear not the Church of Smyrna being persecuted end the first century and on into the second century Isaiah adds you see we need not fear we serve a Christ that

is stronger than all the powers of Hell AR reigned against us when in his power by his grace through his Mercy we stand firm he stands by our side we never stand alone us and Jesus are always a majority Isaiah 41:10 fear not for I am with you be not dismay don't be confused about the things that are happening to you for I'm your God I'll strengthen you yeah I'll help you I'll uphold you with my righteous right hand the Christ who is acquainted with trial will get us through the final trial the Christ who

is acquainted with suffering will sustain us in suffering the Christ who faced death is the resurrection and the life through his death we have the assurance that the gift of eternal life is ours there is no question Christ's Grace is efficient and he will see us through the final crisis as we trust him the basic question is this how do we prepare for the final crisis how do we stand firm in the midst of civil penalties that are inflicted Upon Us on physical punishment that comes to us and ultimately a death decree how do we

stand firm we can't buy or sell the preparation for tomorrow my friend is today and you will never stand firm if you're making little compromises today in your life because compromise is the slippery slope downward there are three basic principles of standing firm in the last days and standing firm today know Christ know his word and know his power let's explore each three each of these three first know Christ you know a lady was was dying and her pastor was sitting by her bed holding her hand and she began to repeat second Timothy CH 1

verse2 I know in whom I believed and I'm persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed to him until the last day as her voice got weaker and as her lips quivered she forgot part of the verse she didn't have the strength and she just kept saying I know him who I've believed I know him who might believed but as the pastor held her hand as her voice got weaker all she could repeat was him and him and him and he Jesus is just enough in Christ and Christ Alone we can be

kept faithful in the final crisis it is Christ and Christ alone that can strengthen us for the days ahead it is Christ and Christ Alone that can keep us from falling apart when all the world is crumbling as Ellen White so clearly states in the last great conflict this is Hisar of Ages page 121 and 122 in the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal don't miss this will see every Earthly support cut off because they refuse to break his law in obedience to Earthly Powers they'll be forbidden to buy

or sell they will see what everybody every Earthly support cut off Jesus is leading us to depend on him and him alone not the church or its leaders not in inst not organizations or church institutions now don't miss this don't misunderstand me God has given us his church to provide us spiritual strength to provide gu us guidance he's given us his church to help us avoid doctrinal pitfalls and warn us against deceptions he's given us his church to organize his people for Mission and provide a community of faith for the Believers but that church is

not a substitute for a personal intimate relationship with Jesus there are people that say oh the church let me down oh there was this such and such a crisis and the church should have done this the church should have done that look my friend God is leading you he's leading me to depend on him alone because in the final crisis who will we depend on God is leading us to On Our Knees cry out to him for strength cry out to him for power cry out to him for solutions to our problems sometimes God allows

human beings and organizations to fail us so that we will learn the Folly I'm quoting Ellen White Ministry of healing of making flesh our arm sometimes God leads us to depend on him and him and him alone we are told in fifth volume of the testimonies we must stand in defense of Truth and righteousness when the majority do what forsake us what will the majority do forsake us this should lead us to deep humility this should lead us to Brokenness of heart this should lead us to repentance this should lead us to Total dependence on

Christ thank God for his church but the church never becomes a substitute for a personal intimate knowledge of the living Christ how can we stand strong with all the world around us is crumbling we know Christ secondly we know Christ's word the word of God is our Safeguard in the days ahead Jesus declared sanctify them through your word your word is truth listen to this powerful admonition coming from great controversy page 593 594 the last great delusion is soon to open before us Antichrist is to perform His Marvelous Works in our sight so closely will

the counterfeit resemble the truth that'll be impossible to distinguish between them except by the holy scriptures by their testimony every statement in every Miracle must be tested so that the line of truth and the line of are going to be very close and it's only as our minds are filled with the word of God that we'll get through the final crisis notice 593 594 great controversy none what's none mean no one not a single person none but those fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict to every

soul will come the searching test shall I obey God rather than men the decisive hour is even now at hand are our feet planted on the rock of God's immutable word are we prepared to stand firm in defense of The Commandments of God in the faith of Jesus Christ is our only savior the word of God is our only guide and the power of Christ is our only security Christ saves us the word of God guides us and the power of Jesus sustains us know Christ know his word and know his power the Apostle Paul

cherished the word of God he experienced the power of Christ in his own life and he writes these powerful words to the church at Ephesus Ephesians chapter 1 verse 15 and onward Paul's praying for the church at Ephesus and Paul prays therefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love of all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers that the god of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of Glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and Revelation

in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of his calling what are the riches of his glory of his inheritance of the Saints now listen to verse 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead notice what Paul says he says that you may know that you may know the working of his mighty power power that you may know the

exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe meditate with me on the power of Christ it was the power of Christ that brought worlds into existence at creation Jesus spoke and it was done he commanded and stood fast he spoke and the audible word going out of his mouth created tangible matter he spoke and the sun appeared he spoke and Earth was carpeted with living green he spoke flowers and Tru PR appeared he spoke and the Animals came forth the word of Christ is an all powerful word meditate with me for a moment on

the power of Christ think about the power of Christ delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage Christ speaks Red Sea opens Israelites go through the Egyptian armies try to go through he speaks the water crashes down upon them what power in the word of Christ think about the power of Christ 85,000 in Syrian Army surround Jerusalem the angel of the Lord comes and slays them in Israel's protect and think of the power of Christ think of the power of Christ and delivering Israel from the blazing sun in the day by putting that cloud up there by protecting

them from the fire from the chilly Nights by putting the pillar of fire there think about the power of Christ in reigning Mana down from heaven think about the power of Christ in knocking down the walls of Jericho think about the power of Christ raising Moses from the dead our God is an awesome God our God is an all powerful God our God is a mighty God our God will see you through the coming crisis no Christ know the P know the word of Christ know the power of Christ Christ has the power to not

only pardon our past but to empower our present and to keep us from the slippery slope of compromise he has the power not only to Deliver Us from the penalty of sin but to Deliver Us from the domination of sin in our lives he has the power to Deliver Us from both the guilt of sin and the grip of sin I love the way Charles Spurgeon puts it my dear hearers Spurgeon says Christ came to save us from our sins but not in our sins he has built a hospital of Mercy into which he receives

the worst possible cases or are welcome but he does not receive them that they may continue sick but that he may heal them and make sound men and women of them I love that old hymn nothing between my soul and my savior not of this world's elusive dream nothing prevailing the least of his favor is the holy spirit speaking to you tonight today about some compromise in your life do you sense the spirit convicting you to surrender some cherished Idol do you sense the moving in your heart to surrender that hidden sin to Jesus why

not right now bow your head and sayl I want nothing between my soul and my savior have you been compromising have you been taking that one step after another step after another step on the slippery slope of compromise it's not too late to turn around it's not too late to make an eternal decision for Christ it'll never get easy or tomorrow the Apostle Paul says today is the day of salvation you're not watching this program by accident where are the compromises in your life would you like to say Jesus I want to know I want

to know you I want to know you deeply I want you to know you intimately I want to know you Lord I want to saturate my mind with your word I want to know your might power working in me so just now will you bow your head with me and ask Jesus to work his mighty power in you to lead you from compromise to Christ let's pray Father in Heaven turn us around from the slippery slope of compromise help us to know that it won't get any easier tomorrow that to know Christ today to know

your word today to know your power today is the best preparation for the crisis that's coming tomorrow so just now thank you for your grace thank you for your mercy thank you that you're speaking to thousands of hearts and just now we open our heart to you asking you to forgive us where we failed pardon us where we've fallen short and give us the strength and power to live for you now and through all eternity in Christ's name amen