Preparation for Martyrdom

2 Timothy 3:12 Sunday Morning September 21, 2008 Church in the Boro Rob Wilkerson

Introduction
Ihadadreamearlyonemorningthispastweekinthehotelroom.Ithassoberedmemorethan anythingelseinalongtime.Idreamedofmyownmartyrdom.Anditwasnotthefirsttime. Istoodwithmyhandstiedinfrontofme.AllofmypersonaljournalsandthebooksIread regularlyhadbeenconfiscatedandwereabouttobedestroyedalongwithme.AsIstood watchingthosearoundme,includingmyfamily,alidwasremovedfromarectangularmetal box,andmyjournalsandbookswereplacedinside. MyBibledroppedtothefloor.Strangely,IwasallowedtopickitupandIrequestedtopassit alongtomyfamily.Withthegreatestironytheygrantedmyrequest.Ihandedittomytwooldest sons.Wewepttogether.Iblessedthemandprayedoverthem. Iwasledbacktothemetalbox,madetobendoverit,andmyheadwasplacedinside,directly abovemyjournalsandbooks.Thelidwasfastened,thebackofmyheadfeelingthecoldness. Withtheturningofeachbolttherewasalightemittingfromaroundthesidesofthebottom ofthebox.Itgotwarmquickly.Thenhot.Inaflash,thebottomoftheboxwasremoved,my literaturedroppedbelowintoapitofmoltenliquidandIwasslowlyburnedtodeathuntilI awoke. ItwasthreeinthemorningandIcouldsleepnomore. Layingonmyback,tearsrunningdownmyface,aheartfilledwithfearandbewilderment, questionsimmediatelyplaguedmymind.AmIreadytodieforKingJesus?Aremychildren readytodieforHim?Ismywife?AmIlivinglikeImreadytodie?Doesmylifereflectthatof amartyrwhohasnodeepcaresforthestuffofthisworld,butissimplyperseveringuntilhegets togohome?Dootherssmellsomethingburningwhentheyaroundmeasifmysoulandlife areslowlyroastingtodeathinthisworld?Anddoesthissmellremindthemofthetruththatthere isaheavenandhell,andthejustjudgeoftheuniversewillonedayrenderhisruling? Iveneverpreachedasermonfromadream.ButasIreadtheBibleitsnotthefirsttimea manpreachedorprophesiedfromadreamorvision.AndsincethedreamIhadwasbiblically rootedandChrist-centered,itseemedtobeafterwards,laterthatmorning,asiftheSpiritwas compellingmetopreparemymindandheartandlifeforthisactionlikeneverbeforeandto prepareyourstoo.

Itrulybelievethatthereisadaycomingsoon,beforeIdie,whenthemurderofGodspeople willbecomeapleasuretotheworldonceagain.Ithasbeenbuildingforcenturies,eversincethe murderofStephen.MoreChristianshavebeenmartyredinthelasttwohundredyears,thanin allofchurchhistorycombined,ifthefiguresaretrue.Andthatfigurewillgrowatafasterratein thecomingyears. ThefateofChristiansseemstoparalleltheriseandfallofanation,inmanyinstances.Itwas certainlythecasewithRomewhereChristianswerepersecutedandmurderedformoretwo hundredandfiftyyears.Aspaganismincreased,sothemurderofChristiansincreased.In reality,however,themurderofChristiansappearsatabirdseyeviewtobeasignofthefallof anation,martyrdombeingapagannationslast,gasping,dyingbreath.Thesemenandwomen andchildrenmadeeachnationshinebrighterandbrighterlikeastarbeforeitsexplosivedeath, leavingonlyaringofbeautifulnebulalingeringforcenturiesaroundthehistoryofthatnation,as areminderofwhathappened. Asironicasitmayseemtotheworld,Iamconvincedthatifthebloodofmartyrsoftheseedof thechurch,thenthechurchisatitsbrightestandbestandboldestwhenitiswalkingthatpart ofthejourneywhichJesuspromised,calledthepathwaytosufferinganddeath.Conversely, worldlyChristianitybelievesthatweareatourbestandbrightestwhenwehavemegachurches packedwithpeople,programs,andparties;whenwehavetakenoverthepresidencyand governmentforJesus;whenwearewallowinginhealth,wealth,andprosperity;whenwe arecompletelyrelaxedinourowncubby-holed,idolatrous,self-fashionedidyllicversionof Christianity.Inreality,thisisthefatteningofthechurchwhichtheworldmakesreadyforits futurekill. AnotherthingIamconvincedofisthis.Ifmartyrdomdidcometoday,toomanyofuswouldnot beready.Rather,wewouldbeshockedandoutragedthatsuchathingcouldorwouldhappenat all.TherewouldbenationaloutcryasmostChristiansshoutednofair!.Butbiblical,Christcentered,cross-exultingChristiansareleanintheirhearts,minds,souls,andlifestylesandnot onlyexpecttheirmartyrdomtocome,butembraceitwithlonged-forwelcomewhenitdoes. TheseChristiansrememberthewordsofapastortohisspiritualson,Infact,allthosewhowant tolivegodlyinChristJesuswillsufferpersecution(2Timothy3:12).Thefactofthematteris thatifyouarenotsufferingpersecutionatsomepointinyourlife,thenyoudonotreallydesire toliveagodlylifeinChristJesus.Thestatementitselfseemstobewithoutanydiscolorationor convolution.Seeitclearlyforwhatitreallysays. ItisonthistextthatIwanttopointyourmindsandheartsandlivesforthenextfewminutes.Do youreallydesiretolivegodlyinChristJesus.Taketheverseapartwithme.
1.

Persecution is a Real Fact for Real Christians.

2TimothyisPaulsfinalletter.Nodoubtheswritingitwithtears,understandingthatthewords initmaybethelastofhiswordswhichhisbelovedsoninthefaithhearsorreads.Inthenextto thelastchapterofthisletter,PaulcontinueshispartingencouragementforTimothyinverses 1011 of 2 Timothy 3. You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life,

my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystrawhich persecutions I endured ForPaul,Timothysfollowinginvolvednotonlytheteaching,conduct,goal,faith,patience, loveandsteadfastnessofPaul.ButitalsoinvolvedPaulspersecutionandsuffering.Itwasin Antioch,Iconium,andLystrathatTimothyhimselfsufferedalongwithPaul.Andyoucanreread thosestoriesinthebookofActswhereinonecasePaulwasstonedalmosttodeath,draggedout ofthecityandleftalongsidetheroadforthebuzzardstofinishoff. Immediatelyafterthisstatement,however,Paulmakesastunningdeclaration.Thiskindof lifestyleofsufferingandpersecutionwasnot,isnot,andwillnoteverberestrictedtoapostles andpreachersandpastorsandmissionariesandchurchplanters.Hebeginsthisdeclarationwith theGreekconjunction,kai. Thiswordisaconnectingwordwhichjoinswhathejustsaidwith whathesabouttosay.Andinthisparticularusage,thekai isbeingusedasanexplanatorynote tofocusinonsomethingspecialinwhathejustsaidandsaysomethingmoremeaningfulabout it.Onthesubjectofpersecution,Paulsays,In fact, everybody who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.ThefirstthingIwantyoutogetfromthisdeclaration isthatmartyrdomisanevery-Christianlifestyle. AcoupleofweeksagoIbroughttoyoufrom1 Peter 2:5thatallChristiansareaholy priesthood,separatedbyGodtoofferspiritualsacrificestoGod.Thefirstandforemost,the greatest,thehighestspiritualsacrificeyoucanmaketoGodasaChristianisyourownbody. PaulwrotetousinRomans 12:1thatitisourobviousresponseofspiritualworshiptoGod toofferourownbodiesaslivingsacrifices.Thisisanevery-Christianact.Everyoneofyouin thisroomthismorningwhoclaimstobeafollowerofJesusisobligatedtosacrificeyourself everydayforthekingdomofGod. Peterwroteofthesamething.Hecloseschapter 2withanencouragement,exhortation,and expectationregardingoursacrificialsuffering.For to this [all of] you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that [all of] you might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).IfyouhavebeencalledtofollowJesus,andyouprofessto dothisverything,thenChristhasnotonlycalledyoutoHimselftolivewithHimforeverand enjoyHiminheaven.HehasalsocalledyoutocomeandsufferanddiewithHimandforHim. Jesussufferedforyou.Hediedforyou.YoumustfollowinHisfootsteps. Ifyoucangetpastthispastor-laitydistinctionthatisstillsoprevalentinChristianity,youwillbe abletofullyidentifyandembraceJesuswordstoHisdisciplesinJohn 15. 18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.21But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me (vv.

18-21). Inanothergospel,Jesussaidthefollowingtothedisciplesonthissamesubject. "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer. (John 16:1-4). Youcannotescapethistruth.IfyousayyoufollowJesus,thenyouareHisservant.Theservant cannotandwillnoteverbesomehowdifferentormorespecialthanhisMaster.Theydidinfact persecuteJesus,andthereforetheywill in factpersecuteyou.AndsincetheyalsokilledJesus, theymayalsokillyou.Expectit.Expectitall.Expectitinanyform.Expectitbyanymeans. Thepointis,ifyouexpectityouwontbesurprisedbyit.Andifyouexpectit,thenyoullbegin livinglikeit. What it means to live like youre expecting persecution, suffering, and martyrdom.

This does not mean having a nonchalant attitude towards it. Itisnothavingafatalistic attitudeaboutitasiftosay,WellifJesussaysitscoming,thenokay.Sobeit.Ke sara, sara. Whateverwillbe,willbe.Thisattitudeishorriblyinappropriateforonefollowing Jesus,amanwhocried,whowept,whobled,whoreallysufferedrealpain,andwhodidit alloutofloveforyou.Hislovedheldhimtothesuffering.Yourlovemustholdyoutothe same.Sufferingandmartyrdomisneverandcanneverbeawhateverattitude.Itmust alwaysbeagenuine,authentic,bold,embracingofutterpainandsorrowoutoflovefor God. It does mean, however, that you are planning for it.JesusexplainedthisbetterthanIll everbeableto. 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.27Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,30saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish.31Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?32And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.33So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

It does not look like a Rambo attitude towards martyrdom.TheChristianmustnever havethisbringiton!!!attitudetowardssufferingandpersecutionandmartyrdom.Such anattitudeexaltsyouinyourmanlinessthanitdoesJesusinHishumilityandweakness asasufferingSavior.TheChristiandoesnotlookforabusloadtomartyrdom.Butif thebusdrivesbyandpickshimup,heservestheotherpassengersbycomfortingthem, encouragingthem,exhortingthem,andevendrivingthemifnecessary.Dontbelike Peter,whoinhisprideandarrogance,loudlyproclaimedhisdesiretodiewithJesus,only todenyHimthreetimesinarow.Rememberyourweaknessandbehumbleaboutit. It does, however, mean you are pursuing it when the time comes.Thiswholeconcept ishardforsomeofyou.ItishardformanyChristiansbecausechurchesandpastorsdont exposethemtothehardsayingsofJesus.ThisisntwarmandfluffyJesus-lite.Luketells usin 9:51, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. TheNLTtranslatesthelastpart,Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Thisisnitty-grittyJesus.Itsknee-deepinthedirtyanddingypartofChristianity.This isballs-to-the-wallJesus.Inthemilitaryworldofaviation,apilotsflightcontrolswere toppedwithknobsorballs.Pushthemallforwardsothattheknobsweretouchingthe panelwall,andthepilotwasflyingasfasttheplanewouldgo.Itwasfull-throttleflying. ThisisJesushavingnosecondthoughtsaboutheadingtohisdeath,doingsoatfull-speed withresolution.AndthisisJesustellingustodothesamething,whenthetimecomes.

2.

Real Christians Have Resolved to Live Godly in Christ Jesus.

PaultellsTimothythatnotonlyissuffering,persecution,andmartyrdomafactforChristians, buthealsogivesTimothyadescriptionofthoseChristians.Thinkthisisweird?Jesussays thatnoteveryonewhocallsHimLordisactuallyagenuinefollowerofHim.Matthew 7:2123recordsforusthatmanywillcometoJesusonthejudgmentdayandsayallkindsofthings aboutwhattheydidforJesus.ButJesusisgonnatellthem,Leavemypresence,forIhaveno ideawhoyouare.SoitbecomesnecessarythentodistinguishbetweenChristians,sinceJesus HimselfsayssomearetrulyChristiansandsomearefalselyChristians. ThekindofChristianPaulistalkingabouttoTimothyhereistheonewhowantstoliveagodly lifeinChristJesus.Whatdoesthismean?JustlikethewordChristianneededanexplanation ofdiscernment,soalsothephrasegodlylifeneedsthesame.Ifitdidnt,thenallthosepeople whowillhearthescariestwordstheylleverhearfromJesuswouldbetrueChristians.They thoughttheywereleadingagodlylife,butevidentlytheywerenot.Letmebreakdownthis phraseforus. First,PaulsaysthatallthosewhodesiretoliveagodlylifeinChristwillsufferpersecution. TheGreekwordfordesirehereisthelo,anditcanmeananythingfromwanting,purposing,and resolvingtotakingpleasureinormaintainingsomething.Ithinkthemeaningissomewhereat thefrontofthisline.Everyonewhohaspurposed toliveagodlylife,whohasresolvedtodo it,willbetheoneswhosufferpersecution.ThisisimportantformetoemphasizethisGreek wordhere,becausesomeofyouaredeceived.Youthinkthatbecauseyouhaveawanttoora desireforJesusthenyouareHisfollowers.Butyouarenot.Thisisthekindofdesireorwant

tothatisfollowedupbylifestyleactions,attitudes,andwordswhichmagnifyyourresolution andpurpose.LipsthatsaytheyloveJesusandwanttofollowHim,butarenotbackedupby alifestyle,aredeceitfulanddamninglips,forthewordstheyspeakcondemnthemagainstthe standardoftheirlifestyle.Pleasehearmetoday.Thisisnotaboutyourheartsdesirebutrather yourlifetestimony. Second,PaulalsosaysthatthosewhodesiretoliveagodlylifeinChristJesuswillsuffer persecution.TheGreekwordhereiszao,whichreferstoonesconductorbehavior.Ifyouhave purposedorresolvedtoconductyourlifeandbehaveyourselfinawaythatisinkeepingwith thewordofGodandcommandsofChrist,thenyouareatrueChristian.Yourresolutionand purposetofollowJesusarebackedbyalifeandlipsthatmagnifytheOnewhosayyoufollow. ThisisnotNew-Years-ResolutionChristianity,wherewesaywewanttofollowHimandthen fallawayafewweekslater.ThisistheresolutionspokenofinthatoldhymnwrittenbyPalmer Hartsoughin1896. Iamresolvednolongertolinger, Charmedbytheworldsdelight, Thingsthatarehigher,thingsthatarenobler, Thesehavealluredmysight. IamresolvedtogototheSavior, Leavingmysinandstrife; HeisthetrueOne,HeisthejustOne, Hehaththewordsoflife. IamresolvedtofollowtheSavior, Faithfulandtrueeachday; HeedwhatHesayeth,dowhatHewilleth, HeisthelivingWay. Iamresolvedtoenterthekingdom Leavingthepathsofsin; Friendsmayopposeme,foesmaybesetme, StillwillIenterin. Iamresolved,andwhowillgowithme? Come,friends,withoutdelay, TaughtbytheBible,ledbytheSpirit, Wellwalktheheavnlyway. I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free; Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free; Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. Third,PaulalsosaidtoTimothythatthosewhohavepurposedandresolvedtoconductand behavethemselvesthroughagodly lifeinChristJesuswillbepersecuted.Whatthisgodly

lifeis,wasmadeplainbyJesus.ReturningtoMatthew7:21.Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. Didyoucatchthat?OnlythosewhoactuallydoGodswillare consideredtobelivingagodlylife.AndthisismeasuredbywhatJesussaysintheBibleandnot bywhatyouthink.ToomanyChristianshaveresolvedtolivealifetheyhavemanufactured aftertheirownthoughtsandphilosophies.Theyfashionsomeidealofwhatseemsgodlytothem, andwithoutanyconcernforwhetheritisactuallygodly,theybuiltitintotheirphilosophyoflife andlivefromthere.GodandHisWordarenotareferencepoint,astartingblock,orablueprint forthem.TheBibleisadustyoldbooktheycarrytochurchonSundays,whileitstaysontheir dashboardtherestoftheweek,andGodalongwithit.ButaskthemiftheyfollowGodandlove Jesus,andtheyarethefirsttoraisetheirhand.Ifyouareoneofthesenow,Jesussaystoyouthat Hedoesntknowwhoyouare.AndHesaskingwhyyouarestandinginlinewithHimsinceyou havenottrulyresolvedandpurposedtofollowHim,andsinceyoudontreadwhatHetoldyou todo,andsinceyoudontdowhatHetoldyoutodo. Fourth,PaultellsTimothythatthosewhodesiretolivegodlyin Christ Jesuswillsuffer persecution.Thisisafurtherdescriptionofagodlylife.Itisthekindoflifethatisinlivedin JesusChrist.WhatthismeansisthatyouliveinHisworld,andnotinyourown.Youhave determinedtolivebywhatHetellsyouandnotbywhatyoudreamup.Thisislivingbyfaith, believinginwhatGodsaid,andbelievingittobetrue.ItsthiskindoflivingPaulistalking abouthere.ThosewhodesiretolivegodlywilldosobyfaithinJesusChrist.Agodlylifeisa lifelivedbyfaithinwhatJesushasdoneforus,ratherafantasylifelivedinthedreamworld thatIcouldeverdoanythingworthgettingGodssavingattention.Itsalifethatknowsthat eveninmartyrdom,onlyJesusmartyrdomisacceptabletotheFather.Andifmypersecution andsufferingandmartyrdomisdonebecauseofHis,outofloveforHis,lookingtoHisasthe substitutionandfulfillmentofmyown,thenandonlythenisGodpleasedwithit.Eveninmy finaldeath,ifIamkilledforJesus,itisnoacttoboastabout!Howhumblingthisis!Tofinish thecourseoflifeinsomecrazyactofsenselessmurderbecauseIamaChristian,knowingthat itisjustanordinaryandexpectedthing.Why?Becausetheonlyactofmartyrdomthatreally counts,whenitallcomesdowntoit,isthemartyrdomofJesus.Hismagnificentanddivinedeath formeanticipatesmyordinaryandexpecteddeathforHim.ItisnogreatthingtodieforJesus. Yetitisagreatthingtodiefor Jesus!!! Now,youmaybepersecutedandyoumayevenbekilled,butdonteversaythatitisforJesus ChristifyouhavenotpurposedandresolvedtofollowHim,ifyouhavenotpurposedand resolvedtobehaveinawaythatisinkeepingwithJesusChrist,andifyouhavenotpurposed andresolvedtobehaveinsuchawaythatisinkeepingwiththekindofgodlylifeGoddescribed intheBible,andifyouhavenotresolvedtodoallofthisbyfaithinHimastheonlyOnewhose deathreallycountsintheend,thenyoumaysufferanddie,butitwillbeforlittleiffornothing atall,sinceyourlifebeforeyourdeathcouldnotspeakanythingmeaningfulaboutyourdeath afteryourdeath. Doesthismakeyoufearful?Excellent!ThisisJesusintention!Bescared.Beveryscaredof hearingthosewords.AndletthemdriveyouintoHiskingdomandtakerefugeintheonlyOne whocansaveyoufromHimselfonjudgmentday.Iambeggingandpleadingwithyoutodayto seeyourselfasanenemyofGod,iftheSpirithasinanyway,shapeorformletyouknowthis.

AndseeingthatyouareHisenemy,turntheotherway,andruntoJesus.Makethatresolution todaytofollowHim.DecidetodaythatyouwillpurposetoobeyHim. HerewhatyouwillhearifyouarelivingagodlylifeinChristJesus.Welldone,goodand faithfulservant(Matthew25:23).ThisiswhatGodsaysaboutyounow,andthesemaybe thefirstwordsyouwillhearafteryouaremartyred.YouareservingGodwellnow.Youwill continuetoserveHimwellinyourgodlyliving,aswellasinthegodlysorrowanddeathyou willdieforHimwhenthattimecomes.

3.

Lets Prepare for Martyrdom Today!

Untilthatdaywhatdoesitlookliketoprepareformartyrdom?Letmeclosewithafewpointsof applicationtomakeitclearhowyou,ifyouareatrueChristian,cantrulyprepareformartyrdom. First, understand and embrace martyrdom.Itsobersthemindandheartandgivesa special,unique,andsharpfocus,aim,andemphasistoyourlife.Whenyourealizethat JesushasleftyouanexampletofollowinHisfootstepsofsufferinganddeath,youalso realizethatyourlifeisnowaboutsomethingmuchbiggerandmoreimportantthanthe stuffofthisworld.Everythinginthisworldwillburnuponedayanyway,alongwithallof yourclothes,possessions,house,car,bankaccountseverything.Butyoursoulwilllast forever,evenafteryourbodyiskilledanddestroyed.Keepingthisinmindpreparesyou foraction. Read1Kings,2Kings,1Chronicles,2Chronicles,andtheprophetsoftheOT regularly.TheOTisfilledwithstoriesofmenandwomenwhosufferedfortheir genuinefaithintheonetrueGod.Almosteveryprophetwasmurderedforthatfaith, andfordeclaringthatGodsjudgmentiscomingoneday.Readthemtounderstand theirmessagesothatyoucangetyoursright.Readthemtoidentifywiththemwhen yourmessageiscorrect.Hebrews11:39-40says, All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.For God had something better in mind for usSoreadtheseOT storiestogainjoyinknowingthattheydiedinfaithbutwithoutaJesusChristto lookupon.ThismakesyourdeathforHimmuchmoremeaningfulthantheirs. ReadtheNT.Readitagainandagain.Itwaswrittenduringatimeafocusedtimeof sufferingandpersecution.Almosteverysingleletterwaswrittenwithmartyrdomin thebackground,happeningfrequently.Paulwrotefromjailinmanyofhisletters. Hewrotetochurcheseitheramidorafterhewaspersecutedtryingtoplantachurch. Peterwritesbothhisepistlestopeoplewhowerescatteredallovertheknownworld atthattimebecauseofpersecutionforJesus.Johnwritesastheonlyapostlenot tohavebeenmartryed.RevelationisallaboutmartyrdomandsufferingforJesus. Jamesiswrittenamidchurch-widepersecutioninJerusalem.Hebrewswaswritten toJewswhoweresufferingandweretryingtofigureoutwhotofollow:their JudaisticteachersorJesusChrist.Actsismostlyfilledwithpersecution,suffering, andmartyrdom.

ReadbiographiesofmenandwomenwhoweremartyredforChrist.Thisgivesyou fuelfortoday.Theygiveyoulivesyoucanidentifywith,closertoyourtime,ina moretouchy-feelysortofway,withdetailsnotfoundaboutthosewhosufferedin theBible.Ihavealargebiographicalcollectionofbooksavailableforyouherein mylibrary.Ihaveshortones,smallones,bigones,andtallones.Makeitapointto alwaysbeworkingthroughabiographyinyourlife.

Take all of this stuff you read and read it to your wife. Read it to your children. ImaginetheaddedpainandsufferingifyouhusbandsaremartyredforJesuswhileyour wifeandkidsarestandingtherebewilderedbyitall.Preparethemnowtowatchyoudie forJesus,andpreparethemtodieforJesus. Washingyourwiveswiththewateroftheword,husbands,ispartlyaboutteaching yourwivesaboutthemartyrdomofJesusforHischurch,andthereforeHisexample tothemthattheyalsomaybecalledupontodiefortheKing. Andparents,leadingyourchildrentoJesusnecessarilyentailsleadingthemto followJesusexample,aswereadin1Peter2:21.Howfewparentstherearewho traintheirchildreninthisaswellasintheotherthingsofChrist. Developaholydiscontentinyourfamily,fathersandhusbands,forthethingsofthis world.Keepaconstantconnectionbeforethemoftheirstuffandwhatwillhappen toitinthefutureonjudgmentday. Keepaconstantconnectionbeforethemoftheworldanditsdesiretoenvelop theminsinfulnessandlaziness.Helpthemkeeptheirmindsreadyforaction, alwayslookingonthingsaboveratherthanonthingsdownhereonthisearthwhich competewithKingJesusfortheirattentionandpleasure. Aboveall,keepthefaithfulnessofGodasafoundationfortheirwillingnesstodie. Wegiveourlivesvoluntarilytomurderouswretchesbecausewetrulybelievein Godspromisetoraiseusfromthedead.ThisiswhatmadePaulsowillingand eagertodieforJesus,becauseheknewthatallanyonecouldeverdotohimwas killhim.Thatwastheworsttheycoulddotohim!Andhewasntafraidbecause hebelievedinGodsfaithfulnesstokeepHispromise.Godspromisesthenarea motivatingfoundationtowillinglydie. Finally,andperhapsmostsignificantly,thereisnogreaterwaytoprepareforyourdeath forJesusthantodieforHimrightnow,today.Weirdandironicisthelifethatissoeager todieforJesusbutistoosleepy,apatheticorlazytodietothemselvestoday.Jesustoldus inLuke 9:23-25, And he said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses

or forfeits himself? AreyouwillingbemartyredforJesus?ThenbewillingtodieforHimtodaybydenying yourself.DietoyourselftodayifyouwanttodieforJesusinthefuture.Deathmustbe meaningfulandgenuinetodayforittobethesameinthefuture.Thoseofyouwhoare unwillingtodenyyourselfthesinfulpleasuresyougiveintoconsistentlydoyouhave anyideahowscaredyouwillbeonthatdaywhenyourlifeisreallythreatenedandput toanend?Youcantpossiblythinkthatyouwillhavethegutstodenyyourselfandlose yourheadforJesusoneday,iftodayyoudonthavethegutstodenythatawfulhabit yourehookedtorightnow.Preparetodenyyourselfyourverylifeonedaysoonby denyingtodayanythingthatevenremotelycomesclosetostealingandcheatingaway yourpleasureandheart.Thesweetsmellofthedeathofyoursinwhenyoukilliteach daywillmaketheultimatedeathofyourbodysmelleternallysweettotheheavenly Fatheroneday,andtothechurchofGodwhoareleftbehindtoponderyourlife.May yourprayerbethis:Dear God! Make me burn with passion, boldness, and courage to die for you one day with fearless dignity. And make me burn with equal passion to prepare for that day by dying to myself for you today.

Conclusion
IclosetodaywithaslidepresentationIvepreparedforyou.IvecalledaPreparationfor Martyrdompresentation.Andthisoneissubtitled,Rememberingtheapostlesandtheir sacrificesfortheSavior.Mayitcausethedenialofyourselftoburnasbrightandboldasyour desiretolaydownyourlifeforyourSavior.
RobWilkersonPreparationforMatyrdom(2Timothy3:12)