Pastor Jim Beilstein
"The Crown of Life"
by Pastor Jim Beilstein, Peace Luthern Church -
March 26, 2010
Sometimes we suffer in this life because of the things that our human kind has done in the past.
AIDS seems to have begun with man interacting with animals.
Healthcare costs have increased faster than other costs
Part of the national debt seemingly is placed upon us by past generations
Politicians have been borrowing from Social Security for many years
Pensions have been promised that can never be paid
Sometimes we suffer in this life because of the things we do.
AIDS and other STD's are continuing to be spread
Healthcare costs continue to grow
Our national debt continues to be placed on future generations
For the first time, we are paying out more in Social Security than is being paid in and we continue to borrow
We continue to promise more pensions
It is a dire situation in our country but there is one we can turn to at Easter time or any time that came to save us.
"The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. "I know your tribulation and your poverty "Do not fear what you are about to suffer "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:8-11, ESV)
Jesus Christ is the first because He existed even before the earth was created and He is the last because He will continue to exist even if the earth goes away. Jesus died on the cross and rose on Easter morning to take away the eternal sting of the things human kind has done in the past and the eternal sting of the things we continue to do.
The promise of Jesus is that He will give us the crown that is better than any kingly crown or any queenly crown. The crown that Jesus gives us is eternal life in heaven, what a wonderful place as it is described in the Biblical book of Revelation.
Unfortunately, we do suffer the consequences on this earth for the mistakes of mankind and for our own individual mistakes. But Jesus promises that during our suffering He will take away our fear.
I pray that you do not fear what may be happening to you right now or may happen to you in the future. But that you put your faith in Jesus for your life on this earth and for your wonderful life in heaven.
AIDS seems to have begun with man interacting with animals.
Healthcare costs have increased faster than other costs
Part of the national debt seemingly is placed upon us by past generations
Politicians have been borrowing from Social Security for many years
Pensions have been promised that can never be paid
Sometimes we suffer in this life because of the things we do.
AIDS and other STD's are continuing to be spread
Healthcare costs continue to grow
Our national debt continues to be placed on future generations
For the first time, we are paying out more in Social Security than is being paid in and we continue to borrow
We continue to promise more pensions
It is a dire situation in our country but there is one we can turn to at Easter time or any time that came to save us.
"The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. "I know your tribulation and your poverty "Do not fear what you are about to suffer "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:8-11, ESV)
Jesus Christ is the first because He existed even before the earth was created and He is the last because He will continue to exist even if the earth goes away. Jesus died on the cross and rose on Easter morning to take away the eternal sting of the things human kind has done in the past and the eternal sting of the things we continue to do.
The promise of Jesus is that He will give us the crown that is better than any kingly crown or any queenly crown. The crown that Jesus gives us is eternal life in heaven, what a wonderful place as it is described in the Biblical book of Revelation.
Unfortunately, we do suffer the consequences on this earth for the mistakes of mankind and for our own individual mistakes. But Jesus promises that during our suffering He will take away our fear.
I pray that you do not fear what may be happening to you right now or may happen to you in the future. But that you put your faith in Jesus for your life on this earth and for your wonderful life in heaven.
