Let the skies fall down
Let them fall before your crown
Let the seas rise up
They could never fill your cup
You drunk down all the fires of hell
And forever broke sin’s deadly spell
Let the rivers run deep
As they see you come they weep
Let the stars fall from the sky
Let every hand be raised on high
At Golgotha you broke every chain
And now forever you shall reign
Let every valley flood
And be filled with precious blood
From the veins of Calvary
That were drained for you and me
That we may lift our voice and sing
Of Christ the Lord our risen King
Let the mountains touch the sky
And shout aloud as they reply
To the mighty rushing wind
That testifies that all men sinned
And speaks to men in pain
Ye men you must be born again!
The Remnant church is, at it’s core and most fundamentally, God’s witness here on earth. Truly we have been called first and foremost to be a witness. Now most saints know that this word in its Greek form translates to martyr. Does that mean that every saint, every witness since the beginning of the church has been called to martyrdom? Certainly not. Yet let us not forget brothers and sisters that in every century God’s people here on earth have been persecuted and martyred for their faith. The danger for us saints in the Western world in the last 100 years has been that we have not been so-called. Other saints around the world cannot say that, whether that is Africa or Asia or China or the Middle East, they have continued to be persecuted and martyred for their faith. For most of Europe and North America, this has not been the case with some noticeable exceptions during periods of war and so on. Now, one would imagine that living in an atmosphere where one is allowed to worship freely without any state or religious interference that Christendom would thrive, yet, if we look at the state of Europe and North America we see something that at best, is a shallow faith. In the case of Europe we definitely see a post Christian society. In North America what is predominant is a cultural Christianity, a cross-less Christianity and a Christ-less Christianity and some cross-pollination or in many cases a hybrid of the all of these. Cultural Christianity would be a Christianity that is simply shaped to suit our culture. In this kind of Christianity Jesus would rarely be mentioned and God would be seen as some kind of Santa Claus. A cross-less Christianity would cover movements like the prosperity gospel, name it and claim it groups, Word of faith believers and health and wealth believers. Or again, a hybrid of all three. A Christ less Christianity would cover dead denominations for whom the Word of God has ceased to be authoritative even in pretense and where all things are acceptable, this would include things like gay marriage and gay ministers, abortion, divorce and so on.
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.(1Pe 4:13,14)
Brothers and sisters, I want you to notice the above scripture, especially the highlighted portion. Can you see what the Holy Spirit is saying? He specifically talks about the ” spirit of glory.” What is this spirit of glory that ” shall be revealed?” Obviously the context of 1Peter is suffering, For those who can rejoice in the midst of suffering there is a specific kind of glory revealed. Just like the refining fires reveals the gold that lies within the rock, then the refining fire reveals the gold that lies within the saint as it burns away the rock and the dross and we are left with pure gold. We see in Habakkak, in the midst of terrible suffering and judgement this scripture “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab 2:14)
Brother and sisters, can you say that your chains are in Christ and because of your chains others are emboldened? This is one of the cries of God’s Remnant children. Its one of the marks of the royal priesthood. When Paul was in chains for Christ his attitude in the midst of it, his joy, his peace, his awareness of the presence of God was encouraging to those saints who were not yet in chains. As they saw the example of Paul ( in Philippians 1) they were deeply encouraged and emboldened to see that despite any set of trials, they served an overcoming God. This dear saints, is the perseverance of the saints. You might not suffer actual chains ( although that could change soon) but you may lose your job, you may get a devastating diagnosis from the doctor, any number of bad reports you may receive, how will the world see you when you are in ” your chains?” Will they see the glory of God? God is raising up, for such a time as this, just such a paradoxical people. A people who will rejoice when the world weeps. A people who will serve when the world demands service. A people whose joy cannot be robbed by poverty or affliction. A people unmoved by the ” American dream,” and the prosperity of this world. A people who know that their Lord is magnified in their weaknesses. A people who have learned to be content whether with much or with little, whether people are singing their praises or wringing their hands. Can you glorify the Lord in the midst of refining fires? By the power of the Spirit of God and a broken and a contrite heart you can and you will.
To be chained in Christ
Is to be free indeed
Free to die and free to bleed
Free to walk the pilgrim way
Free to die to self each day
Oh the glory saints, the glory of God’s love vast as the ocean. I came across this version today in Welsh
I cant speak Welsh, but my spirit witnesses with this and soars to think of this and makes me think of the glory of God and why they could not get them to leave prayer meetings in the Welsh revival. Its the presence of God, it’s the majesty and the glory and the holiness. Its the beauty of Holiness. Oh for the days saints when we come to dwell forever in this majesty. This is why Paul can count all things as rubbish. To be found in Him, to know Him, to rest in the excellency of the knowledge of our Jesus. Oh that that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, that my spirit would soar in glorious majesty and be oblivious to my circumstance but only be found in Him. I would love to be so lost in Him that when they come and look for me I cannot be found, only Jesus, only Jesus, all for Jesus…………..bro Frank
I want to be so lost in you
And have my heart be pure and true
That when they come and look for me
It’s Christ alone that they shall see
Look into the depths of me
Is it Christ my Lord you see?
Walk with me along the way
Have you walked with Christ today?
Listen to me share my heart
Do you wanna be a part?
Of Christ the Lord my risen King
And to His throne your treasures bring
When I’m caught up in the waves
Can you see the Christ that saves?
When all the world has turned on me
Is it Christ that they shall see?
When it’s time for me to die
Will I raise my hands on high?
And sing aloud with all my might
Of Christ my King, a glorious sight
This is one of the most powerful sermons you will hear. It is prophetic and it is timely and it encapsulates everything I try and convey here on my website. Brian is my dearest friend and my brother in Christ and our hearts are absolutely knitted in all matters but especially these matters of what it means to part of the remnant church of Christ and how the Lord God is raising up His people for such a time as this. Please take and share this message with everyone you know and love………bro Frank
A Call To The Remnant 