• Home
  • Issues
  • Articles
    • Alan Day
    • Alan Stewart
    • Ed Litton
    • Gary Miller
    • Keith Drury
    • Michael Catt
    • Stephanie Bennett
    • Vance Havner
    • Warren Wiersbe
  • Quotes
  • Sermon Outlines
  • Podcasts
  • More
    • Book Reviews
    • Calendar
    • Odds n Ends
    • Web Resources

Calendar

February 2023
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728  
« Jul    

Archives

  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019

Categories

  • Alan Day
  • Alan Stewart
  • Articles
  • Book Reviews
  • Calendar
  • Ed Litton
  • Gary Miller
  • Issues
  • Keith Drury
  • Michael Catt
  • Odds-n-Ends
  • Podcasts
  • Quotes
  • Sermon Outlines
  • Stephanie Bennett
  • Uncategorized
  • Vance Havner
  • Volume 01 | Issue 01
  • Volume 01 | Issue 02
  • Volume 01 | Issue 03
  • Volume 01 | Issue 04
  • Volume 01 | Issue 05
  • Volume 01 | Issue 06
  • Volume 01 | Issue 07
  • Volume 01 | Issue 08
  • Volume 01 | Issue 09
  • Volume 01 | Issue 10
  • Volume 01 | Issue 11
  • Volume 01 | Issue 12
  • Volume 01 | Issue 13
  • Volume 01 | Issue 14
  • Volume 02 | Issue 01
  • Volume 02 | Issue 02
  • Volume 02 | Issue 03
  • Volume 02 | Issue 04
  • Volume 02 | Issue 05
  • Volume 02 | Issue 06
  • Volume 02 | Issue 07
  • Volume 02 | Issue 08
  • Volume 02 | Issue 09
  • Volume 02 | Issue 10
  • Volume 02 | Issue 11
  • Volume 02 | Issue 12
  • Volume 02 | Issue 13
  • Volume 02 | Issue 14
  • Volume 02 | Issue 15
  • Volume 02 | Issue 16
  • Volume 02 | Issue 17
  • Volume 02 | Issue 18
  • Volume 02 | Issue 19
  • Volume 02 | Issue 20
  • Volume 02 | Issue 21
  • Volume 02 | Issue 22
  • Volume 02 | Issue 23
  • Volume 02 | Issue 24
  • Volume 02 | Issue 25
  • Volume 03 | Issue 01
  • Volume 03 | Issue 02
  • Volume 03 | Issue 03
  • Volume 03 | Issue 04
  • Volume 03 | Issue 05
  • Volume 03 | Issue 06
  • Volume 03 | Issue 07
  • Volume 03 | Issue 08
  • Volume 03 | Issue 09
  • Volume 03 | Issue 10
  • Volume 03 | Issue 11
  • Volume 03 | Issue 12
  • Volume 03 | Issue 13
  • Volume 03 | Issue 14
  • Volume 03 | Issue 15
  • Volume 03 | Issue 16
  • Volume 03 | Issue 17
  • Volume 03 | Issue 18
  • Volume 03 | Issue 19
  • Volume 03 | Issue 20
  • Volume 03 | Issue 21
  • Volume 03 | Issue 22
  • Volume 03 | Issue 23
  • Volume 03 | Issue 24
  • Volume 04 | Issue 01
  • Volume 04 | Issue 02
  • Volume 04 | Issue 03
  • Volume 04 | Issue 04
  • Volume 04 | Issue 05
  • Volume 04 | Issue 06
  • Volume 04 | Issue 07
  • Volume 04 | Issue 08
  • Volume 04 | Issue 09
  • Volume 04 | Issue 10
  • Volume 04 | Issue 11
  • Volume 04 | Issue 12
  • Volume 04 | Issue 13
  • Volume 05 | Issue 01
  • Volume 05 | Issue 02
  • Volume 05 | Issue 03
  • Volume 05 | Issue 04
  • Volume 05 | Issue 05
  • Volume 05 | Issue 06
  • Volume 05 | Issue 07
  • Volume 05 | Issue 08
  • Volume 05 | Issue 09
  • Volume 05 | Issue 10
  • Volume 05 | Issue 11
  • Volume 05 | Issue 12
  • Volume 05 | Issue 13
  • Volume 05 | Issue 14
  • Volume 06 | Issue 01
  • Volume 06 | Issue 02
  • Volume 06 | Issue 03
  • Volume 06 | Issue 04
  • Volume 06 | Issue 05
  • Volume 06 | Issue 06
  • Volume 06 | Issue 07
  • Volume 06 | Issue 08
  • Volume 06 | Issue 09
  • Volume 06 | Issue 10
  • Volume 06 | Issue 11
  • Volume 06 | Issue 12
  • Volume 06 | Issue 13
  • Volume 06 | Issue 14
  • Volume 06 | Issue 15
  • Volume 07 | Issue 01
  • Volume 07 | Issue 02
  • Volume 07 | Issue 03
  • Volume 07 | Issue 04
  • Volume 07 | Issue 05
  • Volume 07 | Issue 06
  • Volume 07 | Issue 07
  • Volume 07 | Issue 08
  • Volume 07 | Issue 09
  • Volume 07 | Issue 10
  • Volume 07 | Issue 11
  • Volume 07 | Issue 12
  • Volume 07 | Issue 13
  • Volume 07 | Issue 14
  • Volume 07 | Issue 15
  • Volume 07 | Issue 16
  • Volume 07 | Issue 17
  • Volume 07 | Issue 18
  • Volume 07 | Issue 19
  • Volume 07 | Issue 20
  • Volume 07 | Issue 21
  • Volume 07 | Issue 22
  • Volume 07 | Issue 23
  • Volume 08 | Issue 01
  • Volume 08 | Issue 02
  • Volume 08 | Issue 03
  • Volume 08 | Issue 04
  • Volume 08 | Issue 05
  • Volume 08 | Issue 06
  • Volume 08 | Issue 07
  • Volume 08 | Issue 08
  • Volume 08 | Issue 09
  • Volume 08 | Issue 10
  • Volume 08 | Issue 11
  • Volume 08 | Issue 12
  • Volume 08 | Issue 13
  • Volume 08 | Issue 14
  • Volume 08 | Issue 15
  • Volume 08 | Issue 16
  • Volume 08 | Issue 17
  • Volume 08 | Issue 18
  • Volume 09 | Issue 01
  • Volume 09 | Issue 02
  • Volume 09 | Issue 03
  • Volume 09 | Issue 04
  • Volume 09 | Issue 05
  • Volume 09 | Issue 06
  • Volume 09 | Issue 07
  • Volume 10 | Issue 01
  • Volume 10 | Issue 02
  • Volume 10 | Issue 03
  • Volume 10 | Issue 04
  • Volume 10 | Issue 05
  • Volume 11 | Issue 01
  • Volume 11 | Issue 02
  • Volume 11 | Issue 03
  • Volume 11 | Issue 04
  • Volume 11 | Issue 05
  • Volume 11 | Issue 06
  • Volume 11 | Issue 07
  • Volume 11 | Issue 08
  • Volume 11 | Issue 09
  • Volume 11 | Issue 10
  • Volume 11 | Issue 11
  • Volume 11 | Issue 12
  • Volume 11 | Issue 13
  • Volume 11 | Issue 14
  • Volume 11 | Issue 15
  • Volume 11 | Issue 16
  • Volume 12 | Issue 01
  • Volume 12 | Issue 02
  • Volume 12 | Issue 03
  • Volume 12 | Issue 04
  • Volume 12 | Issue 05
  • Volume 12 | Issue 06
  • Volume 12 | Issue 07
  • Volume 12 | Issue 08
  • Volume 12 | Issue 09
  • Volume 12 | Issue 10
  • Volume 12 | Issue 11
  • Volume 12 | Issue 12
  • Volume 13 | Issue 01
  • Volume 13 | Issue 02
  • Volume 13 | Issue 03
  • Volume 13 | Issue 04
  • Volume 13 | Issue 05
  • Volume 13 | Issue 06
  • Volume 13 | Issue 07
  • Volume 13 | Issue 08
  • Volume 13 | Issue 09
  • Volume 13 | Issue 10
  • Volume 13 | Issue 11
  • Volume 13 | Issue 12
  • Volume 13 | Issue 13
  • Volume 13 | Issue 14
  • Volume 13 | Issue 15
  • Volume 13 | Issue 16
  • Volume 14 | Issue 01
  • Volume 14 | Issue 02
  • Volume 14 | Issue 03
  • Volume 14 | Issue 04
  • Volume 14 | Issue 05
  • Volume 14 | Issue 06
  • Volume 14 | Issue 07
  • Volume 14 | Issue 08
  • Warren Wiersbe
  • Web Resources
2ProphetU
  • Home
  • Issues
  • Articles
    • Alan Day
    • Alan Stewart
    • Ed Litton
    • Gary Miller
    • Keith Drury
    • Michael Catt
    • Stephanie Bennett
    • Vance Havner
    • Warren Wiersbe
  • Quotes
  • Sermon Outlines
  • Podcasts
  • More
    • Book Reviews
    • Calendar
    • Odds n Ends
    • Web Resources
Alan Stewart . Articles . Volume 10 | Issue 01

I Am No Changeling

During the sixteenth century, there was a man who served as a page at the court of King Edward VI by the name of Thomas Hawkes. Thomas was a man noted for his gentle manners, his winsome personality, and his firm faithfulness to Christ. However, when Edward died, the face of religion changed, and those who still held to the reformed faith began to be in great danger. Thomas was imprisoned for his faith. During his months of imprisonment, various means were used to make Thomas recant his faith, but all proved useless. His constant answer to all was steadfastly, “I am no changeling.” Having received the death sentence, he was led to the place of execution where he was to be burned at the stake. After being tied to the stake, his sentence of condemnation was read aloud and Thomas was allowed to address the crowd. Before the torch lit the bundles of wood beneath him, Lord Rich gave him one final chance to recant his faith and to spare himself the awful sentence of death upon him. Thomas then spoke these stirring words, “I have come too far to change now.” The flames were quickly kindled around him and his life was soon over.

The depth of a man’s faith is not measured by the height of his achievements, but rather by what it takes to make him quit! Few understood that principle like the Apostle Paul. Throughout his journeys, there were problems that dwarfed him, pressures that distracted him, persecutions that discouraged him, and people that damaged him. But, in Philippians 3:14, he reveals a perspective that drove him, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The word “press” implies to stay in pursuit amidst stress and difficulty. That is encouraging because it tells me, in his humanity, there must have been days when Paul’s flesh whispered to him, “Just surrender, throw in the towel, and send up the white flag because it’s not worth it anymore.” It was in such moments the world discovered he possessed a faith that would not flinch, faint, or falter. That explains how Daniel kept praying publicly despite an intimidating death threat, and how the three Hebrew children refused to bow while the furnace was growing hotter, and how Stephen kept preaching while the council was gathering stones. They had come too far to change! How do you stand amidst trying circumstances with firm resolve to never give in and to never give up?

You must walk in a decided loyalty. As the project of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was nearing its completion, Nehemiah faced both threats and taunts by his enemies. He responded in Nehemiah 6, “I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it…Should such a man as I flee?…I will not go in.” The expressions “I cannot” and “I will not” reveal the heart of a man who was living with his mind made up. He could not back up, and he could not back down! During the ancient battles at sea, approaching ships would often lower their flags to avoid being spotted by the enemies. However, sailors who were both patriotic and courageous requested that their colors be nailed to the mast. There comes a marked moment in every Christian’s life where it must be clearly displayed which side you are on. Joshua challenged the people, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” Elijah asked the people of Israel, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” Jesus said to the Pharisees, “He that is not with Me is against Me…” These were clarion calls to make a decision of total surrender. A man who will not surrender his person will ultimately surrender his position. You cannot draw a line in the sand and then pray for rain!

You must worship with a devoted love. During the final year of Jesus’ ministry, which would come to be known as the year of His opposition, Jesus gave His disciples the chance to quit when he asked in John 6:67, “Will ye also go away?” Peter answered insightfully, “…Lord, to whom shall we go?…” There was nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to but Jesus. In world history, when Cortez had discovered the new world, he fell in love with the new world to such a degree that he burned all of his ships to remove the possibility of going back to the old world. Anytime we possess multiple options in our spiritual life, we will choose other alternatives at the first hint of failure or frustration. Many of Jesus’ disciples “went back, and walked no more with Him” because they loved miracles more than the Master. Demas turned back because he loved possessions more than the Provider. I have observed that many people will quit serving the Lord over the most trivial of issues. But, the same issues can occur in their secular job and they will continue going to the same job every day. Do you wonder why that is so? The answer is simple: some people will do for money what they won’t do for love!

You must work for a desirable legacy. In Luke 22, Jesus not only predicted Peter’s sifting and scandal, but also his seasoning. Jesus prayed in verse 32 that Peter would not quit, but rather get back on his feet and “strengthen thy brethren.” While quitting may impact our lives, it injures the lives of others. In life, there are many moments that you can go so far that it becomes dangerous to others to go back. Once a pilot has gone so far down the runway, to go back could mean disaster. For a mother to try and go back after the baby is halfway out of her womb would mean death because the womb can no longer support life. Noah quit for a season and raised a perverted son. Abraham quit for a season and nations still war today. David quit for a season and his family never recovered. A credible testimony takes years to build but only five seconds to lose. Former Wheaton College president V. Raymond Edman said it best, “It is always too soon to quit.”

When I was a child, my grandmother enjoyed cooking for our army of a family. However, I could only see food that looked undesirable when I glanced across the table. But, I knew if I could endure just a little of that food, the good stuff was coming afterward. Perhaps you have endured a lot in life, but you are now too close to home to call it quits. Every day you make the choice to either get down to business or go out of business. As for me, “I have come too far to change now!”

Your Most Proud Pastor,
© 2009 Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart: Dr. Alan Stewart has served as Senior Pastor of Rechoboth Baptist since December 1999.  He attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Moody Bible Institute, Covington Theological Seminary, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prior to pastoring the Tennessee church, Alan was an evangelist for 15 years. He has preached revivals/pastor’s conferences in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. He also preached crusades/conferences in India, Hungary, and conducted a crusade in South Africa in August of 2009. Pastor Alan is married to Jeanne, and they are blessed with two children – Sierra and Seth.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print

Read An Article

  • A Step at a Time
  • Hard Words to Swallow Lead to Revival (Part 1)
  • Day and Night

RSS Warren Wiersbe Podcast

  • Praise and Thanksgiving: Praise the King (Revelation 11:15-19)
  • Praise and Thanksgiving: Praise The Redeemer (Revelation 5)
  • Interview: Dr. Erwin Lutzer on Wiersbe back then, and Preaching today
  • Praise and Thanksgiving: Praise the Creator (Revelation 4)

RSS Sherwood Baptist Podcast

  • Deconstructing Faith
  • Steward His Story
  • Controlled Burn
  • We Overwhelmingly Conquer

MICHAEL CATT MESSAGES

Verse

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:3-4

Warning: Undefined array key "rand" in /homepages/0/d89980231/htdocs/2PU2onMCC/wp-content/plugins/recent-posts-widget-with-thumbnails/recent-posts-widget-with-thumbnails.php on line 138

Quotes On

  • Hypocrisy

Search

Links

Michael Catt

Vance Havner

Ron Dunn

Sherwood Church

Copyright 2ProphetU 2021. All righrts reserved.