Introduction
- Speaker shared a personal experience of attending church growth conferences.
- Mentioned John Maxwell, a prominent speaker, and his impactful statement: "Pay now and play later or play now and pay later."
- Life involves costs for achievements, whether in sports, academics, or spirituality.
- Childhood dreams of becoming a professional athlete highlight the necessity of dedication and sacrifice.
- Importance of discipline and preparation exemplified by Olympians.
- Spiritual journey also involves costs, termed as discipleship.
- Bible verses cited:
- Revelation discusses spiritual battles and perseverance.
- The importance of remaining loyal to Christ despite worldly challenges.
- The White Horse in Revelation represents deception by the Antichrist.
- Importance of vigilance to avoid spiritual deception.
- We are already in the "last hour," marked by false teachings and deception.
- 1 John 2 & 4: Warning about the spirit of the Antichrist and the need for discernment.
- White Horse: Represents deception and false teachings.
- Red Horse: Symbolizes war and bloodshed.
- Black Horse: Indicates famine and economic hardship.
- Pale Horse: Represents death and its widespread impact.
- The parable of the sower highlights different responses to God’s word.
- The importance of deep roots in faith to withstand trials and persecution.
- The church faces ongoing testing and persecution.
- Matthew 10: Jesus discusses the cost of following Him and the inevitability of persecution.
- The necessity of spiritual vigilance and commitment.
- The call to embrace suffering for faith, as a part of Christian life.
- Encouragement to make definitive commitments to Christ now, preparing for potential trials.
Life's Costs and Aspirations Spiritual Cost and Discipleship Insights on the Book of Revelation The Final Hour and Antichrist The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Perseverance in Faith Escalation of Spiritual Testing Conclusion
