Are you ready to Take a Stand? In his book, Loving God, Charles Colson shares the dramatic true story of the 4th-century Christian, Telemachus, whose commitment and courage changed history.
The Asian hermit, Telemachus, lived in a remote village, tending his garden and spending much of his time in prayer. One day he thought he heard the voice of God telling him to go to Rome, so he obeyed, setting out on foot.
Weary weeks later, he arrived in the city at the time of a great festival. The little monk followed the crowd surging down the streets into the Coliseum. He saw the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, “We who are about to die salute you.” Then he realized these men were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd. He cried out, “In the name of Christ, stop!”
As the games began, Telemachus pushed his way through the crowd, climbed over the wall and dropped to the floor of the arena. When the crowd saw the tiny figure rushing to the gladiators and saying, “In the name of Christ, stop!”, they thought it was part of the show and started laughing.
When they realized it wasn’t, the laughter turned to anger. As Telemachus was pleading with the gladiators to stop, one of them plunged a sword into his body. He fell to the sand. As he lay dying, his last words were, “In the name of Christ, stop!”
Then a strange thing happened. The gladiators stood looking at the tiny figure lying there. A hush fell over the Coliseum. Way up in the upper rows, a man stood and made his way to the exit. Others began to follow. In dead silence, everyone left the Coliseum.
The year was AD 391, and that was the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Coliseum. Never again in the great stadium did men kill each other for the entertainment of the crowd – all because of one tiny voice that could hardly be heard above the tumult. One voice – one life – spoke the truth in God’s name.
For Telemachus, taking a stand for Christ cost him dearly – his life – but it made a profound difference! His small act of courage changed the hearts of men & women that day and literally changed the course of history.
Taking a stand today may not carry as high a price tag as it did for Telemachus over 1,600 years ago, but it is just as important and needed. One person can make a Difference! Will you be willing to stand for Christ in spite of pushback, mocking or ridicule? Will you be willing to shine His light in a dark and gloomy world?
Our world is pushing forth a sinful agenda. The divide between good and evil grows greater almost every day. Will you “go along to get along”? Or will you stand Tall and Strong for Jesus Christ? Be a brave Daniel, willing to stand alone for his God! Be a courageous Queen Esther, willing to risk her life for her people, for what was right! “Be Bold! Be Strong! for the Lord your God is with you!”
This Sunday, February 28, we will declare along with the Apostle Paul (Romans 1:16-17), “I am Not Ashamed!” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Only Hope for this world and we have the privilege of both knowing and declaring it. If you are not able to join us in person in the building at 10:35am for worship, please join us online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Search: Honolulu AG). It will also be uploaded later that day to our website (honoluluag.org) and YouTube channel (Search: Honolulu Assembly of God).
Chris and Lindsey Carter, missionaries to Japan, will be with us on Sunday, March 14, in both the 9:30am Adult Bible class plus the 10:35am worship service. You will be thrilled by their exciting report of what the Lord is doing in that wonderful nation. Please don’t miss it!
Aloha and Aloha ke Akua!