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  HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE
  by David Wilkerson
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Summary: David Wilkerson encourages listeners to trust in God's purposes
and promises, even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, so that
they can rejoice in the day of Christ.

Topics: "Faithfulness of God", "Trusting in God's Promises"
Scripture References: Psalm 34:7, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, Romans 8:31, Philippians 2:16, Philippians 3:13, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 5:7, Revelation 21:4

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DESCRIPTION
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David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of holding forth the Word of
life as Paul describes in Philippians 2:16, reflecting on the day when
believers will stand in Christ's presence and witness the unveiling of
redemption's secrets. He paints a vivid picture of the glory and power
of God that will be revealed, assuring us that we were never in danger
and that God's angels were always with us. Wilkerson urges us to trust
in God's faithfulness and to let go of our past worries, focusing
instead on the promises of the future. He encourages believers to live
in a way that they can rejoice on that glorious day, having fully
trusted in God's purposes. Ultimately, he reminds us that to embrace our
future in Christ, we must first release our past.

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CONTENT
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Paul writes, "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain"
(Philippians 2:16). Paul was picturing the day when he would stand in
Christ's presence and the secrets of redemption would be unveiled.

Scripture says that on that day our eyes will be opened, and we'll
behold the Lord's glory without rebuke from him. Our hearts will be set
on fire as he opens all the mysteries of the universe and shows us his
power behind it. Suddenly, we'll see the reality of all that had been
available to us in our earthly trials: the power and resources of
heaven, the protective angels, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

As we behold the awesomeness of these things, the Lord will say to us,
"All along, my warriors were camped about you, an entire army of
powerful messengers assigned to you. You were never in any danger from
Satan. You never had any reason to fear your tomorrows."

Then Christ will show us the Father, and what an overwhelming moment
that will be. As we behold the majesty of our heavenly Father, we'll
fully realize his love and care for us, and suddenly the truth will come
to us in full force: "This was, and is, and forever will be our Father,
truly the great 'I AM.'"

Here is why Paul "held forth" his word about God's faithfulness. On that
glorious day, he didn't want to stand in the Lord's presence thinking,
"How could I have been so blind? Why didn't I fully trust my Lord's
purposes? All my worries and questions were in vain."

Paul is exhorting us: "I want to rejoice on that day, when my eyes are
fully opened. I want to be able to enjoy every revelation knowing I
trusted in his promises, that I didn't go about my labors full of doubt.
I want to know that I held forth the Word of life in all my reactions to
my sufferings, that I fought a good fight, that I proved my Lord
faithful."

Paul then sums it up with the word: "This one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before" (Philippians 3:13). In short, he thought it was
impossible to place his future into the Lord's hands without first
laying down his past.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/holding-forth-the-word-of-life/
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