Caulfield Evangelical Methodist Church
- Weekly Pastoral Message -

Weekly Pastoral Message prepared by Rev. Murray Adamthwaite
for Sunday 7th September 1997

From the Pastor: Perseverance II

As we read the famous book "The Pilgrim's Progress" one striking feature stands out: at point after point along the King's Highway the sides of the road are strewn with casualties. We see this in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the Doubting Castle, the victims of the monster Apollyon, and the dropouts at the hill "Lucre" where Demas lived, and many other places along the way. Bunyan in his deep knowledge of experience knew the powerful seductions which entice people away from walking the path leads to life. In many places in Scripture the Christian life is described as a path or highway. One is Isaiah 35:8-9, which describes a road, "The Highway of Holiness", on which the redeemed of the LORD travel, and no others. There the promise is sure: "the ransomed of the LORD will return, and come with joyful shouting to Zion", Isaiah 35:10. It is true that like the Sydney-Melbourne marathon, many will start, but only some will finish. At the start all seem fit and energetic, full of enthusiasm, but the gruelling demands of the highway sort them out. In the highway journey of the Christian life there are many, many hazards: of temptations, of traps for the unwary, doubts, worldly attractions, and provocations, to name a few. To all the warning is given: take note of the casualties and be on your guard! The casualties are for a warning to each and every traveller.