The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading: Judges 18-19, Revelation 1-3, Proverbs 26

Today’s Passage: Revelation 2:19

What Will You Leave Behind?

Good morning! I’d like to show you two epitaphs from Revelation chapter 2. The first one is that of Antipas in verse 13: “…Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth,” All we know about Antipas is what is written in this verse. We know he was the Lord’s faithful martyr, and that’s all. Would you be happy if the Lord called you His faithful martyr? I know… faithful is okay, but you’re not too keen on the martyr part. What would Jesus say about you or me? The epitaph on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reads: “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD” Just like Antipas, we do not know anything about him, but God does. And He knows you. What would He say?

The second epitaph is in verse 19. Jesus is speaking to the church at Thyatira, and says, “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works [NOTICE THAT WORKS ARE LISTED HERE TWICE. WHY…]; and the last to be more that the first.” That would be a great epitaph, doing your greatest works for the Lord near the end. We have works that we should be doing. Works which the Lord has prepared for us. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” These are only works that we can do. Your works are not my works, and my works are not your works; although they may overlap and we help each other. But my works are ordained of God for me to walk in, and your works are ordained of God for you to walk in. I’m reminded of the conversation that Jesus had with Peter in John 21. Jesus tells Peter several times that if you love Me feed My sheep. Then Peter turned around and saw John, and asked, “What shall this man do?” And Jesus answered, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me.” That would make a good epitaph also: “He followed Me.” Is that the epitaph the Lord would give you? Just something to think about.

Peace. (Romans 16:20)

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.