What do you think of the Christ?

Mt 22:41-46

This is the most important questions ever asked.  No man can ever be saved if he fails this test.  To recognize and hail Christ as God come in the flesh is the beginning of the salvation process that leads to eternal life.  Christ is the "cornerstone." Eph 2:20  Honestly, without that perception, man will remain guilt ridden, roam as a lost sheep without a shepherd, and condemned forever.  What a person thinks of Christ determines the destiny of their soul. Jn 8:24  Every person must think something about the Christ.  No one can be indifferent, or sitting on the fence.  Mt 12:30  A person who denies Christ is often stimulated by the mention of His name.  The mention of Buddha or Muhammad doesn't upset them, but the very sound of Christ gets them up in arms and brings forth fierce opposition, why?  It is my opinion, that people have no fear of Muhammad or Buddha.  Now Christ, on the other hand, is a different story because the thought that Christ just may be all that He said He is can be very alarming and disturbing.  They can not let the thought of Christ alone because the thought of Christ can not let them alone!   So, what do you think of the Christ, whose son is He?

The Pharisees said He was "the son of David."  Jesus was the son of David according to the flesh. Rom 1:3  His mother was human, which made Him the son of man. With a portion of His nature as human as His mother, Christ "became flesh and dwelt among us." Jn 1:14  His dual nature of human and divine made Him qualified to be the only redeemer and mediator of mankind. 1Ti 2:5,6  Christ was tempted, He felt hunger and thirst, He suffered agony, and he felt the need for prayer like any other person on this earth.

 The only problem with the Pharisees response is that is only half true!  Remember this, "A half truth is a whole lie."  Christ formed an argument (Mt 22:43-46) from Ps 110:1 saying since He existed before David, He is more than the son of David. Christ has always existed! Jn 1:1-3  Christ is the only begotten Son of God, born of a virgin, begotten of the Holy Spirit. Lk 1:26-35; Jn 1:14  He is called Immanuel Mt 1:23 

Jesus' teachings testified to His divinity.  Mt 7:29  His authoritative teachings distinguished Him from other men.  He spoke of the future so positively that you would have thought it had already happened!  Have you ever realized that Jesus said He would return in the day and night? Lk 17:31,34 Today, we understand the possibility of that because we know the earth is round.  It is day on one part of the earth and night on another.  How can you account for this teaching hundreds of years before mankind ever even dreamed of the earth being round?  Because Christ was divine and more than the son of man!

His works testified to His divinity.  His miracles were evidence to support His claim of divinity. Jn 3:2  He had power over nature.  He walked on water.  He had authority over diseases.  People who had long term diseases that couldn't be cured by doctors were healed just by touching Christ's garments.  Even death submitted to Jesus.  A man, Lazarus, was dead for four days and Jesus raised him from the grave!  Why do we read of these miracles in the Bible?  So Jesus can be lifted up as one cool cat and a powerful cat at that!  NO!  These are recorded so we can have believe in Jesus today (Jn 20:30,31) and understand He is more than the son of David, He is deity!    Because that belief is the start of a salvation process that leads to eternal life.  The question that arises is this, are the Biblical accounts trustworthy?  Yes, because I said so and that's good enough.  Just playin'! don't ever take a man's word on Scripture.  Let the Bible commentate on its self!  

These signs and miracles we read about are not hearsay.  The writers had seen, heard, and touched Christ. 1Jn 1:1  The writers definitely believed what they wrote and testified to as they died for what they taught.  Not many people will die for what they know to be false!  The letters they wrote passed the "acid test."  The acid test is basically a time proven thing.  I heard Ed Wharton use this illustration one time.  "If I wrote a book today about a man named Ed Wharton that did all these miracles, signs, and wonders in Lubbock, TX people would read it and call me a phony.  They would say I live in Lubbock, TX and I have never seen hide nor hair of this fella.  This book is garbage and it is not true.  They would be correct in that assumption.  This never happened to the letters that are in our Bible because they were written and circulated in a time that everyone knew Jesus did these things."  That is the acid test.  

History testifies to His divinity.  Today is A.D. 2012.  That means in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve.  Our calendar is based on the advent of Christ!   That calender is recognized by the most powerful nations in the world today.  That is a true testimony of Christ's divinity.  Beware my friends there are attempts to change our calendar.  Satan will never stop attacking.  

Think about the vast amounts of people that gathered yesterday, the Lord's Day, or Sunday, or the first day of the week to worship.  What great event happened to make this day special?  The resurrection of Christ!  For this reason it is called the Lord's Day. Rev 1:10  Did these two things happen accidentally?   NO!  They are powerful testimonies that Jesus is more than the son of man.  He is the Son of God!

Today, tell someone about the Son of God and the love He had for mankind.  That agape love that sent Him to the cross so that we can have eternal life with our Father in heaven.  He has provided a way for us to be saved, but will we choose, or partake of, the path he lays out in His teachings?  Will you partake of what Jesus provided?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22    

     

  

Conversion Is More Than A Van

Mt 18:3

I truly believe the word "converted" is disappearing from the 21st century church.    The above verse is not saying we are to be childish but that we are to be childlike in our pursuit of power and dominance.  Children really care less about those things, but those are the things that drive adults!  Remember, Jesus said this right after he was asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  In conversion, the entire person is remade from the inside out, and that is bound to show up in our daily lives.  What do we treasure most in life?  Consider what Jesus said in Mt 12:35   You see, a new life is the product of conversion!  There are steps a person takes as this conversion, or new life, happens.  Consider the following...

Faith leads to a new life.  Christians live for a world that they have not seen.  They lay up treasures in a place they have never been.  They are not overly concerned with the things of this world.  This is all done is faith!   People of the world, however, are very much a part of the world.  These people are not merely in the world, as a Christian is, but they are truly a part of the world.  Jn 17:14-16  I preached a message a month or so ago and I asked the question, "Will someone from your life stand up and witness, that by the way you live, they know you are not a part of this world?"   Can someone do that for you?

Faith is a must.  Faith changes the way we live.  If you faith doesn't change the things you say and do you do not have a saving faith.  Does your daily walk in the world reflect that you are converted by your faith?  Heb 10:38; 2Co 5:7; Gal 2:20.  We must have and live by faith if we plan to please God.  Heb 11:6  Notice that faith is more than believable that He is.  We must also understand that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!  Too many people think faith is believing that He is, fail to seek him, and are robbed of a reward!!!!

Faith is believing that He is.  Faith is believing that He rewards those who seek Him.  Faith is believing Jesus is God's son. Jn 8:24  We prove this faith is God's son by loving him with our obedience to his commandments.  Jn 14:15  Having a faith that changes our lives, or converts us, is proving we are "saved by grace through faith." not earning grace!  Eph 2:8   A person cannot live a Christian life without being converted by faith.  The Christian life is a life of faith.  

Peter failed to walk on water when his faith failed.  The disciples failed to cast out demons when their faith failed.  The same thing happens to us when our faith fails.  We sink and fail to imitate Christ!  A living, active, and saving faith is found in the obedience and practice of God's Word (Jn 17:17) and that is how faith leads to a new life.

Repentance leads to a new life.  Our actions prior to being converted nay not have appeared foolish (Titus 3:3) while in the world because we were seeking fleshy things. Rom 8:5.  Repentance of something is to quit doing it!  We must quit seeking fleshy things if we are to be converted.  When we repent of a life of sin we must change that life we lived.  We must change all of our behavior.  1Pe 1:14-16. When someone repents due to a strong faith in God's son they are thrusted into a new life.  That is how repentance leads to a new life.

Confession leads to a new life.  I do not want to spend to much time on this as I have posted on this in the past called, "I confess... I confess..."   God has a claim on every life on this planet.  Many do not recognize that claim and confession is a way of saying we recognize God's claim on our life.  We confess that our creator surely knows more about us than we do, I mean He is our creator!!   The confession is a solemn committal to the will of Christ before others!  That is how confession leads to a new life. 

Baptism leads to a new life.  Many people try to elevate baptism and others try to bury it.  The Bible has a lot to say about baptism and that is a fact.  Here are some more facts, until this point we still have the old self with us and the old sins on us!  We have a dirty conscience about our past life.  How is that going to change?  BAPTISM!  In baptism, we have a clear conscience toward God concerning our past life.  1Pe 3:21  In baptism, we have our old sins washed away.  Acts 22:16  In baptism, we lay the old self to rest and rise to a newness of life. Rom 6:1-4  In baptism, we have the blood of Christ applied to us and that sets us a part for the service of the living God.  Heb 9:14   In baptism, we are clothed with Christ.  Gal 3:27  nd not of it!  That is how baptism leads to a new life.  

Today, do you live a life that says you are converted from the old fleshy lusting person you used to be?  Do you walk in the newness of life?  Do those of the world around you know there is something different about you or do you look too much like the world for them to tell?  I always say if the people around you do not know you are a Christian, God probably don't either.  Potiphar knew God was with Joseph because of his demeanor, do others know God is with you because of yours?  Have you been converted to Christianity or are you just claiming Christianity?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22      

A Case For The Resurrection Pt 2

Evidence From The Empty Tomb

I feel the resurrection is the supreme sign of Christianity.  If Jesus was risen from the dead then he truly was the son of God and the Bible is the Word of God.  Many men died on this planet, but only one has risen from the grave to become a savior to those who submit to him.  Before we consider the empty tomb we will consider the above statement.

The resurrection proves that Jesus is the son of God.  The resurrection is an obvious sign of deity.  Mere men can not raise themselves from the dead.  Jesus himself said the resurrection is a divine sign. Jn 2:18-21  Paul referred to the resurrection as a sign of Jesus' divine power.  Rom 1:4  If Jesus was raised from the dead he is absolutely trustworthy and all his claims are to be held in the same manner.

The resurrection proves the Bible as the Word of God.  Jesus told the apostles would be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26) This makes their writings the very words of God.  2Ti 3:16  Understanding that the resurrection proves the Bible to be the Word of God and Jesus to be deity will allow us to consider the empty tomb.  We will try to figure out what happened to the body of Jesus.  If someone can prove that Jesus never resurrected from the dead, he can be called a liar and the Bible will not be the infallible Word of God.  However, if someone can not disprove the resurrection, Jesus must be considered Lord and the Bible as infallible.  So what happened to the body of Jesus that was put into the tomb?

Since we know the body of Jesus was not in the tomb when people had arrived there, and we are attempting to reason with a person who is suspect of the resurrection, we will consider it to be stolen.  So, who stole the body?  If we cannot produce an acceptable culprit it must be believed that Jesus has resurrected from the dead.  

Did the Jews take the body?  Remember, they are the people who wanted to crucify Jesus.  Why would they want anyone to think Jesus had resurrected?  The fear Jesus would resurrect was the entire reason the tomb was guarded and sealed.  Mt 27:62-66  Also, if the Jews had stolen the body, don't you think they would have silenced Peter in his sermon on Pentecost by producing the body?  Therefore, it is reasonable to think the Jews did not take the body.  They were, however, afraid Jesus disciples would take it.

Did the disciples take the body?  The first question that arises is, how did they get past the guards?  Remember, they were hiding from the Jews at this point. Jn 20:19  I ask another question, if the disciples did take the body would they die proclaiming a lie?  Maybe one or even two might have that kind of characteristic, but all of them?  Well, it must be added here that John is the only one to die not as a martyr.  Would ten men be tortured and killed for a lie?  If Jesus had not resurrected and the disciples had stolen the body it is reasonable to think one of the ten men would have spilled the beans under such extreme persecution of a lie!  Therefore, it reasonable to believe they did not steal the body.

Did the Roman Government steal the body?  It would seem that if they did steal the body they would have produced the dead body of Jesus to stop the friction between the Jews and the Christians.  The reason they didn't do that is because they didn't have the body.  If the Roman government had stolen the body there would have been a complete different response by Felix (Acts 24) and Agrippa (Acts 26).  If the Roman government had stolen the body Agrippa would never had asked Paul if he was trying to persuade him to be a Christian.  Acts 26:28   He would have told Paul he was a fool because the Roman government had taken the body from the tomb.  That being said, it is reasonable to say the Roman government did not steal the body of Jesus.

Did the Roman guards steal the body?  If they did the above scenario with Felix and Agrippa would come into play.  If they did steal the body how would they explain it to their superiors who told them to watch the tomb in order to prevent someone from stealing the body?  History says that if a prisoner escaped while under the guard of a Roman soldier that soldier was sentenced to death.  That is why the jailer was going to kill himself in Acts 16:27   Can you bribe a man when his life is on the line?  I don't think so!  What guard really admits they fell asleep?  What motive would the Roman guards have to steal the body?  It would be against their orders and then sentenced to death.  It is reasonable to think that the Roman guards did not steal the body.

Did a group of separate individuals steal the body?  Again, what motive would a separate group of people have to steal the body? How would they get past the guards at the tomb entrance?  It wold be reasonable to believe that if this group of people did such a thing they would have eventually produced the body to silence the many people who claimed to witness the resurrected Jesus. 1Co 15:5-8  Therefore, it is reasonable to think a group of separate people did not steal the body.

Maybe, no one stole the body and Jesus didn't really die on the cross.  Considering the condition he would have been in after the beating he took, carrying the cross,  then having his hands and feet pierced, and then hanging several hours on a cross by those pierced hands and feet.  Would that man be strong enough to open a sealed tomb, fight off the guards, and walk away?  NO WAY!  Keep in mind, the disciples must not know about Jesus' escape because they died believing Jesus had resurrected.  The Roman government could not have known about it, or either Felix or Agrippa would have told Paul about it.  Therefore, it is reasonable to think that Jesus did die on the cross and he did not escape from the tomb. 

The only logical reason to think why Jesus' body was not in that tomb is because he had risen!  So what does this do for us?  Well, the resurrection conditionally gives us hope of eternal life.  1Co 15:1-4  It allows us to live without fear.  The bible says, "as I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil."  The wages of sin are death and the resurrection removes that fear of death!  Jesus came to put to end the works of the devil (1Jn 3:8) and the resurrection tells us he did that very thing.  The resurrection brings about change.  It changed Peter fearful and following at a distance to a courageous preacher.  It changed Saul the persecutor to Paul the preacher.  It changed the Jewish remnant into the Church.  It changed the Sabbath into the Lord's Day.  Finally, it changed Thomas from an unbeliever to a believer.  It can change people today just like it did in the past.

Today, share the life changing story of our risen savior, Jesus Christ.  He is not in the tomb.  He is preparing a place for those who are prepared to go with him.  I have adopted this saying, "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."  I tell you it is a fact that Jesus' body was not stolen from that tomb, rather he has risen from the dead.  Now I ask you, are you prepared to go with him to the prepared place?  

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

Now You're Ready

2Ti 3:10-17

Parents have a way of making sure their children are properly equipped to handle the ups and downs of life.  I am reminded of the movie "A Christmas Story" and how Mrs. Parker dresses her youngest Randy for school.  She just may have over done it a little but that boy would not be cold on his way to school.  God doesn't leave us in the cold either.  He didn't just send His son to redeem mankind from their sins.  He followed that up with sending a helper. Jn 14:16,17  I always say God reveals himself in at least three ways.  His power in nature. Rom 1:20 His person in Jesus Christ. Jn 3:16  His purpose in the written Word. 1Ti 2:3,4  His written Word also prepares us to face the world as well.  Consider the main scripture above.

These verses start out with a list of ten things that Young Timothy can relate to.  I read somewhere that one commentator said this was like a checklist for Timothy to reflect on.  I don't know about that stuff but I do believe this part of the Word of God is aimed at strengthening the young Evangelist.  It is made to inspire Timothy in vv 10-14, then it is to instruct him vv15-17.  You could even say it is to soberize (is that a word?  IT IS NOW!) him of a coming judgment in vv 4:1-5.  

Some people may struggle to find the ten things listed, did you?  There are the seven in verse 10 that are to display an active obedience.  The next two are a result of that active obedience.  The Word of God in no way tries to hide that Christians will have sufferings and persecutions.  Many try to sugar coat  this aspect, but the apostle Paul ever did that.  The last one is a great comfort.  If  an obedient and active faith brings struggles and persecutions why would anyone desire that?  The answer in verse 11, because God will rescue us just as He did the apostle Paul!

Verse 12 tells us if our lives are absent of persecution we are obviously NOT living that godly life that the Paul is talking about.  I always say if you are not having any type of persecution in your Christian walk you are not doing it right!!  Remember, persecution and sufferings are not the goal, they are a result and God will rescue us from them in His way!  B.W. Johnson said that persecution is inseparable from Christianity.  Maybe if the Church didn't look so much like the world it would have more persecution?  The Church in the 21st century wants their cake and to be able to eat it too.  We are ignorant of the idea of "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22  I am in now way saying we are to be looking for persecution, but it must be expected Mt 10:22   Jesus knew this would be too much for some people.  He said if the persecution and suffering is to much for you, you are not worthy of him. Mt 10:38,39

In verse 13 Paul warns Timothy of false teachers that will arise and go from bad to worse.  In my mind this is a result of the desire to not experience persecution and sufferings.  People will often take the way of the least resistance.  Unfortunately, that way may not lead you where those who are in it with you claim it is leading.  

Timothy has a great advantage in verse 14.  It is true of all men who have the good fortune to come from godly homes, that the teaching and example of Christian parents is a priceless advantage; but such parents always teach their children that the authority is not in themselves but in the Word of the Lord.  

Verse 15 mentions Timothy learning from his childhood.  Jewish children were to be taught the Law at all times.  Dt 11:19  It was believed that if you taught them when they were young, they will hold onto it when they are old.  Pr 22:6  I read a Jewish maxim that said, "...the Jewish child receives the law from his mother's milk."  The purpose of this was to have wisdom that leads to salvation.  Remember, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.  That salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.  

This verse explains what "faith in Jesus Christ" truly means.  Many teach a "believe and receive" doctrine today.  This verse says nothing like that.  This verse says "faith in Jesus Christ" is an adherence to Christ's teachings, not a mere mental assertion.  Timothy is not told to simply think on Christ, but he is told to live out what he has been taught.  That my friends, is having faith.  Those who refuse to be baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27) for the remission of sin  and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) refuse Christ's teachings.  Mk 16:16    They refuse to be baptized into Christ and thus making them outside of Christ.  Some argue that one baptism is as good as another and you do not need to be baptized for remission of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you were baptized to "join" a church you're good.  Well, the Bible speaks of one baptism (Eph 4:5) and Paul didn't allow another baptism in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-5)  The one baptism of Ephpreceded by belief and repentance.  

I stand convinced from that Word of God because verse 16 tells me the Word is inspired by God.  That is why Timothy is to have a faith that adheres to Christ's teachings because they are by God's authority.  Christ was given his authority from God! Mt 28:18  If the Church is to prosper it must be taught the Word of God.  It must be reproofed by the Word of God.  It must be corrected by the Word of God.  It must be trained by the Word of God.  Where the Word of God is taught and obeyed faith abounds and where the Word of God is not taught and obeyed immorality abounds.  

The last verse tells us why we must be taught, reproofed, corrected, and trained by this God inspired Word.  So that we will be "thoroughly equipped." 2Ti 3:17 NIV  I personally prefer the NIV translation here as opposed to NASB.  The Word of God thoroughly equips us to do God's work and that is saving souls.  God doesn't send us out into the world blind and helpless.  He has given us a way back to Him through Jesus Christ.  He has given us a helper in the Holy Spirit.  He has also equipped us with all we need to know and accomplish His will in our lives in His written Word.  

Today, will you submit and obey God's Word?  Will you teach others from God's Word?  God gives us His Word so we are ready and equipped to do His work.  God doesn't give us jobs we can handle; He makes us able to handle the jobs He calls us to!  Don't pray for God to remove mountains in your life.  Pray for God to  give you strength to climb those mountains! Have a red letter day.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22      

Where Did They Go

Lk 17:11-18

There have been few diseases that are more dreaded than leprosy.  It has produced years of misery in its victims.  It is a slowly advancing disease that leaves its victim with bleached white hair, a mass of scales and sores, and the joints of the victim often separate.  It was a terrible thing to be a leper.  

Today we read of ten leprous men who cried for mercy from Jesus from a distance. (vv1-13)  Jesus responds by healing them and telling them to go to the priests. (vs 14)  In that time it was necessary for a healed leper go to the Jewish priest to be restored back into the congregation.  Lev 14:1-32     Out of the ten, only one returned and that man happened to be a Samaritan, or a foreigner. (vv15,16)  Men who we expect nothing from often surprise us with doing the most and some we expect to do the most can disappoint us by doing the least!  Jesus said, "But the nine, where are they?"  The nine were filled with ingratitude!

This is running wild today, unfortunately.  It is a terrible and ugly sin.  It describes the wicked who forsook God. Rom 1:21  Paul describes those who have ingratitude well in 2Ti 3:2.  God wants us to "consider the great things He has done for you." 1Sam 12:24  Gratitude is a duty.  Many suffer from ingratitude today.

The person who showed ingratitude that comes to my mind is Saul.  When he was weak and insecure he was a grateful servant of the Lord.  It became a different story when God elevated him to a place of power and fame.  Saul forgot where his blessings came from!  1Sa 15:10-26   You never appreciate your well of water until it runs dry.  The old saying goes, "You don't know what you have until you have lost it."  That is ingratitude!

We are blessed with spiritual blessings from our Father in heaven (Eph 1:3) and do we show gratitude by serving Him?  WHERE ARE THE NINE?

Far too often, we put family, friends, work, and sports before God.  That is ingratitude!  Many people are like the hog that eats the acorns under the tree without ever looking up to see where they came from!  How many people pray to God for something and "vows" to do this or that in return?  After receiving a blessing they never look up  WHERE ARE THE NINE?  

How many people are supplied with things, healed from a disease, or saved from the perils of death?  They say, "Thank God" but they do nothing to "Thank God."  WHERE ARE THE NINE?

The Church is called to win souls. WHERE ARE THE NINE?  There is no appreciation.  There is no gratitude.  There is no living sacrifices.  There is no life of praise.  There is, however, plenty of ingratitude.  I praise God for those people who are filled with gratitude.  I pray to God for those who are filled with ingratitude.

We are commanded to be thankful.  Col 3:15  Are we thankful in everything? 1Th 5:18  Do we have an attitude of thanksgiving?  Col 4:2  There are many everyday tings to remind us of our blessings.  May we always take time to remember our blessings.  The old hymn goes, "Cont your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."   May we all stop and gratefully, respectfully, and with gratitude thank the Lord for our many blessings.  

Today, don't just thank the Lord for his blessings.  Share with others what God has done for you.  Don't just share with your lips, but share with your attitude.  Too many people suffer from what I have began to call "Baditudes."    Today, may we as God's children influence those around us with our deeds, voices, and attitudes in a way that people know we are thankful to be His and He is our Good Shepherd.  IT IS NO SMALL THING TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22      

The Christian Call

Titus 2:11-15

When I thought of the "Christian Call" the first thing I thought of was a person sitting in an office making an evangelistic call to another person.  Hey, why not?  We have "Television Evangelists" why can't we have "Telephone Evangelists?" (Sarcasm Included) That is not the "call" I am talking about.  I am talking about the call of showing and living Christianity.  I first want to communicate that our call as Christians is first and foremost to "seek his kingdom and his righteousness." Mt 6:33  Then, we must continue Christ's work of seeking the lost (Lk 19:10) as he commanded. Mt 28:18-20  That being said, now we can look at how we are called to act as Christians.

The first thing that must be noted is that verse 11 says God's grace is for all mankind.  This quickly pulls the carpet out from under the belief that a certain elect group of people will be saved.  You see, God desires all mankind to be saved (1Ti 2:3,4), but not all mankind will desire God to save them.  God's love, mercy, and grace is for all, unfortunately, not all will accept.  God's nature is seen in Christ, beginning with his humble birth in Jerusalem and his final sacrifice of love at Calvary.

The apostle gives a negative and a positive in verse 12.  He says we must "deny ungodliness and worldly desires" while we "live righteously, sensibly, and godly."  This truly makes sense because if we are to remove something useless and do not fill it with something productive we will eventually fill it with useless things again.  For example, if we are to clean out a corner of our garage because it is a cluttered mess and we do not put something there and leave it as an open space, chances are, we will just clutter it up again.  The same goes for a life cluttered with worldly desires and ungodliness.  When we attempt to remove those deeds of clutter and do not fill it with something productive like righteous, sensible, and godly deeds, that old clutter will return!

The question is, how do we fill our lives with righteous, sensible, and godly deeds?  The answer to that my friends, is the "Christian Call."  We are called to the things listed in the first paragraph while we employ verse 13.  We see here two different advents in these few verses.  The first, verse 11, is in the past. It is God's grace that was seen in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus.  The second, verse 13, is in the future.  It is when Jesus returns.  We, Christians, are to be looking for that great moment and living in such a way that says we are in a covenant relationship with God through the blood of his son.  All the rules of living that are listed earlier in this chapter are meaningless without a relationship between Christ and his followers on earth who are to be walking as he commanded and expecting his glorious return.  That is the christian call!  Having a relationship with God through Jesus and anticipating his return.  

Verse 14 emphasizes the need for our salvation and it is tied to the fact that Christ's crucifixion frees us from the guilt of our past sins.  The crucifixion is seen in different aspects in scripture.  It is seen as a sacrifice with Christ as a scapegoat (1Pe 1:18,19), a war with Christ as the mighty warrior who has defeated Satan and his power (1Co 15:54-57), and a ransom paid (1Co 6:20) just to name a few.  What glorious thing God has done for mankind in the form of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made on the cross.  Through that sacrifice we are redeemed from every lawless deed and purified as to now be zealous good deeds.  The Christian call is to be zealous for good deeds as we seek first his kingdom and the lost.

Titus is told to "speak, exhort, and reprove."  I love this because I see this as a progressive nature to how we are to preach Christ crucified.  Some people will respond to you speaking to them about Christ.  Others will need exhorted, or to urge, advise, or admonish earnestly and urgently, in order for them to respond to Christ.  Still, some will refuse to respond and they will need to be reproved.  That merely means we must prove to them again God's love through Christ's sacrifice.  Unfortunately, some still will not respond but the Word of God is a seed and it takes time to grow.  Remember, we are looked at according to our efforts and not our successes.  1Co 3:5-9

Today, will you answer the "Christian Call" of seeking first his kingdom and righteousness, the call of seeking the lost, the call of being zealous for good deeds, and the call of sharing Christ crucified?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22           

A don't that is often done

Mt 23:13

When I read this verse I often think of Wile E. Coyote.  He was constantly putting obstacles in front of the Road Runner to impeded the Road Runner's progress.  He was actually trying to catch the Road Runner and he had many obstacles to slow him down, in order to catch him.  Wile E. had one obstacle where he painted a mirage of a train tunnel on a rock with the intentions of getting the Road Runner to run into a that rock at full speed.  Every time he tried this, the Road Runner ran through the rock while Wile E. Coyote ran into his own obstacle.    A don't that is often done in the Church is being an obstacle to someone.  As I often say, we can see here that Jesus really didn't speak harshly to the drunks, prostitutes, or thieves.  He may have shared difficult truths with them but usually didn't speak harshly to them.  Jesus spoke the harshest to those who felt they were religious and were nothing of the kind.  Jesus knew that the people who claim to be religious, and were not acting accordingly, would be an obstacle to those coming to Christ.  How are we an obstacle?

First, we are an obstacle when we claim to know the way to Christ and really don't.  I read somewhere one time that this word "woe" can be a compassionate expression of sorrow and/or a strong condemnation.  I see both applying here. Have you ever had a problem and a friend offers you advice?  The problem persists and possibly has gotten worse when you find out that your friend really didn't know how to help you but was claiming they did.  That is frustrating! I'm reminded of the illustration of a person that went to the eye doctor.  Upon arrival and seated in the chair the doctor, after a series of tests, said, "Yep, your vision is in need of correction.  Here, take my glasses."  The patient said, "Excuse me Doctor, but these glasses do not help me at all!"  The Doctor replies, "I can't imagine why.  They helped me for years."  The point is that we can't fix everybody's problems with solutions that work for us.  Often times we are like that doctor.  We see a person with a problem that is outside of Christ.  We tell them that Christ is the way and God will strengthen them. Ps 18:1-3  You may be right, like the doctor, but you better know how to get  them into Christ instead of offering an obstacle like your own personal spiritual glasses.

You see, the Pharisees claimed to know God and His Word, and didn't!  When we do that the truth WILL COME OUT! Mt 9:10-13   We sometimes do the same today.  We attend faithfully, invite others, and claim to now the way.  Then we cuss and cuss, tell dirty joke after dirty joke. REMEMBER LISTENING IS AS BAD AS TELLING!! If we’re claiming to KNOW the way, we better be able to LEAD the way! If we’re claiming to KNOW the way, and NOT LEADING the way, WE ARE AN OBSTACLE TO THOSE WHO ARE TRULY SEEKING!!!  

We also become an obstacle when we refuse to go the way.  Jesus had an ability we can never have.  He had the ability to look into the soul of a person.  He called them hypocrites!  A hypocrite is defined as a person who pretends to have religious virtues, beliefs, & principles.  A PRETENDER!!  Isa 29:13  Don't tell someone the way, show someone the way! 1Jn 3:18  We must produce Christian fruit in our lives.  I always say. "We do not produce fruit to earn our salvation.  We produce fruit to prove our salvation!"  Why did Jesus perform miracles?  He did them to prove who he was not to earn the ability to do more miracles.  If we are going to claim to know the way, we better be going that way!  Ask yourself, "Are my actions, or fruit, giving someone an excuse to not come or drawing others in?"  Mt 12:30  Jesus says if you do not gather with him then you scatter.  It's Friday, if you have done little or nothing this week to gather to Christ you have scattered!  Today, many Christians refuse to forgive those who have wronged them in the past.  Their stubbornness will drive people away.  Their ignorance will separate them from the Lord. Mt 6:14,15  Brethren, if you are going to talk the talk, you better be willing to walk the walk.  Social media is filled with those who post scripture right after a vulgar post or picture.  

Lastly, we become an obstacle when we get in the way of true seekers.  Jesus told the Pharisees, "they shut off the kingdom of heaven" but they did not possess that kind of power.  In a parallel passage it is worded a little more clear of what Jesus meant. Lk 11:52 Jesus said they, "have taken away the key of knowledge"  and that a man can do, if a listener allows them, by the way of false teachings.  We do that today when our actions lead others away!  Paul said to the Romans the Lord was blasphemed to Gentiles because of the actions of the Christians!  Rom  2:24    

Consider when Jesus heals a blind man in Jn 9:1-34.  Pharisees got mad instead of glorifying God!  DO YOU PASS THE BUCK IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIT IN?  Dirty Jokes/texts/emails/gossip at work   DO YOU FIT IN WITH THE WORLD AND STAND IN THE WAY OF THOSE TRULY SEEKING?  The man stood tall in vv25-27 and claimed Jesus!  Verse 34 says they put him out of the Synagogue.  DO YOU STAND UP FOR JESUS WHEN THE POPULAR OPINION IS AGAINST YOU?  DO YOU STAND UP FOR JESUS WHEN THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OR DO YOU GET IN THE WAY OF THOSE TRULY SEEKING THE LORD? 

We must do the Will of God regardless of popular opinion and consequences.  That’s what makes us Christians, not sitting on a pew calling Him Lord.  We must forgive those who wrong us because it is God's Will.  Mt 7:21  Today, be a tool that the Lord can use to show others the way to Him.  Do not be an obstacle.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22