PICTURES OF SALVATION
Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
God provided a way to escape from judgment. The ark that God provided was a beautiful picture of the provisions made by God through Jesus Christ. The ark was big enough to hold all who would come in. The servants of God invited everyone they could to come into the ark. The ark had only one door, Jesus Christ said that He is the door into heaven, and that He is the only way into heaven. There is only one door to salvation. There was only one window in the ark. As a picture of salvation, the purpose of the window was to look up. Jesus said He would draw men to the Father, therefore, pointing their focus UP to heaven, and God the father. The ark was a bastion of safety from the troubles and the destruction of the World, Jesus is our saftey, and our strong tower. The ark was lifted up by the forces of the world, and being lifted up saved the people who would come in from the effects of sin. Jesus was lifted up one day, on a hill called Mount Calvary, so that anyone who GETS IN may be saved from sin. The ark came to rest on a place of blessing. In the end of this thing, we will all be settled safely, BY OUR ARK (JESUS CHRIST), in that place of blessing (heaven) to forever be SAVED from sin. Hallelujah!!
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
This is the day.
PICTURES OF SALVATION
Genesis 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Some may consider this a stretch under the title "Pictures of Salvation," however, there are a couple of important things here about saved people. First, there is a walk with God. Enoch walked with God for 300 years. If your salvation is real, you will do everything that you can to consistently walk with God. God's way is the right way, and only by walking in His way will your salvation be worth anything more than a ticket out of Hell.
Second, Enoch is a picture of the rapture. One of these days, Jesus WILL come again, and when He does come all of the saints who are alive at the time will go to heaven to be with Him in that glorious event known as the rapture. Can you say with the Apostle John, "even so COME, Lord Jesus?"
Genesis 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Some may consider this a stretch under the title "Pictures of Salvation," however, there are a couple of important things here about saved people. First, there is a walk with God. Enoch walked with God for 300 years. If your salvation is real, you will do everything that you can to consistently walk with God. God's way is the right way, and only by walking in His way will your salvation be worth anything more than a ticket out of Hell.
Second, Enoch is a picture of the rapture. One of these days, Jesus WILL come again, and when He does come all of the saints who are alive at the time will go to heaven to be with Him in that glorious event known as the rapture. Can you say with the Apostle John, "even so COME, Lord Jesus?"
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
This is the day.
PICTURES OF SALVATION.
Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Here we have a striking reminder that only throug God's prescribed method will man be justified. Cain tried to please God, Cain's way, and was not justified in God's sight. Abel came in God's prescribed manner, and was justified. God had to banish Cain, after the murder of Abel, after giving him ample time to repent. YOU WILL ONLY EVER BE ABLE TO BE SAVED THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, THAT IS GOD'S PRESCRIBED METHOD. ANYTHING ELSE, ANY OTHER WAY, SIMPLY WILL NEVER WORK, AND YOU WILL END UP IN HELL. YOU ONLY GET TO HEAVEN GOD'S WAY,NOTHING ELSE WORKS.
Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Here we have a striking reminder that only throug God's prescribed method will man be justified. Cain tried to please God, Cain's way, and was not justified in God's sight. Abel came in God's prescribed manner, and was justified. God had to banish Cain, after the murder of Abel, after giving him ample time to repent. YOU WILL ONLY EVER BE ABLE TO BE SAVED THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, THAT IS GOD'S PRESCRIBED METHOD. ANYTHING ELSE, ANY OTHER WAY, SIMPLY WILL NEVER WORK, AND YOU WILL END UP IN HELL. YOU ONLY GET TO HEAVEN GOD'S WAY,NOTHING ELSE WORKS.
Monday, July 6, 2009
This is the day.
PICTURES OF SALVATION.
GENESIS 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
The first clear picture of salvation in the Bible is found here in Genesis chapter 3.
Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, and had brought death upon the whole world. Sin had entered the human race, and this black beast that still rears its ugly head in all walks of life today, had destroyed the lives of the first man and woman. The darkness of the soul that always comes when someone realizes their separation from God was now the acting force in the lives of Adam and Eve. Adam, the first man, who had enjoyed the sweet fellowship of God on a daily basis, as he walked with God in the cool of the evening, now hid himself from the One who had been so special.
Sin, what an awful influence it is on the lives of each of us. What can be done about this horrible problem? God in His infinite wisdom, and ultimate mercy, had already provided the solution. "Before the foundation of the World," God had ordained that Jesus Christ would come as the Sacrifice for all the sins of mankind. What good would that do Adam, however, Jesus was not to come for a very long time. Again, God had the solution, as a picture of Jesus' perfect death, God slew an inoccent animal, and provided the covering for the sins "of the World" (Adam and Eve). All that Adam and Eve had to do was accept this covering. Friend, on a hill near Jerusalem, on an old rugged cross, a PERFECT, SINLESS man named Jesus died for YOUR SIN. Just like the first humans had to accept the covering that God provided, so YOU MUST ACCEPT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONLY COVERING FOR YOUR SIN. God's provision is based on His love, YOU CAN BE SAVED TODAY IF YOU WILL ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS GOD'S COVERING FOR YOUR SIN.
GENESIS 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
The first clear picture of salvation in the Bible is found here in Genesis chapter 3.
Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, and had brought death upon the whole world. Sin had entered the human race, and this black beast that still rears its ugly head in all walks of life today, had destroyed the lives of the first man and woman. The darkness of the soul that always comes when someone realizes their separation from God was now the acting force in the lives of Adam and Eve. Adam, the first man, who had enjoyed the sweet fellowship of God on a daily basis, as he walked with God in the cool of the evening, now hid himself from the One who had been so special.
Sin, what an awful influence it is on the lives of each of us. What can be done about this horrible problem? God in His infinite wisdom, and ultimate mercy, had already provided the solution. "Before the foundation of the World," God had ordained that Jesus Christ would come as the Sacrifice for all the sins of mankind. What good would that do Adam, however, Jesus was not to come for a very long time. Again, God had the solution, as a picture of Jesus' perfect death, God slew an inoccent animal, and provided the covering for the sins "of the World" (Adam and Eve). All that Adam and Eve had to do was accept this covering. Friend, on a hill near Jerusalem, on an old rugged cross, a PERFECT, SINLESS man named Jesus died for YOUR SIN. Just like the first humans had to accept the covering that God provided, so YOU MUST ACCEPT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONLY COVERING FOR YOUR SIN. God's provision is based on His love, YOU CAN BE SAVED TODAY IF YOU WILL ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS GOD'S COVERING FOR YOUR SIN.
Friday, June 19, 2009
This is the day. for 6/18 and 6/19
I am deviating from the theme just a little bit here for this post. This is the content of a message that I preached at our nursing home ministry.
The "F's" of salvation.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Salvation could well be considered a graded course. There are many who are saved, but few who live dedicated Christian lives. At the judgment seat of Christ when Christians stand before God, there will be an accounting given of what we have done for Him, and we will have to answer for it and be rewarded according to that "grade" if you will. Those who appear before the judgment seat of Christ all have a "passing" grade. Whether or not they have done anything for Him with their lives, they have accepted Him as Saviour, and there for will be "promoted", or "graduated" into heaven.
It is not those that I want to talk about, though, it is the one's who will stand before the Great White throne that take up my thoughts now. All of these have failed for one reason or another. They didn't take time to think about eternity, they had something else on their minds, and because of this, they got an "F" and will be cast into the lake of fire.
I. The Foolish Person.
These are those ones who say there is no God. Psalm 14:1 The Bible clearly tells us that anyone who says there is no God is a fool. All of these fools will be cast into the lake of fire, and judged for eternity. In Moses's day the king of Egypt was like this. He told Moses, "who is God that I should listen to Him." He ended up drowned in the Red Sea, because he (even with all the plagues!) didn't believe God was who He said He is.
II. Flattering Preachers.
There are many preachers out there who tell folks there is another way to heaven other than Jesus, or that you can work your way to heaven. These men (or women) are on their way to Hell themselves, and don't know what they are talking about. In the Bible the Pharisees is this group. They tried to work their way to heaven, and told people not to follow Jesus. ANY PREACHER WHO SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THAN JESUS CHRIST IS A LIAR, AND IS HEADED FOR HELL HIMSELF. John 14:6b I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
III. Those conserned about the first person.
These people are too busy with themselves to worry about salvation. Pilate was like this, he heard Ceasar's name and got scared into crucifying Jesus.
IV. Forbes/financial people.
These people are too worried about money to worry about eternity. Jesus tells us of the man who stored up so much stuff, and then God took his life that night and he ended up in eternity without God.
V. Final rejection.
There are those who "put off salvation so much, that they end up rejecting Christ for the final time and never feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit again, these have given up their opportunity to be saved, and will spend eternity in the lake of fire separated from God.
As Christians we should be striving for the higest grade possible (well done) in our service for Christ. If you are not saved however you need to accept Christ, because an "F" means eternity without Christ in the lake of fire (Hell).
The "F's" of salvation.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Salvation could well be considered a graded course. There are many who are saved, but few who live dedicated Christian lives. At the judgment seat of Christ when Christians stand before God, there will be an accounting given of what we have done for Him, and we will have to answer for it and be rewarded according to that "grade" if you will. Those who appear before the judgment seat of Christ all have a "passing" grade. Whether or not they have done anything for Him with their lives, they have accepted Him as Saviour, and there for will be "promoted", or "graduated" into heaven.
It is not those that I want to talk about, though, it is the one's who will stand before the Great White throne that take up my thoughts now. All of these have failed for one reason or another. They didn't take time to think about eternity, they had something else on their minds, and because of this, they got an "F" and will be cast into the lake of fire.
I. The Foolish Person.
These are those ones who say there is no God. Psalm 14:1 The Bible clearly tells us that anyone who says there is no God is a fool. All of these fools will be cast into the lake of fire, and judged for eternity. In Moses's day the king of Egypt was like this. He told Moses, "who is God that I should listen to Him." He ended up drowned in the Red Sea, because he (even with all the plagues!) didn't believe God was who He said He is.
II. Flattering Preachers.
There are many preachers out there who tell folks there is another way to heaven other than Jesus, or that you can work your way to heaven. These men (or women) are on their way to Hell themselves, and don't know what they are talking about. In the Bible the Pharisees is this group. They tried to work their way to heaven, and told people not to follow Jesus. ANY PREACHER WHO SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THAN JESUS CHRIST IS A LIAR, AND IS HEADED FOR HELL HIMSELF. John 14:6b I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
III. Those conserned about the first person.
These people are too busy with themselves to worry about salvation. Pilate was like this, he heard Ceasar's name and got scared into crucifying Jesus.
IV. Forbes/financial people.
These people are too worried about money to worry about eternity. Jesus tells us of the man who stored up so much stuff, and then God took his life that night and he ended up in eternity without God.
V. Final rejection.
There are those who "put off salvation so much, that they end up rejecting Christ for the final time and never feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit again, these have given up their opportunity to be saved, and will spend eternity in the lake of fire separated from God.
As Christians we should be striving for the higest grade possible (well done) in our service for Christ. If you are not saved however you need to accept Christ, because an "F" means eternity without Christ in the lake of fire (Hell).
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This is the day. for 5/25
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Amen! Jesus Christ is the only way. God's Free Gift of salvation will only work through the BLOOD of Jesus Christ. God's Perfect Law demanded a sacrifice, and a little over 2000 years ago the Perfect Sacrifice was born of a virgin. Jesus Christ, living a perfect life, was not only the Ultimate Sacrifice, but was also the Ultimate Example to each of us. The name of Jesus will tame the maniac, dry out the drunk, rehabilitate the addict, calm the nervous, terrify the demons, save the sinner, and convict the religious hypocrite. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know, Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go. What a lovely name the name of Jesus. The grandest name on earth, and the only name "whereby we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 (an outline)
I. Jesus is the only way.
II. Jesus is the only name.
III. Jesus is the only Saviour.
Amen! Jesus Christ is the only way. God's Free Gift of salvation will only work through the BLOOD of Jesus Christ. God's Perfect Law demanded a sacrifice, and a little over 2000 years ago the Perfect Sacrifice was born of a virgin. Jesus Christ, living a perfect life, was not only the Ultimate Sacrifice, but was also the Ultimate Example to each of us. The name of Jesus will tame the maniac, dry out the drunk, rehabilitate the addict, calm the nervous, terrify the demons, save the sinner, and convict the religious hypocrite. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know, Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go. What a lovely name the name of Jesus. The grandest name on earth, and the only name "whereby we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 (an outline)
I. Jesus is the only way.
II. Jesus is the only name.
III. Jesus is the only Saviour.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
This is the day.
Revelation 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
What a statement of hatred, and hardness! Men here are pictured as having been plagued and abused and killed, yet they will not repent. Many times we have the idea that, "if they could only see the suffering of Hell, they would repent." However, these people have seen great miracles and they have heard great preaching by the two witness, and by the hundred and forty-four thousand. They have experienced some of the greatest judgment the world has ever know, yet with their last breaths they are still blaspheming God. How true it is that we are in the last days. The need for real Holy Spirit filled preaching is greater than ever. Can God still work and send a great revival throughout the world? God has not changed! Would to God that we could see the need, and get serious about the late hour in which we live.
The one thing God promises will get souls saved.
PREACHING: I Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
What will not turn men to God.
I. Plagues. ("and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail") Think of Pharaoh in Exodus.
II. Programs. (building projects, puppet ministries, VBS, clowns, and swallowing goldfish all draw a crowd, but only the preaching of the Word of God will get people saved){these activities alone are not enough, but if preaching is done with them God will move}
III. Portraits (though beautiful, a chalk drawing ministry does not qualify as preaching)
IV. Personality (many flamboyant men have mounted a pulpit, and given a lot of great expositions based on their personality, and a prosperity gospel, however, it’s still through the power of God not the personality of a man that God does His work)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
This is the day.
Read II Corinthians 6
II Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
How true it is that the urgency of salvation is a today matter. Tommorow may never come, and the future is uncertain in the best of circumstances. God says that the time to act on His offer to be saved is now. God constantly warns us in His Word to not let our hearts become hard to His call. Why? Because the more we as human beings put something off, the easier it is to continue to put it off until it never gets done. God says now is the day. Not tommorrow-it may never come, not yesterday-it is already over, you need to accept God now. Also, if you are going to do something with your life for God, you need to start now. God's simple statement is do it now.
Things you need to do today.
I. Get saved (if you are not saved this is the most important step of today)
II. Talk to God. (pray, God will listen to you)
III. Listen to God. (read, God will speak to you through His Word)
IV. Tell someone about God. (if you are already saved, its your responsibility to lead others to Christ)
II Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
How true it is that the urgency of salvation is a today matter. Tommorow may never come, and the future is uncertain in the best of circumstances. God says that the time to act on His offer to be saved is now. God constantly warns us in His Word to not let our hearts become hard to His call. Why? Because the more we as human beings put something off, the easier it is to continue to put it off until it never gets done. God says now is the day. Not tommorrow-it may never come, not yesterday-it is already over, you need to accept God now. Also, if you are going to do something with your life for God, you need to start now. God's simple statement is do it now.
Things you need to do today.
I. Get saved (if you are not saved this is the most important step of today)
II. Talk to God. (pray, God will listen to you)
III. Listen to God. (read, God will speak to you through His Word)
IV. Tell someone about God. (if you are already saved, its your responsibility to lead others to Christ)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Singing in the stocks.
Acts 26:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:(24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.(25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.(26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.(27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.(28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.(29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,(30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?(31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The statement is true, "Your life may be the only Bible some people read." These two great preachers had been beaten and ridiculed and imprisoned for their faith, yet with absolute determination, and the zeal and love for God that charaterized their lives, they sang and praised God for their salvation, in spite of their condition. What is your testimony to the world?
The second thing we can see here is a man who needed Christ. His need may have never been evident to him before. He seems to be oblivious to the matter, until, through circumstances beyond his control, he is confronted with his condition. This confrontation does not come in an irate manner, by men who condescend to tell him his need. He is not "raked over the coals," nor is he "showed" what he needs in an ignorant manner, as is the case of many "so-called" witnessing attempts today. This jailor, in fact, only hears the singing and praising of two badly beaten men. He does not hear the mumbling and groaning of men who were told someone would not take a tract, he hears the praise from men with bloody backs.
There may be someone who has never realized their need for Christ that comes into our lives today. Will our attitude be one of helping them or of offending them.
The statement is true, "Your life may be the only Bible some people read." These two great preachers had been beaten and ridiculed and imprisoned for their faith, yet with absolute determination, and the zeal and love for God that charaterized their lives, they sang and praised God for their salvation, in spite of their condition. What is your testimony to the world?
The second thing we can see here is a man who needed Christ. His need may have never been evident to him before. He seems to be oblivious to the matter, until, through circumstances beyond his control, he is confronted with his condition. This confrontation does not come in an irate manner, by men who condescend to tell him his need. He is not "raked over the coals," nor is he "showed" what he needs in an ignorant manner, as is the case of many "so-called" witnessing attempts today. This jailor, in fact, only hears the singing and praising of two badly beaten men. He does not hear the mumbling and groaning of men who were told someone would not take a tract, he hears the praise from men with bloody backs.
There may be someone who has never realized their need for Christ that comes into our lives today. Will our attitude be one of helping them or of offending them.
Monday, April 6, 2009
This is the day.
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Hallelujah! Two precious young souls came forward to be saved on Sunday morning!! What a wonderful change is made in the life of a person when Jesus comes in. The work of God in salvation is a work that it is impossible for a human being to understand. However, when He comes in, the joy unspeakable roles in, and the glory of the Lord over shadows the life. What a Saviour, what a Lord, what a glorious salvation Plan, the marvelous, wonderful, majestic, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, cares enough for worthless mankind, to give Himself for me! Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift!
Salvation Brings a change.
I. In your Disobedience (Sin) {What you do} [salvation takes away sin]
II. In your Demeanor (attitude) {What you want} [salvation makes you want to do what is pleasing to God.
III. In your direction. {Where you go} [salvation makes you want to go different places--church]
IV. In your Determination. {What you want for others} [salvation makes you want others to be saved]
V. In your Destination. {Where your headed} [salvation changes the destination from Hell to Heaven]
Hallelujah! Two precious young souls came forward to be saved on Sunday morning!! What a wonderful change is made in the life of a person when Jesus comes in. The work of God in salvation is a work that it is impossible for a human being to understand. However, when He comes in, the joy unspeakable roles in, and the glory of the Lord over shadows the life. What a Saviour, what a Lord, what a glorious salvation Plan, the marvelous, wonderful, majestic, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, cares enough for worthless mankind, to give Himself for me! Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift!
Salvation Brings a change.
I. In your Disobedience (Sin) {What you do} [salvation takes away sin]
II. In your Demeanor (attitude) {What you want} [salvation makes you want to do what is pleasing to God.
III. In your direction. {Where you go} [salvation makes you want to go different places--church]
IV. In your Determination. {What you want for others} [salvation makes you want others to be saved]
V. In your Destination. {Where your headed} [salvation changes the destination from Hell to Heaven]
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
This is the day.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
What have you sown? Has your life been dedicated completely to you? Have you always enjoyed a large ammount of sin in your life? Why would you expect to not reap the same type of things that you have sown? God says you will reap, not only will you reap something when you've sown, but you will also reap what you have sown. Have you sown sin, you will reap sin. The biggest let down of all, is that what is reaped, is not always reaped by the person who sowed it. David's sin, for instance, was reaped largely by his children. Jezebel's sin was reaped by an entire nation. Satan's sin, as well as Adam's and Eve's, has been, and will continue to be, reaped by generations, and droves of people. Why would you be different? Hey, God is not mocked. What will you reap?
What do most people sow?
I. Sin [look at the wickedness of the world today]
II. Sorrow [look at the results of sin on people today]
III. Self-will [the thrust of the world today is "me"] joy=jesus,others, and you.
What do most people reap?
I. More Sin [one ungodly act leads to another {lust/adultery} {hate/murder}]
II. More Sorrow [the deeper the hole one digs, the harder it is to get out]
III. Suicide [when "i" run out, then there is nothing left]
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
What have you sown? Has your life been dedicated completely to you? Have you always enjoyed a large ammount of sin in your life? Why would you expect to not reap the same type of things that you have sown? God says you will reap, not only will you reap something when you've sown, but you will also reap what you have sown. Have you sown sin, you will reap sin. The biggest let down of all, is that what is reaped, is not always reaped by the person who sowed it. David's sin, for instance, was reaped largely by his children. Jezebel's sin was reaped by an entire nation. Satan's sin, as well as Adam's and Eve's, has been, and will continue to be, reaped by generations, and droves of people. Why would you be different? Hey, God is not mocked. What will you reap?
What do most people sow?
I. Sin [look at the wickedness of the world today]
II. Sorrow [look at the results of sin on people today]
III. Self-will [the thrust of the world today is "me"] joy=jesus,others, and you.
What do most people reap?
I. More Sin [one ungodly act leads to another {lust/adultery} {hate/murder}]
II. More Sorrow [the deeper the hole one digs, the harder it is to get out]
III. Suicide [when "i" run out, then there is nothing left]
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Almost Persuaded
Acts Chapter 26
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
"Almost thou persuadest me..." King Agrippa's words may be the most used phrase toward accepting Christianity that has ever surfaced. Many people see the need for salvation, see the need for reformation, or simply see that they must change in order to live a "good" life, but are not ready to accept God's formula for their change.
The testimony of Paul was one of great change in his life. He had been a murderous Pharisee who hated the very mention of the name of Jesus Christ, and had been changed so drastically that he boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus, to the point that now he was in bonds and would soon be executed for his ferverent preaching of Jesus.
Agrippa sat there and listened to the words that could have changed his life forever, yet he was not fully persuaded that he wanted to make this change. There is no remedy for sin other than the blood of Jesus Christ, and there is no pardon from sin out side of His Perfect Sacrifice. "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am..." This is my prayer also, don't be almost persuaded, but altogether persuaded as I am.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
"Almost thou persuadest me..." King Agrippa's words may be the most used phrase toward accepting Christianity that has ever surfaced. Many people see the need for salvation, see the need for reformation, or simply see that they must change in order to live a "good" life, but are not ready to accept God's formula for their change.
The testimony of Paul was one of great change in his life. He had been a murderous Pharisee who hated the very mention of the name of Jesus Christ, and had been changed so drastically that he boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus, to the point that now he was in bonds and would soon be executed for his ferverent preaching of Jesus.
Agrippa sat there and listened to the words that could have changed his life forever, yet he was not fully persuaded that he wanted to make this change. There is no remedy for sin other than the blood of Jesus Christ, and there is no pardon from sin out side of His Perfect Sacrifice. "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am..." This is my prayer also, don't be almost persuaded, but altogether persuaded as I am.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)