Christians Remember

Christians Remember

Christians remember,

 the word of the Apostle Paul

 who said,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 Romans 5:8.

Christian remember

The words of the apostle John,

who said,

“We love because he first loved us.” 

1 John 4:19.

Christian remember

 what true Love is,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, 

it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Christian remember 

the words of Jesus who said,

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it:

 ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:36-40.

Christians remember

 Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  

But I tell you: Love your enemies 

and pray for those who persecute you...” 

Matthew 5:43,44

Christians remember,

 Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 Matthew 7:1,2.

Christians remember,

 the words of the apostle Paul, 

who said,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 

1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Christians remember

 the incident recorded in Matthews gospel,

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and

 “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, 

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 

On hearing this, Jesus said, 

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 

But go and learn what this means: 

‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ 

For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Matthew 9:10-13.

Christians remember 

the words of Jesus who said,

“Then Jesus came to them and said,

 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20.

Christians remember

 the words of the writer of Hebrews 

who said,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

 Hebrews 12:14

Christians also remember

 the words of Jesus 

who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”

 Matthew 7:12.

All of the above are things Christians should remember, think about, and put into practise daily.

Finally Christian remember

 the words of Francis of Assisi 

who said,

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

Our Treasure

Our Treasure
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. 
Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:16-22.
Illustrated in this scripture is a concept some Christians may be asked to do. It concerns a wealthy man that approached Jesus.
 Now there is nothing wrong with being rich. There are many wealthy people in the church today who are doing good as there were in the early church. It’s the priority you give to your wealth. Wealth can make your life easier and even allow you to help others. However it is a two edged sword. It can pull you away from God.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
It’s the love of money that can cause us to wander away from our faith.
The man who came to Jesus and asked , “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” intellectually believed in God. He had obeyed the rules God set down for following God from his childhood.
This man however lacked faith in God. He relied on his wealth for security. When asked to give up that wealth and rely on his faith in God to provide all he needed he turned away. He was unable to give up the security of his material wealth.
Jesus said this,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Like I said there is nothing wrong with having wealth in its place, but our true treasure must be in heaven. We must be willing to give up our wealth in this world if God asks us to do so.
We if we are true followers of Christ must be willing to go where God calls us to go. Be that to talk to the neighbour next door or on the mission field thousands of miles away.
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” Matthew 13:44-46.
If we claim to be Christians this is what we must be willing to do.
Please think about it.