You're a Light to the world

  You’re a Light to the world

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

I think Christians overlook this scripture sometimes. They forget they are the light of the world. It is through our words and deeds that people will see the light that is Christ Jesus.

All too often people calling themselves Christians do not shine like they should. For a myriad of reasons there are many out there in the world calling themselves Christians but are not. The Apostle Paul stating,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

This is happening particularly in the United states, but also in other countries. 

It is therefor up to the true believer to let their light of the true gospel message shine before all those around them.

If you consider yourself a Christian does your light shine?

Do people know you are a true Christian by both your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Advise from the apostle Paul

  Advice from the apostle Paul

Writing to Timothy the apostle Paul wrote,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

This is all God asks of any Christian to do their best to present yourself to God as one of His workmen who correctly handles the truth of the Gospel.

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are Gods ambassadors. The apostle Paul writing,

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

   We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

As Christians we have an obligation to present God in the best possible light. It’s that simple. We must not force our faith on anyone. Rather we must present what we believe in word and deed to those around us and let them decide for themselves if they wish to have Christ as part of their life.

Please think about it.

Our Duty as Christians

  Our duty as Christians

The apostle Paul writes,

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”1 Thessalonians 5:1,2.

As Christians we must be ready for the return of Christ. I know many people like to speculate when Jesus will return. There is nothing wrong with that. After all it’s a nice to consider a day when we will be in heaven with God.

The problem becomes when we obsess about the day of his returning to the point where we are not doing Gods work on this earth.

Remember Jesus 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.

This is our duty as Christians to do anything less is to fail God.

Please think about it.

The Prime Directive

The prime directive
Jesus 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.
Sadly here in North America many of those who espouse to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus seem to have forgotten this.
Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham
As I look around at those claiming to be Christians here in North America I see people selling lotions, potions, get rich quick schemes, even survival rations that are essentially secular things with Christian names added.
I see Christians getting involved with politics. Something Jesus and his disciples never did. 
As Christians we have an obligation to do what Jesus said,
1/ to make disciples of all nations,
2/ to baptize new converts in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit
3/ to teach new converts to obey everything Jesus commanded us to do.
James the half brother of Jesus tells us what our faith should spur us on to doing when he writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo states,
"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.
He is right. I think each individual who claims to a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus needs to take a long look at what they believe. They then must look at their words and deeds and see if what they are saying and doing is truly reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
Please think about it. 

A question

A Question

"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

Someone asked me, What do you most desire from Christians living in America?
I replied, That Christians turn to the back to the Bible. Stop mixing politics with their faith, and follow at least three things Jesus said,
1/ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
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
2/ “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.
3/ “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.
If Christians followed these three things, the world would change for the better.
Please think about it.

Evangelical or Political?

Evangelical or Political?
Jesus 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.
I attend a small evangelical church. That does a lot of good. It reaches out to the poor and those living on the street with the love of Jesus. We do what many other churches do and should do.
That being said are churches in 2019 truly evangelical?
It is a sad fact that the evangelical movement in particular are known for what they are against. In the United States many evangelicals have started to mix their faith with their politics. This is something Jesus and his disciples never did.
As I have said in previous blogs, mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive.
Sadly because many evangelicals mix their politics and faith it turns people away from Christ.
It is not the job of the Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus to support a politician or political party. To do so I believe is to put a millstone around ones neck. Making it very difficult to present the gospel message.
The job of the Christian is to present the gospel message to those around us. We cannot do this if politics or for that matter any other earthly thing gets in the way.
In my previous blog post I quoted the apostle Paul who writing to Timothy said,
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.
If we do this we will win more souls for Christ than we ever could supporting a politician or political party. Which is what we are called to do.
Please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Luke’s Gospel records,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,  
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
This passage of scripture tell us why Jesus came to earth. To call the sinners to repentance.
John’s Gospel records Jesus speaking of himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
This is a message those calling themselves Christians need to remember. The purpose of Christ’s coming to earth was to save the world. Not condemn it.
Jesus told his disciples,
“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.
It is not the Christians job to judge the world. It is not the Christians job to say where anyone will spend eternity. It is the Christians job to make disciples of all nations.
In order to do this we must live out the message of Christ in word and in deed.
We must 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.

We must ask ourselves am I presenting the gospel message to others in a way that I would like it presented to me?
Please think about it.

Coming Soon

Coming soon

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

                                Revelations 20:21 

The second last verse in the New Testament makes it clear Jesus is coming soon.
Thus if he was coming soon when Revelations was written the time of Christ’s appearing is much nearer now.
With all that is happening around the world today Christians seem to be talking more and more about the coming of Christ. The internet is drowning in Christian material from a myriad of sources pointing to the fact that Jesus will be hear soon.
Evangelist and pastors in the media are sorting through every speck of information that is coming in on the news wires and trying to read prophetic significance into it.
I’m sure some of those pastors and evangelist are right about what they say. I am equally sure that just as many, if not more, are wrong.
Some may even be out and out charlatans preying on believers in Christ for their own personal gain, using the interpretation of prophecy to lead people down the wrong path.
When it comes to prophecy we must be careful who we listen to.  Just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is right.
Now I’ve said all that to say this. While the study of prophesy is nice and the speculation as to what is going to happen is interesting. It is not the responsibility of Christians to worry about prophesy.
When it comes to Christ’s return Jesus said,
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” Matthew 24:36-42.
As believers in Christ Jesus we are to keep watch and do our appointed task. That task is winning souls for Christ. I firmly believe that instead of spending our time speculating on prophesy and buying books and recordings on prophesy we need to spend that time and money on reaching people for Christ.
Jesus 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.
As Christians this is what we should be doing because not doing so could condemn someone to a Christless eternity.
Think about it.

Epenetus?

Epenetus?
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.  
They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” Romans 16:13-5.
I don’t suppose there are many sermons written around Epenetus. I just happened to read his name while reading the book of Romans the other day.
What perked my interest was Epenetus was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Epenetus when he received Christ as his saviour had no one except those who led him to the Lord to fellowship with.
Whatever happened to him we will never know this side of heaven. The thing is however the salvation of souls in Asia had to start with someone and it just so happened to be Epenetus.
Question, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus can you think of the first person you led to the Lord?
It is the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to evangelize and teach new converts. Jesus 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.
Do you evangelize? I know not everyone can get up in the pulpit and preach. Not everyone can go to a foreign land a present the gospel. Not everyone can teach. Still we can all to something.
Many years ago now I remember a little girl she was eight or nine at the time. Her parents didn’t go to church but they let her go down the street to Sunday school at a nearby church.
That little girl came to know the Lord as her saviour. It led to her brother coming to church and eventually her parents came. All of whom came to know the Lord as their saviour.
All because a little girl came to Sunday school.
If she can do it anyone can do it. They can do it because Christ can use anyone who is willing to let him work in their life.
The reason this little girl was so effective was her parents could see something positive in her life. They also wanted to know what she was being taught. Thus they came.
The pastor and the members of the church welcomed them in love. They never forced anything on them. They never in any way looked down on them. They allowed God to show them the truth. Thus in due time they asked Christ into their life.
I believe is one claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. It is incumbent on us to present the gospel of Christ in love and let the individual we are presenting it to, to make up their own mind.
I’m sure that’s what happened with Epenetus.
Thus the question becomes, if you are true follower of Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel in love both in word and in deed to those around you?
Please think about it.

A Believers Duty

A Believers Duty

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

he is to be feared above all gods. 

For all the gods of the nations are idols, 

but the LORD made the heavens. 

Splendor and majesty are before him;

 strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”

                                                                   Psalm 96:1-6.

It is the duty of believers in Christ Jesus to declare God’s glory among the nations.
Jesus 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.
As believers in Christ. As believers in God. We must present our faith and belief in God to all the world in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

The book of acts speaking of the early church records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. 
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47.
Believers in Christ Jesus have a great responsibility. We are called to tell the world about the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. As such we should be following the words of the apostle Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
People whether we like it or not are watching anyone who calls themselves Christians. Who claim to be a follower of Christ.
It is through the lense of our life as believers that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent on us to present the Gospel of Christ in word, in deed and above all in Love.
Please think about it.

Gasoline and Water

Gasoline and Water

“Mixing religion and politics

 is like mixing water and gasoline.

 The gasoline is unusable. 

The water undrinkable. 

And the whole mixture explosive.” 

                                        Author unknown.

What I want to say here is we should never mix our faith with secular politics. Neither Jesus nor his disciples did. They didn’t even have the right to vote.
No political party on this earth is Christians or completely supports Christian values.
While I believe every Christian after praying about it, should in a democracy exercise their right to vote, and if they feel God’s leading run for political office.  I still feel Christians should still not mix secular politics with their faith.
The job of the Christian is to do God’s work. Jesus 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.
Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to tell the world of the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Something that can be hindered when mixed with politics.
Our faith should also cause us to do good works. James the half brother of Jesus said
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember we are what Peter calls, “royal priesthood”, and get rid of the secular baggage the church has picked up through the centuries.
We need to be presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will listen. To do our best to help the poor, and sick among us.
We need to put into practice 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.

Please think about it.

Make Known

Make Known
The writer of Chronicles states,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 1Chronicles 16:8.
Jesus 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.
It is I believe the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to tell the world about God and the Saving Grace that comes through His One and Only Son Jesus Christ.
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 you are truly a believer in Christ Jesus then your faith in Christ should be the most valuable thing you have. You should want to tell people about your faith.
The apostle Peter said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’  1Peter 2:9.
Thus the question becomes, If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus is your faith so precious to you that you want to share it with anyone who will listen?
Please think about it.

Association

Association
Who do you associate with?
John’s gospel tells us about this incident in the life of Jesus,
“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) John 4:6-9.
Here we see Jesus ask a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. Something not done. Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Jesus however chose to do so.
Jesus never let convention of the day deter him from speaking to anyone. Mark’s gospel tells of the time Jesus sat with tax collectors. People considered sinners. Someone “good people” would not associate with. Mark records,
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
Jesus speaking to His disciple and through them to all who believe in Him, 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.
Jesus never put restrictions on who could hear the Gospel. He told all who would believe in Him to go and make disciples of all nations.
Question, If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Do you put restrictions on whom you tell about Jesus?
Do you put limitations on who you will associate with? Jesus never did nor should we.
Please think about it.

Become Wheat

Become Wheat
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
The church has been around a long time as a result many calling themselves Christians are not. The apostle Paul even warned,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4
The apostle Peter warned,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
We as Christians must be carful not to follow false teaching, not to listen to false teachers. The only way we can do such a thing is to read and study the scriptures for ourselves. We should also do our best to become apart of a good bible believing church congregation.
Michael Flynn observed,
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves. I have come to believe that there is more grace in becoming wheat than there is in pulling weeds.” Michael Flynn, 
I like Flynn’s statement
“I have come to believe that there is more grace in becoming wheat than there is in pulling weeds.”
We can as believers wanting to make sure the truth is spoken in the name of Jesus, jump up and down, yell and criticize those we believe are not presenting the word of God correctly. That however will just wear us out and produce nothing.
There will always be false teachers in the church. And while we need to be aware of them. Even following what the Apostle Paul tells us to “....“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Cornithians 5:13b. We should not engage in witch hunts. Such things do not produce followers of Christ.
We need as Flynn put it to become wheat. Producing good spiritual food for those around us. We need to do as Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.
Please think about it.

For God

For God
The Apostle Peter writes,
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4: 7-11
Here is a simple message to all who believe in Jesus Christ. He makes the statement “the end of all things is near”
Peter and the early church believed Christ’s return was immanent. They, I’m sure, had no concept of the monumental task that was at hand with respect to taking the gospel to the whole world. Still this worked in their favour. They gave spreading of the gospel precedent. They proclaimed the good news of Jesus as if he was returning the next day. The result being, within a century or less the salvation message of Christ had reach all the Roman empire and beyond.
This is a lesson we as Christians in the twenty-first century should take to heart. We need to give precedent to presenting the Salvation message of Jesus to the world and not get side tracked with other issues.
   Peter also calls on Christians to love other Christians deeply and to be hospitable. In doing these things we honour God.
He then states,
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
These were all things done in the early church. They lived their faith in full view of everyone, and people noticed. The book of Acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
Even non-Christians noted what they did Pilney
Pliny the Younger governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor wrote to the Emperor Trajan (98 to 117 AD), wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind...”Piliny the younger.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
We as twenty-first century Christians need to remember this. We need to live our lives in full view of all. We need to live lives wholly acceptable to Jesus. We need to follow what the writer of Hebrews 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.

If you claim to be Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

To be Christian

To be Christian
Here’s some advice from James the half brother of Jesus to Christians. He writes,
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  
Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:7-11.
The early Church like the church today was expecting Christ to return soon. I don’t think they had any idea of the true scope of the job ahead of the church in taking the gospel to every one in the world.
God could have chose to show Himself miraculously to everyone in the world instantly but he did not do so. Instead He asked the early church and He asks the church today to present a message of faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Asking people to believe what they cannot see can be very hard for many people. Additionally while the majority of people to whom they were taking the gospel believed in an after life and God in some way, the majority of people the gospel would be presented to had no knowledge of the Jewish scriptures.
Thus a monumental task lay ahead of that early church. A task that is still continuing to this day. A task that would see much hardship as well as success. That’s why James writes,
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  
Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:7-11.
The church needed to be patient. To stand firm in what it believes. To be unified and not grumble about each other. To endure suffering. To look back at the old Testament prophets and Job who went through a great deal yet emerged victorious and received the reward of eternal life with God.
Looking at the Church in the twenty-first century it’s easy to say where is God? Why as He not returned?
It’s easy to say he doesn’t exist. Using the excuse that it has been so long since Christ walked the earth that therefor the scriptures must be mistaken.
The Scriptures are not mistaken. The old and New Testament are true and Jesus will one day return to this earth to judge both the living and the dead.
The call to Christians to keep the faith no matter what the circumstances you are in. To work as if Christ will return tomorrow. To plan as if that return is still many years in the future.
Jesus when he left this earth left the disciple and all believers in Him a job to do. Jesus 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.
If you claim to be a follower of  Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

We Need To

We need to
The other day I was reading the apostle Pauls second letter to Timothy and these few lines jumped out at me. They said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
Paul is telling Timothy to pattern his teaching after Paul’s own teaching. Sadly in this day and age many evangelist, pastors and others claiming to be Christians do not pattern their teaching after the apostle Paul.
If we look at Paul’s teaching we see a number of things we as Christians need to do.
When we look at Paul speaking in Athens in the Areopagus Acts chapter seventeen. We see Paul did not speak against anything the Athenians believed in. He met them where they were at. He noticed a temple to an unknown God. Using that as a starting point he proclaimed the gospel of Christ. He said,
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:23-31.
Paul proclaimed the gospel message without criticizing the Athenians beliefs. He even won souls for Christ that day and left people wanting to hear more.
 Paul was very big on staying on message and not criticizing those outside the church. He 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 

 When Paul corrected anyone it was always Christians never those outside the Church.
Paul points out,
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”  2 Timothy 2:4.
Christians need to remember this we are in an army that proclaims the Love of God. We for the most part should not be getting involved in secular affairs.
Sadly many in the North American church it seems like to criticize those outside the church. They tend to mix particularly secular politics and their faith. This should not be so.
Someone once said “mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable, and the whole mixture explosive and damaging.”
If we as Christians in the twenty-first century are to reach people for Christ we need to stick to the pure message of the gospel. We need to heed the words Paul wrote to Timothy when he said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
We need to follow the advice 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.
Please think about it.

Workers Needed

Workers needed
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the    Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9: 35-38.
Are you working for God? Anyone who truly believes in Jesus can work for God. Can win souls for Christ.
Years ago I use to teach ten year olds in  Sunday School. A young girl once asked me, How can she could win someone for Jesus. She said, “I’m just a kid and don’t know the Bible very well.”
I told here she didn’t have to know the Bible very well to win souls for Christ. All she had to do was invite them to Sunday School or church. From there the pastor and the Sunday School teachers could tell them about Christ.
That young girl took what I said to heart inviting numerous of her friends and family to church. Some of which committed their lives to Christ. That ten year old girl worked for Christ as good as any pastor or evangelist. In her own way she was an evangelist.
We can all be like that young girl. We can all invite someone to Church. Even if it’s not church you can have an informal bible study in your home.
Francis of Assisi tells us,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

Francis of Assisi

He also said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi 

As Christians our daily lives should reflect the love of God. Jesus said,
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
The apostle Peter tells us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
This is how we can work for Christ.
Pleases think about it.

Be Ready

Be Ready
““No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36-42.
I once led a Bible study in which this scripture came up. Some of the people around the table were, for lack of a better term, not very well balanced Christians. As a result I immediately had people speculating on when Jesus would return. Most noting that the conditions our society was in was at least as bad as the days of Noah.
They missed the point. Whether or not our society is as bad as the one that Noah lived in is inconsequential. Christ wants us to be ready for His coming. He makes it clear no one knows the day or the hour God will judge the world.
Our duty as Christians is to be doing God’s work. To be reaching out in love with the gospel of Christ to our family, our neighbours, our friends and even our enemy.
We need to be living our lives in a way that is acceptable to God.
Jesus tells us,
“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.
If we are true Christians, we will be putting this principle of Christ into effect in our lives. For example if your family member, friend, neighbour or even enemy, knew of something that could change your life for the better, forever, would you not want them to tell you about it?
If you didn’t know that Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. 
Would you not want to know this?
If you didn’t know the apostle Paul said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Would you not want to know this?
That is what it is to do to others as you would have others do to you.
It is showing others the Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, that comes from God, and presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.
If you claim to be a Christian are you doing these things?
Please think about it,

Make Every Effort

Make Every Effort
Matthews Gospel records,
“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.
As Christians we are called to go into all the world and present the Good News of Jesus Christ. In order to do this correctly we must have the right attitude.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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.
When we live at peace and respect the views of those around us it provides the ideal conditions for presenting the gospel to those around us.
It also is true that if those around us are seeing we are living holy lives, in other words living our life the way Jesus would want us to live it. They will be attracted to that life.
The apostle Paul writing to the Galatians tells us what the fruits of a spirit filled Christian life, a holy life, are, when he states,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.”  

Galatians 5:22,23

As Christians our lifestyle is everything. Our life and lifestyle can bring people to Christ or turn them away. The apostle Peter states,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Question, Is this the kind of life you are living?
Francis of Assisi made a very true statement went he said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling the world?
         Please think about it.