The World is Watching

  The world is watching.

The apostle Paul writes,

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17.

There is an important truth to be learned here. As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ Jesus. Everything in word and in deed is to be done in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.It is through the lense of our words and deeds that the world sees Jesus. Francis of Assisi wrote, 

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a Christian your words and deeds are the sermon people sees and hears twenty-four seven.

Thus my question to you is; What is your sermon telling those around you about Christ?

Please think about it.

The world reads Christians

The world reads Christians
Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

                                         Matthew 5:14

Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.” Charles H. Spurgeon.
Spurgeon is absolutely right. The world sees Jesus through the lense of those claiming to be Christians.
Francis of Assisi 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?
Does your words and deeds reflect the love of Christ to all people, even those you disagree with? Even toward your worst enemy?
Jesus when asked,
“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.
Earlier in Matthews gospel, he records Jesus as saying,
“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.
Are you loving all people unconditionally?
If you claim to be a Christian, do people see the love of Christ in you.
If you claim to be a Christian why not take a few minutes right now to pray and ask God to show you if you are truly loving others unconditionally.
Please think about it.

Wise Words

Wise Words
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
Charles H. Spurgeon wrote,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.”Charles H. Spurgeon
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

What are your words and deeds telling the world around you about your faith in Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

Your Words and Deeds

Your Words and Deeds
The Apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

When people see your actions what are they seeing?
Are they seeing someone who loves God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
Are they seeing someone who shows the love of God to all those around them?
Jesus 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.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you treating others the way you would like to be treated?
As followers of Christ we must be aware that people are watching us.
We need to as the apostle Peter said,
“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 2:12.
Always remember that other people see Jesus through the words and deeds of those who claim to be His followers.
Thus if you claim to be a follower of Christ it is through your words and deeds that people will see Christ.
Your words and deeds may very well bring a person to Christ or push them away from Christ.
So the question becomes. What are your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?
Please think about it. 

Do

Do

“My dear brothers, take note of this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak 

and slow to become angry,  

for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil 

that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, 

which can save you. 

Do not merely listen to the word,

 and so deceive yourselves. 

Do what it says.”

James 1:19-22  

Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi.

Christianity is not just a religion. It is a way of life. In order for people to see God they need to see God at work in our lives. The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name

 in the sight of God and man.”

 Proverbs 3:3,4,

The early church set the example. The book of Acts telling us,
“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.
If we claim to be followers of Christ we can do no less than what the scriptures tell us to do.
If people do not see God reflected in our lives, if they do not see that we live life differently than the world they will not want anything to do with us. As the writer of Hebrews states,

“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 a follower of Christ you are God’s representative on earth. You are the lense if you will, through which people will see God. Thus how you conduct your life may determine the eternal resting place of someone you come in contact with.
Please think about it.

Your Life

Your Life
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

 or stand in the way of sinners

 or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

Psalm 1:1,2.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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 a Christian do you live a Holy life? A lifestyle that the world is attracted to?
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi.

When people look at you do they see a positive difference between your lifestyle as a Christian and that of the world, OR do people see in you a religious version of the world?
Billy Graham noted,
“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 Christians we need to study the scriptures. We need to look to the examples of Christ and the apostles. These men never raised a fist in anger. They never spoke against the Roman secular government.
They preached the gospel of Love. God’s love for all men. They led by example. They were willing to sit down with anyone who would listen and tell them about the Good News of Jesus Christ. They sent such an example that 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.
Is this the kind of life you are living as a Christian?
As a Christian you are called to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus when asked,
“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.
Jesus told 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 you claim to be a Christian are you doing this.
Please think about it.

Train a Child

Train a Child

Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it. 

Proverbs 22:6.

           Joshua Loth Liebman wrote,
“Give your children unconditional love, a love that is not dependent on report cards, clean hands, or popularity.  Give your children a sense of your whole-hearted acceptance, acceptance of their human frailties as well as their abilities and virtues.  Give your children your permission to grow up to make their own lives independent of you.  Give them a sense of truth; make them aware of themselves as citizens of a universe in which there are many obstacles as well as fulfillments.  
Bestow upon your child the blessings of your faith.  These are the laws of honouring your son and your daughter.  Out of these laws will be built the Declaration of Independence for the coming generation, a spiritual and emotional independence that, in turn, will make the world free, democratic, safe, creative”.   Joshua Loth Liebman.
If you are a Christian with children reading this, how are you bringing them up? Are you giving them the blessings of your faith. Are you teaching them what it is to be a Christian in word and in deed?
I have been in Christian service now for over forty years now. I’ve witnessed on the street. I have been a Sunday school teacher, a youth leader and at this writing I am the adult midweek Bible study leader at my church.
Over those years I’ve seen good things and bad things happen in the church. One of the things however that stands out is the way Christians bring up their children.
Sadly many force their faith on their children. They drag them to church and use every opportunity they have to, if you will, hit their children over the head with the bible. They use it to correct their children by quoting scripture.
They make Christianity out to be a lot of do’s and do not’s.
I have found this is not the right way to present the gospel message to your children. Most rebel and turn away from the faith of their parents.
Others come to see the church as a youth social club. We always use to say that the hardest teenagers to reach are those who grew up in the church. They “speak church speak”. They know what to say and when to say it. They know how they are expected to act and do it. Many even have a fair, if not very good knowledge of the scriptures. Yet they have not made a personal commitment to Christ.
As Christian parents we need to point our Children to Christ by living our faith in front of them. Francis of Assisi said,
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

He also said,

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi.

Believe me our children do see our unspoken sermons. And most of the times they will follow what is said. They follow our example.
It is important to teach in word and deed our faith to our children, to let them see it is a faith worth living.
Please think about it.

Spreading the Gospel

Spreading the Gospel
“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 a Christian are you faithful in spreading the gospel? Have you ever given up on someone you have witnessed time and time again to seemingly no avail?
I admit it can be frustrating to reach someone with the gospel at times. However we should do our best to reach the people around us.
The Talmud while a Jewish book and not recognized by Christians, has a truth Christians need to learn. It tells this story about Abraham.
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?” The Talmud.
As Christians we should never give up on anyone. A person can accept Christ until the moment before they take their final breath.
Still we need to be careful that we are not the cause of people turning from Jesus. A fierce light shines on we Christians. The eternal resting place of those we witness to and associate with may lie with us.
When we tell others about Jesus we should never be aggressive. Never force our faith on anyone or judge anyone.
We should be willing to listen to them. After all if you do not listen to them, they will not listen to you.
At the same time our actions and our lifestyle should point others to Christ. As Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi.
We should meet a person where they are at. The apostle Paul speaking in Athens didn’t judge those who invited them to speak. He noted that they were religious and that they even had a temple to “an unknown god”.
Paul started at that point and in a very polite manner presented what he believed to his listeners.
This is how we should be.
Be respectful of the people we are talking to.
Listen to them. They have a point of view. Respect it, even if you disagree with it.
Meet them where they are at.
Don’t throw a lot of Christian terms they may not know at them.
Present the Good News of Jesus Christ to them in a polite way.
Then if you feel it is the right time ask them if they want to receive Jesus as their Saviour.
Dear Christian please think about it.

A Christian

A Christian

Jesus prayed,
“My prayer is not for them alone(His disciples).
 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
                    John 17:20,21.
When the people around you look at your life and actions do they see Jesus?
The prayer of Jesus here is for not only his disciples but for those who believe in Him because of what they said. That includes all who claim to be Christians.
So the question is when people look at you, do they truly see Jesus. OR are you by your life and actions turning people away from Christ?
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” 
                                                                                                 Francis of Assisi.
So what is your sermon telling those around you?
I live in North America and I see a lot of things done in the name of Jesus that He would never have done.
Do you realize Jesus never voted. Nor did he belong to a political party or express  His political beliefs. He never demonstrated against anything whether they were right in God’s sight or not. Nor did His disciples.
Billy Graham said of Christ’s disciples,
“The men who followed Him 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.
Think about it, without raising a sword, without belonging to a political party without protesting against anything or for anything those disciples and those who truly followed Christ turned the world upside down. As a result of their work founded in love for their God, their neighbour and even their enemy they have reached every corner of the world.
The early disciples did it while under the reign of Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians.
Sadly today those claiming to be Christians particularly in the United States mix their faith with politics. They are known for what they are against not what they are for. This should not be so.
Matthew 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.
We cannot follow that command if we mix politics and our faith. We cannot do it if we are seen as being against anything.
Living in the secular democracy in which we here in North America offers us a great opportunity to reach millions of people.
Sadly it also gives us the opportunity to pollute our message with seemingly good things like our political views and demanding of “our rights”.
Think about it Jesus never demanded His rights when before Pilate. His disciples had some rights under Roman law but we don’t see anywhere in the scriptures them demanding “their rights”.
If we look at the early Church we see them preaching the unadulterated message of the Gospel of Christ.
The apostle Paul said,
“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 way I see it the job of the Christian is not to worry about “their rights” or who is the best politician to be in power.
History has proved that despite having no rights and people opposed to Christianity in power Christianity has flourished and resides today even in places where it is most persecuted.
The job of the Christian is clear. We are to win souls for Christ. We are to teach them all we as Christians have been taught about God, Jesus and The Way to heaven.
A great light is upon the Christian. The eternal resting place of those we meet may depend on what we say and do.
Please think about it.

Your Life

Your Life
The apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                          Francis of Assisi
What is your sermon telling the people around you? Is your life reflecting the love of God to those around you.
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
A great light shines on the Christian. The eternal resting place of people we come in contact with may depend on us. By our deeds will people will judge, not only us, but Christ.
We must at all times act in an ethical and moral way toward those around us. We cannot afford to do less.
All too often I’ve heard “Why should I go to church. I know people who say they are Christians and I live lives that are better than them.”
As Christians we need to be going before God each day and asking him to show us how we can live a better life. How we can live a life acceptable to Him.
Billy Graham said,
“The men who followed Him 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.
Is your heart turned right side up?
When people look at you and your life do they see a morally and ethically good person? Do they see Christ reflected in your life and lifestyle?
For many years I was a professional clown. I did everything from Children’s birthday parties to major events to which thousands showed up. Before I left my home to perform I said a simple prayer that I still say each morning. I pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
May your will be done in my life this day. May I perform to the best of my ability. May I bring a little joy, happiness, and laughter to those whom I preform in front of. May all who see me see Jesus reflected in my life.
                            Amen.
You may not think you are performing but you are. Your life is a performance. Each day when you meet people they consciously or subconsciously are judging your performance.
So what will they see in your performance?
Please think about it.

Your Witness

Your Witness
Frequently I wear tee shirts with various sayings on them. One of them says,

“Let praise be your 

HABIT 

Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice”

                                                                                                               Phillipians 4:4.
The word habit is quite often mistaken for Hobbit, as in Lord of the rings. It causes people to take a second look.
Today I was in my local Tim Hortons, Canada’s best known coffee shop. The girl at the counter seen it and asked if I was serious. I said yes that I do my best for God each day. She said quote, “that’s cool. I like that.”
Unfortunately there was no more time to talk to her because she had her job to do. Still for a brief moment she thought about God.
My prayer for her is that she’ll remember what she seen and that she’ll want to know more about God.
Sometimes it’s the little things that point people to or from God. The things we don’t realize we are doing.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                         Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon, your actions, telling people?
There’s an old story that goes like this.
A policeman pulled over a car. On the back of which were bumper stickers saying “Jesus loves you”, “Jesus is the way to heaven”, “Jesus is Lord”.
When the officer pulled over the man he asked for the usual, man’s drivers licence, proof of insurance and ownership.
The man asked the officer why he’d pulled him over. To which the officer replied, “you made an illegal right turn. You failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, and you were driving twenty kilometres over the speed limit.
With all those bumper stickers on the car I was worried the car was stolen.”
As Christians we need to be careful how we conduct our lives. We need to be careful what we say and do.
Francis of Assisi was right when he said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                          Francis of Assisi.
That is true. The world is watching Christians. And a great light is shining on us. If we believe what Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
         John 14:6.
We are Christ’s representatives on this earth and we must live a life and lifestyle worthy of Him.
Your actions dear Christian may determine the eternal resting place of the people you come in contact with.
As Christians we need to take to heart the word 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 need to follow the teachings of Christ who when asked,
 “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.
“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.
Our lives need to be reflecting that of Christ each and every day.
If you are a believer in Christ take a few moments now to look at your life, your habits ask God to show you how others see you.
Please think about it.

A Lesson for Christians

A Lesson for Christians
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
                                                                                  The Talmud.
I know the Talmud is not a Christian book but the principle given here is very pertinent to Christians. Be patient and show love to those who are around you. Be patient and show love to those you witness too.
Jesus said,
“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.
God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Think about it. God loved each person on this earth enough to send His son into the world to pay the price for our sins.
God does not want anyone to end up in hell that’s why He sent His Son.
The Apostle Paul states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
While we were still sinners separated from God Christ died for us. That’s the depth of His love.
Paul writing about love states,

“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....” 

                                                                                 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
If we are showing the attributes mentioned by Paul about love, then we will not push anyone away.
I have met many Christians throughout my life that like Abraham pushed an unbeliever away from God.
The best example of this happening is in the Gay community. Gay’s Lesbians and others in the transgendered community are nervous if not outright fearful of entering a so called evangelical church. This because many calling themselves Christians have branded their lifestyle a “special sin” whether they mean to do it or not.
Matthew records this incident with what could be called “special sinners” of Jesus day.
“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.
Let me make things clear here. There is no such thing as a special sin. Sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Sin separates us from God and sends people to hell be they gay or strait.
A pastor or evangelist who has not accepted Christ as their personal saviour or who is doing things contrary to God’s will is as guilty of sin as anyone walking out on the street.
People everywhere need to hear of the love of God and we cannot do it by pushing people away.
We cannot be standing up with placards denouncing same sex marriage or homosexuality in a secular democracy the likes of which we in the west live in.
We cannot be protesting against anything that is lawful in a secular democracy as long as it is bringing no harm to people or not restricting their rights.
 We need to be sitting down with those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Be they gay, strait, atheist, or those of other faiths.
We need to extend the hand of love and open a dialogue with them. Listening respectfully to what they have to say while expressing our opinions in a respectful way.
Only then can we truly said to be doing the work of God.
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.
Question;
What is your sermon telling people about you today?
Please think about it.

Live Differently

Live differently
Billy Graham 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.
Dear Christian are you living differently?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                           Francis of Assisi
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Are you doing this or are you following the ways of the world.
It has been said that if you look at the so called “Christian culture” here in North America you will see a Christian version of everything secular.
I have watched what passes for Christian television. On it they are selling everything from survival rations, to cosmetics, to vitamins, to various oils and potions, all with Christian names.
They mix their politics and their faith sadly letting the politics dominate.
Simply put they have copied the world. This should not be.
If people are to find the way to heaven we need to be living a life that is holy and wholly different from the world.
When people see you life what will they see. A Christian imitation of the world or a holy life that points people to Christ?
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.
And 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.