The work of Christians

 The work of Christian.

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.

The church has a duty to perform. That is presenting the gospel to all the world and to teach new converts all that Jesus taught them. 

If a church or individuals are not doing so they are dead. Thus the  call of Christ to such churches, is to waken up and serve Him to the fullest.

We must always remember that the job of evangelism will not end until Christ returns to earth. That we must continually work for Christ until His return. We must strive to reach people with the message of salvation. 

We must make disciples of people not only on the outside of the church, but those who are inside the church and not saved.

Please think about it.

Do you believe this?

  Do you believe this?

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you” 1Peter 1:3-4.

This is what Christians believe. We have a living hope in heaven that can never perish, spoil, or fade.

This is what Christians, believers in Christ Jesus want to tell the world about. It is something everyone who puts their trust in Christ Jesus has. It is a gift from God.

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.

As Christians we believe you cannot live a life good enough to stand before God. God knowing this sent his one and Only Son, Jesus, to redeem us. To save us.

 This redemption is a gift. Like any gift the individual must accept it for it to mean anything. 

It’s like someone offering you the key to a house and telling you its yours all you have to do is accept the key. If you don’t accept the key the house is not yours.

John’s gospel records this conversation between Martha and Jesus. John states,

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26.

Martha believed, what Jesus said. Thus my question to you is do you believe what Jesus said?

Will you accept the saving Grace that comes from God through Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

Social Christians

 Social Christians

The book of revelations speaks of the Church at Sardis. It states, 

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:1-6. 

Here is a church that appears to be alive but is in fact dead. 

It is possible for a church to seem to be doing all the right things yet not be doing what God wants them to do.

There are many churches that hold great orchestrated praise and worship services. That follow a systematic study of the Bible. That have prayer meetings. Help the poor and much more.

    These churches on the outside look fine but all they are doing is following an empty scripted program. They are ministering to their congregation but not doing what God wants them to do.

That’s true for people to. An individual can seem like they have got it all together. They attend church both on Sunday and during the week. They go to prayer meetings even go to other Christian events. The trouble is they are simply doing it because they feel this is what a person should do. They are not doing what God wants them to do. They are as one person put it “social Christians”. 

I think these were the kind of Christians Jesus talked about when he said,

“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 7:22,23

Please think about it.

Is this you?

  Is this you?

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                               Hebrews 11:1

Having faith in anyone or any thing is hard. Read again the definition of faith as given by the writer of Hebrews.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” 

Many people say if they can’t see it, feel it, or hear it, it doesn’t exist. Yet scientist operate on faith all the time. Einstein believed in his theories even though many of them were not proven until after his death and many “experts” in his day disagreed with him.

It takes quite a lot of courage to believe in something you cannot see, feel, or hear. Perhaps that’s why the write of Hebrews said,

“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.

God realizes that people of faith are the most devout. They are people who will put their life on the line for what they believe.

If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Is this the kind of faith you have in God. A faith that you will stay with even if it costs you your life?

Please think about it. 

A sign

 A sign

Matthews gospel records,

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 

He replied,“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’  

and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.” Matthew 16:1-4.

Here the Pharisees and Sadducees normally enemies had got together against their perceived common enemy Jesus. 

They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. They had no faith in him which is more than likely why Jesus refused to give them a sign.

He said the only sign they would have was the sign of Jonah. It was something Jesus had spoke of previously. Matthew recording, 

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40.

The religious leaders of his day were against him. I don’t think it would have mattered how many signs Jesus gave it would not have been enough.

The same is true today. 

There are many things that point to Jesus being who he said he was, Lord and God, both inside and outside the Bible. Yet no matter how many proofs are given many will not believe.

I have found over the years that true seekers. People who are truly seeking meaning to life will see the truth about Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour of their life.

Think about it

God Incarnate

  God incarnate.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  Hebrews 1:1,2.

Here we have a key belief of Christians. Jesus is the Son of God. He is appointed as heir of all things, and through Him the universe was made. Jesus is God incarnate.

C. S. Lewis stated,

    "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Thus the question becomes; who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

 Where is your treasure?

Jesus said,

"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.  Matthew 6:19,20

Jesus told this parable,

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 

"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and enjoying your wealth. The problem comes if your wealth and pleasure draws you away from God. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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

Many years ago my pastors wife was fond of saying, 

“We have only one life. It will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”

So where is your treasure.

Please think about it.

Rest

 Rest

The Psalmist writes,

“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”Psalm 16:2.

As I look back on the six plus decades of my life, I can honestly say the best decision I have ever made in my life is to follow Jesus.

I have been through many triumphs, and sadly many tragedies, in my life and through it all God has been there for me. Had He not been there for me, my life may have been much shorter. And I know others who can say the same thing.

It all comes down to what I learned as a new Christian. The pastor I had at the time pointed me to the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter six that reads,

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33,34.

And to the word of Jesus in Matthew chapter eleven that reads,

“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.

I have found over the years that no matter how good or how bad the situation is, God is there for me. As He is for anyone who sincerely calls on Him.

Please think about it. 

Maybe

Maybe
The Psalmist writes,

“The LORD lives! 

Praise be to my Rock! 

Exalted be God my Saviour!” 

                                           Psalm 18:46.

C. S. Lewis said,
"Atheist express their rage against God although in their view He does not exist" C. S. Lewis.
This has always fascinated me. Atheist are among the most vocal critics of God. Atheist nations ban the worship of God. Yet they say God does not exist. It doesn’t make sense especially when it comes to Christianity.
Christianity at its heart is Love. Love for God, your neighbour and even your enemy. How can that hurt anyone?
From my perspective as a believer in God the fact Atheist nations and Atheist in general, at least at a subconscious level, believe that there just might be a God.
Perhaps as someone has said,
“Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” Author Unknown.
Perhaps they just don’t want to admit what they believe is wrong.
Please think about it.

Accept or Reject

Accept or Reject
The Psalmist writes,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."

                                                                                                Psalm 118:1-4.

Gods love endures forever. His call to all humanity is,
“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.
Jesus tells us,
"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.
That being said God also gave each individual freedom to do as they wish. They can accept that God loves them or they can reject Gods love.
Thus the choice is yours. Will you accept the Love of God or reject it?
Please think about it. 

Mercy

Mercy
James the half brother of Jesus said,
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!" James 2:12,13.
Sadly many within the church, especially the evangelical church forget this portion of scripture. They instead judge showing little mercy to those around them especially toward those of different faiths and lifestyles.
Harper Lee in her book To Kill a Mockingbird said,
"Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of another...” Harper Lee.
She was right. Many people have been turned away from the church by those claiming to be followers of Christians.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus. A Christian. Are you or the church congregation you attend responsible for turning people away from Christ?
Would the congregation you attend look down on a gay couple holding hands as they enter church? Would they even be welcome?
Would you or members of your congregation be willing to sit down and talk about your faith with those of a different faith?
Would you and your congregation be willing to listen to those of a different faith tell you about their faith?
I strongly feel that in order to win people for Christ we must be willing to open a dialogue between ourselves and others.
No one irrespective of their beliefs or lifestyle should ever be turned away from our churches.
No one irrespective of their beliefs or lifestyle should ever be denied service by any Christian owned business?
The way I see it no one should ever be denied being shown the Love of God in Christ Jesus. And the only way a non-believer can be shown the love of Christ is if we interact with them as equals.
Failure by anyone calling themselves Christians to show the love of Christ to anyone is to question if they are truly Christians.
Please think about it.

No right to judge

No right to judge
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16
What this portion of scripture tells me is that God knows you intimately. God knows you right down to the DNA level. He knows exactly why you are the way you are. That is why only He can judge you. That is why Jesus tells us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”  Matthew 7:1
We as mere mortals cannot judge another person especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity, simply because we do not know why a person is as the way they are.
That being said Jesus warned.
“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.
The apostle Paul 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.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we have no right to judge those outside the church. Even when we judge those inside the church it should only be to tell whether or not they are presenting the gospel of Christ correctly.
Where an individual spends eternity is entirely up to God.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo
Do you?
Please think about it.