Your life your Sermon

  Your life Your Sermon

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.

Are you living the best life you can. Francis of Assisi wrote two profound statements. He said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                                     Francis of Assisi

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                                     Francis of Assisi.

When people see your life. What Sermon are they seeing?

Please think about it.

Christ through you

  Christ through you

The apostle Paul tells us,

"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."

                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2 

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ consider this. We are "stewards of the Mysteries of God" AND "it is required in stewards that one be found faithful".

A steward in Paul's day was someone who looked after his masters estate and possessions. Joseph was Potiphar's steward. He was expected to handle Potiphars estate wisely for his master. It was an very important positions. 

According to Paul we are stewards of Christ. As such we have a very important position. We are Christ's representatives on this earth. It is through us the people around us will see Christ. We cannot afford to be bad stewards.

When People see your life do they see Christ reflected in it.?

Please think about it.

The Radiance

  The Radiance 

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  Hebrews 1:3.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear who he believes Jesus is. He is the exact representation of God. The one who provides purification for sins.

This is what all the apostles of Christ believed. 

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Simply knowing is not enough

  Simply knowing is not enough

Peter said,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21

The apostle Paul wrote,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.

Over the years I’ve found that there are many calling themselves Christians who are not. They may think they are but they are not. Some consider themselves Christians because they grew up going to Church. Some think because they grew up in a conservative part of the United States they’re Christians. Others firmly believe that because their grandfather, great grandfather and great, great grandfather were Christians they are too. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

You can memorize the Bible from back to front and not be a Christians. You can call on the name of Jesus a million times and not be saved.

In order to be saved you must with your whole heart believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Savour of all who believe in him. You must as Jesus put it,

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."Mark 8:34.

So are you willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Please think about it.

2.5 %

  2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work here in North America can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

Not Everyone is

  Not everyone is

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.

We here in North America a place where there is more freedom than any other place in the world there are a lot of people, especially in the Media that say they are Christian but are not.

Sadly these “false prophets or preachers” are becoming the face of Christianity. That being said we who are true believers need to stand up to them.

We need to do all we can to preach the unadulterated Gospel of Christ. We need to do all we can to see that those who enter out churches house fellowships and other meeting places, receive the true word of God.

As individuals we need to steer clear of these false teachers. We need to know what is right doctrine. The only way we can do this is by praying and asking God to lead us. Then reading and studying the scriptures for ourselves.

Do you at least read the scriptures daily? Just how much time to do spend reading the scriptures?

Please think about it.

Words from Job

  Words from Job

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;..."

                                                                Job 13:15a.

We have just come through the what was probably the worst pandemics in human history. Perhaps the only difference between the Covid pandemic and others is that when it hit we had the scientific know how to create a vaccine that saved lives.

Some would say why would God allow at the very least allow those who believe in Him to go through it. My answer is simple I don’t know. I do know however that the apostle Paul who went through a lot of hardships, tells me,

"And we know all things work together for good 

to those who love God 

to those who are called according to His purpose." 

                                                                          Romans 8:28.

  Jesus never promised his followers they would never suffer he even said,

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11,12.

All I can do is quote from the book of Hebrews,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                      Hebrews 11:1.

That I believe is what Job believed when he said,

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;..."

                                                                Job 13:15a.

Job believed in God even in his darkest time. Do you have the same faith remembering that in the book of Hebrews it says,

"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

Please think about it.

Are you truly trusting in God

  Are you truly trusting In God

The Psalmist writes,

“I wait for the LORD,

 my soul waits, 

and in his word I put my hope.” 

                                    Psalm 130:5  

If you claim to be a Christian, where is your trust. Billy Graham the American evangelist wrote, 

"Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do." Billy Graham.

In Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.” 

                                                        Proverbs 3:5,6.

Here is a question for all who claim to be followers in Christ Jesus. Do you truly “trust in the LORD with all your heart?”

Please think about it.

A Look at Christ's Crucifixion

 A look at Christ’s Crucifixion 

Luke’s gospel records this about the crucifixion of Jesus,

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

One did not believe in Christ asking for physical proof that he was the Christ by physically saving them. He gave no hint of confessing his wrong deeds. He just wanted his life in this world to be saved.

The other believed in Christ by faith. He admitted his sin confessed his wrong doing and asked Christ to remember him when He came into his kingdom.

We today have the same two choices. Reject Jesus, or believe in Him by faith. Confess our sins to Him and accept the Salvation He offers.

Are you willing to believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Are you Judgemental?

  Are you Judgement?

Jesus said,

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

This is a very simple couple of verses that say exactly what they mean. You as a Christian. As a believer in Christ Jesus are not allowed to judge anyone.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

You do not know what the person you are judging has gone through. You do not know why a person is the way that they are. Only God knows that. Thus it is only God who can judge anyone.

Additionally if you are even perceive as being judgmental you will be judged in the same way by the people around you. Consequently people will not listen to the message of Christ you are trying to proclaim.

So are you judgmental?

Please think about it.

Living at Peace

  Living at peace

The apostle Paul wrote,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone." 

                                                           Romans 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are called to live at peace with those around us. You will never win a soul to Christ if you don’t do your best to live at peace with those around you. Antagonizing or judging people only causes them to turn away from you. 

So the question becomes are you living at peace with those around you?

Please think about it.

The Son of The Living God

  The Son of the Living God

In Matthews gospel we read Jesus asking His disciples who they think he is, asking

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15,16.

In this portion of scripture Jesus asks the men he is closest to, His disciples who they believe Him to be. To which Simon Peter answers, 

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Today those who call themselves true Christians believe this also. It is a belief passed down from the men and women that walked, talked, and were taught by Jesus believers of the present day.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.