IN CHURCH BUT NOT IN THE CHURCH
There have been many professions of faith but not many possessions of the faith.
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23
Some people have never been saved so it shouldn’t surprise those of us who are when they don’t live Godly. Lost people will do, what lost people do. They will not be faithful to church. They will not handle sin properly; confession and repentance. They will not forgive those whom have done them wrong. They will not give what God asks. What it all boils down to is— they will not be obedient to the Word. I am reminded this morning of another scripture… If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
What are you trusting in your salvation for? If it’s anything other than the finished work of Jesus Christ—you’re still lost! You’re not part of the church… you’re just in a church!
POOR CHOICES?
The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: 'grace.'
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Psalm 119:59
Life is built upon choices. Elimelech had a choice to make because of the famine in Israel but in choosing not to trust in God he ended up making three mistakes. The first, He chose to leave the promise land. The second, he chose to live in Moab. Finally, his family dwelt in the Land of Moab for ten years.
So often we make some poor choices in our life just like Elimelech. These poor choices are nothing more than the sin of NOT trusting in the Lord. After we make the first choice it is easier to stay right there in the sin this world has to offer. However, I am glad our life doesn’t have to end there. It says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Do you have a life that has been built upon poor choices? Have you disobeyed the Word of God and went another way? There is forgiveness! There is hope! Confess, Repent, and Ask God to help you change your direction!
WHO ARE WE AND HOW DO I FIND OUT?
A truly virtuous person is like good metal-the more he is fired, the more he is refined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved. Wrongs may well try him and touch him, but they cannot imprint on him any false stamp. –Richelieu
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8
Where do we find out what a truly virtuous person is? – God’s Word. Where do we find out how to become a virtuous person? – God’s Word. Where do we find out when we can become virtuous? – God’s Word. Where is God’s Word preached?—at Church! For it is at church that we find out we are a corrupt and sinful people in need of the Saviour. And without the incorruptible, sinless Son of God there is no hope for us! So what are we to do? GET UP, GET READY, AND GO TO CHURCH TODAY!
DRIVING A LIFE WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING IT
When it comes to the control of our lives, we are either "body" men or "spirit" men. --Eric Lindholm
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
Have you ever tried to drive a mini-bike? I was like 11 or 12 and one of my friends got one for his birthday. He said, “You want to drive it?” Sure!...was my crazy response! What a mistake! I got on it, cranked it up, popped the clutch and off I went….right into a tree. I had no control over it because I didn’t know how or what to do!
That ride reminds me of my life before I received Christ as Saviour! I was aimlessly walking around in this world not knowing where I came from or where I was going. Since the day Jesus came into my life I have had a pair of spiritual eye glasses showing me that I have a wonderful Creator and He has informed me of where I’m going.
How’s your eye sight? Are you still running into sin and shame? Are you lost, looking for a way out always ending up starting over? Before all else fails—look to Jesus and live. You’ll be driving your life with understanding!!
WHY JUDGE THEM WHEN YOU CAN LOVE THEM FOR JESUS!
The more one judges, the less one loves. --Honore de Balzac
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:11
Do you have love toward others, even those who may not worship the way you do? Child of God, do you sit back looking down yourself righteous nose judging the way others worship because they don’t do it the way you do? If you do, I would venture to say you have never been on a mission trip. You probably don’t support missions. You probably don’t care for souls as much as you claim. If you did, you would love them where they are at challenging them to become what God wants them to be!
I WANT A DIVORCE!
Sin and hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce. –Spurgeon
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7
Several years ago I had to take some wallpaper down at the Christian School I was working at. I consulted the local paint store and they recommended a product call DIP. I had to buy this little tool that pierced the paper so the DIP could penetrate the exterior and get to the adhesive. That paper was married to that wall but that DIP dissolved the adhesive and proclaimed a divorced! It came off that wall better than the last banana I peeled!
Friend, if you are going to be free and have victory over the sin in your life you’re going to have to let repentance proclaim a divorce. You must pierce the deepest sin with the Word of God and apply the Blood of the Lamb to get to the place of repentance! It is then and only then will you have the only divorce God wants you to have—the divorce from sin!
EVEN YOU CAN GET SAVED!
Trust Christ and you shall live. The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners. -Spurgeon
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19
I didn’t grow up in church. I didn’t have the privilege of learning the children’s songs many people did. I didn’t go to a Christian Summer Camp. I didn’t have a father or mother led me to the Lord. I didn’t even get drug to church. But let me share with you this simple truth; the same blood that saved the church going sinner saved me! The same grace that was extended to the deacons kids was extended to this old sinner!
Friend, I’ve got one other truth to share with you as well; The same blood that saved me can save you! The same grace extended to me is extended to you! Won’t you trust Him today!
GOD ALWAYS MEETS THE NEED!
Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all ways you can, as often as ever you can, as long as you can. –Spurgeon
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Jeremiah 17:7
A few years ago our cupboards were almost bare. I was working in full-time Christian work and my wife was in college. We went to church one Sunday evening as usual but when we got home there were a few bags of groceries sitting in front of our garage. You see, God had spoken to someone and burdened their heart about the dust on our shelves.
The Lord doesn’t always work in that way. Sometimes, He blesses us with work to earn money to go get groceries. Other times He may save us money on something we need providing funds for other things. It’s not always finances either! God blesses us in so many ways we do not have the time nor the space to begin to write them all down! Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
SOMETIMES… I NEED A PUSH
Jesus throws down the dividing prejudices of nationality, and teaches universal love, without distinction of race, merit or rank. A man's neighbor is every one that needs help. –Geikie
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:36-39
Loving people is the thing Jesus does best. Because He loved us, He grieves over our sin sick state. Because He loved us, He glorifies His Father. Because He loved us, He gives us eternal life. Love is the motivation of the Lord. What is your motivation this morning? I know I need a push to love people sometimes!
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
Santa puts gifts under your tree. Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.—Unknown
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24
Over the next few weeks, I am sure you will hear many different reasons for the season. The One true meaning of Christmas is Jesus! He came to die. He came to seek and save! He came to redeem mankind! Not just for a few chosen among the multitude but for all of fallen mankind. You’re included and you can be a part of it, all you have to do is repent and receive the free gift of Jesus Christ!
PRAYER IS BEST ACCOMPLISHED WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
Prayer- secret, fervent, believing prayer- lies at the root of all personal godliness. --Carey's Brotherhood
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:5-7
Many times when we are called on to pray during a church service we are not praying so the Lord can hear us, we are praying so others can hear us. I believe many of the times during a service when someone opens their mouths to pray…it’s as if God puts His fingers in His ears because instead of wanting to be heard of by God, the person praying wants to be heard of by man! Do you say something because you have something to say or do you say something just to be heard?
Child of God, we have plenty to pray about! Do we pray when we ought to? Do we waste our time talking about things that mean nothing in life? Do we speak because we have something to say or do we speak because we want to say something?
A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS ALWAYS CONFUSED!
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8
The Book of James speaks a lot on the tongue. He says in James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Why do some people bless the Lord and then turn around and curse Him, they are double minded. Why do they rejoice with the people of God but then they head to the watering holes of this world, they are double minded. Why do they go to the altar on Sunday but on Monday they are gossiping at the water cooler, they are double minded. Why, because they, like Lot, choose the things of this world rather than the things of God.
Do you say you love the Lord but your actions don’t back it up? Are you constantly walking in the darkness of this world rather in the light of the Gospel? Have you, like Lot, chosen the water holes of this world rather than the things of God? Elijah asked the people in his day, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” So it’s decision making time, Is Jesus Lord of your life—if so then serve Him!
GETTING JESUS IN FOCUS
Man was created with two eyes, so that with one he may see God's greatness, and with the other his own lowliness. -Samuel Y. Agnon
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:5
The older I get the more I am realizing I need glasses! When I turned forty-six I dropped by the old Walmart and picked up a pair of the cheap reading glasses. I have been putting off going to get the old eyes checked because I know what the Docs gonna say—time for some real specks old boy! Time to get things into focus!
I believe this relates to us and our Saviour as well. During this life we get out of focus with Him because of the sin in our lives. We get out of focus while lusting after material wealth of others. We get out of focus looking at the flesh of others. We get out of focus by looking at the successes of others. Mean while He is trying to get our attention to look back at Him; to focus on His grace and mercy, to zoom in on His goodness, to see Him high and lifted up! When is the last time you’ve been by The Great Physician to get a check up? Maybe this Wednesday would be a good day!
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY!
You will never make a missionary of the person who does no good at home. He that will not serve the Lord in the Sunday school at home will not win children to Christ in China. –Spurgeon
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
If you are saved you will want to tell someone what He has done for you. It’s natural! Think about it this way; when a kid wins a ball game he doesn’t go home, go to his room, and become a hermit. No sir! He goes to the car and calls Grandpa and Grandma, his best friend, and even the pastor! He excited about the win! Just for the record, we adults do the same thing when we are excited about something! When share it!
When is the last time you got excited about what Jesus did for you? When is the last time you shared with a family member or a high school friend what Jesus did for you when He saved you? Why wait any longer? Pick up the phone and call someone that the Lord lays on your heart!