Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior

From an audio sermon I heard tonight - "As Obedient Children" A. W. Tozer taken from 1 Peter 1:14

His intro was to explain the word "As" as in "As Obedient Children", not Be or Become, but As Obedient Children, to assume the ones He (Peter) was speaking to knew what was expected of them as Christians, which included moving beyond their former way of living. Tozer makes the point that Christians should not think we are "saved" without making Jesus Lord of all. He mentioned a false teaching that was present in his day (he passed 1963), and that teaching surfaces in many churches today as well; that teaches a man could be saved by believing in Jesus as Savior, and later when he was ready, he could make Him Lord of his life. A. W. Tozer says it's serving a divided Jesus, either He is Savior and Lord, or He is nothing at all.

A. W. Tozer confessed he had taught that at times, and in many occasions by the words or phrases we use, many a preacher today (including myself) has taught or teaches the same. We say at Altar services, "many of you have accepted Christ as Savior in times past, but have never made Him Lord", that teaching can be understood in error and can give some soul a false security in a desired relationship with Christ. He goes on to say much more, but I thought it interesting his description of Heaven and Hell. Heaven is place filled with Obedient Children, and Hell is a Well for the disobedient, in fact the bible says hell enlarges itself to contain the multitudes.

Let us as Men and Women of God, pray for clarity of scripture and teach with accuracy the plan of salvation, by hungering and thirsting for the truth of God's word. If you seek, you will find, if you seek with ALL your HEART. Jeremiah 29:13

Love you!
David

Monday, August 22, 2011

"many are called, FEW ARE CHOSEN" Mt 22:14

This short verse of scripture scares the daylights out of me, knowing many people will be invited to serve the Lord, and to be a part of His bride (the church), but will in fact turn the invitation down because the demands are too much. You might say, "I thought salvation was free, wouldn't cost me anything, just believe in Jesus and I'm in...right?"

Listen to the story about a rich ruler from Luke 18 who obviously had lot's of money. He came to Jesus one day asking the Lord "how can I inherit eternal life".  Jesus told him "You know the commandments" and the young ruler probably at that time felt a huge sigh of relief, knowing full well he had religiously served and obeyed the Torah (the law) all his days. But then Jesus said something that many refuse to listen to, or we've interpreted the meaning to lessen the impact of it's demand on our life. Jesus said "Sell all you have, and distribute the money to the poor, then come and follow Me". Lk 18:23 says it all, "when he heard this, he was very sorrowful" knowing it was too big a price to give up to follow Jesus.

I've recently preached a message entitled "The Harzards of Being Chosen", talking about the subject above and the challenge the Lord has to fully reach the heart of man. Three hazards I mentioned included:
  1.  Being chosen demands separation - Light and darkness cannot dwell together. You cannot serve two masters. The Old man is dead, having been crucified with Christ, and now the Newly Created Man lives, but Christ now liveth in me. The Chosen will fight against this, because until we see Jesus face-to-face we will fight against our flesh. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.
  2. Being chosen demands abandonment of independence - James 1:1 says it clearly "James, a slave of God" meaning he became a "love slave to Jesus". Testimony has it, when James was buried, calouses were found heavily on his knees having been a man devoted and dependent on prayer to his God.
  3. Being chosen demands bearing one anothers burdens - God will require of you your life for His. Let a man lose himself that he may find himself in Christ. He will place the burden of souls on the chosen, they will give ear to the last words of Jesus and take it serious "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all nations..." He will send you to the weak, the poor, the rich, the messed up, the well to do, He will send you to everyone for He is unwilling that any should perish, and that means "ANY".
What is your life, but a Vapor. Use what time you have on this earth for God. Allow Him access to every area of your life, holding nothing back so that you don't walk away "sorrowful". There is nothing worth holding onto that would ever be greater than walking, and working with the Savior of mankind, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords - Jesus Christ!

The Spirit of the Lord is compelling the Chosen to Respond...will you respond?

Thursday, August 18, 2011

We make time for everything, but Prayer

James 5:16 "...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." That word "availeth" means to accomplish much. Think about the resources, tools, abilities it takes to get most major projects accomplished today. Not only things, but time is critical to get things done today. What we fail to realize as Christians, is that we possess the ONE resource, tool, or ability that can change a world around us, and it's PRAYER.

Leonard Ravenhill, one of my favorite Preachers & Writers, says "God doesn't answer prayer, He answers desperate prayer". Our world today is in a crisis, financially, spiritually, and socially. Our churches are lukewarm, focused on entertainment, presentation, and cool style rather than seeing souls pour their hearts out before God. Our worship has become canned, it's become ineffective to reach the heart of man. It's become self centered, and flesh driven, not reaching the spirit of man. It's not a lack of talent, and great lyrics, it's a lack of Prayer! Make a new commitment to pray, seek the face of God, repent of sins in your life, and complacency that you've allowed to settle in your soul. Pray that God will move again in our Churches in America, that people will once again sense an urgency to get right with God, for Judgment stands at the door. God help us to pray, GOD HAVE MERCY!