Today's message comes from Matthew 8:9 - 10
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
It is often overlooked but every book in the New Testament has something in common. Each book is set in a Roman controlled environment. As each author of each book took pen to paper, Rome was in control from Matthew to Revelations. Romans were the ones that seized Jesus and were there at the cross when He was crucified. They were even there when John the Beloved was exiled and was given the book of Revelations. The bible records 7 different Roman Centurions. Centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. Today's message focuses on one of those Centurions. The Centurion had two different positions. One was submissive and one was authoritative. He had authority but also was under authority. We too are submissive to our bosses, parents, coaches, teachers, etc..... Most importantly we are supposed to be submissive to God. Like this Centurion though, we also have huge responsibilities and are authoritative at home or at work. Children and duties within our paying jobs are a lot of responsibility.
David was said to be a man after God's own heart. David answered to God even when he fell short or shamed himself. He realized he was a man under higher authority and respected it. Fear of God and higher authority is what is missing in today's world. In our scripture for today (Matthew 8:9 - 10) this Centurion is publicly proclaiming he has a boss to answer to. Don't we all? We all work for someone who controls our financial stability. They hold such weight in their hands. If we fail to answer to that authority we risk losing our stability and jobs. However; there is a higher authority that we must answer to. God ultimately is our only authority.
John 4:34 says:
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
It is God's work we are all here to do. We should not only be submissive to our bosses, teachers, parents, etc.... but do it with understanding that God is the ultimate authority we must answer to.
Matthew 6:24 says:
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Sometimes we find ourselves answering more to the physical authorities of the Earth rather than God's authority. We forget that we have a higher calling and have responsibilities as Christians that often go unanswered and unfulfilled because of our physical jobs.
Matthew 10:28 says:
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
We are to fear God more than any of our Earthly authorities. How many of you give your all to your Christian responsibilities? When was the last time you heard someone take the Lord's name in vain and you just turned away to ignore it? Do people know you are a Christian from your words and actions? If God is your authority and you believe that, he gives us instructions to follow and responsibilities as Christians. God gave us all talents and we have a responsibility to use them.
If you can't bow before the throne you will never stand before the throne. Are you a faithful disciple? That Centurion was dedicated to his job and his responsibilities. Funny how God uses the most unusual people or circumstances to teach a lesson. This is one of those times. Shouldn't we be just as dedicated to our ultimate authority and our Christian responsibilities as that Centurion was to his authority and his responsibilities as a Centurion in the Roman army? Are you allowing the world to see you as a Christian through your words, actions, and heart?
In John 8: 30 - 36 Jesus tells us how to be faithful disciples:
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Centurions, like the one we read about today, were known to be the backbone of the Roman army. We as Christians should be the backbone of God's army. Sadly, many Christians lack backbone and have become lazy in our Christian walk. Let this Centurion's dedication change your dedication to your own responsibilities. Get involved. Resolve to spend more time with God and giving of your talents. Dedicate yourself to fighting in God's army. Stand up for what you believe in. Will you be a faithful disciple?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Can You Hear Me Now? Answering the Call
Today's message is comes from Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
There are 3 groups of people in the world today.
1.) The lost
2.) Those who profess to be saved but are really lost
3.) Those who are truly saved
For each of these groups there is a calling. There are 3 different calls found in the Bible.
1.) A blanket call for EVERYONE. Acts 17:30 says
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent
We are ALL called to repent our sins and follow God. Romans 3:23 says
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
There are actually people who can hear God's call and they themselves are ready to hear God's call yet, allow pride to get in the way. We are ALL messed up. We are ALL human and make the same mistakes. Not a single one of us is perfect. That first call is for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! Not just a select few who are better than others. EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD are called to repent. Some just feel they aren't good enough to do so or are just too proud or worried about what others will say to just step out and admit they are human and make mistakes. For those that have been saved, this first call has been answered. It is as simple as praying to God and asking for forgiveness with a humble and believing heart. You can't serve the Lord if you are lost and believe it or not, God doesn't hear a lost man's prayer until that lost man says, "I'm sorry Lord, for I have sinned." You can pray all you want as a lost person, but God will not hear your prayer until you have answered His call to you. The book of Revelation has but 1 purpose.....it is to drive man to repentance.
Now, with all of the above being said......you may be saying "I am saved" yet in your heart you still have not fully turned your life over to God. Your heart is filled with selfishness, pride, and a full schedule. You have no time to attend church regularly, no time to pray, no time to read your bible, or you spend your time and money in places you have no business being at or on things you have no business doing. Some believe that if they were baptized as babies, they are saved and have a free ticket into heaven. God is concerned with your heart. If you have truly answered that call, your heart is in the right place and God knows you. You spend time with Him, study Him, and have the desire to do so. Maybe at one time, you were saved and wanted that relationship with God, but now He has become a stranger.....well, the second call may be for you.
2.) The second call is to all Christians. Christians are called to dedication.
Those saved are called to show it. Can you find anyone in the Bible that repented and then was allowed to sit on their rear ends and do nothing? Did God ever say to any of them, "You are now saved darling, go sit on that pew and keep it warm till I return"? No. That is because Christians have always been and always will be called to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ. We don't choose God.....God already chose us. No one on this earth, can judge your salvation. Only God can do that, but pastors and fellow Christians are called to be fruit inspectors. We are also to be fruit producers. We are to be producing fruit daily and it can't be done if we are just sitting in a pew doing nothing. God calls us to be dedicated in service and producing fruit. Sad truth, we want so much from God but we aren't willing to give equally back to God. Relationships don't last when only one part of the party is dedicated to the relationship. The relationship doesn't grow. This is what a relationship with Jesus is like when you aren't dedicated to Him. It is one sided. A relationship with Jesus is like any other relationship needing commitment, dedication, study, and private time. Some even say, "Well I can love God without going to church." That may be true but if you study your bible enough you will find that in Hebrews 10:25 it says:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
3.) The third call is a "Holy Calling". You may already be in that 20% of truly saved believers. You are dedicated and serving but something isn't quite right in your heart. You realize there is a bigger need. Sometimes we are called to do more. 2 Timothy 1:9 says
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began
Acts 13:2 says
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Ephesians 4:11 says
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers
Maybe what you are already committed to doing is not what God called you to do. Maybe He is calling you to be led in a different direction within the church. We are all given spiritual gifts. Perhaps you are not using yours and God is calling you to do so.
I ask you to look at eh 3 groups of people we have on this earth. Lost, Claim to be Saved but are Truly Lost, and Truly Saved. Where do you fit in? If you are Lost, God is sending that first call to you. Will you answer? If you claim to be saved but you know in your heart you really aren't, God could be sending that first call to you or even the second call. If you fall into that 20% of truly saved Christians, God may be sending you that third type of call. I ask you to listen and answer. Can you hear Him?
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
There are 3 groups of people in the world today.
1.) The lost
2.) Those who profess to be saved but are really lost
3.) Those who are truly saved
For each of these groups there is a calling. There are 3 different calls found in the Bible.
1.) A blanket call for EVERYONE. Acts 17:30 says
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent
We are ALL called to repent our sins and follow God. Romans 3:23 says
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
There are actually people who can hear God's call and they themselves are ready to hear God's call yet, allow pride to get in the way. We are ALL messed up. We are ALL human and make the same mistakes. Not a single one of us is perfect. That first call is for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! Not just a select few who are better than others. EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD are called to repent. Some just feel they aren't good enough to do so or are just too proud or worried about what others will say to just step out and admit they are human and make mistakes. For those that have been saved, this first call has been answered. It is as simple as praying to God and asking for forgiveness with a humble and believing heart. You can't serve the Lord if you are lost and believe it or not, God doesn't hear a lost man's prayer until that lost man says, "I'm sorry Lord, for I have sinned." You can pray all you want as a lost person, but God will not hear your prayer until you have answered His call to you. The book of Revelation has but 1 purpose.....it is to drive man to repentance.
Now, with all of the above being said......you may be saying "I am saved" yet in your heart you still have not fully turned your life over to God. Your heart is filled with selfishness, pride, and a full schedule. You have no time to attend church regularly, no time to pray, no time to read your bible, or you spend your time and money in places you have no business being at or on things you have no business doing. Some believe that if they were baptized as babies, they are saved and have a free ticket into heaven. God is concerned with your heart. If you have truly answered that call, your heart is in the right place and God knows you. You spend time with Him, study Him, and have the desire to do so. Maybe at one time, you were saved and wanted that relationship with God, but now He has become a stranger.....well, the second call may be for you.
2.) The second call is to all Christians. Christians are called to dedication.
Those saved are called to show it. Can you find anyone in the Bible that repented and then was allowed to sit on their rear ends and do nothing? Did God ever say to any of them, "You are now saved darling, go sit on that pew and keep it warm till I return"? No. That is because Christians have always been and always will be called to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ. We don't choose God.....God already chose us. No one on this earth, can judge your salvation. Only God can do that, but pastors and fellow Christians are called to be fruit inspectors. We are also to be fruit producers. We are to be producing fruit daily and it can't be done if we are just sitting in a pew doing nothing. God calls us to be dedicated in service and producing fruit. Sad truth, we want so much from God but we aren't willing to give equally back to God. Relationships don't last when only one part of the party is dedicated to the relationship. The relationship doesn't grow. This is what a relationship with Jesus is like when you aren't dedicated to Him. It is one sided. A relationship with Jesus is like any other relationship needing commitment, dedication, study, and private time. Some even say, "Well I can love God without going to church." That may be true but if you study your bible enough you will find that in Hebrews 10:25 it says:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
3.) The third call is a "Holy Calling". You may already be in that 20% of truly saved believers. You are dedicated and serving but something isn't quite right in your heart. You realize there is a bigger need. Sometimes we are called to do more. 2 Timothy 1:9 says
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began
Acts 13:2 says
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Ephesians 4:11 says
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers
Maybe what you are already committed to doing is not what God called you to do. Maybe He is calling you to be led in a different direction within the church. We are all given spiritual gifts. Perhaps you are not using yours and God is calling you to do so.
I ask you to look at eh 3 groups of people we have on this earth. Lost, Claim to be Saved but are Truly Lost, and Truly Saved. Where do you fit in? If you are Lost, God is sending that first call to you. Will you answer? If you claim to be saved but you know in your heart you really aren't, God could be sending that first call to you or even the second call. If you fall into that 20% of truly saved Christians, God may be sending you that third type of call. I ask you to listen and answer. Can you hear Him?
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