One thing I love probably more than anything else is to be challenged as a Christian. Very few ministers do that for me. Very few can say things that really cause me to stop and ponder the deeper things of God. Don't get me wrong, I've heard many good ministers, and I've shouted with the best of them. But shouting doesn't cause you to stop and consider your ways, it doesn't cause you to look deep within your spirit and consider your relationship with God. Tonight at church I was challenged. Our Associate Pastor, Pastor Neil, of whom I've mentioned before spoke from John 14:12-14 where Jesus said that we as Christians would do the same works that He had done. Pastor Neil took those verses and specifically that verse and taught on being in a place with God that we fulfill that verse, we do what Jesus did. What challenged me was some of the things he brought out. He reminded us that as Christians we weren't saved just to attend church and go to heaven. We were saved to bring reconciliation to others, to point others to Jesus. Of the 6 plus billion people on this planet, just over 1 1/2 billion are Christian. Who's responsible for telling them? You are, I am. And to be honest, I've done a poor job of sharing my faith. It's more than just going door to door and inviting people to church though, I've done that, our church does that, there's a place and a time for that. But more importantly, its about living out our faith every day with those we come into contact with. It's being a Christian when we're at work, when we're out and about. He also made four very powerful points about Jesus, that I want to emulate in my own life, 1) Jesus met people. He was called a friend of sinners. He didn't let them rub off on Him, He rubbed off on them. 2) Jesus mended people. He just didn't meet people, He mended them, He fixed what was wrong. 3) Jesus ministered to people. He just didn't tell people what they were doing wrong, He showed them how to do it right. 4) Jesus mentored people. A big problem in the church is that we get them to come, and they come to the altar realizing they need Jesus. But we never teach them how to live as a Christian. That was the challenge in my spirit tonight, to do what Jesus did, to live as He lived. A couple years ago I wrote a book about drawing close to God. Having a closeness with Him that rivaled those special people in the Bible who knew Him so well. Sadly, I've not lived up to their standard. I've tried to lower that standard to my life, rather than raise my life to His standard. I was challenged tonight to come up higher. To become more like Christ than ever before. And that my friends is the reality of it!
4 comments:
'thanks for the reminder of a challenge we as Christians are all obligated to meet. Sometimes, I think we are content to just sit in the bleachers, but what we really need to do is get out there and get involved in the game!! God calls us to a higher involvement daily, some just choose to turn a deaf ear to the calling. We all need to heed it and proceed to act!
Thats true, too many of us, myself included at times, have been content to just sit in the bleachers and watch the game, rather than get out there and join in with what God is doing. Despite how we perceive things in the news, God is on the move and I want to be part of what He is doing, not just sitting back watching what He is doing!
I am finding that in order for me to be a part of what God is doing, and to actually experience true change, I must take the first step...and maybe even more! It doesn't happen overnight, by accident, or by wishful thinking. While I sincerely believe in the laying on of hands and the power of impartation, I am more ever convinced that true impartation takes place when I determinedly walk out what has been revealed and imparted...no wishful thinking or saying, "My that was a powerful service!" I must walk into a powerful life!
Well said Pastor Neil! And very true too!
Post a Comment