- To Glorify God – 1 Corinthians10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our God is a glorious God, but we will never fulfill this command until we come to truly believe He is!
- To Magnify Christ – Philippians 1:20, “but that in all boldness, as always, so now, also Christ shall be magnified in my body….” Have you ever taken a telescope and turned it around to look through the wrong end? It makes everything look smaller. We want to live LARGER for Christ. Someone has said there are no small sins, because there is no small God to sin against.
- To Follow Words of the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God.” The Spirit, thru Christ, has told us to preach the Gospel to everyone - Matthew 28: 19-20.
There are three major reasons WHY we are on this earth:
Have you ever been given a specific job to do and when you finished it you asked, “What am I to do the REST of the time?” Maybe while at school, the teacher gives you an assignment and you complete it before the bell and then ask, “What am I to do now”? Let’s bring this question into the spiritual realm. After becoming a Christian, what are we to do the REST of the time? The Apostle Peter answers:
Develop a Militant Attitude Toward Sin - I Peter 4:1-3 says, “Arm yourselves.” It is a matter of the attitude. Most people need a “check-up” from the “neck up”. What is your attitude toward sin? Is it militant? To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Develop a Patient Attitude Toward the Lost - The lost don’t understand that their friends experience a change when they trust and obey. Unsaved friends may speak badly of us, but we must remember that God is the Final judge. Develop an Expectant Attitude Toward Christ - If you want to make the best use of your time, live in the light of Christ’s return. Greely Kirkpatrick In John 10 Jesus said I am the DOOR. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved …… the thief comes only to kill and to destroy, but I have come that they may have life more abundantly.
Jesus said He was the REAL shepherd. He pointed out that some appear to be genuine shepherds, but are really just hirelings. When the wolf comes, they run! In the days of Jesus they often had communal sheep folds. Several shepherds would bring their flocks together at night for better protection. They would choose a place that was a good cover. At times a shepherd may have to lie down and serve as a door. That way he would know who went in and out. When the night was over, the shepherd called his sheep and they would come running. You see, they knew their shepherd’s voice. Some ancient shepherds named their sheep. Can you picture this scene? The shepherd calls a particular name and that sheep knows his keeper’s voice. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and I know them and they follow Me. Are you one of His sheep? Greely Kirkpatrick It is hard to believe another year has come and gone! I am reminded of the words of Job, “My days are passing swifter than a weaver’s shuttle”. (Job 7:6) James wrote, “…for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
2020 will have lots of New Year resolutions. May I give you some advice? Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep. Resolutions require discipline. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Of course, the most important resolutions are the spiritual ones: more praying, more Bible study, more evangelism, more visiting, more helping others, etc. It is important to set goals in life. Marshall Keeble said, “You can’t no more come back from some place you ain’t been, any more than you can teach something you don’t know.” Speaking of resolutions, why not resolve to become a Bible Class teacher? You might be a great teacher, but have never tried. Greely Kirkpatrick The word for “sin” means “to miss the mark.” Maybe a good way to illustrate it is to imagine an archer shooting an arrow and missing the bull’s eye. You see, God has a standard of righteousness when it comes to living and when we do not meet His standard, we sin. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” (that is, all who have reached the age of accountability).
A number of years ago I held a gospel meeting in Camden, Arkansas. That morning they announced another meeting at the black congregation that afternoon. I assumed some of my brethren would be there, but I was the only one. I will never forget the way the preacher illustrated the word “all”. He said, “If I were to go and get my 12-gauge shotgun and if I told you I am going to shoot ALL of you, when I returned, you would ALL be gone!” I am thankful that we have a gracious and merciful God, who counts us righteous because of the atoning blood of Jesus, which makes it possible for ALL our sins to be forgiven. The Bible teaches that sin separates us from God. This is why we must be reconciled (means to made friends again) to God before there is any hope of salvation. This reconciliation takes place at our baptism, based on our faith and repentance. Then we are called to live a life of sanctification. Sadly, there are many people who laugh at sin or just ignore it. We need to be like Paul who wrote, ”Knowing therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Corinthians 5:11. Greely Kirkpatrick Most of the time when we when we think of the work of Christ, our minds go back to the cross. It was here that Jesus shed His redeeming blood that we might have the opportunity to live with Him in eternity. What a great sacrifice He made that we might live in glory.
However, there are some present works that are still going on. Let us think of a few.
Greely Kirkpatrick When I first became a Christian in 1971, I memorized this passage because so many of my friends were telling me that you just had to believe to be saved. They were using “believe” as nothing more than mental assent.
However, the passage says, “Though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience from the things that He suffered, and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him”. Is “belief” an active part? Of course. But more is involved. Some simply do not want to admit that obedience is commanded by the Lord. Luke 6:46 says, “Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord” and do not do the things which I say?” Matthew 7:21 also makes it clear that many will say, “But Lord” …and then they begin to list all they have done for the Lord. It sounds like they were obeying Him, but it was not heart felt obedience. Remember the widow who gave 2 mites and was commended for it; while many gave much more and were condemned for it? Why? Because the heart of giving is the giving of the heart. Jesus told of two sons whose father owned land. He told them to go and work; one son said “no” but, later went and obeyed his father. He repented of his disobedience. It’s sad to think of those who believe that “belief alone” is all that is necessary. Saying without doing will cost many condemnation. Read Luke 14. Greely Kirkpatrick When does an offer become a gift? Are all gifts unconditional? I have talked with people who believe they are saved simply because they believe in a man named Jesus.
There is no commitment to do His will; no fellowship with true believers; and no participation in His church. They may quote Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Of course, this is correct, if we understand that “calls on” means more than just saying “I believe.” One author I read refers to this as “easy believe”. Nothing more is required of them but to mentally agree that Jesus saves. When they read Romans chapter 5, they are quick to point out that the phrase “free gift” is used a number of times and it is. But is it used by Paul to refer to an Unconditional gift without any repentance or dependence on another to save? In Luke 6:46 Jesus asked those who were following Him, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, but do not do the things which I say”. You see, being a real disciple of Christ involves a real commitment to Him. (Study carefully Luke 14). Jesus also said “NOT” everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but those who “DO” the will of My Father in heaven. Greely Kirkpatrick In ancient days the lighting was very crude. People used torches, candles, wood or maybe oil for a small lamp. We have come a long way. For example, some lighting in so called smart houses, you just speak a word and a light comes on.
Many people are afraid of the dark. Some young people may have a night light in their room. The bible says that hell is a place of outer darkness. I don’t know about you, but if that is all that is said about hell, it is enough to convince me I don’t want to go there. Ephesians 5:8 calls the lost “darkness”. John says there are some who love the darkness rather than the light. II Peter 1:19 says, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.” Of course, dark and light are opposites. I love what the bible says about the lighting in heaven. Revelation 21:23 says, “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” Sometimes we sing the hymn that says there is no night in heaven. The church at Sparta must be a light shining in a dark place. We will never convince the world to follow Jesus, if we live in darkness. Greely Kirkpatrick I have always liked anchors. I really don’t know why. I suppose it’s because they keep things from drifting.
Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must pay much more attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (The truth of the Gospel) It’s important to keep from drifting from the Word. The Word (truth) will keep us anchored. Peter tells us that God in His word has given us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. (II Peter 1:3) For example, if you make it a habit of attending the assemblies of the church, then you will be less likely to drift away. You will be anchored to God’s people. Did you hear about the two ole boys who went fishing and had great luck. One said we need to mark this spot so we can find it again. The other said no worries, I have already put a large X on the boat. We all need to “mark” our lives with the anchor of the soul (hope). Hebrews. 6:19 says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…” Biblical “hope” is not hope, but rather is an earnest desire plus confident expectation. This kind of HOPE will keep us faithful to the Lord. It will keep us from drifting away from the truth. My hope is in Jesus, who died for me. I hope to go to heaven when I die; not because I have lived a perfect life, but because Jesus lived a perfect life and I have placed all my faith (trust) in Him, my Lord and Savior. Greely Kirkpatrick |
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