May  2010

“YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS”

God speaks to you through His Word.  As you read the following passage…

Remember that YOU Are His disciple 

 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26).

HOW DO WE PICK UP OUR CROSSES AND FOLLOW HIM?

Cross bearing is not a matter of dealing this life’s challenges. Many people make this mistake, but this is not the cross to which Christ refers. Christians and unbelievers alike face sickness, sorrow and loss because of the sin that affects us all. In Matthew 16, Jesus speaks directly to those who would follow Him. He is speaking to you! Look again at the text. What do you see?

THE cross is our confession.

what is that confession?

“YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!”

How do you make that confession known to others?

We confess by remaining in His Word…

Ø  Attending Church (John 15:4-5, Acts 2:42).

Ø  Attending Bible Study (Acts 2:42).

Ø  Personal Study & Devotion (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Ø  Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

Ø  Receiving His gifts with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).

Ø  Utilizing all of your God-given gifts to the glory of His Name (Colossians 3:17).

Ø  Sharing the Good News with other (1 Peter 3:15).

Ø  Mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25).

As disciples of Jesus Christ, YOU have been given the great privilege of sharing the Good news with others!  YES, YOU! Just look at how Jesus describes you!

YOU are …" the light of the world”  “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).

SO CONFESS HIS NAME BOLDLY!

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38) 

SO CONFESS HIS NAME CONFIDENTLY!

TAKE HEART! DON’T BE AFRAID! YOU CAN DO IT! YOU don’t need to be a Biblical scholar. You don’t need to confront or debate anyone. Just speak the Truth in love! How do you do that? Simply invite someone to join you at church, remembering that… 

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

Pastor Bruce