Abiding in Christ
Series: Abiding Life
Joey Rodgers
Hebrews 12:1-3
Have you ever had to break hard news to anyone? If you have, then you know that it's quite challenging - and often, the shock of the news overwhelms the person so much that they miss the news or misinterpret what you've shared to mean something else.
Well, I have some difficult news to share w/ you today - it's not to scare you but to encourage you. So, before I begin, I want everyone to take a moment to compose themselves... (pause) Are you ready?
Ok. Here it comes - What most of us have been led to believe is necessary to be a Christian isn't totally accurate! (repeat) Are you still w/ me? LME - it's not that it's all wrong, but just likely it's incomplete.
Most of us have been taught that to be saved, all we have to do is accept that we're a sinner, say a prayer telling God we're sorry - and we're in! While that's part of it, that's not the full picture. Jesus gave His life for more than a faith nod but also for our willingness to follow Him - and these (2) ideas are inseparable.
This is critical to realize b/c following Jesus is a call to more than acknowledging His work on the cross and living as you want thinking you are okay w/ God - it is a call to walk in His footsteps to know Him, to be like Him and to do as He did - as His apprentice.
Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Only WHO? Only the one who does the Father's will. Meaning - there's more to this thing called the Christian life than just acknowledging the existence of Jesus. There's a determination to actually (1) be w/ Jesus; (2) become like Jesus; and (3) live as He lived.
Thus, if you're one of those people who've been taught to pray the "sinners" prayer w/out turning your life over to Jesus by obeying His commands and following His example - I'm sorry, ...
Series: Abiding Life
Joey Rodgers
Hebrews 12:1-3
Have you ever had to break hard news to anyone? If you have, then you know that it's quite challenging - and often, the shock of the news overwhelms the person so much that they miss the news or misinterpret what you've shared to mean something else.
Well, I have some difficult news to share w/ you today - it's not to scare you but to encourage you. So, before I begin, I want everyone to take a moment to compose themselves... (pause) Are you ready?
Ok. Here it comes - What most of us have been led to believe is necessary to be a Christian isn't totally accurate! (repeat) Are you still w/ me? LME - it's not that it's all wrong, but just likely it's incomplete.
Most of us have been taught that to be saved, all we have to do is accept that we're a sinner, say a prayer telling God we're sorry - and we're in! While that's part of it, that's not the full picture. Jesus gave His life for more than a faith nod but also for our willingness to follow Him - and these (2) ideas are inseparable.
This is critical to realize b/c following Jesus is a call to more than acknowledging His work on the cross and living as you want thinking you are okay w/ God - it is a call to walk in His footsteps to know Him, to be like Him and to do as He did - as His apprentice.
Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Only WHO? Only the one who does the Father's will. Meaning - there's more to this thing called the Christian life than just acknowledging the existence of Jesus. There's a determination to actually (1) be w/ Jesus; (2) become like Jesus; and (3) live as He lived.
Thus, if you're one of those people who've been taught to pray the "sinners" prayer w/out turning your life over to Jesus by obeying His commands and following His example - I'm sorry, ...
There are 15624 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
