As our Savior suffered His sacrificial death on that cruel cross at the wicked hands of men, He continued to show mercy, compassion, and obedience. Listen in as Brother Matt takes a brief look at the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross.
Archive for the ‘A Christ-centered Faith’ Category
1Corinthians 1:30-31, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” If, as we seek to determine what is right and what is wrong, our actions give glory to anyone or anything other than the Lord, then we have erred in our thinking and, therefore, in our conclusion.
One of the ways our commitment to Christ is manifest is through our commitment to God’s word. In looking to Christ as our Savior, we are also declaring His ownership of us, having been bought by His precious blood. Christ calls on us to follow Him and to seek to be more like Him, by taking His word and allowing it to be our guide in every aspect of our lives.
In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” What is Jesus telling us about our commitment to him? If we begin to learn what Jesus is saying, are we going to be willing to make such a commitment?
Commitment, Observations by the Pastor
In Acts 20, Paul instructed the elders at Ephesus to take heed unto themselves and also to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. When the pastor is willing to make the effort to become closely acquainted with those in the congregation – to learn their strengths, their weaknesses, their needs – the Holy Spirit will lead him in his study of the word accordingly. His preaching and teaching will feed and nourish the flock so that they will mature and become and healthy body. Listen as Brother Matt shares with the congregation those things he has observed regarding the commitment of the church.
Brother Will Roberson so clearly presents many of the blessings we enjoy because of what Christ accomplished on the cross; not only salvation and redemption, but the relationships we have with other believers.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Believing on Jesus Christ is the ‘first work’ God would have us to do (John 6:29). It is the evidence of the faith God has wrought within our hearts at the new birth. It is the only way we can approach God and please God.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Philippians 1:21-24
How did I get here? What am I doing here? What’s going to happen after here? Like the man who built his house upon a rock, we need a solid foundation to form our worldview. With God’s will as our focus and God’s word as our authority, we can find the answers to all of life’s questions; answers that provide greater peace and contentment than anything the world offers.
