Are You An Apprentice of Jesus?

Matthew 5.1-3 observes, when Jesus saw His ministry drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him. Arriving at a quiet place, He sat down and taught His climbing companions. This is what He said: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. MSG

 

Do you long to be with Jesus? Have you apprenticed yourself to Him? Have you paid to learn from Him, to be with Him, near Him, in order to learn from Him? Are you practicing His works to master His ways so that you are easily identified as one of His, having been with Him? (more…)

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What Marketplace Christianity Looks Like

Luke 12.4-5,8-9 commands, I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, Who holds your entire life—body and soul—in His hands………“Stand up for Me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know Me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels? MSG

 

This is how Christians are to live in the marketplace. The answer to the question, what does it mean to be a Christian in the marketplace, is given here. Fear God alone, and make Him known, so that all might come to know Him as God and Savior. Simple but not easy. (more…)

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Courageous Christianity Needed In These Times

Luke 12.5,8-9 records, Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in His hands……Stand up for Me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know Me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels? MSG

 

We are in desperate need of people who will live the way God warns us to live in this passage. As the culture increases its antagonism toward Biblical Christianity, that is the recorded will of God in the Scriptures, Christians will have to choose between fearing God and fearing society. What does that choice look like practically?

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Pleasing God and Pleasing People are Mutually Exclusive

Galatians 1.10 asks, am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Why is it that man pleasers and God pleasers are not synonymous? How is it that pleasing men keeps us from serving Christ? Relational evangelism has led many Christians to believe they are at least closely related. In trying to win people to Christ we try to become friends with men. Indeed, Jesus was a friend of sinners! So it seems Paul’s words conflicts with Jesus’ work. (more…)

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A Simple Description For Christian Living

1 Corinthians 16.13-14 commands, be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

 

A quick summary of how those who claim to be Christians are to live the Christian life in this pagan world that opposes God and the truth of His Word. We are to watch ourselves, guard our conduct, character and thinking, lest we become sucked into the ways of the world. Our flesh is weak though our spirit is willing to obey. The ideas of satan to disobey God are subtle and appealing to our feelings but they move us out of alignment with God’s will, and when followed, lead us to a place completely at odds with His Word. The best defense is a good offense. (more…)

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Church: Make America Great Again

Isaiah 64.7 observes, no one calls on Your name or strives to lay hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have given us over to our sins.

This chapter, like many of the previous chapters, seems to speak to our country and our church today. All of the many things going wrong in our culture has not driven many yet to the point of perpetual prayer. Who is striving to lay hold of God? (more…)

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God Expects The Church To Testify To Truth

Isaiah 43.10-12 records, you are My witnesses, declares the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. (more…)

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What ‘Food’ Are You Working For?

John 6.27 commands, do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.

Too many men who claim to be Christians are working for food that spoils. Not enough men who claim to be Christians are working for food that endures to eternal life. (more…)

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The Purpose of God Living Within Us

2 Timothy 1.7-8 records, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

We often fear men more than God. We were created to please God but we often find ourselves more concerned with pleasing men. (more…)

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