Truth That Transforms

 

    If you choose to live a life in faith, then the truth about Jesus will transform you.  Once you accept the gift of salvation, the door to revelation opens.  You will read the Bible as if it were for the first time.  It is no longer about understanding it logically, being able to argue it, or education.  It becomes a part of you as you begin to understand who God is and see the world through His eyes.

    God demonstrated His love for people by sending Jesus.  Jesus demonstrated true love in his life everyday and through his death.  The resurrection is what changed everything where we can understand love in a completely different way.  Those that really follow Jesus will demonstrate his love still today.

    Truth that transforms is the power of salvation.  It is time to confront the truth.  That is how you will see that it is truth and not opinion or feeling.  When you do, you will respond in faith or reject it.  Either way the choice is yours.

    God's Word you discover truth every time you read.  There is general truth and learning context.  That can take a long time, but a joyful process.  Then there is the the truth as it his you personally.  It is like a personalized revelation just for you.  That is the truth that can bring excitement or conviction.

    As you educate yourself on the Bible, you discover how to read it the best way where it places power into you.  You learn how to live, handle people, set boundaries, install morals, and all the other situations in life.  

    Jesus teaches you how to pray.  If you really read it, it can make you feel special because he prayed for you before he faced the cross.  The Gospel happened in a set time, but it is timeless because Jesus is timeless.  His message is still personalized for you, me, and everyone else.  

    Christians are connected by their faith in Jesus.  You have a role in this journey of life with Jesus.  It starts at salvation.  It becomes more clear or powerful during the discipleship training period.  Then it is lived out as you continue the process and life with the Holy Spirit.  The power changes your life, but also the lives of those around you.

    The truth unites you with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and other believers.  Faith in Jesus changes you into someone better because it anchors you in the truth.  It provides supernatural power, but stability too.  When you start to feel lost or the world is burying you in lies, then you can always go back to God in the Bible, turn to Jesus for help, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit in prayer.  

Luke 8:16-18, John 17:9-26, Romans 1:16-17, 5:6-11, 12:1-2, & Ephesians 4:14-16

Truth Unites

 

     The truth is that we all need a church family to be a part of.  We need each other and to be obedient to God.  Christians need the influence of other Christians since they are influenced by the world the majority of the time.  We need to hold each other accountable, encourage, and tend to each other's needs.  

    The church needs to be led by a Biblically sound pastor that upholds what he preaches.  That means that he will not marry just anyone.   It means that before a person is baptized that he will confirm that their faith is real.  He will not let just anyone join the church.  That does not mean that not everyone is welcome.   To become a member of a church you have to be a Christian that agrees to live by the regulations of the church (God's) standards.  These are serious commitments that should not be taken lightly or glossed over to help the church look good.

    The night that Jesus was led to his crucifixion, he took time to pray.  He knew what was going to happen and he needed to be with his father before he faced it.  The things is, that he spent a good amount of time praying for the people he loved that he was leaving behind.  He loves those that follow him so much, that he prayed protection over them (us) to face the world without him in it.

    We are kind of lucky that we can predict what will happen at times, but we don't know what will happen.  Him taking the time to pray teaches his followers that we need to take the time to pray specifically to help, guard, comfort, or anything else for the day, moment, or future.  

    The truth is that Christians are people that follow Jesus through faith rather than logic or knowledge.  They are sanctified and protected in their faith. The truth unites them with God and other Christians.  Christians are set aside as God's dedicated people.  We live a life of sacrifice, but not in the way it sounds to the world.  Our sacrifice is living a selfless life dedicated to serving God and helping other people.

    True Christians choose to follow God's Commands to the point that they will give up their own lives.  That does not mean that we seek death.  It just means we are not afraid when it comes.  We know our eternity will be with God.  We no longer live in the guilt of sin because God has forgiven us and removed it from eternal record.  The truth unites you with God or removes you from Him eternally.

    Christians are sanctified in truth.  It changes us.  It transforms us into new people.  Sometimes the people of our past do not stay in the present or future because they do not like the changes.  They don't want to be a part of what we are becoming.  That is on them.  We are not to abandon them, but it is okay to grow and keep moving in the direction that God leads because He made us holy.  To be holy is to be made right with God.  

Habakkuk 2:12-14, John 17:13-21, 1 Corinthians 11:1-8, Ephesians 1:12-14, & 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Humility

 

    Christians need to learn humility to be a reflection of Jesus in the world.  It take understanding that you focus on Jesus instead of yourself and what is going on in your life.  God has to be your first priority and you have to understand scriptural context to know how that is lived out.

    Humility broadens your soul.  It keeps you from getting caught up in society.  It is loving each other the way the church should by baring each other's burdens, but not carrying them.  We are meant to help each other out, but take responsibility for our own lives at the same time.  Do not put all your stuff on another person because it is too much for them to carry.  Instead dump it all on Jesus and work with fellow Christians for a lifestyle of true freedom.

    Love done like Jesus is to put the needs of other people ahead of your own.  It keeps your focus off yourself and indifferent to people.  Take advantage of having the love of God by showing it to other people.  If you never try to love like Jesus, then you will always be at odds.  

    You need love led by the Holy Spirit to live in unity.  As a church we all have many different skills, gifts, and love languages.  Without humility and love we will never become one.  If we are not united, then we will never grow or achieve anything worthwhile.

Proverbs 11:2, Luke 14:10-11, 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, 8:1-3, 12:7-11, Ephesians 4:1-16, & Philippians 2:3-11

Church Love

 

    The church shows love through their actions and behavior.  Hospitality is important, but the people have to get to the church for that to matter.  The church needs to see Jesus' love through how we live in the world.  Use your gifts in church, but display Jesus' love in the world.  Be what draws them to the church.

    Acts of Christians love are humility, gentleness, peace, and patience.  None of these traits come naturally.  God has to develop them in us.  We are not to judge the people of the world because they are already under God's judgment.  Christians are to judge each other in love to be held accountable in honoring God in our lives.  When you do judge, do so with the effort of unity within the church.  

    Patience requires practice.  We have to practice being patient with people who are not where we are or people that may feel like are slowing us down in life: physically and spiritually.  Patience is a key sign of loving people God's way.  It maintains unity and provides a sense that the church is looking out for each other.  Be honest with who you are and surrender all that does not profit your soul to God.

    Impatience is being self-centered, controlling, your timing matters more, and elevating self over Jesus.  The only way to work on that is to focus on turning your life into a life of service.  You start focusing on other people instead of yourself.  Seek how to help instead of how you need help.  When you gain patience, it brings along humility.

    Gentleness is choosing a life that goes against violence and hate.  It is deciding to love people the way God loves you.  You seek out to be receptive of people's needs.  You try to see other perspectives and figure out how Jesus would handle the situation.  You stand up for what is right and for by focusing on healthy relationships.  You do not force your terms, voice to be heard, or taking aggressive action.  You chose a life of respect where people will listen when you speak.

John 4:19-24, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16, & Philippians 2:5-11

Who is the Church?

 

    The church is the unified body of believers.  A healthy church is when the believers utilize their gifts for God while appreciating their salvation.  It is rich in theology.  The pastor focuses on teaching God's word even when it is not a feel good message.  The stand firm in communion, baptism, and that salvation is only through Jesus.  A healthy church decides to follow life patterns after Jesus.

    When you attend church, you will always find brokenness.  Jesus came for those that need him.  That means we have all been broken at some point.  The strong members of the church do what they need to make themselves worthy and live a balanced life in God's calling, living in the world, and using their gifts.  

    The church you would want to be a part of is a group of people that live as a body of believers.  They join in God's work instead of fighting Him.  They invite you to be a part of their lives, the church, and show you how to follow Jesus.  They make it where you can give all your life to Jesus without limitations.  They teach you how to walk in love.  They will help you live in this world without being consumed by evil.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 2:8-10, 4:1-16, 5:15-20, & 1 John 3:1-10

Communion

 

    Communion is a church word to describe the Lord's Supper.  It is a sacrament that involves eating bread and drinking wine or juice.  The church does this at set times to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  It is acknowledging, honoring, and celebrating what Jesus did for everyone.  It is an event for Christians that are following him.  Like anything that honors God, there are boundaries and regulations.

    The action of communion done with reading of scripture helps become a part of your memory.  The average Christians does this several times in their lives.  It can be repetitive, but if you are attentive, meditate during the quiet time, and ask God to talk to you, then you will embed it in your mind.  When it really sinks in, it becomes a part of you.  

    Communion is an act of respect, but it is also an opportunity to give back.  It starts with disbursement, scripture, prayer, moment of reflection, and then consumption.  After that is when the celebration occurs in music.  There is a reason for every aspect of communion.

    The bread is the gospels and the whole bible, not Jesus literal body.  The juice is a representation of his blood.  Blood is the source of life.  It is taking God's Word and giving it life in your soul.  It is allowing Jesus to do the impossible in you.  It starts and finishes with forgivingness and faith.

    Communion participation makes you an example in the church as you celebrate for a few minutes your salvation.  It is a bold statement of where you stand with God.  It may only be elements of bread and juice, but it represents Jesus' power over sin and death in your life.  

Proverbs 4:20-22, Matthew 26:26-30, John 6:47-59, & 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Slippery Slope

 

    Alcohol is a slippery slope because not everyone knows where the line is between a casual drink and going too far.  You may not be aware that one drink can take you places of addiction that you never wanted to go.  For many people alcohol will never be an issue, but for others it can control their lives through their decisions and how they consider the consequences.

    Alcohol can be a weakness that dominates some people.  They may believe that it helps them in life.  For an example, alcohol can help you fall asleep, but the quality of sleep is diminished, so it is counter productive.  They may think it helps them deal or feel better, but it is dangerous for your overall health.  You may see it as just numbing your mind, but it is only hiding and compiling the issues you are trying to escape from.

    Let's say you do not have an addiction or enjoy getting drunk.  You are minding your own business having an innocent drink.  However, with you is someone that is struggling.  You may not be aware of the struggle, but you could become their stumbling block.  That can be a slippery slope for the people you associate or live with.  

    Alcohol  is a slipper slope because it is perception without explanation.  Some people will judge you harshly if they see you drink, even if you are not getting drunk or losing self-control.  It is not always Christians.  It is sometimes non-Christians that watch you.  That is something to consider before buying alcohol.  It can hurt your witness.  It may not be fair, but people judge with their eyes.  They do not see everything like Jesus.

    It you do drink alcohol do so with discernment.  Know thoroughly what the Bible says about it, the dangers, and perception it leaves.  To be wise is to submit to God completely.  God never said not to drink, but He did lay out examples of what can happen if you are not responsible or if you allow it to become a sin stronghold.  Think, pray, meditate over the subject before you allow it to become a part of your life.  Then live by your convictions.

Psalm 73:15-20, Proverbs 23:29-35, Romans 14:20-23, & 1 Corinthians 6:12-14