Will You Follow the Congregation or Jesus?

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Led by Eric Gintert

Today's service focused on two separate topics, however had similar results. The first topic dealt with difference between "professing" Jesus as Lord vs. having a personal relationship with Jesus. And the second topic was about the leaders in the congregation deciding whether to choose God's Word in faith or following the "majority rules".

Having a Relationship with God

• Luke 6:46  -  Why do you profess Jesus' name as Lord?  Why do you call Him your Saviour?  Why do you call Him Holy?  Why do you call Him God?  This verse in Luke asks us to "examine" ourselves.  Specifically, looking at our heart and seeing how our life has changed since "professing" Jesus as Lord.  Jesus asked, "Why do you call me Master if you won't do what I command you?  Do you even seek His commandments?  Are you trusting what others say His commandments are for your life or are you hungering and thirsting for His righteousness and becoming saturated in the Word of God?  And when you "see" or "hear" or "read" what the Word of God states for you "to do"....do you do what He says? (James 1:22)
• Matthew 7:21-23  -  Jesus spoke a very chilling notice for a specific group of people on Judgement day.  He wasn't speaking to the proclaimed atheist, the muslims, or any other number of religions.  He pointed out specifically those who "proclaim" to be saved by Jesus himself.  Jesus reminds us here that the professed "church people" are not necessarily "saved, born-again repentant by the blood of Jesus" followers.  Just as Jesus signified to His twelve disciples; "have I not chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil?" (John 6:70) Jesus made it clear with Judas, some sit among us "looking holy" outwardly, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 
• Better is the profession of Jesus words than ours...you can't just proclaim to know God... you have to have a relationship with God. Many profess "I know you Jesus!"  Jesus professes "I never knew you!"  His profession means more as He will cast away those who imitate. Example:  Would you rush the front gates of the White House expecting to meet the President of the United States?  Not without expecting to meeting some men in black suits, dark sunglasses, and guns pointed at you.  When you exclaim to "put your guns done" because you are going inside to meet the President because "I know him", how much difference will that statement mean to the Secret Service?  But if at that same moment as your being stopped by the guards, the President see's you and comes running out the front doors and says "wait! let go of him, I know him!" they will release you because of the higher authority.  Jesus is our high authority and His profession will be based on our relationship with Him.  If you profess to have a relationship with Jesus, ask yourself, do you have a new relationship with sin?  Have you sought God's will for the things "you do" or don't do? If you don't know these things it's because "ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2)
• "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14... Just as Satan transforms himself into something that looks holy and good so also people can make themselves look holy and good through their good works.
• Many congregations "profess" to come together in the "name of the Lord".  They will profess salvation on your life "in Jesus" name by "many wonderful works" (Matt. 7:22); repeating a prayer, altar call, baptism, confirmation, church membership, attending seminary, becoming the pastor, deacon, choir leader etc.  Question:  Will you accept the congregation's profession of being saved (wide gate) or hearing the voice of Jesus professing you as one of His sheep (narrow)?   (Matt. 7:13-14)(John 10:27)

Caleb and Joshua

• Numbers, chapters 13 & 14  -  God was revealing a special moment in time for the children of Israel...the site of the Promised Land.  God spoke His word and commandment to Moses and instructed the leaders of the congregation (twelve tribes of Israel) go spy out the land in which God said He would give to His chosen people.  As the twelve spied out for forty days, they professed to see true abundance of goodness in the land; a land flowing with milk and honey, large clusters of grapes.  As the twelve returned to the wilderness and gave report to Moses, Aaron and the congregation something happened.  Ten (the majority) of the twelve gave evil report stating that the land was fully inhabited with many types of people, including giants.  This made the congregation weep and mourn and in the middle of that distress Caleb stopped them with the Word of God and said "let's go and possess the land now!" Caleb trusted in the Word of God and wasn't letting the influence of emotion of the leaders of the congregation or the congregation itself stop him. Joshua also stood by Caleb's side and defended the Word of the Lord before the other ten leaders and congregation.  How were these two men rewarded for reminding others for standing on the Word of the Lord without wavering?  Their own peers, brothers, friends and family members started to stone them and intended to kill them.  Caleb and Joshua were out numbered 10 to 2...so it seemed.  The other leaders and congregation forgot there was one more in attendance....God Almighty.  God reminds us in this situation that "if God be for us, then who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)  How did God reward Caleb and Joshua's faithfulness in a time where everyone heard the same Word of God but others chose emotion and outward appearance rather than "doing" what God said? He gave them the entrance to the Promised Land and to their seed.  What did God give to those who "professed" God's favor but wouldn't "do the things of the Lord" when things didn't look good?  He had their carcases fall in the wilderness and they did not enter the Promised Land.  In addition, the pain continued for their children as they had to have their entrance to the Promised Land hindered for forty-years and this was a time of separation to recognize the shame of their fathers.  Ask yourself, does the majority rule or does God?  After this horrible news, the congregation (the majority) mourned again because of the punishment said "now we will obey and trust the Lord" and decide to go fight for the land.  Though the profession looked good, scripture reveals they lacked "repentance" for the Lord was not with them.  Moses intervened and said "don't do it, the Lord is not with you".  Unfortunately the Word of the Lord was still not in their hearts and they went their way and many died in battle.

Prayer Requests
Shirley (Vicky Schultz's neighbor)  -  has skin cancer on her face
Sherry (Vicky Schultz's sister)  -  sist in her eye; will be traveling home to Wisconsin sometime
Del's Nephew  -  salvation
Our Congregation