THE CHRISTIAN

THE CHRISTIAN - IN THE WORLD - LED BY THE SPIRIT

   “God does not have an unlisted phone number.”

  “So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.” Acts 10:30-32

   1. All have sinned and need a Savior.

   “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30

   “For my yoke is easy. The yoke that sin imposes is heavy, and bearing it brings no rest. So, too, the yoke of false or corrupted religion is burdensome; but Christ's yoke is easy. It is not hard to bear it because it is borne in love. His burden, even if it be the cross, is light, because he helps us to bear it. Note: That one rejecting Christ in the midst of light is worse than a heathen. Christ graciously invites all to come to him. He is the rest of the soul.”  —Johnson’s Notes

   “....not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5

   “Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

   “We too, baptized ‘in water and the Holy Spirit’ (John 3:5) have to live in the world as did Jesus: in communion with the world, at variance with it, transcending it.  The Christian is at one and the same time, with, against, and beyond the world.  The Holy Spirit is the living and integrating source of these three relations.”  Suenens

   2. Jesus is God’s Answer.

   “And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:17-21

   “It is helpful to reflect that we are not called Jesus-ites but Christians, taking our name not from Jesus, but Christ, that is the Anointed One, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).  The humanity of Jesus was, one might say, penetrated by the Holy Spirit; He was guided by the Spirit at every stage of His life, up to His supreme act of love: the giving up of Himself to death.  And this is the same Spirit whom He promised to His own, to continue His work.”  Suenens

   3. We live in a World that Jesus has overcome.

   “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  Acts 10:36-38

   “Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.  The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.  For Your name's sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”  Psalms 25:8-11

   4. Be warned about times of testing.

   “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Tim 6:6-12

   “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  1 Tim 4:1-5

   5. God’s promise.

   “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. ²⁰ And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”  Romans 16:19-20