“Be Ye Therefore…” – Ready

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Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Introduction

This is the fifth in the “Be Ye Therefore…” series.  Christ had just told His followers not to seek after the riches of this world which are temporal but to seek the kingdom first and then says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Then the parable starts with blessed are the servants whom, when their lord returns, he finds them watching or ready for him.  (By the way these two thoughts are related, for earthly treasure often keeps us from watching or even loving His appearing)  He goes on to say that if the good man of a house knew exactly what hour the thief would come, he would have prevented him from breaking into the house.  He would have been waiting in that specific hour to catch the thief.

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1 Peter – The Blood of Jesus Part II (1 Peter 1:2b)

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:2b “…unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ…”

Introduction

In our last post we left off in a destitute state.  We were dead in our sins without hope.  In this post salvation is offered.

Hope in Jesus Christ

Now we see the glorious work of Jesus.  Rom 6:23b…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  We know we start as sinners.  We have shown that we have a sin debt.  We understand that sin’s penalty is death.  We now see that Jesus paid the price on Calvary for us but we still don’t know why the blood? 

We will find our answer in the Old Testament, before Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, when God required animal sacrifices for sin.  Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  We know that if we lose a significant amount of blood we will die.  This is what happened on Calvary; Jesus shed his blood.  Sin’s penalty is death; the blood that Jesus shed represents that death that paid the price for our sin.  The penalty for all sin was paid that day; all we have to do is accept it.  If you are reading this post and are not saved, or not sure, you can receive the gift of salvation made possible by the blood of Jesus or the death of Jesus as we have learned.  With salvation we are restored to God, given the tools to turn a carnal mind into a spiritual mind, and one day, a place in heaven where we shall forever be with the Lord.

Closing Thoughts

We have now covered the steps to salvation but there is one more; it may surprise you but we have a role in salvation.  No, I’m not talking about works here. We have a part to play if we are to be saved.  What is our role? We must accept God’s gift. Without acceptance we will not go to heaven.  God has provided a plan, a way to be forgiven our sin, but our acceptance is required.  We now know that all are sinners, the penalty for sin is death, we cannot pay that penalty but praise God Jesus paid the penalty for us.  Now we find out that we have a part to play.  How can we accept salvation?  Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I have proclaimed the gospel message; it is now time for the work of the Holy Spirit to penetrate the hearts of those God has drawn to Him. Please listen to that still small voice and allow the blood of Jesus to pay the penalty for your sin.

Until Night,

A Servant

 

What doest thou here?

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And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? (1Kings 19:11-13 KJV)

Introduction

The question the Lord put to Elijah speaks to me. Elijah had, in the previous couple of weeks leading up to this moment, been used of God to defeat over 400 prophets of Baal but now had fled to Mt. Horeb in fear due to the threats of the wicked queen Jezebel. James said that Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. Too many times we let the devil and this world get us cornered in a cave.  It is so easy to get in the cave and the roaring wind, shaking of the earth, and fires in our lives seem to drown out all else.

 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” – Paul the apostle

A Servant’s Heart

Philippians 2:13-18 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.   Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.   For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Paul often referred to himself in introduction to a church as doulos theos or doulos Christos which is to say slave or bond-servant of Christ.  Paul had a servant’s heart.  His desire was for the local assembly and the individual in Christ to serve Christ with their whole heart not because of commandment but out of love for the savior.  Paul didn’t mind sacrificing of himself for the cause of Christ, in fact, it brought him great joy to know that his sacrifice of time, effort, and ultimately his own life would increase the faith of others and bring glory to Jesus Christ.  Paul esteemed his brethren in Christ more than himself… “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3

This is the very essence of a servant’s heart.  Christ Himself told His followers that He came not to be ministered unto but to minister.  Here at Servants’ Journal we desire to possess that servant’s heart and to encourage fellow servants in the same.  In keeping with our new theme and focus to possess a servant’s heart, I thought it fitting to post a memorial to some heroes of the faith from the last century whose sacrifice help renew a fire for missions in our country.

 

The Book of James – Faith Revealed James 2:20-26

Introduction

We have one final post on faith.  In our two previous posts James introduced the subject and stated emphatically Christians will act different as a result of their faith.  You cannot say you have faith and not produce any results.  In our last post we talked about the fact that Satan believes in Jesus but that didn’t save him.  We found out that we must believe and submit to the Lord’s will.  This week James gives us Old Testament examples to illustrate what he is saying.

 

The Book of James – Satan Believes James 2:19

Introduction

James continues the theme of faith in our next verse. Last time James taught us that faith in Jesus will produce results.  Historically in our country, and even today, most people say they are Christian or believe in God.  In this post we are going to dig a little deeper into the term “believing in Jesus”.  The question we will be asking… Is saying “I believe” enough?

 

The Book of James – Pursuit of Wisdom James 1:5-8

Introduction

Who can resist an invitation to gain wisdom?  Not just any wisdom, we are talking about wisdom from on high.  The words of James, if we heed them, will change our life.  Before we begin let me remind you, God always keeps His promises.