Where Are You With Jesus?

Recently as I visited my father who is ailing I asked him that very question. It reminded me of Billy Moreland reporting that he had asked his dad that very question. I have asked many in the past just such a question when they were facing surgery, major illness or other serious times in their life. Dad and I discussed it.

I don’t want to wait until I ask you that question in serious need. I want to ask it today. Where are you with Jesus? Do you love God? Is He your Lord and Savior?

Before you answer that last question realize that in order for Him to be your Savior He has to be your Lord as well. We’re called in the Bible to love God more than anything. Mark 12:30 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Matthew 10:37-39 – 37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

These are not just random Scriptures but the truth that Scriptures reveals over and over. God has to be first in your life.

How much time do you spend searching the Word of God? Do you treasure growing in the knowledge of God? This fall Pastor Tony will offer spiritually challenging classes on Sunday mornings. There are other classes as well on Sunday mornings. Pastor Tony and I and others will also offer weekday and weeknight groups/classes. Will you find one to attend? If not, why not? Do you not have time to grow in your knowledge of Christ?

Let me ask you a question this week. Do you understand the following? Do you know what sins lead to death or about the foundations of salvation? Do you understand what is meant by laying on of hands and do you practice this? Do you know how many baptisms there are, what they are and have you availed yourself of them? Do you understand so that you could explain to someone who asked you about the resurrection of the dead and about eternal judgment?

Next question, how long have you been a Christian? Have you known Jesus for a year, five years, twenty year, even fifty years or more?

Did you know that the questions I asked previously are called the elementary truths of the faith (and there are more). In the early church, probably within 10-20 years of Christ’s resurrection, the author of Hebrews was chewing out the church because they were not growing in their knowledge and understanding. Read the Scripture below.

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 – 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

Having been saved, have you remained a powerless, infant Christian? Philippians 2:12-13 – Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 – 14 continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I wasn’t here when this happened but recently Bryan Butland preached and asked how many knew the story of Abraham and Isaac and I’m told very few raised their hands. These basic stories should be taught to us in Sunday School. If we did not attend Sunday School (some of our members didn’t grow up in the church) or were not taught these simply Bible stories growing up we should be learning them now.

Several of our Bible Studies and Sunday classes are very basic studies going through the elementary truths of the Bible. We need to avail ourselves of these opportunities to begin to learn God’s Word. But don’t stop, saying you learned these stories and others in Sunday School or in a Bible Study. Keep learning and growing in your knowledge of the Word of God.

The Bible tells us to shine more and more, to let our light shine so that others may see Jesus (Matthew 5:16). We are also reminded that gold is of more value when refined by the fire. When the impurities are removed the gold becomes more valuable. We too become more valuable in God’s service when we become more and more like Jesus, developing our character to match His (Philippians 2:5).

Don’t be satisfied! Demand more of yourself in worship (get out of your comfort zone), spend time in prayer before worship, release your inhibitions, worship before the Lord in the Spirit. Join a class to learn more, if asked, help teach or lead others (we learn more sometimes when we study to lead others).

Revelation 3:15-18 – 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,