Untitled Sermon (4)

What is a Christian?

You're mind went in 20 direction when I said that. The Christians are hoping they not going to be called out and the non-Christians believe they can answer the question.

Before I define the question, let's go back to the beginning. GOD made man and woman, in HIS image. In Genesis 1:27-28…GOD created man in His own image, in the image of GOD, HE created him; male and female HE created them. GOD blessed them; and GOD said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Our creator, our Father GOD, provided everything that we needed to live, thrive and be joyful. You know, that feeling you get when everything is provided for you and you can only feel…entitled? NO, we are supposed to be grateful. And it's this lack of gratitude and holiness, that caused GOD to want to start over. Sadly it started with Adam and Eve. Adam is the first man, Eve is the first woman. The serpent, satan, convinced Eve to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When she ate it, she gave it to Adam. Their eyes were opened, they were naked. They committed the first sin. Fast forward...

The story of Noah.

After many years of man being who they wanted to be and not being grateful for what they were provided, our father GOD had Noah build an ark to save his family, the only righteous ones alive at that time. We all know the story of Noah. In the book of Genesis, chapter 6,verses 5-8, it says…Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that HE had made man on the earth, and HE was grieved in HIS heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

In Genesis 6:13…Then GOD said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

Noah was a righteous man and his family were the only men and women allowed to go onto the ark with 2 of each of the other world species. Why? GOD wanted to start off after the flood.

Then he told Noah to build an ark. GOD said to Noah…Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. But I will establish MY covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. This was written in Genesis 6:17‭-‬19.‬ GOD made a covenent with Noah that HE would never eliminate us again, even when we are not grateful. The rainbow reminds GOD and us, of that covenant. ‬‬

Fast forward to Moses.

Moses was born Jewish. His mother put him in a basket and sent him down the river so he would not get killed as the king of Egypt told all the mid wives to kill any new born sons of the people of Israel, fearing that they out numbered the Egyptians and he feared they would overtake them. Moses' true parents are of the tribe of Levi. Moses was found by Pharaohs daughter, and, interestingly, called upon his mother to take care and help raise him. Moses grew up, was very strong, very bold, and more favored by Pharoah over Ramses, the Pharaohs born son, to rule over Egypt when Pharoah dies. Eventually Moses finds out who he really is, and leaves to find his family.

Time passes, Moses has a new life, is accepted, married, and is called by GOD to free the slaves of Egypt, the people of Israel. After freeing them, the rebelled because of their impatience. In Exodus 32:1-6...Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Since then, thousands of years and billions of times, we were not grateful for what we've been blessed with. Since then we've made many mistakes and those mistakes have created a world of issues that you can read or hear in the news today. However, we were all redeemed by JESUS and forgiven of all of our sins. John 3:16 states...“For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For GOD did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through HIM.

Adam was with sin. JESUS was and is without sin and as such, can be the worlds salvation as Adam was the worlds demise. And all can have this salvation if they accept JESUS as their Lord and Savior. We've sinned many, many times, and we will continue to sin. It's in our nature to sin.

Going forward, to answer that question...Christians are grateful, hopeful, gracious, patient, encouraging and uplifting…and always LOVING. JESUS said in Matthew 22:37 and 39…And HE said to him, “You shall love the Lord your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Christians are commanded to be love minded, love driven, hope driven, folks. We are driven to serve. Like anyone else, we will always fall short of the glory of GOD because we will make mistakes. But we will continue to try to be better. We also repent of our sins and try not to repeat them. You know what's cool, SIN IS NOT IN Jesus's nature. As Christians, we aspire to be like JESUS. as said in Ephesians5:1...Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

Children ar supposed to be obedient.

But, I want to take this further…

- we are commanded to be loving but we want to be loving

- We are very appreciative of what we have been blessed with…JESUS, the Holy Spirit, life, people…a great family of supporters and admonishers

We are not haughty, or prideful. We only, well, we should, only boast in GOD for all we have and can do.

- We know that we are not alone when we go through things. JESUS promised that HE would never leave us or forsake us and that helps us get through life.

Now, no one likes to be told what to do, right? No one likes to be told how to live. But, if your life was a wreck, or it's way to be a wreck, or you were looking for answers, you'll change and try to be better than you were in the past. And if that means being told how to live? Guess what, check this out...you'll listen. But, what's cool is that you won't mind listening. As you're getting straightened out and brought to a place, and grateful for the changes, you'll become kinder, more loving, more caring, more giving of yourself, more patient, become a peacemaker, become gentler, and learning how peace really feels when someone else gives of themselves for you. And we become imitators of CHRIST…the image of GOD. We help each other to help others, to see the love of JESUS CHRIST.

Have you ever heard that a Christian can be:

- Intolerant, Opinionated, Intolerable, Judgmental, A butt-in-ski, think that they're better than everyone else, all that and a bag of chips...

- Believe they have the keys to the fountain of eternal life, well, yea, we do!!!

And the list can go on.

Have you heard these descriptions before? As Christians, do some of you get angry when you you're called that? Be honest… it really aggravates some of us to hear that. But, let's call it what it is…the non-believers view of us (even some be of the believers say this about themselves), because there will be bad in all groups, and those are who are seen and acknowledged. Now, you may come across some who mirror these words, but I believe the majority are not. They may be quiet in their Faith or extremely humble. Sometimes we try to hard or become too legalistic, that's not good . We should love as an action word, not as an adjective or noun, but we may use love that way too. You may know many non Christians that are the same way, but they’ll be called passionate, driven, or fanatical about something, and given a chance, they ask for forgiveness or intervened to help them understand the feelings of those they affected, and they may be forgive.

Well, so are we, fanatics…about being loved unconditionally; being forgiven for the things we did in years past and years coming; being helped through everything in our lives; and for never being left alone. If we slip up, we don't receive grace from the world. Why? Most are intolerant of us because of what we believe and what they've heard or pre-conceived, but we will forgive everyone for wronging us, even when it hurts badly…70 ×7. We are considered weaker because we do forgive. Being forgiving isn't being weak, it's being strong enough to shoulder the hurts, forgive and go forward and not look back.

Do you know what else a Christian is?

Redeemed from sin by the by your faith in JESUS

Saved by the sacrifice of the lamb for our sins, we are saved from death

Washed clean by the blood of the lamb

Sanctified by your faith in JESUS

Justified by your faith in JESUS

Gifted with immeasurable joy

Gifted with unexplainable peace

Gifted with never-ending

Gifted with hope…the hope that this world cannot give

Loved beyond your imagination

Received an instruction manual for living life here, as it is not your home

AND YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN!!!

Who else can say that but a follower of JESUS CHRIST?

To my brothers and sisters, we may not always feel GODS presence, but, if we look closely, we will see HIM everywhere. Sit, pray, and you'll see HIM. And be encouraged…JESUS is coming back!!!

So… what can you get from all of this? Maybe a better understanding of Christians, maybe a way to be better, get better at loving, or ready to help a brother or sister, be better than they are. We created to be communal, not to be alone. We are all equal, but have been blessed with different gifts.

For those who have not accepted JESUS your LORD and Savior, I invite you to HIM; to amazing love, to inexplicable peace, to remarkable joy, and to never ending hope. If you're here and want to renew or reset your path, lets pray together. If you're not here and want to do the same, let's pray together. And if your here or not her and you have questions, look me up or message me, the Christian at the next desk or machine near you. Yes, everyone knows a Christian. They'll answer those questions.

Now, let's pray together...

So…I want to tell you this…I am a CHRISTIAN. I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL. I love JESUS CHRIST and I believe in the Trinity…Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let's not hide who we are. Let's walk the walk and talk the talk. As JESUS does…

Oh, one other thing…we are chosen to be children of GOD.

Pray out...