In today’s world, we use words not known by everyone and maybe miss applied. The word Christian was first used in Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
We examine the Word Christian The word Christian has two parts being saved [born from above and being a disciple. In this message I deal mostly with the first part, You must be born of God]
1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Act_26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Paul’s sermon to King Agrippa started in 26: 1-29, i.e. v 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
In the Baptist World, The Catholic World, the Religionist World everyone who is a member of their domination and believes in their doctrine will assure them they are Christians [saved]. But that is not the truth. Jesus told Nicodemus, Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. The wind is an illustration of how the Works. The words “ wind bloweth where it listeth” symbolizes the Spirit of God goes where He wishes. “ where it Listeth” means where He willeth, or where He desired.
The giving of life in the Spiritual Birth is much like the giving of life in the Physical, it cannot be explained. Both are the miracle of God. If you think you can explain the physical I would challenge you to read Psalm 139:13-17 i.e v13, my reins] The inmost seat of the emotions, which God ‘tries’ (Psalm 7:9). As the Hebrews believed that the reins were the first part of the human fetus that is formed, The inward self. The seat of the affections and passions. That which makes you, you. The trials and testing of God are inward, “…for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
See also Job 10:8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. and 11. Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. I do not believe mankind understands the creation of the physical and I know we do not understand the Spiritual birth.
It is God who calls us to Salvation by His Spirit. Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 1 Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today, the word Christian is a general term used to cover those who say, I believe in God but that is not correct. The biblical meaning of the Word Christian is one who has been born of the Spirit. One who has been called of God to faith in Christ. We do not know when or to whom the Spirit is working, If He is calling you, you need to answer Him. It is important to hear His Word, the Truth, the Way of Salvation. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Jesus said, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. That is His death on the Cross. The Cross draws people, convicts of the need to be saved – that is God calling you. He is not calling you to a creed, to a church, to a religion but to Himself, Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
That is why we preach about the Cross, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God …But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
[A faithful church member daughter woke up one morning wanting to be saved……………… He called an Elder in the Church to lead the teenage girl to Christ, Today she is suffering from Alzheimer's. It was the message of Christ that delivers her that morning, not a message about the church, the sacraments of the church, or any other gospel. Just Jesus and the work of the cross ] Jesus said, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Since Jesus and the Cross is the drawing power of God, why would we give another message by adding too? Or when one is responding to The Spirit about their need of salvation why do we feel the need to caution them about responding to the LORD or say, well let us wait and see? This also speaks to the fact you need to listen to the LORD and about where you are attending Church.
You tell me what infant baptism has to do with what Jesus did for you? You tell me what baptism in any manner has to do with you being born again? Here is the Word of God: 1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Do you have enough courage to own Him as your Saviour? To say yes I believe His promise of life? To say yes He is my Saviour.
We are saved unto good works but what are these good works?
God’s divine expectation for you as a believer in Him for eternal life is that you follow Him
The word good work is used in Matthew 26:10, “…….Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me” the details of this story is found in John 12:1-7
“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Joh 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Joh 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Matthew 26:8, But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? No disciple spoke up for her! The disciples considered this, not a good deed. None rebuked Judas for saying, it was wasteful. [This is not the same as found in Luke 7]
What was the motivation for this good work? She witnesses all that Jesus did for her family in the resurrection of Lazarus her brother. She knew He was the resurrection and the life.
Some information about this family. They knew Him and He knew them, 11:1,3,5.
Jesus was in no rush to get there for it was more important for them and everyone to understand that He is the Resurrection and the Life than to keep him from physical death. 11:15
Jesus dealt with each family member differently. Martha went to meet Him, “…….Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” They all believed in His power to heal, now they were going to learn He is the Resurrection and the Life. He assured Martha He was the Resurrection and the Life. 11:22-27. Joh But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Her confession of faith in Christ, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And may I say, He did come and He did die and He was buried, He was Resurrected alive and He ever lives. Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Do you know my Saviour?
Some background information about Martha and Mary, Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
good part, describes what originates from God in their life – i.e. is birthed and empowered by Him through faith. Mary was there because of her faith in Him. 18/agathos ("intrinsically good") usually describes divinely-enabled virtue (the result of faith), i.e. the Lord imparting His word to (in) the believer and empowering it. Accordingly, 18 (agathós) is closely connected with faith ("God's inworked persuasion," 4102/pístis).
Lazarus was dead for four days, he had to go somewhere and I believe he went to Paradise. Now there is another Lazarus mentioned in the Bible, Luke 16:19-31. Are they the same? I do not think so. I believe the Bible distinguishes them by referring to Lazarus as a “certain man” and to the other as a “certain beggar”. My point is this for four days Lazarus went to the same place and he witnesses the events described in Luke 16:20-31.
1] The beggar was carried by angels to Paradise, the rich man woke up in hell. Verses 22,23. This man was rich in every way except in faith in God and humility. He lacked in nothing that money could buy. He had nothing of the riches of eternity that the beggar had.
2} We have all our senses in eternity, verses 23,24
3] There is no intermediate place for the dead, the rich man woke up in hell, v23.
Lazarus certainly understood that Jesus was the Resurrection and the Life and the Jews wanted to put Him to death. John 12:10-12.
What Mary did was the only anointing His body received.
On Sunday morning of the Resurrection, she was not first at the tomb {No record she ever went}. She knew He was not there. She believed more than the disciples. She did this unto Jesus for who He was and for what he was going to do; for soon He was to die on the Cross and as she witnesses, the resurrection of her brother She knew He was the Resurrection and the Life.
She never asked for permission, she never discussed with anyone, she never counted the cost – she just did it and she never talked about it afterward but yet countless millions have read it and have heard about it. The proof is in what Jesus said, “She has done a good work for me”. “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. She did it when the opportunity was open.
Bob Wilken said, "I remember that Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, sewed garments for women, and what she did was called good works in Acts 9:36; cf v 39. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Sewing garments and anointing with oil do not sound like what most Evangelicals think that good works are. Most point to more spiritual things like evangelism, jail ministry, soup kitchens, prayer ministry, mission trips, and teaching Sunday school classes and home Bible studies."
We may overlook things we do in life but God does not. He knows about the everyday life of everyday believers. I think we need to get back to the everyday things: family, raising kids, given to hospitality, giving, dealing with the daily ups and downs of life and helping others along the way, kindness, genuine concern for others just things of everyday life are important works.
Psa_126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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