Faithfulness not Numbers

With many other words Peter testified and exhorted them saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And the continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:40-42).

I visited a congregation where the pastor’s message was about keeping your checkbook balanced. When she was done, she asked everyone to close their eyes. “If you want what I’ve talked about tonight, please raise your hand.” Each of the 16 hands raised was counted as someone being “born again” in Charles Finney’s huckster fashion that night.

Numbers can a means of boasting to others and stroking egos, making it look as if progress is occurring in spiritual things, but spiritual progress isn’t measured in numbers. Pride produces numbers, God produces faithfulness.

After Peter preached the first sermon of the Christian era, we read that about 3,000 were saved, but these numbers were not reported until 30 years later when Luke wrote the Book of Acts. After so many decades, how did he know 3,000 were actually born again? Did they count the people who raised their hands? repeated a prayer? or said they wanted to know God? No. Nope. And nada. No one has ever been saved – nor can be saved – by repeating a prayer, raising his hand, or making a profession of faith. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone and never by any religious work or ritual.

Luke could write that 3,000 were saved because They continued steadfastly…. This salvation was evidenced by the steadfast continuation of the Christian life.

The need and desire of every newborn is for food. The new believers steadfastly and continually hungered for the apostles’ teaching today recorded in the New Testament. They were also faithful in the regular partnering with other believers in service to God, taking the Lord’s Supper, and in prayers.

It’s impossible for us to say someone got saved without the evidence of a changed life. Jesus said that not every seed that sprouts is genuine (Matthew 13:18-23), but we sure like to brag about each sprout! A changed life isn’t witnessed at the time of a meeting, but by the faithful example of the Christian life.

* Reformation Day is October 31st, commemorating the 506th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

We Must Preach Jesus

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14).

We don’t decide who is worthy to hear. We don’t determine who will believe. As Christians, our responsibility is to simply, genuinely, and obediently tell others about Jesus as He gives the opportunity. Jesus commanded us to be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

A man heard one of my sermons on Youtube and found it necessary to criticize me for pleading for sinners to be born again. I explained that presenting Jesus as the only Saviour from man’s sin and eternal damnation must never be half-hearted, like throwing bread crumbs to pigeons. The Apostle Paul wrote that we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). Did you notice those two impassioned words pleading and implore? Yes, we must share the gospel of Christ faithfully and truthfully; not robotically but sincerely.

The Bible records how the prophet Jonah walked the streets of Nineveh calling its citizens to turn to God. He was faithful in the proclamation. He spoke the truth. He delivered the message. He was the first recorded street preacher.

I’ve witnessed many like Jonah. They stand on a street with microphone in hand, yelling at everyone who walks by. They are so proud because they’ve proclaimed the gospel. Passersby hear, but they don’t “hear.” They hear shouting, not love; screeching, not pleading and imploring.

Jonah was obedient while his heart was rebellious toward God and hateful toward his audience. He didn’t plead with his heart but preached with loud voice, clenched hands, and disingenuous heart. Yet God was greater than His servant, forgiving and saving the people of that great city.

Remember that you represent Jesus and it is He who speaks His heart through you to a spiritually dead generation.

Warning: California is Going to Disappear

For more than half a century scientists have warned that much of the American State of California will disappear into the Pacific Ocean. Running from south to north through the center of the state is the San Andreas Fault, a crack in the earth that shifts between 1 to 2 inches (30 – 50 mm) per year.

Despite the warnings of scientists and government officials, about a half-million people move to California each year. People enjoy the warm and temperate weather of California. To accommodate the crowds, larger and bigger buildings are constructed. Taller and more elaborate buildings are raised even with the knowledge it could all disappear in a moment!

For millennia, Christians have been preaching the words given by God to humankind. This message has always included the warning that It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28). Despite the warning, the Bible is largely ignored.

You will meet Jesus Christ, either by the gateway of death or when He returns to bring judgment upon the earth. Today, heed His warnings. If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity …. (Ezekiel 3:19).

Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

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Remembering the Reformation: Faithfulness not Numbers

With many other words Peter testified and exhorted them saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And the continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:40-42).

I visited a congregation where the pastor’s message was about keeping your checkbook balanced. When she was done, she asked everyone to close their eyes. “If you want what I’ve talked about tonight, please raise your hand.” Each of the 16 hands raised was counted as someone being “born again” in Charles Finney’s huckster fashion that night.

Numbers can a means of boasting to others and stroking egos, making it look as if progress is occurring in spiritual things, but spiritual progress isn’t measured in numbers. Pride produces numbers, God produces faithfulness.

After Peter preached the first sermon of the Christian era, we read that about 3,000 were saved, but these numbers were not reported until 30 years later when Luke wrote the Book of Acts. After so many decades, how did he know 3,000 were actually born again? Did they count the people who raised their hands? repeated a prayer? or said they wanted to know God? No. Nope. And nada. No one has ever been saved – nor can be saved – by repeating a prayer, raising his hand, or making a profession of faith. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone and never by any religious work or ritual.

Luke could write that 3,000 were saved because They continued steadfastly…. This salvation was evidenced by the steadfast continuation of the Christian life.

The need and desire of every newborn is for food. The new believers steadfastly and continually hungered for the apostles’ teaching today recorded in the New Testament. They were also faithful in the regular partnering with other believers in service to God, taking the Lord’s Supper, and in prayers.

It’s impossible for us to say someone got saved without the evidence of a changed life. Jesus said that not every seed that sprouts is genuine (Matthew 13:18-23), but we sure like to brag about each sprout! A changed life isn’t witnessed at the time of a meeting, but by the faithful example of the Christian life.

** Reformation Day is October 31st, commemorating the 501st anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

The Chief of Sinners

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to  believe on Him for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

Pastors fear to preach the message of sin. They fear to preach even more so to their own congregations, that they – even after they are born again – are sinners. They cringe at the idea, but such an understanding is not only the beginning of the gospel, but the continuation of the gospel, because without sin there is no need for a Saviour.

Child of God, do you not still need the Saviour? Have you moved beyond and become independent of the cross? Do you recoil at the suggestion that you are a still a sinner in desperate need of the Saviour? Do you suppose you’ve reached an apex of spiritual superiority and are a perfected saint who doesn’t sin, aren’t a sinner, and your life is filled only with occasional mistakes because you’re a king’s kid?

Written near the end of his earthly life, the Apostle Paul called himself at that time the chief of sinners. He knew he needed that fresh and daily reminder that his sins were forgiven by the redemption in Christ’s blood. He relied upon the continuing firm assurance that his spiritual life was only each day by the grace through faith supplied by Jesus Christ. He rejoiced in hearing the same gospel he was preaching to the lost, that the death of Jesus is forever of eternal value, meaning, and power for every sinner called by God.

The chief of sinners kept continually at the cross so that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him.

A Christian never outgrows the cross! It is where living begins!