Change We Can Believe In Series

Change we can Believe In

Mt 18:3

Why do we change clothes?

I think there are, basically, three reasons

We change when clothing is dirty

We change when clothing is not appropriate for a new situation

We change when we want to show off new clothing

When we left last week, we were talking about how the Holy Spirit changes our life

Some people do not believe their life changed when they were saved

Let us think about that for a minute

I find that two types of people say that

The first is the person that was raised up in the church

Baptized when eight days old and confirmed at twelve

Or walked the aisle at ten and buried in believer’s baptism because that is what they were supposed to do

The second is the person that went through the motions, but never gave up the old life

Or, they believe they are (Methodists, Baptist, UCC, etc.) because their family has always been (Methodists, Baptist, UCC, etc.)

Naturally, the must be Christians, because they are (Methodists, Baptist, UCC, etc.)

Barna says 63% of the unchurched believe they are Christians

I used to feel sorry for the first group; because I believed that they do not have the option of experiencing the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit

After all, how dirty can an eight year old be?

I have met ministers that always knew they were going to preach

They never had a soul changing, gut wrenching experience with God

They walked the aisle, attended college, attended seminary and have served churches

They never met God on the battlefield

Never sobbed while repenting of sin

Never got their clothing dirty, so they never had to change

I hope they are correct

Some, I am certain, are correct

However, I am afraid that some have exchanged religion for relationship

In Luke 7:21-23, Jesus warned all of us

21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

22 "Many will say to Me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

23 "And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’

We can act like Christians and not know Christ

Barna says over half of the people calling themselves Christians do not believe in the devil

Either they believe they are good on their own . . .

1 John 1:8 tells us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

. . . or, they have never met the devil on the battlefield

In 1 Cor 10:12, Paul tells those that feel safe, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

That is the danger. That is why we must always be on our knees

The Father and the Holy Spirit will make certain we are in relationship with Christ, but only if we want to be

If we are not, Christ tells us we will not be in the next life

If we do have a relationship with Christ

Our clothing (what others see) will be clean

No hypocrisy

Our clothing (what others see) will be appropriate as fitting for Christians

Clean living, clean language, words of love and encouragement

And, our fruit will be of the Holy Spirit

Paul, in Gal 5:22, say these are, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

If you are there, God bless you

If not, think about that

Let us pray

Read more at www.opendoorstochrist.org

Rev. O. K. Neal