Sermon Central
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How We See Christ
Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Can you really proclaim as did Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
1 JOHN 4:15, “WHOEVER CONFESSES THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, GOD ABIDES IN HIM, AND HE IN GOD.” ONLY UNTIL THE TIME TOGETHER WITH CHRIST BECAME PERSONAL AND INTIMATE DID GOD ALLOW THE TWO MEN’S EYES TO OPEN AND RECOGNIZE CHRIST.
I THINK THIS IS WHY MOST PEOPLE TIRE OF CHRISTIANITY OR BECOME DISGRUNTLED OR DISAPPOINTED WITH GOD BECAUSE THEY NEVER GET PERSONAL. THEY TRY TO MAKE IT A “MECHANICAL RELIGION” OF “DO’S AND DON’TS” RATHER THAN A “RELATIONSHIP” OF LOVE, FELLOWSHIP AND OBEDIENCE.
CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A RELIGION. IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL ROUTINE OF SACRED RECITATIONS, HYMN SINGING, AND SCRIPTURE READING. IT IS NOT A LOP-SIDED, ONE-SIDED RELATIONSHIP WHERE WE DO ALL THE TALKING AND NO LISTENING.
I WILL SAY IT AGAIN! IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP! WHEN WE SEE CHRIST AS RELATIONAL, LIFE WILL NOT ONLY TAKE ON NEW MEANING, IT WILL HAVE MEANING. IT IS AMAZING THE THINGS THAT WILL TRANSPIRE AND GROW IN OUR LIVES IF WE WILL SEE CHRIST AS RELATIONAL. LIFE BECOMES VALUABLE. THE TRUTH AND ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE THAT ONCE SEEMED UNIMPORTANT OR EVEN IRRELEVANT TAKE ON NEW SIGNIFICANCE AND NEW MEANING.
SERVING BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING SERVED. CHURCH BECOMES A PLACE OF WORSHIP RATHER THAN A PLACE WHERE WE ATTEND A RELIGIOUS SERVICE. STUDYING AND DIGESTING THE BIBLE REPLACE JUST READING THE BIBLE.
THE NEEDS OF OTHERS ARE JUST AS, IF NOT MORE, IMPORTANT THAT OUR OWN. WE LOVE MORE. WE EMPATHIZE MORE, WE GIVE MORE, WE SACRIFICE MORE, WE DO MORE. WE CARE MORE. WE ARE MORE. ALL BECAUSE WE SEE CHRIST AS RELATIONAL AND GROW OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
IT HAS BEEN SAID: UNLESS THE EYE CATCH FIRE, GOD WILL NOT BE SEEN. UNLESS THE EAR CATCH FIRE, GOD WILL NOT BE HEARD. UNLESS THE TONGUE CATCH FIRE, GOD WILL NOT BE NAMED. UNLESS THE HEART CATCH FIRE, GOD WILL NOT BE LOVED.UNLESS THE MIND CATCH FIRE, GOD WILL NOT BE KNOWN.
SIMPLY PUT: YOUR CHRISTIANITY HAS TO GET PERSONAL, BE PERSONAL, AND STAY PERSONAL! JESUS PATIENTLY, YET URGENTLY PLEADS WITH YOU TO MAKE THAT PERSONAL DECISION RIGHT NOW. HE MAKES THAT OFFER KNOWN TO US BY STATING IN REVELATION 3:20, “BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND DINE WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME. WILL YOU INVITE CHRIST IN TODAY?
