Most of all Mike loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart, and it was with great passion he shared his faith and hope with others. Mike went on to be with the Lord January 23rd 2009 and now rests in the arms of his loving Savior and Lord.
Knowing Mike as I do he would not want us to be only grieved and saddened, but to remember his life. Let’s take moment to reflect on his life.
(Start film) (Get Lights)
Sermon: Real Christian?
Romans 10:8-9 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[a] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
My friend Mike desperately wanted to share his testimony before he left us. And if Mike were able to speak to you right now, he would want you to know what it means to be a Christian.
This may come as a surprise to you but most people really don’t know what it is to be a “Christian”.
I. Believing in God? NO!
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear.
Not only do the demons believe there is a God but they fear Him.
Now I know this is going to come as a shock to some of you!
II. Believing in Jesus Christ does that make you a Christian? No.
Often times Jesus would move about the country side healing the sick, when He would come upon a demon possessed person those demons residing inside them would cry out and confess “The Holy one of God, have you come to torture us before the appointed time?”
A. Jesus is the most provable ancient historical figure of all time.
B. There is undeniable evidence that Jesus existed.
C. When ever any one explains a date in History (i.e. 2000 BC) they are acknowledging Christ existed!
III. So does going to church does that make you a Christian? No.
a. Don’t kid yourself many go to church every day for the prestige.
b. Many go because it’s just something the family does every week.
c. To some it’s no more than a hobby, they just like to go a Churcken’ as I like to say.
d. Some go because it makes them feel better about themselves.
e. Some even go because there friends go.
f. I would guess that there are probably more demons in churches than anywhere else on the planet trying to frustrate the Lords work.
G. people go to church for a lot of reasons but church doesn’t save you.
IV. So does reading your Bible make you a Christian? No.
Let me tell you something
“””””Satan knows the word of God probably better than anyone and he definitely is not going to Heaven
”””””” Satan quoted scripture to Jesus when he was tested in the wilderness!!!
I’ve meet people who could quote you scripture after scripture, and you couldn’t trust them as far as you could throw them. (boy I see that almost every day on Television)
V. So does the combination of going to church, reading your Bible, believing in Jesus Christ, Believing in God, +++++plus being a good person does that make you a Christian? No.
Romans 3:10 There is not one righteous no not one.
Romans 3:11 No one seek after God no not one.
Have you ever told a lie?-----that makes you a liar.
Have you ever stolen something?----just one time----that makes you a thief.
The Bible says thieves and liars will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
I bet I’m scaring some of you at this point.
Don’t be scared Jesus, Mike and I want you to understand what it means to be a Christian.
Lets look at Romans 10:9 again-- the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1. Your mission is not to own a home.
2. You mission is not to have a nice car.
3. Your mission is not to leave your children an inheritance.
4. Your mission is not to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
Make Jesus Christ known---confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”.
1. Your mission is to tell others about Jesus and most importantly about your personal relationship with Jesus.
2. Your mission is to proclaim the good news of Christ “John 3:16”.
3. Your mission, if you choose to accept it (ha ha) will be to tell others about your personal walk with Jesus Christ.
Now this will most assuredly include:
1. Going to Church.
2. Fellowshipping with other like minded believers.
3. Reading your Bible.
4. Being a good and generous person.
Because if you believe in your heart: THERE WILL BE EVEDENCE OF IT!!!!
YOUR MISSION HERE ON EARTH IS TO (AND MIKE DID THIS WELL): KNOW JESUS CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN!!!
If you truly believe:
A. you will want to be around other Christians,
B. you will love his Church.
C. you will want to get to know Him by reading your Bible.
D. you will want to OBAY Him by doing what He says.
Let me ask you a question if you were to pass on from this life into the next.
a. Would Jesus say to you “come my good and faithful servant, take your inheritance.”?
b. Or would he say “depart from Me I never knew you”?
Does He know you? Do you know Him? Have you made Him known?
You can today: Start by praying this prayer with me & then tell someone about your decision.
(sinner’s prayer)
Honor Mike by Honoring his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some of the pictures you saw on the video were when Mike and I where on a mission trip, one of the most wonderful times in our lives.
where ever you are, You are on a Mission.
Come forward now and we will commemorate our desire to follow Jesus and the memory of Mike Stamper, by lighting a candle and then let us go and BE A LIGHT TO THE WORLD.
