We continue.
Acts 2:40-42 NKJV
[40] And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” [41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. [42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A drowning person has no ability to throw a life jacket from a boat wading on the sea.
In the same way a sinful person cannot save themselves.
So what makes a person a Christian.
It seems like a basic question, some might even scoff at such a thing.
But what about these 3000 souls? What about these 3000 hearts that were willing to stop and listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Peter proclaimed!
Sinful people cannot save themselves, but they will try.
There is the curious and the convicted.
The Gospel has a certain power that will first convict our hearts in comparison to a perfect Savior.
Then when we can submit to the Savior of the Gospel and accept the Free Gift of Salvation that is when the change of heart happens. Then redemption and restoration follows.
Be saved from this perverse generation.
There is a crooked, perverse, and wayward generation that is under God’s judgment.
Are you part of it?
We are.
You can deny it or not even confront it, but the truth of the matter is we are.
Every person has been born into it.
And unfortunately we have all participated in it.
We are sinners living in a sinful world. It is only by the Grace of God through the shed Blood of Jesus that we even have the ability to withstand the perversions and crookedness of this world.
So as a saved sinner, renewed, reborn in Spirit we must all do something.
We should stop asking the question ‘what would Jesus do’ and start living by what Jesus has done!
We must continue on our journey of faith! We must push through the trials and tribulations.
We have to keep our eyes on the Throne of God and not allow the distractions of this world to entangle and trip us.
We have work to do for the Kingdom and its Savior King!
But it can only be accomplished if we continue!
Jesus has given us Peace with the Father, Hope for the Glory of Heaven.
We obtain the forgiveness of sins. He showers us with His Grace. We are a Redeemed people, Jesus has paid the ransom for our very souls!
So we continue!
Just as the Day of Pentecost, just as the Lord promised, the Power of the Holy Spirit came down in power and Glory!
Now the comfort, peace and joy through the Holy Spirit can find residence in the repentant heart that believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ and follows Him!
Now wisdom, discernment, peace and comfort can settle into the suffering heart!
We continue forward with the teachings of Jesus Christ who sits at the Mighty Right Hand of the Father!
Doctrine of who He is matters!
We are the continuation of the First century believers.
What did they believe?
Acts 2:22-24 NKJV
[22] “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— [23] Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; [24] whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
Acts 2:36 NKJV
[36] “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
LORD AND CHRIST!
Born of a Virgin, suffered, Crucified,died, buried, raised, and reigns forever! Only through Him is the forgiveness of sins!
And He will come back to judge the living and the dead!
There is only One and never will be another and His Glorious Kingdom has no end!
Through His shed Blood on the Cross we have Redemption and reconciliation, if we repent of our sins and allow the Blood to cleanse us!
II John 1:9-11 NKJV
[9] Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; [11] for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
So we continue.
We continue to ensure that those God puts in our path has the opportunity to make the choice to abide in this doctrine to have both Father and Son!
We walk in His TRUTH!
We continue to live and teach in and through this same truth.
Not wavering from it. Not adding to or subtracting from!
His truth is undeniable and unchanging. This world will pass away but His Words will live on for eternity!
We have a very high calling.
We are called to continue!
The continuation is called the Great Commission!
So how do we start on this journey of continuing the Great Commission that Jesus has commanded us to do?
II John 1:5-6 NKJV
[5] And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. [6] This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
It all starts with love.
Just as it started for you.
Enough love that someone did not want to see you perish.
Love that wanted to see you be saved from the fires of hell and a separation from God.
Love that wanted Salvation, Restoration and Redemption to come to your hurt, lost and shattered heart.
Love that gave you a new purpose to live!
My question to you today is this.
Do you have enough love in your heart to give out to the one that has none?
Will you, today, take the light of Christ out and bear to shine in the darkness!
Or, will you hide it under a bushel for none to find the warmth it gives?
We are called to be a people that carries that torched light. To live it and display it in love.
We all have our times of hardship.
Trials come and go.
We get tossed back and forth by the waves of this crooked and perverse world.
Regardless, we must continue and finish the race and the responsibilities that Jesus has given us to accomplish for His Glory and Kingdom.
We must continue.
If we ever needed a battle cry let it be this,
Acts 14:22 NKJV
[22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Today we continue because the crookedness of this world needs the Truth that you hold.
Pastor Ed
