2
Corinthians 6: 1-10
Text V.4
Intro
There are billions of people who profess to
be Christians/disciples of Jesus; in total 2.18 billion world-wide as at
2010.Yet so many prove this statement to the contrary by their actions.
To be a follower of Jesus, means that you
must uphold His teachings and follow His example.
Where are the children of the Light when
there are so much darkness in the world and our immediate surroundings between
friends, family and community?
Talk is cheap.
Its easier to speak things, but its more
difficult to action things.
The prove of our faith and trust in Jesus
is revealed through the following:
·
How we value God’s grace
·
How we facilitate the
relationship between Jesus and others
·
How we commend/prove ourselves through
various circumstances
1.Value
God’s grace
Refrain from taking God’s grace for granted
by heeding to His voice when His Spirit speaks/guides/instructs
Never disregard the favour of God by taking
correction/discipline or guidance lightly.
When His Spirit calls you to repentance; do
so
When He calls you to act for His Kingdom, do
so.
“Now” means in the present.
Don’t delay for tomorrow or later.
Act the moment you hear Him speaking to
you.
2. Facilitate the relationship between Jesus and
others
This is done by way of not placing any
obstacles in anyone’s path. Refrain from controversial topics that will result
in arguments or division ie
entertainment pursuits like alcohol; tobacco; dance-clubs; casino’s etc
Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to the
person’s heart and conscience instead.
Refrain from engaging in activities that
will shame the Name of Jesus.(See Galatians 5:19-21)
Do not give people a reason to doubt in the
transformation power of Jesus by not growing /developing in your spiritual life.
Live by the Spirit then you will not
gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Prove or commend yourself as an ambassador
of Jesus through:
·
Endurance
·
Troubles
·
Hardships and distresses
·
Diligence/Hard work
·
Sleepless nights (of prayer for
lost souls)
·
Purity-holiness/Christlikeness
·
In hunger-don’t stop your work
for God when you are in need or lack
·
In kindness-be not
arrogant/proud
·
In understanding-accept and
respect each other’s differences of opinion and perspective of life
·
In sincere love-no falseness
·
In truthful speech-speak openly
& honestly with each other;(say what you mean & mean what you say)
·
In the power of God-do nothing
in your own strength and wisdom.
·
Through glory and dishonour ie
achievements and failures
·
Genuinness /be always authentic
·
Be the same person at work,
home; your recreational pursuits; your social circles.
Even though
people may regard you as an imposter for your sincerity, your conscience will
be at peace. You don’t need to defend yourself at all
·
Known yet regarded as unknown
Your deeds and
heart may not be known to people, but they are known to God.
·
Dying, yet we live on
Die to self and
all other worldly pursuits
·
Sorrowful, yet always
rejoicing.
·
Making many rich, though poor
o
Enrich others with the Word;
your example and testimony
·
You may have nothing, but when
you have God, you have everything;
You may have
everything, but when you don’t have God, you have nothing.
If God be for
you, who can be against you?
Conclusion
Applicable to the candidates who will be
taken in as members today:
You are signifying your faith and trust in
Jesus by becoming part of the Body of Christ by taking up
membership locally.
The membership total of the Church of the
Nazarene is currently 2 295,106 as at September 2014.
You are also signifying your availability
to become a fellow-worker with us.
No matter how small or insignificant your
contribution may be in your eyes, in the eyes of God it
means much.
“If you can’t do great things, do small things
in a great way”(Napoleon Hill),
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