Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Features Of A Wholehearted Christian (Part III)


“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”
(Psalm 26:7).

IV – HE TESTIFIES FOR GOD – “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”(Psalm 26:7).
The gospel in the first century was carried by a good system. It was called the TELEPERSON SYSTEM, and it truly got results, better than we today with our TELEPHONES, TELEVISION, and so on.
The woman of Samaria carried the gospel after her meeting with Christ – by the TELEPERSON’S SYSTEM.
There are three ways to send a message: TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE, TELL A WOMAN. You cannot lift other to a higher level than that on which you live yourself.

Illustration: “Cat and Dog Test”
Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happy for your being Christian, IT IS A QUESTION WHETHER YOU REALLY ARE.” One of the convincing ways to tell other about God is to talk about what He has done in your life. When people see changed lives and watch God’s power at work, they will come from after and wide to worship God.
A high school in Virginia offered a course called, HOME ECONOMICS for boys. It got no attention. So the following year, it was changed to “BACHELOR LIVING.” The effect was overwhelming.
LESSON:
We are of no value if we are Christians in name only. If others can’t see our faith in the way we live, we may not be God’s people at all. It is not enough to follow Jesus in your head or heart alone. You must show your changed life by changed behaviour.

V - HE LOVES THE HOUSE OF GOD – “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” (Psalm 26:8).

The church is not a club of saints, it is a HOSPITAL for sinners. Most people think of the church as a drama, with the minister as the chief actor, God as the prompter (a device that displays words for people to read) and the congregation as the critic. What is actually the case is that the CONGREGATION is the chief actor, the MINISTER is the prompter, and God is the critic.

Illustration: “Worshipping the Speakers”
A visiting minister was substituting for the famed pastor HENRY WARD BEECHER.
A large audience has assembled to hear the popular pastor.
At the appointed hour, the visiting minister entered the pulpit.
Learning that Henry Ward Beecher was not to preach, several began to move toward the doors.
The visiting minister stood and called out, “ALL WHO HAVE COME HERE TODAY TO WORSHIP HENRY WARD BEECHER MAY NOW WITHDRAW FROM THE CHURCH! ALL WHO HAVE COME TO WORSHIP GOD, KEEP YOUR SEATS!” No one left.
Jesus is more than a great leader, more than just a good example, a good influence, or a prophet. He is in fact, the Creator, the Redeemer and the Almighty God. When you understand this profound truth, the only adequate response is WORSHIP. When you have a correct understanding of Christ, YOU WILL WORSHIP HIM. “When does the service begin?” Whispered a visitor to someone sitting beside him at church worship service. “Sir, service begins just after the worship ends”, was the reply. “ENTER TO WORSHIP – DEPART TO SERVE.”

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon’s Sunday Worship Messages)

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