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There have been many wonderful preachers down through the ages, but John the Baptist stands out as a remarkable prophet who won the hearts of the people and gained the endorsement from Christ Himself. Four characteristics set him apart as an example to follow:
Great preachers are called
Great preachers are Christ-centered
Great preachers are consecrated
Great preachers are courageous.
See Matthew 3:1-12
We have all heard the sentiment, “It’s worse now than ever.” But is it? Consider one snapshot from the time of Jesus.
There was adultery (Matthew 14:3b).
There was persecution (14:3a).
There was superstition (14:2).
There was lewdness (14:6).
There was murder (14:10).
There was sorrow (14:12).
The above list sounds like the ten o’clock news. Regardless if culture is more decadent today than previously, what are God’s people to do? What did the disciples of Jesus do? Verse 12 says, “They went and told Jesus.” The Christian response today should be no different. Christians need to pray, pour out their hearts over this broken world, asking for mercy, guidance, healing, and comfort.
Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ's coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
The judgmental person wants to help other people. “Let me remove the speck from your eye” (Matthew 7:4). But unfortunately, this earnest concern for others can easily lead to criticism, a negative spirit, and an overall bad attitude.
The judgmental person ignores their own faults. They “do not consider the plank in [their] own eye” (Matthew 7:30). Self-improvement is painful. Therefore, instead of dealing with their own issues, the judgmental person focuses on the faults of others.
The judgment of the judgmental person will boomerang back on them (Matthew 7:1-2, 12). There is a principle all throughout scripture, that “what you do comes back on you” (Obadiah 15). So if for no other reason, avoid criticism in order to protect yourself.
Scripture clearly teaches the Spirit-filled life and yet there is mystery and misunderstanding about this phenomena. To help us better understand what it means to be vessels for the Holy Spirit, consider the experience of Mary and how she quite literally was filled with Christ as she became the mother of our Lord.
In Mathew 1:18-24 notice first THE OPPOSITION TO THE CHRIST-FILLED LIFE. Joseph and Mary were about to get married, but she became pregnant. Understandably Joseph was ready to quietly call off their engagement. Don’t be surprised when good people oppose what they perceive is religious fanaticism. “Filled with the Spirit?” they may ask. “Isn’t that a bit extreme?” The world accepts cold religion, but despises spiritual vibrancy. Mark it down: the world, the devil, and the flesh resolutely oppose the Spirit-filled life. Anyone who desires the Christ-filled life should expect conflict.
Second, notice THE MOTIVATION FOR THE CHRIST-FILLED LIFE. The angel spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to continue his engagement with Mary. As the angel explained God’s plan to Joseph he mentioned two names for our Lord. These names explain why the Christ-filled life is important for every believer.
“Call His name Immanuel which is translated God with us” (verse 23). The first reason to desire the Christ-filled life is to enjoy the presence of God. To get to God one no longer has to go to a church or see a pastor, or even wait until heaven. Because of the Christ-filled life every believer can enjoy the refreshing presence of the Lord daily, personally, and intimately.
“Call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (verse 21). The second reason to desire the Christ-filled life is to enjoy victory over sin. Every Christian wants to live a good, clean, holy life; yet godliness is elusive and difficult to maintain. Living the Christian life is humanly impossible. The only way to live an upright life is with the assistance of the indwelling Lord. He is holy and helps us live holy also.
Spiritual intimacy and moral victory are but two reasons every Christian should earnestly seek the Christ-filled life despite whatever opposition rises.
Colossians 2:9-10 tell us Jesus has two occupants.
God lives in Jesus.
Christians live in Jesus.
Therefore, being in Christ means we have intimate access to the fullness of God.
Religion focuses on the outside, while authentic Christianity focuses on the inside. The Bible says we are to keep our heart with all diligence. Here are four aspirations for your heart health.
Strive to have a clean heart. Ask God to wash away all sin just like David did in Psalm 51.
Develop a merry heart. You can do this by being thankful, praising God, and blessing His holy name (Psalm 100:4).
Have a loving heart. This love must be both horizontal and vertical. Love God and love others, in that order.
Be pure in heart. Don’t let your heart get polluted with idols. My wife would not be pleased if I came home from a business trip and I said, “Darling while I was away I was 90% faithful to you.” She wants my full devotion. Similarly, we must love God with a pure heart.
Finally, have a believing heart (Romans 10:9). Faith in God is essential to both justification and sanctification.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” When our heart is healthy the other affairs of our life take care of themselves; but, if our heart is sick, then the rest of life will also suffer.
When Jesus Christ returns to planet earth, as He promised to do, several exciting things are going to happen in the life of every believer.
We will see Him. The Psalmist says, “I will see Your face” (17:15).
We will be transformed. John says, “We shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). David declares, “I will awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15).
Why is this important? John says, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).
I am inspired to live godly today because I know that one day I am going to stand before the Lord face to face. There will be a judgment for believers. See 1 John 2:28.
I am also inspired to live godly today because I know God wants me to become like Jesus. Knowing God’s will for my life, I gladly cooperate with His sanctifying process. I am eager to make progress in my journey toward Christ-likeness.
At the culmination of history, we will at last be satisfied (Psalm 17:15) and will experience permanent joy that no one will take away (John 16:22).
Discouragement is an old enemy I have dealt with over the years. And yet, when I look in God’s word I see this is not God’s plan. Consider these three scriptures.
1 John 1:4 “These things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
Psalm 16:11 “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
How do you get this joy? It comes from intimacy with Christ.
Joy is found as we fellowship “with the the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
Joy is experienced in God’s presence. At His “right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Joy happens when we “abide in [Christ’s] love” John 15:10
So a question I must ask myself is, “Am I happy in the Lord?” And if I am not, then I know I must draw near to God. My joy or lack of joy reveals the level of my spiritual well-being. And if joy is missing, it should be like a flashing red light on the dashboard of my car, alerting me to danger and calling me to immediate action! “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).
One day when Jesus returns we are going to have joy forevermore. Jesus promised, “I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22).
The Apostle Paul was accused of “turning the world upside down.” Clearly, he and his missionary brothers rocked the ancient world for Christ. How did they do it? We could look at their techniques, but today let’s only look at their attitudes. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul acknowledged two attitudes we would do well to emulate.
“We have such trust through Christ toward God,” (2 Cor. 3:4)
“We have such hope” (2 Cor. 3:12).
Suggested Prayer: “God help us to have unbridled confidence in You and fill us with excitement about our God-filled future.”
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.