Memory Verse: Matthew 1-:32: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
"You don't know us," a missionary recently said to me, "but we read your books and support your ministry in prayer." My heart was blessed in thinking of this family praying for me. My name has been spoken before God in their family altar and until then I had been unaware of it. I am known in their home.
Christians are known in heaven. They are owned and confessed there by Jesus in His mediating ministry before the Father.
Meanwhile, back on planet earth, we are to confess Christ before men. Secret discipleship is inconsistent with the Gospel message. We are to confess Christ openly . . . . unashamed.
Here then is the value of the public invitation in church services. Immediate opportunity is given for people to declare their faith in Christ. Some hold back and will not respond to a public invitation but they miss the blessing. Perhaps this is your week to step forward at the pastor's call.
Baptism is another means of confessing Christ before others. While baptism does not save, it is an important part of Christian experience. Baptism is public identification with Christ. All Christians ought to be baptized.
But the church service is not the only place to confess Christ. Some do well among the saints but are secretive about their faith in Christ while at work or in other public contacts. Begin now to confess Christ openly -- everywhere. Let others know that you are a Christian.
You're known in heaven.
Let the whole world know!
"You don't know us," a missionary recently said to me, "but we read your books and support your ministry in prayer." My heart was blessed in thinking of this family praying for me. My name has been spoken before God in their family altar and until then I had been unaware of it. I am known in their home.
Christians are known in heaven. They are owned and confessed there by Jesus in His mediating ministry before the Father.
Meanwhile, back on planet earth, we are to confess Christ before men. Secret discipleship is inconsistent with the Gospel message. We are to confess Christ openly . . . . unashamed.
Here then is the value of the public invitation in church services. Immediate opportunity is given for people to declare their faith in Christ. Some hold back and will not respond to a public invitation but they miss the blessing. Perhaps this is your week to step forward at the pastor's call.
Baptism is another means of confessing Christ before others. While baptism does not save, it is an important part of Christian experience. Baptism is public identification with Christ. All Christians ought to be baptized.
But the church service is not the only place to confess Christ. Some do well among the saints but are secretive about their faith in Christ while at work or in other public contacts. Begin now to confess Christ openly -- everywhere. Let others know that you are a Christian.
You're known in heaven.
Let the whole world know!
No comments:
Post a Comment