Musing – Is Jesus Our LORD, or Is He Just Our Savior?

 Hebraic Musing – Is Jesus Our LORD, or Is He Just Our Savior?

The Bible refers to “Lord Jesus” 116 times in the NKJV, whereas Jesus is referred to as “Savior” only 9 times, and 5 of those add “and Lord”.  I’ve been concerned that we have many “Professing Christians” both as church attenders and non-attenders who have not really committed to following Christ as Lord of their lives. 

This point was driven home when talking to three folks in a business recently and when asked, each of the three said “I am a Christian.”  Then I asked what church they went to and each one said “I don’t go to church.”  Funny thing, as soon as I got home I saw a FaceBook meme –

“So many “Professing Christians” do not go to God’s house on Sunday,
   but expect to go live in His home for eternity.”

I wish I’d heard that earlier so I could have proposed it to the three “Professing Christians” to give them something to think about.  Could there be a difference between “Christians” and “Professing Christians”?

This problem is pervasive in today’s churches; attributed to “soul-winning” messages in years past, and still today.  The typical “altar call” simply asks the sinner to “accept Jesus as Savior, the  forgiver of one’s sins, and you’ll be saved.” 

(Sarcastic font) Such a deal!  Go on with life believing you are saved simply because Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago for your sins.  Who wouldn’t say “Yes, I accept your forgiveness”? 

BUT that’s not the “Salvation” called for in the Bible.  We need to accept His Lordship over our lives!
A few examples:

·      “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

·      “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

And is there evidence of His Lordship in our lives?

·      “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27

·      “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ”John 10:27

·      “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matt. 12:50

·      Paul’s description - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

·      “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”  1 John 2:3-4

It is greatly appreciated that Jesus died for our sins and thus made salvation available; but have we made Jesus our Lord?  It’s been said that only 95% of “Professing Christians” have led someone to the Lord, so is there a difference between being a “Professing Christian” vs. being a genuine saved Christian? 

Points to ponder

Is Jesus really your Lord?  Your boss?  Your Jefe (Spanish)?  Is Jesus in charge?

Do you know any “Professing Christians” who have not made Jesus Christ their Lord?

Is it wrong to allow unrepentant sinners to have a false hope?
      Or should we be declaring the whole counsel of God: “You must be born again.” John 3:7

How can one receive and enjoy the gift of salvation and not be wanting to share it?!?!

♫  He is Lord, He is Lord,  He is risen from the dead  And He is Lord.
            Every knee shall bow,  Every tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord.  ♫*

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      March 1, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

*  Many meetings of the Full Gospel BusinessMen’s Fellowship Int’l (FGBMFI) opened with this song

Musing – Might it be that We as a Church are Becoming Lukewarm?

 Hebraic Musing – Might it be that We as a Church are Becoming Lukewarm?

There are much more pleasant topics to write or think about, but this is what the Lord has impressed upon me this week.  Pastors probably wouldn’t choose this topic for a Sunday sermon’ nor would a mid-week Bible study group leader; but that’s exactly why this question is so critically important. 

Is it possible that you, me and/or our church has become lukewarm?  Does Hosea’s message apply today?  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6  NKJV   Might any of these be happening today?

1. Lost our first love - The first letter in Revelation was to the church at Ephesus.  Despite several good things they were commended for, the Lord had this to say to them, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else …." Rev.2:4-5.  Churches get started with good intentions and Christians like us get saved and have great intentions; but then the world pressures come into play.  I still remember how fired up, excited and bold I was going to the office the Monday after I made Jesus my LORD!    

2. Lost focus in our prayers – Prayers tend to be focused on our own needs, wants and desires?   “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt.6:3

3. Failing to receive and teach the baptism of the Holy Spirit as Jesus instructed His disciples in Acts 1:4-5  “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘… but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” And later at Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Can we reach the ends of the earth without the Holy Spirit’s power?

4. Neglected to honor God as Lord of our lives - Salvation requires more than repentance for sins and an acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.  The Son of God deserves to be Lord of every aspect of our lives.  We all know Romans 10:9 – “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe … you will be saved.”  Salvation is his gift, but His Lordship is His requirement.

5. Indifference to Sin - In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, sin was rampant.  Lot was horrified by the sins of the people in those times.  Should we not feel the same way?  Have we become indifferent to sin?  How many of those same sins are becoming accepted by the world around us?  And becoming accepted by the “Church”?

6. Loss of the Fearful Respect of the Lord – The Lord dealt directly when Ananias & Sapphira’s fibs (lies).  And what happened? - “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” Acts 5:11

7. Loss of Commitment to Obedience – How important is obedience?  “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4   Fortunately I grew up with the 10 Commandments on the schoolroom wall!  Where are those commandments now?   Jesus gave us another command the church does not always teach!  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” Matt.28:19

8. Loss of the Joy of Giving – Has the church lost its Joy of Giving?  Has giving, tithing, serving become an obligation instead of a heartfelt “want to”?   “…for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7   To be cheerful givers requires us to love our neighbor more than ourselves.  Hmmm?!?!

Points to ponder

What’s the most important gift you can give your neighbor?

Remember how “on fire” you were right after your salvation experience?  What happened?

It is easier to identify “lukewarmness” in other churches and other people,
but might we also be experiencing some lukewarmness?

♫  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And renew a right spirit within me..  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      February 22, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/
Note – Scripture quotes in Red are direct quotes from Jesus Himself.

Musing – Are We at War, Fighting for Souls?

 

Hebraic Musing – Are We at War, Fighting for Souls?

Do we pray to God for the lost to be saved?  He already told us His goal – “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9b NKJV   The lost are children of the Devil, already blinded to the Gospel by the god of this age.  “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, …”  2 Corinth.4:3-4 NKJV 

May I contend that we cannot win a soul to Christ until we understand that “No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” Mark 3:27    So to win souls requires a declaration of war against the “Strong Man”.   What weapons do we have?   “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments … that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, …,” 2 Corinth.10:4   How do we fight this war?

·      Prayer is warfare -  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess.5:16-18              Pray continually. “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:4     Prayer is a powerful weapon.

·      The Blood of Christ –   “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Rev 12:11   Note the willingness to fight to their own death!     Through Jesus’ death on the cross, He took over the right to rule the world.

·      The Name of Jesus – “Then the seventy (who went out) returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Luke 10:17    Why is the Name of Jesus so powerful?

o  Col. 1:16 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, … whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

o  Hebrews 2:14 – “… through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

o  1 Peter 3:22 – Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He “…has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

·      The Word of God – “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”  Eph 6:17   He took legalism out of our way and “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15    Truth wins every time!

·      Praise -   “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people … who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”  2 Chronicles 20:22

·      Fasting -  Supercharges the power of prayer!   “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29     Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; … and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,’” Acts 10:30-31

·      Love – This might be the most important weapon as it motivates us to warfare.  The Greatest Gift “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians.13:7-8

What happened when Jesus cast legions of demons from the Gadarene?  “Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.’ And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38-39   He became a fanatical evangelist!!!

Points to ponder

Has Jesus done enough for you to become a “fanatical Evangelist”?

Do we utilize all the authority we have been given?  Why not?

What’s your neighbor’s biggest need?  How can you help?

All this warfare requires hard work, so
does that explains why 95% of professing “Christians” never lead someone to Christ?

♫  Praise with the Spirit And with understanding. Oh magnify the Lord!....  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      February 15, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “Praying Effectively for the Lost” Chapter 5 - Lee E. Thomas

Musing – Do You Realize the Power of Telling “Your Story”?

 

Hebraic Musing – Do You Realize the Power of Telling “Your Story”?

Here’s an unedited text I received from the Pastor of a “Cowboy Church” that made me cry!

From Doug:    Joe, I just had to text you! Doug Blevins* here.  Couldn’t wait any longer.  I’ve been talking at church for some time about telling “your story”.  I’ve set aside the last Sunday of each month for folks to reserve to get up in church and tell theirs.  Options are (1) speak live (preferred).  (2) video tape and we show it on the big screen (have had one ole truck driver take me up on that.  He was afraid he would get so nervous he would pass out if he did it live).  (3) Write it out then read it on an audio recording and we play it during the service. (I have one lady doing that).

It started off with the former mayor of our town giving his testimony last fall, then a former drug addict/male prostitute, then the truck driver, then one of our FB followers came down from OHIO!  To give his because he wanted to do it live!  I just got another message this morning and am now booked up with testimonies into the fall!!!!

People are learning about each other, loving each other, surprised at each other but most of all proud of each other for hearing the stories of how God has changed lives of folks with a sketchy past who now are serving in their local church.  Joe, the Holy Spirit has set this movement ablaze!!!  The gospel is spreading through the local believer just like it’s supposed to!  It’s not me, it’s all God!!!  I was overwhelmed with emotion this morning in this snow day during my personal Quiet Time and study.  It just brought happy tears to my face and overwhelming joy to my heart and I felt led to share it with you because I know your heart.  The best part is so far almost all have been MEN.  I do have a few ladies on the schedule coming up.  These are “rough around the edges” type guys.  Farmers, cowboys, who aren’t afraid to get dirty and even cuss sometimes.  But they are even cleaning that up!!!   Lol 

Ok I’ve taken too long here.  Know that I’m praying for the men of valor and you as you lead there at IBC!!!!
Much love and prayers to you brother. ❤️🙏

My Response to Doug:

Hallelujah, absolutely awesome, just the way the church should operate!  I’m going to respond a little later, more thoroughly and maybe I should ask you for permission to share this with “Men of Valor”!?!?   Thank you for sharing it with me.  Now my Phone‘s going to short out from the tears.  Sniff Sniff.

Doug’s reply:

Yes you can share.  I just remember early on you begging and bribing for “Testimonies” and couldn’t hardly get one.  I pray God gets ahold of those men and the church to share their story!!!

Points to ponder

Which is more credible to the non-believer?  “Your Story” or a Bible verse?

If “Your Story” is a blessing to you, why not share it?  And bless others?

How much time has the listener given you to share?
(Don’t abuse the time contract!  Two minutes?)

Are you blessed and encouraged when you hear a Brother’s “Testimony”?

Simple outline – What was life before?  What happened?  What’s life been like since?

I wonder if “Order of Service” in 1^st Century Church meetings included time for “Your Story”?

BTW – Of the thousands of “Testimonies” I’ve heard, I related to every one of them!

♫  I love to tell the story; 'twill be my theme in glory to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      February 8, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

*  Doug Blevins - was respected teacher in our church, moved to Green Forest, AR, to be pastor of the “Cowboy Church”