Do You Want a Personal Savior or a National Savior?

Who are you?

Do you want a Personal Savior or National Savior?

Are you a Collectivist or Individualist?

It was a dark and stormy night in Israel/Judea 2000 years ago.  At least it was a dark and stormy night of the soul.  In John chapter 6 Jesus had just given crowd some information that was unpopular to say the least.  Many of His followers left Him like dogs returning to their vomit.  Jesus asked His disciples if they would also go away and in verse 68 the Bible says, ‘Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.’

There were those in the time of Jesus Christ who saw themselves as righteous according to their obedience to the commandments.  They saw no need of a personal savior.  They only saw the need of a national savior.  They wanted someone who would come as the conquering hero.  He would throw off the chains of Rome and set up Israel as the new super power in the world. 

It was a dark and stormy night in the United States of America.  Well, actually it was broad open daylight, but it was definitely a dark night of the soul.  It was election day, and America was taking a step down the path that leads to destruction.  Many of the leaders elected that day do not understand or admit the sovereignty of God Almighty.  They join all gods together and preach unity above truth and collectivism above individuality.

There are many in the USA and nations around the world who do not see the need for the salvation of any individual.  They see the world as a collective, needing group salvation brought about by the savior of the government.  Many people today vote for the politician who promises the most saving grace from the government.  Their vote can be bought by as little as a free cell phone and promises of ‘more to come’. 

Undoubtedly perilous times are upon us.  There is no safe haven in this world.  So what is a Christian supposed to do?  How are these perilous times to be faced?

Put God first.  Make sure He is first.  Go over your:

Self-definition – Christian, obedient, consistent, married/not married, parent/not parent/ occupation, etc.

Self-discipline – be faithful to let your actions reflect the person you claim to be.

Self-reliance – do the best you can with what you have within the boundaries set by your self-definition.

From the platform of self-definition, self-discipline, and self-reliance you are ready to carry out the great commission.  In Mark 16:15 Jesus gives believers specific instructions.  He says, ‘And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’

As a Christian you are supposed to know who you are.  That is self-definition.  It does not change no matter what events are going on around you.  You are supposed to exercise self-discipline.  You behave in a way that is consistent with your core beliefs.  And you set out to be self-reliant.  You are willing to accept help if you must, but your goal is to do the best you can with the things the Lord provides for you.  These three things better enable you to tell the world that Jesus Saves.  Christ alone has the worlds of life.  In spreading the truth of Jesus Christ not all people are called to specifically go to different location.  Every believer is called to do something to support missionary effort.  If you don’t have a church with a missionary program then you need to change churches.  Every church has expenses, but there must be part of the church income that goes to missionaries.  I strongly suggest that you find a church that supports specific missionaries.  Money needs to go straight to missionary families and not be channeled through corporate headquarters. (If you want to contribute directly to something like the Southern Baptist disaster relief groups that would be different than missionary support.)

When Jesus was walking on earth 2000 years ago, His true followers faced severe disappointment.  Actually, I don’t think we have a word that could describe the deep disappointment they faced.  They saw their personal vision of an immediate kingdom on earth crushed down to perdition.  At least, that is what it looked like to them.  But Christ had a better plan. 

Today, Christians around the world are facing disappointment.  People who claim to be Christians fall into apostasy.  They hear the truth; follow after the truth for a time; reject the truth; and replace it with a lie. Governments become increasingly collectivist.  People look to the government as their salvation in times of crisis instead of falling on their knees and pleading with God Almighty to intervene on their behalf.  The apostates and heretics often do not actually openly depart from the faith.  They like the social aspect of their religion.  They simply re-create god in their own image.  They take away the aspects of Jesus they don’t care for.  They give Jesus characteristics they like.  Whatever the change, Jesus is no longer the Jesus of the Bible when they get finished making their adjustments. 

A true Christian has the weapon of the truth in facing the world. Our job is to speak the truth in a manner that is clear and compassionate.  Remember there is no compassion in watering down the truth or tweaking it in some way to make it more agreeable to the people of the world.  Christ told the truth with humility and compassion.  He never watered it down to make it easier.  We must present the path to salvation in the same manner. 

I have an opinion on what needs to be done to make the USA a better place.

Christians need to:

Actually pray more.

Become more familiar with Bible doctrine through daily reading and study

Pray for Israel

Put our heart and soul into evangelism

Stand up for sound doctrine according to what the Bible teaches

Give no authority to any tradition of man that steps above Bible teaching

Stand on scripture alone (which teaches salvation by grace through faith alone – no works added)

Apply Bible teaching to personal actions consistently (self-definition and self-discipline)

As times grow increasingly trouble and perilous Christians need to have firmly established their hope in Jesus Christ.  The eleventh chapter of Psalms is comforting in the changing and troubled times we face today.

1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2.  For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4. The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

7. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Pay close attention to verses 3 and 4.  In verse 3 the psalmists asks, ‘If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?’  Then he answers himself in verse 4.  He sort of says, ‘Oh yeah, silly me. The Lord is still on the throne in heaven.  He sees what is going on.’ (paraphrased of course)  Then the rest of the chapter give us more information.  The righteous are ‘tried’.  The Lord hates the wicked and the lovers of violence. 

The wicked have a terrible end.

God loves righteousness, and God sees the upright.

Disappointment in the election here in the USA doesn’t change the foundations laid by God.  It doesn’t change the job description of a Christian.  It doesn’t change the core values and beliefs of a true follower of Jesus Christ.  Nothing eternal is changed.  The foundation of every believer is the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Today is the day to take Psalm 150 very seriously.  In fact the last five chapters of the book of Psalms begin and end with the command ‘Praise ye the Lord’.  I’ll give you Psalm 150 so you don’t have to look it up.

1.Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

If you doubt the power of praise, remember Paul and Silas singing and praising God while they were chained in that dungeon.  (Paul and Silas were set free; their wounds were tended; the jailor and his family got saved.)

Honestly, the best thing that can be done starting today is that American Christians would have a ‘Praise God’ festival from now until Christmas. 

Praise leads to thankfulness. 

Thankfulness leads to humility. 

Humility leads to repentance. 

Repentance gets the ear of God.

Come on Christians!  We have a job to do!

Remember we don’t have to do our job alone.  We are never alone because Jesus will never leave us!

Never Alone

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/n/e/v/neveralo.htm

I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.

 I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.

 I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.

 He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

No, never alone, no never alone,

 He promised never to leave me,

 He’ll claim me for His own;

 No, never alone, no never alone.

 He promised never to leave me,

 Never to leave me alone.

The world’s fierce winds are blowing, temptation sharp and keen.

 I have a peace in knowing my Savior stands between—

 He stands to shield me from danger when my friends are all gone.

 He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,

 My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;

 Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;

 My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

He died on Calvary’s mountain, for me they piercèd His side.

 For me He opened that fountain, the crimson, cleansing tide.

 For me He waiteth in glory, seated upon His throne.

 He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain