Sermon Nuggets Fri May 16, 2008
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses- John 7:53 Then each went to his own home.
Matt 16:15-16 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Conclusions
Most people have made up their minds about what presidential, or political candidate they are going to vote for long before the election day. Some make that choice while in the voting booth. Some choose not to vote since they cannot make up their minds. It is a right of Americans to voice their opinions and make their conclusions that affect all of nation for four more years.
What are the conclusions regarding Jesus? The choice we make affects eternity and to ignore making a decision as to His rulership in your life is to reject Him.
Some followed Jesus as the Christ. Most did not. Some put Him in the category of being a good man, and a great prophet, even the best and greatest of prophets, but they are lost, because they have not put their saving faith in Jesus. Some completely rejected Him as not being from God at all. Their hearts were hardened. And some people acknowledge that He was from God and even Messiah, but out of fear for the leaders, people, family, and personal pride did not humble themselves to put their complete faith in Jesus.
People have to evaluate the claims now as they did then. They must look at the concerns and consider them. Then they must come to some conclusion based on their inquiry. Jesus says if they really want to know, they will if they obey. But notice it is the most important decision they make in all the world. Jesus gives us an invitation. Many of you have responded and accepted Jesus as your Savior and choose to make him Lord of your life.
Are you thirsty today? Maybe your thirst is for pleasure, Ps. 16:ll At thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." no other pleasure can offer that. Maybe your thirst is wealth. Jesus isn't talking about the type of wealth the world talks about, but listen, Rom. 8:17 calls us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Mk. 8:36 asks what does it profit us if we gain the whole world, but lose our own soul? Perhaps you are thirsting for joy, peace, life, freedom these are all found in a much greater way in Jesus than what the world can imagine. Do you know what most of the cry is in our culture today? it is to be loved. The Bible tells us, "No greater love has any man that this, that one would lay down his life for another." That is the love Jesus has for you.
Today there will be the premiere showing of another one of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia books, Prince Caspian. The tales of this fiction also runs close to many Scriptural and theological implications. In these books, Lewis has the creator and ruler of Narnia depicted as a lion "The Great Aslan, who is the son of the Emperor from beyond the sea."
In the book the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis tells of a girl who is very thirsty, but she sees the great lion and is terrified. Aslan is sitting beside a stream of cold water. She is shocked when the great lion speaks to her: "You may drink if you are thirsty." she wants to drink but fear makes her hold back. She asks the lion if he will promise not to do anything while she drinks, and the Lion answers her, "I make no promise." Indeed the dilemma is which is greater, her need for water or her fear of the Lion. She eventually trusts Aslan and takes of the cool clear water. That decision is based on trust in who He is, not how we want Him to be.
Pastor Dale.
