WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

March 25   What Does It Mean To Be A Christian  1 John 2:4-6

EASTER ANNOUNCEMENT: On April 17, 2022, we will have a “SONRISE” Service. It will begin at 7:00am, and there will be a biscuit and coffee breakfast provided.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Baptist Tabernacle Church will be 100 years old, in 2022. A grand celebration is planned for May 22, 2022, to commemorate the first service as an organized church body! Special information, recognitions, God’s Word, and a catered meal (Parker’s BBQ) will be a part of the celebration. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the festivities. IMPORTANT … **Please RSVP to Ashelyn (Church Secretary), at 919-365-5558 or baptisttabern621@bellsouth.net **

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”  (1 John 2:4-6)

What does it mean to be a Christian? I can tell you, right now; if you follow man’s standards, you will be bound for HELL! Many have said that they were Christians, but it is more than just saying words! Being a Christian is going to cost you! Now, salvation is free to us, however, it cost Jesus Christ His life. He paid the Full Price for our sins! Daddy used to tell the church folks that, “it will cost you to follow Jesus!” If someone tells you that you can be a “REAL” Christian without costs to you, they are ignorant or a purposeful liar! Romans 12:1-2 teaches that it will cost us! “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” You see; some say that they have claimed Jesus; yet their lives are far from “Christ-Like,” or even an attempt to be like Christ! Is it possible that some expect the benefits of serving Christ without the investment (costs) in Bible Study, Prayer, and Witnessing? I used to ask Daddy, “Why is it that there are some, in church, that seem to be dedicated to God and there are some that do not?” I have shared before, that Daddy liked to teach valuable lessons by telling stories and he told a story to me that I still remember to this day. He said, “Son, the Churches are full of two kinds of people – the ‘Saints’ and the ‘Aint’s’! The ‘Saints’ do their best to follow what God’s word commands. The ‘Ain’ts’ say, ‘You ain’t going to tell me how to live my life, I’ll do as I please!” Friends, if we are to truly, please God, we cannot live in sin and align ourselves with this sinful world! We have to overcome the fleshly desires and the lusts of our eyes and the earthly human pride. In Revelation 21:7, is says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” So, what does it mean to be a Christian, according to the Bible? It means that you have accepted the price that He paid for you to be saved, but now you are willing to pay the price for being a Christian! Because Christ was who He was and stood for what He stood for, it cost Him His life! So now, it is going to cost you more than just having your name written on a church roll book, and doing a few good deeds, every now and then, to be a Christian! Colossians 3:5-10 sums it up: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…” I am excited that my name is written in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE,” and I am claiming His Promises and asking the Blessed Holy Spirit to guide and control me, so that I can be, as Daddy’s story, a “Saint,” and not an “Ain’t!” Are you willing to pay the price? Which one are You? Remember, what God does with you, depends upon what you do! It always has, it always will! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!