Matthew 13:3-4 Then
He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a Sower went out to
sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the
birds came and devoured them.”
Continuing with Pastor
Obie’s message, the third type of person in the crowd was the “Pseudo” or
“False” Christian. These are people who think that they are “saved” from
eternal damnation in Hell, but are not. They have a false security and an
erroneous assurance of salvation. They may have the appearance by knowing,
saying and doing the right things, but have no personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. Jesus clarifies in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart
from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ They may have been born in a
Christian nation or have true Christian parents, but God has no grandchildren.
You must be “born again”. They know of Him, but they do not know Him. They do
not remember the moment or event when Jesus became Savior and Lord, because it
never happened for them. The “false” Christian is in need of rescue by the
Blessed Redeemer and Savior of the world, but does not know it and, therefore,
does not seek it.
John 12:19 The
Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are
accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
The fourth type of person in
the crowd was the “Non-Christian”. They do not believe in the One true God or
His Christ and fall into two categories. (1) Rejecters, who have a closed mind
and a hard heard to Jesus being Lord and Savior; the Messiah from God in
Heaven. They are on the wide road to destruction and chase after other gods,
because if Jesus is not your Lord, then something else is. No Jesus; no Savior.
(2) Seekers are open-minded, but skeptic as they watch and note the hypocrisy
of the “Firecracker” Christian in the crowd. It has bring up the question: Are
our words and actions doing Jesus justice or turning people away? Seekers begin
with a Theistic philosophy in mind, but the eyes of their heart are not searching
for Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Matthew 28:18-20 “Jesus
came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. 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; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
A true Christian practices
and supports Christianity (the religion based on the person and teachings of
Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices) with a new heart and spirit in
personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s not what they do, but who they
are. What type are you? What great things could you be missing out on by not
obeying God? So, obey and don’t delay! Rise above the criticism and misconceptions
of Christianity. Do a better job of representing Jesus. Disciples: You are
blessed. Stay committed and shine. Firecrackers: Repent, revitalize and
rekindle the fire for and your connection with Jesus. False Christians: Get off
the dime and get right with God. Repent and accept Jesus Christ as your
personal Savior and Lord, then take this journey in the right direction. Non-Believers:
Repent and give you life to Jesus. Change your eternal address. Pray and accept
the free gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life by God’s grace through
“saving” faith. Be the disciple of Christ in the crowd.
In Christ, Brian
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