November Pastor’s Chat
Following Christ Alone has been a challenging church theme for 2008. Have you noticed that it is easy to follow someone other than the Lord? Peter identifies this problem when it comes to false teachers when he wrote in 2 Peter 2:2, “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
How can we guard ourselves from going astray? First, we should pray for protection and wisdom from the Lord. He can keep us from becoming one of the “many” who follow after the destructive ways of false teachers. Furthermore, we should only follow teachers who are clearly following Christ and lifting Him up as the one whom we should follow. Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). Clearly, our bonds of association should be with those who know and follow the Lord. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:17 to “mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.” Next, we must be on guard against wrong influences as Psalm 1:1 warns, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Finally and most importantly, we must spend time in the Word of God as Psalm 1:2 instructs, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Every thought and belief should be run through the sieve of God’s Word. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. It is objective truth, inspired and preserved by God to bring us to salvation in Jesus Christ and then on to Christian maturity and a life of service to God (See II Timothy 3:14-17).
Please join us in prayer as we look to the Lord for His direction concerning a new church theme for 2009. If you have any ideas please let me know.
With Prayer, Pastor Mark
Verses on Following
John 1:43, “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.”
John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
Romans 14:19, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
1 Corinthians 14:1, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
1 Timothy 6:11, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2 Timothy 2:22, ” Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
2 Peter 2:1-2, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
Magnify! 