TR
UE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS
Pastor Tim P Blaisure – 4/23/23 – Morning Message
Intro:
There are many who call themselves Christians who go to church and some even pay their tithes but the life that they portray and the life that God sees are two different things.
John the Baptist and Jesus both pointed out that the Pharisees were hypocrites (they said one thing and did the opposite) they showed others in public that they were Godley but in private they were not.
Foundation Scriptures:
Romans 2:15-29 NLT
“They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.
26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people?
27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.
29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”
I. TRUE FOLLOWER’S OF JESUS HAVE A HEART THAT IS RIGHT WITH GOD:
· Romans 10:9-11
“ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
· Believing and declaring Jesus lives.
· Not just from your head but your heart – spirit.
II. TRUE FOLLOWER’S OF JESUS HAVE A CHANGED HEART PRODUCED BY GOD’S SPIRIT:
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
· Jesus was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit.
· Our (heart) spirit is changed by the Holy Spirit.
· When we are really changed the Spirit of the Lord flows from the inside of us out, we don’t have to convince people we follow Jesus.
Matthew 7:17
“A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.”
III. TRUE FOLLOWER’S OF JESUS SEEK PRAISE FROM GOD:
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Romans 2:29
“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
· A person with a changed heart will seek the Lord first.
· Will seek God’s praise, and praise the Lord, giving Him all the glory.
· Will not desire the praises from people.
Conclusion:
Galatians 5:18-23
“But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
· As you can see whether we do things in public or private they all will come to light one day.
Revelation 20:12-13
“I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.”