Back to Basics
Pete was honored to perform a wedding a couple of weeks ago. The bride’s uncle approached him after the ceremony and said, “You’ve done a few weddings before, haven’t you? I can tell that this isn’t your first rodeo.” Pete has performed many weddings. He enjoys joining Christian couples in holy matrimony. Pete asked the bride’s uncle if he attended church. He said, “you know, I’m not a believer.” He said this jovially. Pete said, “Wow, how’s that working out for you.” He said, “I think everyone should do the things that they enjoy doing.” Pete asked, “do you think you are a sinner?” He said, “O yeah, I’m a card-carrying sinner.” Pete said to the bride’s uncle, “I can tell from our conversation that you’re an educated man. I understand that you haven’t studied the Bible, but did you know that the Bible is the best selling book of all time? Many intelligent people enjoy reading the Bible. As an educated man, I think you would enjoy reading it if you took the time to check it out.”
Many of the people we meet are not familiar with Christianity. They have never been introduced to the Bible, the revealed word of God. As followers of Jesus Christ, our “great commission” is to go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Our calling is to tell others about Jesus Christ, and then let the chips fall where they may. As Christians we need to focus on the basics, to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Influencers Fullerton started sixteen years ago to encourage an abiding relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and to be a positive influence as we chase after our brothers who chase after Christ.
The vision is to transform lives creating a culture to change lives to influence the world for Christ. Chambers said, his mission wasn’t to develop a successful bible college but to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can come help himself to our lives. The stronger Christian we become, the more benefit we are to bless those around us to God’s glory.
Only a truly transformed life can produce lasting fruit. Abiding in Christ is the key to a truly transformed life. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Abiding with and within Christ is the purpose of influencers.
Our goal is to bring glory to God by bringing forth lasting fruit, and to shed the light of truth in the world of darkness. Those who have eyes to see will see according to the spirit of life in Christ. To those whose hearts abide in Christ’s heart God will reveal to them his grace in our lives.
According to 1 John 1:9, even though Christians are born again of God’s spirit we will continue to sin in our flesh, the natural nature we inherited from Adam. Sin is breaking our fellowship with God. 1 John 1:9 says that when we sin, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Salvation is all of thee and none of me. For by grace are ye saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. According to Galatians 2:20, For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
To crucify is to execute by nailing the person guilty of a capital offense to a cross. The cross is the “torture stake” to execute the criminal in a humiliating and excruciating public execution. Because Jesus Christ willingly allowed his execution, sacrificing his innocent life for our guilty life, Jesus Christ who was without sin was made the perfect innocent sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. To follow him, we must give up the right to ourselves. However, as Chambers said, “the kingdom of self is heavily defended territory.”
God uses our habitual sins to keep us humble. As he answered Paul’s prayer to remove his thorn from the flesh, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness. My grace is sufficient for you.” To turn unto the Lord, we must first humble ourselves. We must come to the realization that God is Sovreign and we’re not.
We’re as close to God as we want to be. If we perceive we’re far from God, who moved? Even though we may feel that he is an unjust judge, an unkind master, and an unreasonable lord, He is not. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations.
God works in ways we cannot understand in our own finite minds. However, all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Our testing in this life will produce a testimony for Him. For tribulation worketh patience and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
Even when we have a hard time surrendering to him, when we reach the point of repentance, of turning around, God will run to embrace us as a loving father. Therefore, taste and see that the Lord is good. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. The word of God is an acquired taste. Jeremiah said, I found thy words and I did eat them, and they were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my soul. According to Psalm 19 the word of the Lord is pure making wise the simple. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honey comb.
The abundant life is in seeking the Blessor not the blessing. Our joy is in the object of joy. Therefore rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice. The truths that God told Israel through his prophet at the dedication of the temple still holds true today: “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then shall I hear from haven, and shall forgive their sins and heal their land.
God is still Sovreign overall. God does not worry over the results of man’s elections. The nations are but a drop in the bucket. Nations rise and fall, but the word of God liveth and abideth forever. Therefore we lament not the results of man’s election. Rather, rejoice because we are the result of God’s election…
That we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
