Message Title: "Life's Two Most Important Questions"
Message Text: Acts 9:1-9
Introduction: Questions. Questions. Questions. I have six grandchildren and two of them are twin seven year olds. They have asked every question known to man and have invented some above and beyond.
I'm reminded of the lion who woke up one morning and decided it was time to stroll through the jungle and check on his kingdom. He came first to a giraffe chewing on some leaves up in a tree. "Hey, long neck," he asked, "Who's the king of the jungle?" "Why you are on great lion, you are." he replied. "Good answer" the lion growled. Next, he came to a gorilla and asked him, "Hey, big boy. Who's the king of the jungle?" The gorilla replied, "Why you are oh great lion, you are." "Good answer," the lion growled. As he walks on down the path he spotted an elephant spraying himself with water as he stood with his front two feet in the river. "Hey, fat boy." the lion yelled, "Who's the king of the jungle?" The elephant, finishing his spray, looked over at the lion and grabbed him around the neck with his trunk. He beat him on the ground a few times, turned and held him under the water for about thirty seconds, and finally after twirling him around his head a few times, let him fly. The lion landed up against a tree. As he was slideing down the tree trunk he shook his head, looked up at the elephant and said, "Man, you ain't got to get mad just cause you don't know the answer."
Well, friends, I don’t have all the answers. In fact, I've reached that age where I don't even understand the questions. But I believe with all of my heart that the apostle Paul asked life's two most important questions when he met Jesus Christ walking down the road to Damascus.
I. Question One: Who Are You, Lord?
The Lord answered, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It's hard for thee thee to kick against the pricks."
But just who is Jesus? The Bible ascribes to Jesus two titles: Savior and Lord
1. Savior. As the virgin born, Son of God, Jesus Christ - and He alone - has the power to save us from our sin. If we had needed reforming God would have sent us a psychiatrist. If we had needed performance evaluations God would have sent us a CEO. But, because our greatest need was deliverance from a lifestyle of sin, God sent us His very own - one and only - precious, darling, Son to be exactly what we needed - a Savior.
2. Lord. Jesus' second title is Lord which equals "Boss." I got my mind right on this concept early on in life. After I graduated high school I joined the United States Air Force. I was 18 years old and had never been away from home. When I landed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, I was greeted with this statement from my new "Boss", Sgt. Stravinsky, "All right you bunch of maggots, line up against that wall." Maggots? Maggots? I had never been called a maggot before, by anyone. I soon learned my new boss was in charge. Complete charge. I would be told when to go to bed. When to get up. What to do with every waking moment of every day.
A month or so later I understood the “why” of his method. I saw the Sgt. off base one day at a hamburger joint. He came over to my table and asked if he could sit down. “Sure, I said,” not really meaning it. As he sat down He asked, “You don’t like me do you, Wilson?” I didn’t respond the way I felt, but I did say, “Well, Sgt. I just think you’re a little too tough on us.”
His response surprised me. He proceeded to tell me exactly what his job was: to tear us down and build us back up again in “the military way.” He was making sure, to the best of his ability, that we would all come back from Viet Nam alive. The one statement that stayed with me through life is this: “Wilson, you must learn to take orders and obey them instantly if intend to survive this war.” Although I never had to go to Viet Nam, those words God would use years later to help me understand His Lordship.
I met the Lord when I was 27 years old. He no sooner saved when He reminded me of Sgt. words. “Randy, you must learn to obey me if you expect to make it through this old sinful world. Trust Me, I’ve been this way before.” Yes, Jesus Christ is indeed my Boss—and a good one I might add.
II. Question Two: What Do You Want Me To Do?
Every person I have ever encountered wants to know Who God is. They may not want to trust Him to save them but they would like to understand the mysteries of life and creation. Then, too, they want to know why they are here on this planet. In my opinion, Paul’s two questions along with there answers, if folks could “get it” would solve most people’s searching hearts.
What does the Lord want me to do with my life? Well, for me, it was simple—go and preach the gospel. Now, I am an ordained minister. But to tell you the truth I was going to preach the gospel ordained or not. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m glad they saw the Lord’s call on my life. I’m glad they laid hands on me and anointed me with God’s blessing. But my point is this: once you know what God wants you to do, you must do it—regardless of what people think or say.
What has God called you to do? I’m not sure. But there is one thing I do know. According to Mt 16:24, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
To anyone who would follow Jesus,, not just the preachers, but “any man” (and that’s generic to mean man, woman, boy or girl) he/she must:
1) You must deny yourself: Give up your life. Remember we were purchased out of a life of sin by the precious blood of Jesus. We belong to Him. We are His willing bondslaves.
2) You must take up your cross: You need to “take up” whatever would befall you on your journey through this life. As a child of God you must endure “the cross” and make it to the end. Never give up! Never! Never! Never give up!
3) You must follow Him. Remember the words to that old song? “I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.
Do you know Jesus today? Is He your Savior? If not, today would be a wonderful day to come to know Him as your personal Savior. You may be like I was. I had heard about Jesus all my life but it never made any difference because I never invited Him into my heart to be a part of my life. Why not offer Him a personal invitation into your life right now.
Do you know Him as your Lord? Is Jesus the Boss of your life or are you still holding on to your own lordship? If you are going to be your own boss you will never know the joy of walking hand in hand with Jesus because He will never settle for 2nd place. Step down from the throne of your life today and allow Jesus to ascend that throne in your place. You will never be sorry that you made this decision. To know Him as Lord and Savior is to know Him in His fullness
