Christianity or Churchianity - Which are you a part of?” Some THINK they are part of Christianity when in truth they are really only part of a church. You can find people who are a part of Churchianity in any denomination that preaches that Jesus is the Son of God. Here is a question I ask when I am told about a dying person, or some other serious situation in a person’s life. “Are they saved? Do they know Jesus as their Savior?” The answer sometimes is, “Oh yes, he goes to church every week or he is the member of church or he has been baptized”. The question is “Is he really a Christian?” The fact that someone goes to church doesn’t make them a Christian anymore than swimming makes me a fish or being in a garage makes you a car. I would like to us to understand the difference between a Churchgoer and Christian? I believe EVERY Christian should be part of a Church, and to not be is disobedience to the Word of God (Heb.10:25). Christians should go to a local Church, but just because you go to Church doesn’t mean you’re a Christian. What is CHURCHianity - It is when someone is a part of a church and may even be very active, could even sing in the choir, or be an elder or deacon in the church, he is likely proud of his church and may even have down all the Christian lingo but yet, he has not ever personally accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. What is CHRISTianity - It is made up of individuals who have come to a realization individually that they are sinners in need of a Savior, who is Jesus Christ. They repent of their wretched sinful state before God, and accept the Death/Burial/Resurrection of Jesus on the cross to wash away their sins and to make them a new creation. They also give Jesus control of their lives as LORD and SAVIOR. Christians are followers of Christ. I Cor. 1:12, 13 - "Now this I say, that every one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” Let us consider what Jesus said about what we are talking about: MT 7:21-23 “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” A person can even say the right thing, even say LORD, LORD, and yet NOT be SAVED. Christianity involves obeying our Heavenly Father! It says that MANY will say, we "Prophesied", "Cast out demons" and did "Many wonderful works" all "IN Your NAME". Gods answer to all that was "I never knew you". Never in the Greek means "not even at any time". So these were people who were NEVER saved! You may have been a part of Churchianity, but today God is calling you to RECEIVE HIM (JESUS) as your LORD and SAVIOR and become part of Christianity
HEALING ONLY COMES FROM CHRIST Luke 6:6-11
I. Sin disables us vs. 6 Jesus was out and about on the worship day.
Funny how we set our clocks to arise at 4:00am or 5:00am to be at the job by 7:30am, yet when Sunday comes we can’t get to church for 11:00am to praise the one who gave us the jobs!
Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our brother, but find it hard to introduce them to our family.
Funny how small our sins seem, but how big "their" sins are. Funny how we demand justice for others, but expect mercy from God. Funny how people think they are going to Heaven but don’t think there is a hell.
He was in a church with a man who had a problem. He was teaching when he saw that man with a problem. Jesus was to encounter for a fifth time a conflict with the religious leaders. One of the accounts says it was his right hand that was withered. He had no way of making living with his hand that way. Some say that the man was a brick layer and needed his hand to work. There are people in our church today who have great ideas and or talents that have been unuseful because they have not been touched by Jesus. Sin is that way it disables us for the service we could be doing. Would you agree that some among us have never given to Jesus what in their lives needs to be touched? There are others who have been touched by Jesus and could be a blessing by using what they have but they fear what others might say if the did something.
Funny how much difficulty some have learning the gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is to understand/explain the latest gossip about someone else.
Funny how we can’t think of anything to say when we pray, but don’t have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
Funny how we are so quick to take directions from a total stranger when we are lost, but find it nearly impossible to take God’s direction for our lives.
We see later in this story that those watching tried to put a stop to what Jesus was going to do. They had their rules and did not want to be blessed. Jesus came to set us free and we are not to be in bondage to sin or to what other people think. I say to you give Jesus all you have and then use all He gives to you so that His blessings will fall on others. Jesus saw this man with a problem but he did not leave him Jesus came to set us free and we are not to be in bondage to sin or to what other people think. I say to you give Jesus all you have and then use all He gives to you so that His blessings will fall on others. Jesus saw this man with a problem but he did not leave him there. We will never be what we should be if sin reign reigns in our life. This man was real and though many had cast him aside as useless Jesus came and gave him life. Do you need Jesus to give you life today? If you need Him now is the time to come to Him.
II. Christ has come to restore us vs. 8-10 One version I read this week said that those watching Jesus were doing so with squinting eyes. That describes many today who refuse to believe that Jesus gives life. Even when they see God is doing things they refuse to let loose and give Him the glory. These men asked a question not for information but for a way to find fault with Jesus. What are ways people find fault with Jesus today? I believe one way is to look at those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ and find fault with them. That is we can criticize them much easier than encourage them and be a cheerleader. To speak to them about our rules for holy living rather than showing them a holy life to follow.
Funny how people want God to answer their prayers, but refuse to listen to His counsel.
Funny how we sing about heaven, but live only for today.
Vs 8 “But Jesus knew their thoughts.” He said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand here where everyone can see." So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, "I have a question for you. Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" He looked around at them one by one.”
Does it strike you with fear when you read, Jesus knew their thoughts? What these men were thinking says in Mark made Jesus angry. The reason being because their hearts were hardened? What are your thoughts today? Did you know He knows them? Let us get personal with our thinking right now. What makes you feel down and blue? What can change the way you feel? It is what we are thinking? We have the power to change our thinking. The Bible gives us the thoughts that are pleasing to God and if our thinking is not good we need to get into the Word. Another thought that we need to know is that if we are thinking bad thoughts what will Jesus think about us? I have to take time to change my thinking to good thoughts and when I do my life is much better and I believe that Jesus is pleased with that. The Bible says we are to do that which is pleasing to Him.
Where ever Jesus was he told the man to “come.” Jesus knew he could not stay as he was but also he would have to move to change. He also became before all to see him. As he came he no doubt was ashamed of his withered hand. Jesus wants to come just as we are and stand so all can see that He makes a difference.
Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffering in the world, but it is not necessary to thank Him for what is good and pleasant.
Jesus was willing to take on those with critical spirits. To me that is real living for I know many who are critical and I like to challenge them with the truth of the freedom that Christ has for those who believe. “Is this a good day to do good deeds or harm? Is it a good day to save life or destroy it?” This was their day of worship. They had their rules and was he going to break one of them? This man had a problem and how many times had he come to church and no one had given him any help because of the rules? It grieves me that people have come to this church and wanted to be helped but we failed to give them what they needed because we have our rules of being in church. Jesus says come. Do you need to come today?
III. Christ demands immediate response. Vs. 10 then said to the man, "Reach out your hand." The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!” When Christ speaks one can not just sit there. He wants us to respond. How long is your response time? How good is your response? What kind of response do you give? Jesus said reach forth your hand. This man had to reach forth his hand before something would happen. One writer says “stand forth” which means the man had to leave where he was and come to Christ. To have Christ we have to leave where we are and go to him. It means we give testimony before people that we want Christ more than any thing else. When this man stood forth, when he stretched forth his hand he was made well. Do you believe with me that when we do what Christ calls us to do He will do what He says He will do? Let us become more active in obedience so the work of Christ can be done. What is He calling you to stretch forth in your life today? Some would be talents, money, possessions, pleasures, abilities, desires, dreams, and your life?
We are to put to use that which Christ has touched. Does He have use of all that you are or have?
