Three Men Hear the Gospel

In 1 Corinthians 2 and 3 the apostle Paul mentions
three types of people to whom the gospel is
preached:

1. The Natural Man (2:14): this one is exposed to the
gospel of Christ – but rejects it.

2. The Carnal Man (3:1-4): in this sense, this  one
initially receives the gospel but will not allow his
conduct of life to be transformed by it.

3. The Spiritual Man (3:1): this one both receives the
gospel and allows his conduct of life to be
transformed by it..

Three heart patients went to the doctor.  The doctor
warned each of them concerning their problem and
gave them strict instructions to follow.  The first man
thought it foolish, continued in his bad health and
died (cf. 1:18).  The second man heeded the doctor’s
advice, but made no changes to correct it, and he
died (cf. Lk. 8:12).  The third man heeded the advice
and made the necessary changes – and he lived on.
Which man best describes you?

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New Year’s Resolutions

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to
live by your laws” (Psalm 119:30).

The term “resolution” (as we often think of it)
basically means “firm determination to take a course
of action.”  With each new year people all around the
nation  make their new year’s resolutions.  With some
it is to quit smoking; with others its to go on a diet or
to get more exercise (etc.).   Though intentions are
usually very good, for many it seems that their
determination loses steam in just a short while.

The same kind of frustration can be seen in our
spiritual lives.  It’s not good enough to just talk the
talk, we must also walk the walk.  There is little good
in making noble plans if we will not put those plans
into action and see them through.

God (our most perfect example) says of Himself,
“…Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to
pass.  I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah
46:11).  Let me encourage you to follow God’s
example.  And let us not only resolve to do the Lord’s
will, let us actually do it.

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Two Groups Face Conviction

In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul describes the profitability of
the gospel of Christ.  Among the things listed is the
word “reproof” which means “conviction” (the state of
being proven guilty).  In the New Testament there are
two notable occasions on which the message
preached actually convicted a whole group of
people.

The first group was guilty of the crucifixion of Christ
(Acts 2:36).  Upon hearing this they were convicted
in their conscience and sought to correct the
situation (v. 37).

The second group was also guilty of the murder of
Christ (7:52).  Upon hearing this they also were
convicted in their conscience (v. 54); however,
instead of seeking to make the necessary correction,
they rejected the message preached and killed the
messenger (vv. 58-59).

Friends, which group do you fit in with?

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Three Men Call Themselves Father

Three men call themselves “father.”  The first man
goes by this title simply because he has children
(thus, verifying the biological connection that he has
with his offspring – cf. Heb. 12:9).

The second man calls himself “father” in a spiritual
sense, but does so as a figure of speech (or,
metaphorically) to emphasize the fact that he has
converted others to Christ through the gospel.  This
is how the apostle Paul used the term in 1
Corinthians 4:15 (cf. 1 John 2:1; 3:18).

The third man also calls himself “father” in a religious
sense, but he uses this designation as a self-reverent
“title.”  On this note Jesus said, “Do not call anyone
on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who
is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9).  For one to call himself
“Father,” “Reverend,” “His Grace,” (etc.) is
sacrilegious – for such reverence belongs to God
alone (Ps. 89:7)!  To call any man by such a title is to
suggest that he is equal with “God.”  Friends, there is
only one God (Eph. 4:6).

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Two Men Have a Decision to Make

Matthew 19:16 tells us of a rich young man who
came to Christ with an important question: “Good
Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have
eternal life?” In Acts 16:30 a jailer asked a similar
question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Both
men received an answer; but how did they respond?

In Matthew’s account, the rich young man was called
upon to make a mighty big sacrifice – to choose
Christ over his vast riches (v. 21).  Unfortunately, he
would not, and departed from the Lord in sorrow (v.
22).  The jailer, however, made the sacrifice of
turning his life over to the Lord, for after hearing the
gospel (Acts 16:32) he (and his family also) were
baptized into Christ (v. 33).

Two men have a decision to make.  Both men are
trying to get onto a lifeboat as their ship is sinking.
The first man wants to be saved but is not willing to
let go of his heavy luggage, and so he drowns.  The
second man quickly discards his luggage and is
received onto the lifeboat – gaining his salvation from
the water.  Friends, which man best describes you?

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