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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Two Men Approach God in Prayer

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a
Pharisee and the other a tax collector” (Lk. 18:10).

According to the gospel accounts the Pharisees, who
were the strictest sect of the Hebrew religion (Acts 26:
5), were notorious for being hypocrites (Matt. 23).
Evidence of this is seen in their self-righteous
posture. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself,’God, I thank You that I am not like other
men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as
this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of
all that I possess’” (Lk. 18:11-12).

On the other hand the tax collector, whose
profession was often branded because of
dishonesty, “standing afar off, would not so much as
raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,
‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ (verse 13).

Jesus gave approval of the tax collector because he
humbled Himself before God – something the
Pharisee would not do.  Which man best describes
you?

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Two Men Worship God

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

To worship God “in spirit” basically means to do so
with sincerity of heart, for it is an offering of the soul
to God.  In other words, God wants us to worship
Him because we want to, not simply because we
have to.  To worship God “in truth” means to do so
according to His standard of truth: His word (cf. John
17:17).

Two men worship God.  Both men are very sincere in
their efforts to worship and praise Him – and no one
could deny the genuineness of each man’s heart.
However the first man does not fully embrace God’s
truth, for he worships according to his own desires or
man-made traditions – ways that God did not
authorize.  Thus, God does not accept this man’s
worship (cf. Matt. 15:8-9).  The second man respects
the authority of God’s word and only worships Him
according to the way God specified.  Thus, God
accepts his worship (Acts 10:35).  Which man best
describes you?

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Hidden Treasure

Recently there was great excitement among
moviegoers as the latest version of the “Indiana
Jones” series hit theaters this past week.  The series
portrays the main character as a whip-cracking
archeologist who has an uncanny knack for
discovering priceless treasures – usually while facing
formidable foes and danger at every turn.  Doesn’t
that sound exciting?  (It almost makes you want to go
out and buy a fedora hat and bullwhip, doesn’t it?)
Finding something of great value would excite
anyone.  Did you know that the Bible speaks of
finding hidden treasure?

In Matthew 13:44 Jesus said, “Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a
man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field.” Similarly,
He added, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he
had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all
that he had and bought it” (v. 45)

Both of these parables speak of the joy that one has
when they discover the kingdom of heaven.  In the
parables both men made once-in-a-lifetime
discoveries, and each man gladly exchanged
everything he owned in order to obtain the object of
his devotion.  Similarly, salvation in Christ Jesus is of
such supreme value that we should be willing to
sacrifice all just to obtain it.  Jesus said, “If anyone
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23).

Friend, salvation is priceless.  Have you discovered it
yet?

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Should We Worship on Sunday?

In last week’s article we noted that Sabbath keeping
(commanded under the Law of Moses) was among
those things “nailed to the cross” (Col. 2:14-17) as
Christ fulfilled that old covenant (cf. Matt. 5:17-18;
Rom. 10:4) and ushered in a new covenant (Heb. 8).
We also noted that in the church age (Acts 2 and
beyond) there is no biblical evidence that the early
church ever observed the Sabbath; however, there is
biblical evidence that they did worship on Sunday
(the first day of the week).  But why is this day so
significant?

First of all, Jesus (our Passover, 1 Cor. 5:7; cf. Lev.
23:4-5) died during Passover; He (the Lord of the
Sabbath, Lk. 6:5; cf. Lev. 23:6-8) rested on the
Sabbath (in death); and He arose on Sunday morning
(Mk. 16:1-9) being the “firstfruits” of the resurrection
(1 Cor. 15:20; cf. Lev. 23:9-14).  Sunday is the day
He repeatedly met with His disciples between His
resurrection and His ascension (Jn. 20:19, 26).  The
Day of Pentecost (the day the church was born –
Acts 2:1) also came on Sunday (Lev. 23:15-16).  This
is the same day that the Holy Spirit came upon the
apostles, thus beginning His mission of conversion
through the gospel (Jn. 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4).
Additionally, this is the same day that the first gospel
sermon was preached (Acts 2:22-36).  Also, on this
very day, about 3,000 souls (the firstfruits of the
gospel harvest – cf. Lev. 23:17; James 1:18) were
added to the church (Acts 2:37-41).  The first day of
the week is also when the early church met to
partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), and when
they were commanded to take up a collection (1 Cor.
16:1-2).  Sunday, the first day of the week, is
specifically called “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10).

These evidences assure us that, under the new
covenant, Sunday is the designated day of worship
for Christians.

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