Церковь

In two weeks (Pentecost Sunday) the Church of Jesus Christ all over the world will celebrate her birthday. The church began with about 120 people praying in an upper room (much like this room) but in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit came and filled them all with His Spirit. Today, there are now 2.2 billion Christians in the world, one third of the world’s population. It’s the largest religion by far. The United States has the most Christians followed by Brazil, and then Mexico.   

From 120 Spirit filled followers of Jesus to 2.2 billion…1/3 of the world’s population.

History has proven that it doesn’t take a lot of people to change the world... it just takes a committed few.

Now, I believe the only valid reason for living is Jesus Christ. The only dream worth committing my life to is the dream Jesus had for this world.

Jesus prayed: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth.”

Jesus’ dream for this world was a world of peace, of hope and of love. But Jesus’ dream will not be fulfilled through political or educational means. The problem in our world is spiritual, and so the answer also is spiritual; the problem in the heart of man. And politics can’t change a human heart, neither can education. Only Jesus can change a heart that is filled with fear, or hate, or greed into a heart of love and peach and hope.

Jesus’ dream of peace and hope and love comes true in one heart at a time. But... nothing happens without commitment.

The Bible says a lot about commitment... the Bible says that God is looking for people to use, people who can make a difference in this world - people who will make the world a better place. But God has one requirement: an that requirement is that need to be fully committed to Him.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those who are fully committed to him.” 2 Chron 16:9 NLT

Now, what does it mean to be fully committed to Christ? It means:

1. I must commit my life to Christ.

The life that God has given me, my energy, my intellect, my gifts, my abilities, I commit to Jesus Christ and his mission.

Now, there are other important issues in our lives...my career issue, how I will make a living? My marriage issue, who will I live with? These are important. But if you make a mistake with your career, or even your marriage, it will bring pain, but it’s not eternal. But if you miss the most important issue, which is: Who am I going to live for? That has eternal implications.

So, I first commit my life to Jesus Christ.

“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 NLT

When I commit my life to Christ, I give up control, and I let Jesus control my life.

To be fully committed to Christ also means:

2. I commit to be a member of His Family.

God’s family is called the church. And the Bible says:

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV

In the Church we are to encourage one another, accept one another, and support one another. Together we are strong. Alone, we are weak. So it is very important for us to be committed to a church, to get involved. That’s the way God’s kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.

To be fully committed to Christ also means:

3. I commit to become more like Jesus.

The word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” So we are to be little Christ’s to each other. We don’t do this perfectly, but we are to act the way Jesus would act, to think the way Jesus thinks, to feel about life the way Jesus felt about life. To treat people the way Jesus treated people.

When people come into this church, they should feel the very Spirit of Jesus Christ.

How do you get to know Jesus Christ better? ; by reading the Bible. Read it. Meditate, pray, study, to become more like Jesus Christ. I commit my life to being like Jesus.

I also...

4. Commit to be a minister of His grace.

The Bible teaches that we are all ministers. God expects us to use our talents and abilities to help others. Jesus wants people to know that they are valued, loved, accepted, and significant. And we are all ministers of God’s grace.

The Bible says:

“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” I Peter 4:10 LB

And then, if Jesus’ dream for this world is to be realized...

5. I must commit to being a messenger of His love.

This, ultimately, is what’s going to change our world: the love of God through Jesus Christ, and through you and me. We need to represent Jesus by our lives, how we live, how we behave, how we act, what kind of attitudes do we have with each other?

We also represent Jesus by our words. That means we tell other people about the relationship we have with Jesus. The best news I ever heard is that the One who created all of life, God, loves me. That everything I’ve ever done wrong can be completely forgiven, and that God wants me to be full of life, and full of love, and that I will live forever with Him.

We need to tell people this, because the world is dying to hear it. Everybody needs to hear that God loves them, and has a plan for their life, and that Jesus came to reveal it. Every Christian can tell their story about their relationship with Christ.

Now, the question is: Am I committed fully to Jesus Christ? Have I committed my life to Him? Am I committed to the Church? Am I committed to be more like Jesus every day? Am I committed to minister His grace to others? And, am I a messenger of His love by the way I live and the way I talk?

God is looking for people to use, and you don’t have to be perfect...just committed.

I invite you to join with the fully committed to help change the world. God loves you, and values you, and has watched over your life, and has made you for these purposes.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”  Luke 9:18-24 (vv. 23, 24)

Reverend  Art Alexander  (sermon)  05.25.2019

Interpreter Alex Mirsaidov

The Dedication of Sofia Joy Sarkisyan