WHEN YOU’RE DEAD, YOU’RE REALLY LIVING

For several years what seemed for no reason that anyone could tell me, my tongue would swell; one eye or both eyes would swell; and my lips would swell. I asked several doctors what could cause it. They said, “You’re allergic to something.” But, no one could tell me what.          Finally, a doctor in Newnan found the reason. It was something no bigger than the head of a match. I had been bitten by a Lone Star Tick and the allergic reaction was called Alpha Gal syndrome. I was diagnosed in 2019 and re-tested about a month ago and time has not diminished the effects of that tick bite.

          When the doctor told me I had Alpha Gal syndrome my life changed.

          First - My diet changed: No more steak, roast beef, bacon, pork chops; no mammal meat of any kind. I can eat all the fish and chicken I want; or I can eat chicken and fish I want. Fin or Fur, that’s it.

          Second - My attitude changed. No longer could I ignore my doctor’s orders regarding my health and do what I wanted to do.

          When we gave our life to Christ, there were changes, too.

          Our diet changed. We no longer desired things that are harmful. We take to heart Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

          Our attitude changed. We no longer live to please ourselves, but to please the Lord. Paul writes in Colossians 1:10, “That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

          The message is based what Paul says in Colossians 3:1-4, “If you, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.” Amen.

          Paul’s advice to the Colossians is to “seek those things above.”

          The question is “where are we looking today?” What are people focusing on today?

          The psychologist says to “look within.” The opportunist says “look around.” The pessimist says “look out.” Do you know what God says? He says  “Look Up.” Heb. 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

          Our hymn tells us “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

          Paul says that we can do that because we’re dead and now we can really start living.

          What are some things that need to die?

DEATH TO INSECURITY

          Satan has convinced Christians that they can lose their salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

          Baptists believe that “all true believers endure to the end.” But note that is “true believers,” not superficial ones. Many people know about Jesus but do not believe in him.   Whenever eternal security is mentioned someone will throw out the example of Judas Iscariot. They say, “What about Judas? Didn’t he lose his salvation?” No, Judas never had it. Judas is like a lot of people today that have their names written on the church rolls, but not written in the Book of Life. A careful study of Judas’ life shows that he never truly believed in Jesus as his Savior.

          One of the greatest passages on the security of the believer is Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

          When we believe and trust Christ as our Savior the Holy Spirit seals us as belonging to God. We are God’s property, his “purchased possession.” And the Holy Spirit indwells us.  He is “the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” When the Holy Spirit seals us it is God’s guarantee that he will keep our soul and life looking toward our full redemption.

          Eternal security is not something Baptists invented. It’s a Bible fact based on God’s guarantee. God has put Himself as his guarantee to keep us saved and to glorify any soul which believes in Jesus Christ. There are denominations that believe you can be saved one day and lost the next and then saved and then lost. That’s a terrible way to live. It doesn’t make any sense. God doesn’t want us to live in doubt.

          The Bible clearly says in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Not maybe saved; not hope-so saved; not periodically safe; not saved if we’re perfect, but shall be saved, not for just a day but for all eternity.

          Mark it down. Insecurity needs to die. The next thing is:

DEATH TO INFERIORITY

          God desires that every one of us live a righteous life. But our culture places a tremendous amount of pressure on Christians to “fit in.” That pressure is the greatest on young Christians.

          The doctrines of our faith are often mocked and ridiculed by the public. Even by those who are elected and supposed to safeguard our religious freedoms.

          Rev. Franklin Graham recently wrote “there is a growing chasm between believers and those who no longer fear God. Never before have I seen such a sharp rift in the moral and spiritual fabric of our country. The Cross of Christ has become the deep divide between a growing segment of our population that no longer fears God and those who follow Christ as Lord and Savior."

          Over the years, I have tried to preach encouraging sermons because when I encourage you, I am also encouraged. We need to be encouraged here at Lakeview because there is a huge misconception about the church floating around today; one which says that the traditional church, and even small congregations, are ineffective at reaching people in our rapidly changing culture. I hope that none of us feel that way.

          A short definition of a traditional church, according to Thom Rainer, is one that is older than ten years. It makes use of Sunday school as its primary small group Bible teaching ministry. It has Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services; and it shows a greater resistance to change than younger churches do.  Based on this information, I think we can easily say that our church is traditional and make no apology for it. We should not feel inferior for our love of the old hymns, or for our stand on Biblical truth.

          Many times Christians are under pressure from family, friends, etc., that often causes Christians to compromise their beliefs.

          Paul warned in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

          So far, we’ve seen Death to Insecurity, Death to Inferiority and next:

DEATH TO INGRATITUDE

          Last Thursday was Thanksgiving. I wonder how many people stopped to really thank the Lord for all their blessings.

          I was reading an article recently about a lady by the name of Wanda McKinnis from Marietta, OK. In 2001, Wanda gained national attention because of a car accident she was involved in. It all happened when she was 86 years old and was driving to her home in the early morning hours. Unfortunately, Wanda lost control of her 1987 Pontiac and drove down a steep embankment and into a creek. Her car then flipped over and Wanda was trapped…upside down. No matter how hard Wanda tried there was just no way of escape. Her vehicle began to sink deeper and Wanda knew all hope was lost. Her life would soon come to an end.

          But a miracle took place for Wanda. She found a pocket of air in the floorboard of her car that would barely keep her alive.

          Picture this: An 86-year old woman is trapped in her car for more than 48 hours.          During that 48 hours, Wanda had plenty of time to think about her life and what had happened. With her face crammed into a tiny envelope of air Wanda began to think of what her life had come to. Wanda asked herself if she would ever see daylight and was afraid she would die. Finally, help came.

          After her miraculous rescue, Wanda was interviewed by news reporters. They were amazed with her story of surviving for 48 hours alone and upside down in that creek. Her life being spared was truly a miracle considering her age. I want you to listen closely to her only comment to the world after her harrowing experience. Here’s what she said: “I told God that if He would get me out of this car alive that I MIGHT go to church.” She MIGHT GO TO CHURCH. How ungrateful can someone be?

          We’ve seen so far “Death to Insecurity, Death to Inferiority, Death to Ingratitude and finally:

DEATH TO INDECISION

          Some people ride on the “road of indecision.” They can’t seem to make up their mind. Israel at one time had that same problem. Elijah issued Israel this challenge, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”

          Churches today have: “Fence-Sitter Christians; Pew-warming Christians; Arm-Chair Quarterback Christians.” They have plenty of advice for the pastor and for the deacons, but rarely do they become actively involved.

          When Saul of Tarsus was met by the Lord Jesus on the Damascus turnpike, he was knocked to the ground and blinded. The wisest thing Saul ever said was, “Who art thou Lord and what will you have me to do?”

          When former president Ronald Reagan was a young child he had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days to make up his mind.

          Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready."

          When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! The cobbler gave him some advice: "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will."

          We sing the hymn that says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”

IN CLOSING

          Those are still two important questions that need to be answered. Who is Jesus to us? Is he the Lord of our lives, or does he occupy a place out on the fringe of our family.

          And the second is “What will you have me to do?” The first thing, of course, is to accept Jesus as our Savior. And then to follow Him wherever He leads.

By Pastor: Lamar Truitt