Which Jesus do you follow?

Continued from last week.

We are currently studying qualifications for eldership in our adult Sunday School class. Going through these scriptures and with comments I've had from some leads me to wonder if people truly understand what an elder is. At times I think it might be easier to teach what an elder isn't than what one is and one thing seems to be a constant -- people don't realize it is a LOT of work. Don't worry, that's not what I'm going to talk about. I'm going to talk about from whom the calling actually comes, which is Jesus. I've found that the Jesus you follow greatly influences what you believe an elder is.....

The second Jesus is the Jesus found in many churches today and many like this Jesus for he is easy to talk about. He doesn't "offend" anybody.

This is the Jesus of the apostate church Jesus said: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revelation 3:14-19 This is the Jesus that the world and many churches love and embrace.

Then, there is the Biblical, true Jesus whom the world, the lukewarm and many other Christians don't like. This is the Jesus who narrowly and dogmatically puts to death all teachings that say "there are many paths to God" when he proclaims, "I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

This is the Jesus of whom the Bible declares: "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12.

This is also the Jesus who says, "Not every one that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?' And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

This is the Jesus who tells you, "Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3 The same one who says "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

This is the Jesus who said to Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18

Which Jesus do YOU follow? The first one who is some impersonal being who, when you die will examine your deeds and if the good ones outweigh the bad allow St. Peter to usher you through the gates of Heaven where you will be for eternity? Perhaps you like and follow the second best, the one who is the all inclusive, non-offensive, lukewarm one that speaks only positive things that caters to man's lusts and kingdoms on earth? Or do you seek to follow the true Jesus? The one who commands us saying: "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

"Which one do you follow?" Which one do you love? Your eternal destination depends on your choice.

•••

Editor's note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail [email protected], or write in care of The Times at [email protected] or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.

Religion on 05/06/2015