Called a Christian
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/29/2017 AM
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Text:
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Acts 11;
Lord's Day 12
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Psalters: |
254, 333, 316, 319 |
- The meaning.
- Only God can give anyone the right to have this title.
- A “Christian” is one anointed by God - selected and qualified by God to give visible representation to the invisible God.
- Man was created with a right to this office, but he lost it in the fall into sin.
- What we lost, God restored in Jesus Christ, so we again have the right, the will and the ability.
- By His Spirit Jesus makes us partakers of His own anointing: being “Christ-like.”
- Regenerating us, Jesus gave us the ability and the will to be God’s friend-servant in this world.
- Christians are called to serve always and everywhere, and never are we free to do what we please.
- Those given the right to the office are called to show forth His praise (I Peter 2:9 and Isaiah 43:21) in a three-fold calling.
- As prophet I am to confess His name by means of my words and deeds all the time.
- A prophet is one who bubbles over; I am so filled that I have to speak out.
- As a Christian I confess Him objectively, declaring and defending the truth of the Scripture.
- And I confess Him subjectively, as my personal Savior.
- As priest I present myself as a living sacrifices of thankfulness.
- It is a dedication of my whole life in self-sacrificing love to God and to my neighbor; a life of one continual sacrifice.
- The right motive is only thankfulness for receiving freely the unspeakable gift of salvation from sin and hell.
- As king I am to fight against sin and Satan in this life, and later reign with Him eternally.
- While on earth my kingship is exercised mostly in my having the ability to fight against sin.
- Later I will reign with Christ in heaven.
- Do you have the name “Christian” - it is a mere formality or a reality ?