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Dr. Gough:
"Why be a Christian?" maybe you, as I, have been asked.
--"All religions, Moslem, Jew, Hindu, Buddha, they all are much the same, aren't they?"
--Or, "Why believe in Jesus? Why not just some God?"
--Or, "Which God?" So how would you answer these?
The Apostle Peter said, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give a defense (answer) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope in you.
--It implies we ought to know our Bible, and Jesus.
--Peter knew both, for was with Jesus for three years.
--He told Jesus, "You are the Christ (Messiah), Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16). He was commended.
--Peter at Pentecost preached, and 3000 were converted.
--He was familiar with many religions of his day.
--Peter chose, as millions since, to follow Jesus.
For all religions are not the same. Nor all pills.
--Some are better than others. We need the right one.
--Yet we respect all religions. All free to believe!
--I have studied most religions of the world.,
--Take it from me, none compare with pure Christianity!
Any way one compares Christ to others, He is supreme.
--Take Jesus' "virgin birth" - no other leader has it.
--Take His sinless life - all others, as we, sinned.
--Take prophecies - Jesus fulfills them all ideally.
--Take His sacrificial cross - "freely gave Himself."
--Take Jesus' love - He prayed, "Father, forgive them."
--Take His resurrection - again no other to compare!
--Take the way He makes converts, by love, not swords.
--Take His life! Incomparable! Messages! Miracles!
I speak of Christianity as a whole - made of many different denominations - but with one Book, Lord, Savior!
--The Biblical Christianity Jesus brought, based on Judaism and the Old Testament He fulfills; and assured by His resurrection, appearances, and ascension.
--Jesus puts God inside us; all others, God is outside.
--It is "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).
--"If anyone be in Christ .. is a new creation."
--Jesus said, "I am the way, truth and life" (Jn. 14:6).
--I wanted God's best. For me, it is Jesus Christ!
Acts 4:12 tells us "None other" can save us, friend.
--Jesus left heaven "to dwell among us," to show us what God is like, and to save us for all eternity.
--I chose Christ because His life is most satisfying as well as the happiest, when we have His Holy Spirit.
--Best of all, we have all to gain, nothing to lose!
--But if we don't, we have all to lose, nothing to gain!
--May I elaborate, and share why I am a Christian?
I. I AM A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I WANTED LIFE AT ITS BEST.
--I had wonderful Christian grandparents and parents.
--I observed what life was like in unsaved neighbors.
--In the depression we didn't have much growing up, of this world's goods - but we had lots of love and fun.
--I thank God for those golden years - grace at meals, Bible reading, prayers, and hugs and kisses to all.
--It was a happy life and home - because was Christian.
When I enlisted in the Navy, I thanked God for my home, and the examples, and teachings, we had. -I missed it!
--My grandfather Stafford was a preacher; baptized me.
--Parents' prayers were powerful and precious.
--I wanted that kind of home, and family after the war.
Born in a Christian home is good, but each must choose.
--I wanted life at its best, so I chose Jesus.
--Not that everything is perfect. But it is better.
--In our highest moments, we all want a better life.
--We all fail. We all need a personal Savior to help.
Augustine said, "God has made us restless till we find rest in Him." I found Jesus saves and satisfies.
--A young girl was interviewed for baptism, was asked, "Were you a sinner before accepting Jesus?" "0h yes," she said, "I used to run after sin, but now, I'm running from sin." That's Christianity! Live better!
II. I AM A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I NEEDED FORGIVENESS.
--My friend, we all need forgiveness of God.
--Our sin and guilt, breaking God's commands, costs.
--Sin must be paid for - by us. Or Jesus, at Calvary.
--"All have sinned," the Bible says. We know it.
--We all need forgiveness. And power to win over sin!
--I've never met any yet who didn't need it.
--Let me tell you where to get it - at Jesus' feet!
Peter says to "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."
--It means to regard God as God - holy, loving..
--To respect His authority. Revere the Trinity.
--To act in obedience to His will. His commands.
--To enjoy fellowship with the Almighty.
--As we do, we'll "be ready to give (and live) an answer or defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
--"Walking in the light as Christ is in the light."
Some may be thinking, I didn't have that growing up.
--Or, I don't have that now, in my life, and home.
--Maybe not. But my friend, wouldn't you like to?
You say, "Pastor, you don't know my past or problems.
--No, I may not. But I do know the Lord loves you.
--The Lord Jesus can "arise with healing" to bless. "Be born again" and change things for the better.
--Jesus can make any home, or life, Christian.
--Ever so enlloyable .. loving .. kind .. happy.
--Make any marriage more meaningful. Job satisfying.
--Any relationship amicable, by prayer and worship!
--Real, Biblical Christianity works wonders anywhere!
III. I AM A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I NEED GOD'S HELP.
--I am grateful, forever, for help of others - so many who have cared, taught, and encouraged me.
--Even so, my friend, we need more than human help.
--People can only do so much, give so much time.
--We need the ever-willing and "present help of God."
No matter how intelligent and well-off, we need Jesus!
--His wisdom, strength, guidance, presence, to bless.
--It is folly to try to go through life without Him.
It is like a long hook and ladder engine in Philadelphia that rushed to a fire with but one driver.
--There was no tiller man at the rear, to steer!
--This ladder truck driver in haste omitted a tiller!
--But it never made it! It crashed cars and stores!
--Such a fine apparatus needs two drivers; front, rear.
--My friend, so does our life. Put the Lord first!
A lady in a hospital, dying, asked, "Doctor, do you believe in Jesus as your Savior." He wasn't sure.
--She told him, "I'm going to pray for you."
--The physician kept remembering her sweet testimony.
--Realized he needed this same Savior, as she knew.
--That he, a doctor, could use the Lord's help.
We all need divine help_ and guidance.
--God says, "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5).
--To His own, "I will never leave you nor forsake."
--Ask Him! Get help defeating the devil.
--To make wise decisions. Choose the right friends.
--Right one in marriage. Or career. Or job.
--Then, God is needed in great crises of life.
--When we've said goodbye to the dearest on earth.
--We face tears. Troubles. We need the right God!
IV. I AM A CHRISTIAN TO BE SURE OF A HOME IN HEAVEN.
--So many world religions. All can not be right!
--Which is? Most godly? Most Biblical? Loving?
--Which demonstrates deity? More wisdom and grace?
--Which promises, "I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, you may be also" (John 14:1-6).
--Which has a Risen Savior, "Who ever lives"?
--The more you study it, Jesus comes out far better!
--He is in heaven! The Savior Who can take us there!
No church saves. Nor good works or joining any or all.
--Nor do lambs and rams. Or trying to keep the Law.
--My friend, it takes "The Lamb of God . . ." Jesus!
--He said, "I give them eternal life ..." (John 10:28).
--No other died for our sin, and arose, revealed to us.
--He is God's final word to man. He's coming again.
--He gives us assurance of eternal life, with Him!
--I want that, for myself, and you, and all the world!
How do we get it? "Acknowledge sin. Believe and receive Jesus as Savior. Confess and follow Him as Lord.
--Grow "in His grace and knowledge" day by day.
--Live obediently. Be baptized. Join a good church.
--Partake of communion, as often as possible.
--God's best will come to you in blessed assurance.
Welcome to our faith family! Why not be a Christian?
--No better decision can one make! No better time.
--Then live as Christ did!