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Jesus, Lord

"That if thou shalt confess Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Rom. 10:9

The keys to salvation are stated in Romans ten verse ten and are simple. Confess Jesus as Lord and believe God has raised him from the dead.

In the first sermon of the Christian Church, on the day of Pentecost, Peter establishes this truth by teaching these two aspects:

"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

"For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

"Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Acts 2:31-37

This first day of the Christian Church Peter, filled with the gift of holy spirit, speaks to Israel of Jesus as Lord, and of Jesus as raised from the dead.

After this, were they baptized in water? No, they were baptized, cleansed in the name of Jesus, and received the gift of holy spirit.

As Jesus said (as recorded in Acts 1:5,) "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

To be baptized with "The Holy Ghost," or as the texts read, "with holy spirit" as Jesus said is equal to "baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sins," at which time you "receive the gift of holy spirit," which is part of that cleansing, that bathing, that baptism in Jesus' name.

This is what the Scriptures say.

But it all hinges on accepting Jesus as Lord, which necessitates accepting the truth that God raised him from the dead.

Now, you can accept Jesus as Lord, then wait for him to show up to follow him. Or, you can (and should) begin upon accepting him.

What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

"Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:"

Acts 1:1-3

Jesus did three categories of things with his chosen apostles.

He gave them commandments, he proved himself alive, and he spoke of things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

He is alive, and as he is our Lord in the Kingdom of God, he gives us commandments and we are to follow them.

This was the background leading to the creation of the Christian Church.

We keep the commands of Jesus.

How do we get these commands? Through phone calls? Through e-mail? Newspaper adds?

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. "

Gal. 1:11-12

First, through his revelation to Paul and those who recorded the New Testament. So to accept him as Lord and to act therein is to keep the things given in the revelation to the Church.

Romans chapter twelve is a summary of an obedient walk:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

"Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

"Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rom. 12:1-11

This is a thorough and wonderful way of saying, "Prove the will of the Lord (this is given to us as a body) and as individuals, do what you're good at to bless the Christians and others." We manifest the mind of Christ in the Church, the Body, collectively as we fulfill our roles and obligations as individuals.

We serve the Lord by serving his people.

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. "

Rom. 12:12-13

This section also says to do right to those out of the faith. It is logical; how will we draw them to Christ unless we, as does our Lord, love them before they accept grace?

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

Rom. 12:14

Have compassion.

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

Rom. 12:15-17

And walk honestly: we walk in the name of Jesus. Therefore we love even our enemies.

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

"Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Rom. 12:18-21

It is real simply, really, capsulized in the last line, "be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

This obedience to Christ is further described in Phillipians chapter two:

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

Phil. 2:1-4

It does not mean to pry or boss: it means to have concern for, a desire to help whenever possible.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Phil. 2:5-8

As Jesus humbled himself and was obedient, so we humble ourselves: in all things regarding others, Jesus is our Lord. Therefore we obey him.

But this humility today has great benefit now and later. Again Christ is our example.

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Phil. 2:9-11

See? God rewarded Jesus' obedience by exalting him: we also shall receive reward, and Jesus is he who we obey to do God's will.

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. "

Eternal life salvation is received by confessing Jesus as Lord, and believing God raised him from the dead. We read that.

But addressing the Body of the Church, Paul said that in obedience, the salvation of the Church, the way it works together to receive the blessings and wholeness, is through the obedience of the people.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Phil. 2:13

In obedience, it is God Who works in us. As we literally obey His son and the commandments, we receive as a Body the saving of the Church.

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

"Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

Phil. 2:14-16

Once we are obedient, and perform without murmerings and disputings, we can then be "without rebuke." Not, without any errors whatsoever, but, without blame and rebuke. We can shine as lights.

We shine as lights holding forth the Word of Light, the Scriptures.

When we obey Jesus, things work right and God receives glory!

And when the word of light is held forth?

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

Rom. 10:8-15

For there is one Lord to whom every knee shall bow, Jesus, and as he obeyed for our sakes, so we shall obey him for God's.

*

The Lord,

Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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