CONFESSING CHRIST
CONFESSING CHRIST
MEMORY VERSE :
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Rom. 10:8-18.
INTRODUCATION : There are two stages in the confession of Christ, one before salvation and leading to it (Rom. 10:9) and the other after salvation (Matt. 10:32-33). One may ask the question is it possible to be a secret believer? And the answer is yes, for a short time.” In John 19:38, Joseph of Arimathaea was a secret believer, but later he openly confessed Christ by asking for the body of Jesus. Similarly, no one who had been truly born-again can remain for long without letting people know that Christ has taken over his life.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO CONFESS CHRIST?
There are six main reasons why a believer must confess Christ. These are:
(a) There are two parts to salvation: believing in the heart and confessing twine the mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.
(b) Confession of Christ brings real joy to the convert.
(c) Confession of Christ solves many problems. Others know who you are and what you stand for and respect you for a clear- cut stand. The world despises a weak, cowardly and secret Christian. Temptations to worldly places of amusements are halted and invitations to Christian gatherings increase.
(d) A witnessing Christian is not likely to backsliders. Backsliders can trace their downfall to their failure to confess Christ publicly.
(e) If someone does a great thing for you, it is natural to tell everyone about it. We are saved by Christ, and this is the greatest thing anyone can do for us, therefore we should tell the news to everyone, and
(f) We must confess Christ audibly because Christ commanded it in Matt. 10:32-33.
HOW CAN IT BE DONE?
Confessing Christ can be done.
(a) Publicly in a Church gathering, prayer meeting or open air crusade.
(b) Privately to your friends, relatives and neighbours, in daily conversion.
(c) In public baptism, in association with a good, truly spiritual, active Christian church.
(d) By constant attendance at Church services and
(e) To everybody, near and far by letters, phone calls etc. (Acts 1:8).
HOW OFTEN MUST IT BE DONE?
Is one public confession enough for life? No, it is something that we must do repeatedly. The Christian life that is not full of constant Christ confession will not grow. Such a Christian will gradually grow cold and may even die spiritually (Jer. 20:19). How can you hide a fire within your heart!
WHAT ACTUALLY IS CONFESSION OF CHRIST?
Confessing Christ is not necessarily preaching sermons, but telling the simple story of what Christ has done for us. Tell the simple fact of your conversion: what you used to be and what you are now. Tell about answers to prayer that you have received (Ps. 50:15). Tell about the satisfaction that Christ gives you and be sincere about it. Tell about personal victory over sin and temptations. Tell about how God speaks to you today during your private prayer time. Speak of the Saviour’s power to save, heal, bless and se6t free. Speak of His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, second coming and of future judgement.
WHAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM CONFESSING CHRIST?
There are three major hindrances to public confession of Christ, namely:
(a) Fear of man: Many people are afraid of what people will say or think about them if they know that they have accepted Christ. The cure for that is in (11 Tim. 1:7).
(b) Shame: Many are ashamed of publicly declaring for Christ. The cure for that is (11 Tim. 1:8).
(c) Impure life: Many are afraid that their personal lives are such that they should not be known as Christians. If that is the case, then may be you are not even saved yet. Then seek salvation first (1 John 1:9).
WHY IS IT DANGEROUS TO KEEP QUIET?
If we do not tell others about Christ and His powers, how then will they come to admire Him and accept Him? Ezek. 33:8 is a solemn warning to the silent believer on the Lord Jesus Christ! Pray for courage so that you may be able to start confessing Christ as from today.
FURTHER READINGS: The following passages will tell you more: 1 Jn. 4:18, Ph. 4:13, 1 Cor. 12:3, Acts 5:20.
MEMORY VERSE :
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Rom. 10:8-18.
INTRODUCATION : There are two stages in the confession of Christ, one before salvation and leading to it (Rom. 10:9) and the other after salvation (Matt. 10:32-33). One may ask the question is it possible to be a secret believer? And the answer is yes, for a short time.” In John 19:38, Joseph of Arimathaea was a secret believer, but later he openly confessed Christ by asking for the body of Jesus. Similarly, no one who had been truly born-again can remain for long without letting people know that Christ has taken over his life.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO CONFESS CHRIST?
There are six main reasons why a believer must confess Christ. These are:
(a) There are two parts to salvation: believing in the heart and confessing twine the mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.
(b) Confession of Christ brings real joy to the convert.
(c) Confession of Christ solves many problems. Others know who you are and what you stand for and respect you for a clear- cut stand. The world despises a weak, cowardly and secret Christian. Temptations to worldly places of amusements are halted and invitations to Christian gatherings increase.
(d) A witnessing Christian is not likely to backsliders. Backsliders can trace their downfall to their failure to confess Christ publicly.
(e) If someone does a great thing for you, it is natural to tell everyone about it. We are saved by Christ, and this is the greatest thing anyone can do for us, therefore we should tell the news to everyone, and
(f) We must confess Christ audibly because Christ commanded it in Matt. 10:32-33.
HOW CAN IT BE DONE?
Confessing Christ can be done.
(a) Publicly in a Church gathering, prayer meeting or open air crusade.
(b) Privately to your friends, relatives and neighbours, in daily conversion.
(c) In public baptism, in association with a good, truly spiritual, active Christian church.
(d) By constant attendance at Church services and
(e) To everybody, near and far by letters, phone calls etc. (Acts 1:8).
HOW OFTEN MUST IT BE DONE?
Is one public confession enough for life? No, it is something that we must do repeatedly. The Christian life that is not full of constant Christ confession will not grow. Such a Christian will gradually grow cold and may even die spiritually (Jer. 20:19). How can you hide a fire within your heart!
WHAT ACTUALLY IS CONFESSION OF CHRIST?
Confessing Christ is not necessarily preaching sermons, but telling the simple story of what Christ has done for us. Tell the simple fact of your conversion: what you used to be and what you are now. Tell about answers to prayer that you have received (Ps. 50:15). Tell about the satisfaction that Christ gives you and be sincere about it. Tell about personal victory over sin and temptations. Tell about how God speaks to you today during your private prayer time. Speak of the Saviour’s power to save, heal, bless and se6t free. Speak of His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, second coming and of future judgement.
WHAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM CONFESSING CHRIST?
There are three major hindrances to public confession of Christ, namely:
(a) Fear of man: Many people are afraid of what people will say or think about them if they know that they have accepted Christ. The cure for that is in (11 Tim. 1:7).
(b) Shame: Many are ashamed of publicly declaring for Christ. The cure for that is (11 Tim. 1:8).
(c) Impure life: Many are afraid that their personal lives are such that they should not be known as Christians. If that is the case, then may be you are not even saved yet. Then seek salvation first (1 John 1:9).
WHY IS IT DANGEROUS TO KEEP QUIET?
If we do not tell others about Christ and His powers, how then will they come to admire Him and accept Him? Ezek. 33:8 is a solemn warning to the silent believer on the Lord Jesus Christ! Pray for courage so that you may be able to start confessing Christ as from today.
FURTHER READINGS: The following passages will tell you more: 1 Jn. 4:18, Ph. 4:13, 1 Cor. 12:3, Acts 5:20.
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