11-9-08SERMON

I CHOSE JESUS
11-9-08

   Just before the message I would like for all the veterans to stand. On behalf of this congregation, and
all of God’s fearing people, I would like to thank each one of you for your service to our country.   Thank-
you are just two words, but they are two words that are needed to be said more often to our veterans, and
to those who are now serving. Freedom and forgiveness are never free. There is always a price to be
paid. This coming Tuesday is Veterans’ Day, and throughout this Nation, American flags will be flown and
some people, I wish I could say all people, but some will pause to remember the price that has been paid
and is being paid for the freedom that we enjoy. So again, I thank you, and we honor you, not only today,
but each and every day.

   Most of us are thankful that the election is over. And whether or not the one we wanted to be elected as
President was chosen, we have an obligation to pray for the new president elect, and for our country. I
would like to nominate someone for your consideration today.   I would recommend Him to you as the
Savior of your soul, and as Lord of your life.   I commend HIM to you for today, tomorrow, and forever.   For
you see, He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. When we listened to the political speeches we
heard the worst things about their opponents. I think that in the future they ought to pass a law forbidding
the candidates of speaking unfavorable against one another. However, one thing is certain; no one could
ever truthfully say anything against Jesus Christ. His followers and His enemies must join with Pilate in
saying, ”I find no fault in this just man.” You see Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He existed with God the
Father before the World began. The Bible tells us that He became flesh, and dwelt among us. God could
have sent Him into the World full-grown, but He wanted Him to grow up as a normal child. He wanted Him
to go through all of the trials and temptations that we are faced with so that He could identify with us.
Because He was God’s Son, part of that blessed trinity, there was no sin in Him. It is hard for us to imagine
a man living in this world for 33 years and never having any sinful thoughts, or words, or deeds. But Jesus
was more than just a man. He was God’s Son and although He came into a sinful World, walked on this
earth, touched sinful men, HE himself remained sinless.

   He’s a wonderful servant of mankind. He walked not as God, but as a man, a servant of mankind. He
said, "I am among you, as ONE who serves."   And those who are holding positions within His church today
are expected to serve. We know that He was a servant of mankind because He spent His life in service to
others. People elected are of course expected to serve, but all too often this is not the case. Jesus came
to serve and friends, He’ s still serving. He tells us to call on Him, and He will answer.

   He is the Savior. This is where He did His greatest work. He came into the World, not to judge, not to
just teach, but to save. There would had been no saving power in Him had HE not gone to Calvary. He
lived a useful life He set a wonderful example for us to follow, and each of us would be better if were to
follow His example. He was no doubt the greatest teacher to ever walk upon the face of the earth, but we
are not saved by His example, we are not saved by His teachings. We are saved because He paid the
price for our sins at Calvary.

   He is the final judge. This is a reality people. A reality that ought to cause each and every one us to
stop and think. You can go through this life, living only for this life, and perhaps you might even convince
yourself that you are having a good life, but there is coming a day when each of us will stand before the
Judgment seat of Christ.   The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment." If
the Lord does not come back soon every one of us will go through the experience of death. We will sleep
for a while, but the next thing we KNOW will be the coming of the Lord and judgment. There is no escaping
that judgment. Wealth, power, position will mean NOTHING when we stand before our Lord. The signs of
His coming are all around us. Take time sometime to read and re-read, Matthew Chapter 24.    We would
do well to heed the warnings, for soon, very soon, everyone of us will stand face to face with the judge of
all the earth.

   Take a look at our Lord’s record. He has saved everyone who in faith came to HIM for salvation. He
promised to do that, and unlike so many others, He’s one that keeps His promises. He said, "Come unto
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He said, "Look unto me, and be saved,
all the ends of the earth." He said, "He that cometh to me, I will in no way case out." John said, "As many
as received Him to them gave He power to become sons of God." We are not to look to ourselves, but we
are to look to Jesus who is both Savior and Lord. He’s the only one who can save.

   Once upon a time there was a man who hated Christ and did everything within his power to destroy
Christ and His followers, and he did put many of them to death. The trouble with him, which is the trouble
with many today, is he really did not know Christ. One day he met Jesus on the Damascus road, and that
meeting changed his life completely. He no longer saw Christ as the enemy, but as his friend. He no
longer spoke evil of Christ, but said some of the greatest things that are recorded in God’s Word. The
story of the Apostle Paul is just the way Christ saves everyone who comes to Him for forgiveness and
salvation.   A person cannot meet the Lord, be saved, and be the same.   I believe that our Lord desires
for everyone to come. He calls by His Holy Spirit, by hymns, by His Word, and sometimes even by sermons.

   This man Jesus has never let anyone down. Some people have the idea that once they are saved, if
they don’t live up to God’s Word completely, or if they slip, that Christ will have nothing more to do with
them. But they are so wrong. Each and everyone of us have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,
since accepting Christ as our Savior.   Each and everyone of us would be lost if we were to depend upon
own goodness. The wonderful thing is we don’t have to. Our Lord took care of that many years ago at a
place called Calvary.   He has started a good work within us, but HE is not finished yet. That work will
continue until one day we are made like Him.

   Christ is able to comfort, and sustain in times of sorrow and heartaches like no other. He is with us
when the last friend is gone. He is with us In our darkest hour. He is with us at all times. You see because
we have accepted Him as Lord, we are now part of His family. We were like orphans, lost without hope and
without God. Then Christ came and adopted us into His family, and He wrote our names in the Book of
Life. I remember my grandmother use to write important information in the family Bible. And I love seeing
my name there. As a child that made me feel pretty important. But you know what is even more
meaningful and wonderful? My name is written in the Book of Life. I am part of His family and so are you,
if you have accepted Him as your Lord.   It’s wonderful to know that we are never alone. But friends, we
can’t expect Him to walk with us unless we are walking with Him. And to walk with Him, He must the leader.
We must follow HIM.

   May God help us to find His will for our lives, and then may HE make us wiling to be willing to do HIS
will.   Let’s acknowledge Him not only as Savior, but as Lord by living for Him outside these walls. You see,
we experience joy of salvation when we accept Him as Savior. But we experience the joy of living when we
make Him Lord of our lives.

   Oh, I would recommend Jesus Christ to anyone.   I would recommend HIM as Lord and Savior. If you
truly desire for HIM to be not only your Savior, but your Lord, you must allow HIM to have control of your
life.