The Watchman and The Warning

My husband taught Bible class Sunday morning continuing the theme that the regular teacher had been teaching - "Seeking and Saving the Lost".  He used a few scriptures that made both of us think about our mission as Christians.  The "warning" issued is for the watchman, and aren't we all watchman for others? Isn't it our duty to tell the lost about Jesus?

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. Ezekiel 33:6-9

It's really easy to get caught up in the things of the world and totally neglect the mission - the Commission - that God gave us.  He gave us a job, and it was one of the very last things Jesus told His disciples to do before He left the earth after His resurrection.  All four gospels have some part of this commission from Jesus. He instructed His disciples to go, tell, and make other disciples.  That is the theme of all of the gospels and what Jesus wanted to make sure His followers knew to do when He left them.  (See Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:13-53, particularly vs. 44-49; John 20:11-23).  And doesn't He want His followers now to do the same?  If we're not, are we really doing what He asked us to do?

So my husband, Joe, and I wrote a mini lesson to help teach others of God's plan for salvation. It's short enough that others will read it and easy enough for everyone to understand.  We want to do this so that others might share this gospel message with their friends....and those they may not even know.  This plan shows through scripture how to follow the command of obeying the gospel.  We still must "tell", but maybe this tool will make it a little easier for some.

Love people enough to tell them that Jesus died to save them. In order for one to need to be saved, one must be lost. In order to be saved, one needs to first realize he/she must repent (turn away from) sin. Sin is separation from God. A lost person is "dead" in sin (Ephesians 2/Colossians 2). Only in Jesus can one be saved. Salvation begins through hearing the Word and believing that Jesus is God's Son - and the only One who can save. We can't tell the lost about salvation, yet fail to tell about the repentance that the Bible teaches which results in confessing one's sin and the need for the saving blood of Jesus. When your sins are washed away in baptism, you arise to live life as a new creation. You are buried with Him and raised in Him to live a new life as a new creation. (Colossians 2/Romans 6). That is the gospel...the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Obeying the gospel is a command. We must obey the gospel to be a child of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:8/1 Peter 4:17). The new creation will stumble, but won't (or shouldn't) want to continue in the old life of sin, but along with the help of the Holy Spirit, will strive to follow close to Jesus and strive to imitate Him for the rest of his/her life. Being faithful in everything, continuing to repent for sin, allowing the Holy Spirit to develop in us the fruits of the Spirit - we will be growing mature in the faith. God's love, mercy and grace will continue to heap upon us abundantly until we reach the end of life's race. The reward of an eternal home in Heaven with Him makes the "race" all worthwhile. 

Another thing that Joe mentioned in class is the "Fishers of Men" is a 12 week series of in-depth Bible study.  Visit their site HERE. We went through it years ago, and have recently begun the study with our own children. They are Christians, but it's always good to go back over the elementary truths so that we know why we believe what we believe and know for certain that it is what is taught in the Bible - God's inspired Word.

Warning Signals

Note:  This post has sound effects, although, if you want to hear them, you will need to go to my blog homepage (http://www.weewaughs.blogspot.com/) to hear them. After reading down a few paragraphs, you'll find the link:  "Click here for sound."  Enjoy!

Today I was driving back home after being in Altus for a little while.  Just before I got to the river, which is several miles out from here, I saw a pickup.  The driver kept flashing his lights as it met car after car - including me.  I know this is the common "there's a cop close by, so slow down" warning signal, but because I always set my cruise right at the speed limit, I never have to be in fear of being stopped for speeding.  (Note:  It's always fun to see those who don't happen to be driving the speed limit when this happens, because automatically they slam on their brakes and their brake lights come on and their car quickly slows down.  It's even funnier to be IN the car with someone when this happens and the slowing down sensation causes all passengers to have to lean forward to counteract the force!)

So, anyway, I drove on about a half-mile and, sure enough, there was a highway patrol car right to the edge of a bridge....out of sight....waiting for the next law breaker.  I looked in my rear view mirror as I passed him (or her) - not expecting for the car to turn on it's siren and lights, but checking - just to be sure. (Passing highway patrolmen kinda makes ya nervous - even when you know you're not doing anything wrong!)

As I drove along, I got to thinking about the warning signal that pickup had given me.  I didn't need it then, but how many times would I like to have a warning signal that went off every time I was tempted to say something wrong?  To do something wrong?  I open my mouth to say something unkind or hurtful - use my sometimes-sharp-tongue - and a warning signal....a light or maybe a siren goes:  FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!  RRRWWWAAAARRRRR! (Click here for sound.)  Wow!  How many times would that have helped me keep my mouth shut or stopped me from doing the wrong thing???  If I could design such a gadget, get a patent on it, market it in the right way, I could be a billionaire.  But, I wonder - would people want a warning signal??  Would they turn it off??  Do I want a warning signal??  Would I use it??

We do have a warning signal.  It's inside of all Christians.  It's the Holy Spirit, who will guide us if we allow it to work in us the way God designed.  Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Counselor.  This Counselor is a gift to us from God, but sometimes, since we don't understand how it works, we don't take advantage of it.  God, Jesus and the Bible can be warning signals for us, as well.

I think of the Holy Spirit as my conscious, but that can't always be right, either, because my conscious may or may not point me in the right direction.  Only God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit can point me in the right direction.  I just have to be willing to heed the warning of that signal.  When I don't listen to that warning, I am going against that truth.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19a....also Acts 2:38

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30