Scripture Dose

Psalms 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR!

Scripture Dose

Psalms 12:6

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Scripture Dose

Job 23:12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Scripture Dose

Nehemiah 8:12

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Scripture Dose

Nehemiah 1:8

Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

MESSAGE FOR THE WEEK

IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE “GOD-FEARING

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (John 3:7)

Sometimes, there’re those who are described by others as “godly” or “god-fearing,” even though they’re not born again. But being godly or god-fearing isn’t the same as being born again. In Acts 10, we find a most interesting case of conversion, the conversion of Cornelius, a very “godly” man. In fact, the Bible says he was a “devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2). What an amazing description!

He was benevolent, liberal and “god-fearing”; consistent and persistent in his prayer life. He was a just man (Acts 10:22). And he even saw visions: “He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him…” (Acts 10:3). Yet, he wasn’t saved; he wasn’t born again. An angel had to tell him, “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:5-6)

In our opening verse, Jesus didn’t mince words when He spoke to Nicodemus. He said, “Ye must be born again.” He didn’t say if you’re “god-fearing,” it’s okay. He used the term, “born again” to express the necessity for man’s spiritual rebirth. Sometimes we encounter such people as Cornelius. They have a good reputation and moral character; but being well-spoken of by others doesn’t merit God’s salvation.

This is why we preach the Gospel. The Gospel is about Jesus Christ; it’s not about what you have done, or what you haven’t done. It’s about Christ and what He’s done for you, which if you’d accept was enough, then salvation is yours. The Bible says, “And by him (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39)

In case you’re like Cornelius today reading this, you need to receive words by which you can be saved. Those words are in Romans 10:9. It says, “…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.” This is the Bible way to receive salvation.