THE FULL CHRISTIAN LIFE

THE FULL CHRISTIAN LIFE

Text: Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

As I read these words I am reminded of the challenge to Christians by James,

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

As I ponder on the meaning of this I am reminded of three kinds of ‘Christians’.

3. The SECRET CHRISTIAN.

4. John 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.




5. These secret disciples try to live right but don’t want people to know why. After all they might be ridiculed. They often maintain the facade for years until some traumatic event forces them, as it did Joseph, to make their faith known.
   

   Is it possible that these are really saved? Perhaps. But even if they have believed to the saving of the soul, they will stand empty handed before the Lord in judgment.

6. Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:

7. Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

   Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:

8. Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

   Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

9. Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

   Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:
   there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
   

10. The VERBAL CHRISTIAN.

    These folks are everywhere. Like the Pharisees of old we hear them as they let it be known that they are sanctified and holy. Their exclamations of “Praise the Lord” or hallelujahs abound. The missionary might be starved off the field but they are happy in the Lord and they make sure everyone knows it. Others might labor for the Lord but they are too busy praising to help in the work.
    Much more could be said of these folks but let us proceed to the ones who make things go and help the Church to grow.
11. 
    The WORKING CHRISTIAN.
12. This person believes and practices BOTH part of the text;

13. Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

    Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.



14. He will be found singing praises on Sunday in the midst of God’s people and will praise Him on Monday in the midst of the everyday world. He will bow his head without shame as he asks God’s blessing upon his food whether it be in a restaurant or a brown bag in the midst of his coworkers. You will hear him humming‘ Amazing Grace’ while others sing
    the latest rock or rap lyrics. When others moan of the deteriorating world situation, he rejoices in the promises that are his through Christ.

16. But his service to the Lord doesn’t end with the verbal sacrifice of praise. He really believes in the admonition, But to do good and to communicate forget not. He knows that the term ‘communicate’ doesn’t refer to conversation but rather to the sharing of all things.

    Whatever the need, this Christian is eager to step in and provide for that need to the best of his ability.

17. It is hard for a hungry man to believe that the Verbal Christian really loves him if he leaves him with gnawing hunger pains still in his belly. On the other hand, the Working Christian will share his material things even as he shares the message of the Gospel of Christ. Whether the need is in the working of his church, or in the wants of his fellow man, this Christian is there to communicate, share, with all in need.

3. If I give to those in need from my open hand
4. I allow God to bless me yet again.

5. For my hand is not clenched tightly

   On what I received yesterday

6. But is open to God’s filling Grace today.

7. [Faye Thompson. All rights reserved.]