What is YOUR Response?
Responding to what you hearThe time has come for you to give your final verdict. Is Jesus just another of history’s remarkable men, or is He someone different?
If He is God’s Son, and Creator of all, you cannot ignore Him.
Jesus said, “What do you think about the Christ?” In this course we have been finding out about Christ. What do you think about Him, and how are you going to respond? Jesus wanted people to respond by acting on the things He said. He told them to use their ears and not be indifferent, as if deaf.
You should respond to JesusThere are terrible consequences for those who do not act quickly and “use their ears”.
Matthew 13 v41-43The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
What is significant in this passage?
Those who respond are His familyJesus warned against hearing the word of God but not doing it. He counts those who do God’s will as His own family.
Luke 8 v19-21Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
Failure to act brings Eternal disasterJesus had many eager listeners – but not all of them were prepared to repent and respond to His teaching. They enthusiastically called Him Lord – but failed to do what He said. They respected Him with their lips, but their lives never changed.
The foolishness of ignoring JesusJesus told a parable about two houses to explain the folly of not acting on His words. One of these houses was built on earth, and the other on rock. When storms and floods threatened the stability of both houses the one on the rock stood firm, but the other collapsed in disaster. Those who respond to Jesus are like the house on the rock.
Luke 6 v46-49"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
If we are not saved we shall sufferIf we refuse to respond to Jesus we are not simply turning down forgiveness. We are inviting eternal ruin – as the parable you have just read plainly describes. You will see from the footnote below that Jesus spoke very plainly about eternal punishment. The world is heading towards everlasting destruction. We must be careful not to go the same way, or we will suffer the consequences that our sins so richly deserve.
Acts 2 v40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them,"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Our response and God's promised helpThose who first heard the Gospel wanted to respond, but they did not know how to go about it. So they asked an important question – “Men and brethren what should we do?” Peter told them to repent and be baptised. You should respond in a similar way, by turning from the things that displease God, and showing your faith in Christ by baptism.
Those who repent and believe are promised a very special Helper. They are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit of God.
Jesus had promised the Holy SpiritShortly before He died, Jesus promised His disciples that another Person would come to help them. That Person is the Holy Spirit. From the moment you know Christ as your Saviour, this Helper comes to live with you.
John 14 v16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever.
The Holy Spirit is a Christian's teacher and guideGod’s Spirit is a wonderful provision for every Christian. The Christian life is not easy, but with the Holy Spirit to teach and assist us we have all the strength we need, and we are never alone.
John 14 v26But 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.
The Holy Spirit helps us to prayOne of the first signs that we are true Christians is the ability to pray. God’s Spirit encourages us to address God as our Father, now that we are reconciled to Him through Christ’s death.
Galatians 4 v6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
Joining and GrowingSo how did those early believers in Christ respond to the Gospel? They responded by being baptised and joining the church. About 3,000 “were added” in one day! It was only natural that they should join, as they now belonged to the same family – the family of God. They were soon to gain strength from the warm friendship of other believers.
They joined the church familyIf you have come to faith in Christ, you should join a church that faithfully teaches the Gospel of Christ. You should join God’s family, and regularly attend, just as they did.
Acts 2 v41Those who accepted his message were baptized,and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
They grew within the familyIn your family you eat regular meals to remain healthy and strong. Every new believer needs the milk of God’s Word to grow.
1 Peter 2 v2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Peter and the other apostles instructed these early Christians in God’s Word. The New Testament contains the writings of these men. You should read them daily and hear them explained to you. By doing this you will receive the food you need to grow into a strong Christian.
They ate a memorial mealEarly Christians took bread and wine in a memorial supper. They called it “Breaking Bread” because Jesus had taken a loaf and broken it, just like His body would be broken. The wine was a symbol of the shedding of His blood when He died for them. Jesus had told them to eat the bread and drink the wine to remember His dying love on the cross. Christians should often think about the love of Jesus by sharing in this simple meal with other believers.
Acts 2 v42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Notice how they prayed together. Praying with other Christians is a source of spiritual strength. If you are a true believer in Christ be sure to pray often, whether at home or in the church. God is now yours to enjoy. He cares for you like a father, so tell Him about your needs but remember to thank Him too.
Philippians 4 v6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And FinallyIf you now consider yourself a true Christian you must not be ashamed of Jesus. He was not ashamed of you when He stood before the Roman governor (Pontius Pilate) and went to the cross for you.
So be prepared to speak of Jesus to others. God will honour it, and your spiritual life will be enriched.
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