The Rich Man and Lazarus
True Converts and the Joy of Salvation
It Is Written
Be cautious of preachers and teachers who only preach topical messages, and who rarely reference the Bible. These preachers use the Scriptures as a nice garnish for the meal of wit and well-stated personal opinions that they serve up on various topics. Be very afraid of preachers who do not encourage you to read the Bible for yourselves and test the messages they deliver.
Conforming to God's Image
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
Christian discipleship doesn’t start with the idea that we should work at self-improvement to be better people. It starts with the supernatural idea that in conversion we have literally taken on a new nature in Christ.
Come and Die
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to ‘accept’ Christ without forsaking the world.” –A.W. Tozer
Holiness is Evidence We are Light
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (ESV)
Personal holiness in our lives is evidence that the Spirit of Christ is truly living inside us. Jesus is the light of the world and in salvation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that light lives in us. This is why Jesus said to us in Matthew chapter 5, “You are the light of the world.”
A Church Hated by the World
Sheep and Goats, Wheat and Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’