Batteries and Jesus.

For all who read this before December 14th, you will be hearing this again on Sunday's Christmas service but here goes.

Batteries and Jesus? What do they have to do with anything? Batteries are little round cylinders that carry an electric current to anything that requires that works off from electricity... that has nothing to do with Jesus. Continue reading.

Growing up we didn't have a whole lot of money when it came to gifts so we never really expected much which worked well because none of us 5 kids required much. We always had more fun playing with each other than with than toys... don't get me wrong, we liked our toys too though. I remember one Birthday, I think I was eight when I received a toy radio controlled car, you know, the ones that turn by going in reverse (the ones that if you leave them like that will make a cat so dizzy it pukes). I thought this birthday was the greatest until the batteries went dead. Thankfully my older brother, 18 at the time, jumped on his bike and went to the nearby store for some more. When he got back I proved I was now a big boy and put the batteries in myself but the car still didn't work. I couldn't figure it out; were they duds? I put the old ones back in it and they didn't work either. Frustration came over me as I went from being the happiest boy in the world to the saddest because me new toy didn't work. Thankfully, big brother nearby was willing to help and showed me that I had put the batteries in the wrong way. Once they were put in the right way they worked perfectly.

So, what does this have to do with Jesus? Jesus did not buy me batteries, nor did he deliver a great incite that they were in backwards. What does Jesus have to do with all of this?

Just like you get birthday gifts on your birthday, Jesus' birthday is coming up and guess what... you get gifts on his birthday too. John 3.16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus' birth began the tradition of giving presents at Christmas as God sent his son as a gift, but you receive something too. There are two thing in that verse give to the world; since you are reading this-that's you. We are given Jesus - The Savior and provider of restoration of relationship... eternal life with God, and we are given eternal life.

We are like the idea of having a close relationship with God. Most people believe in a god or higher power. There is a part ingrained in us that tells us there is a god. We like this idea. However, what people seem to have an issue with is that it is Jesus and Jesus alone that makes this relationship and restoration possible; we like the gift, but not the required power source. We look all around us trying to find some loophole to restoring the relationship and try many different things: money, kindness, numerous "religions", support groups, goodness, organizations, etc... and then we get mad when someone says that these things are good, but won't restore that relationship. We tell people things like "You're narrow minded" and "If God is really a loving God wouldn't he let all religions go to heaven" and the list could go on.

This is where Jesus and batteries get something in common. Imagine how stupid you would sound if you called up that toy car manufacture and said something like this: "You are so narrow minded! If you really wanted me to play with your toy you would make it so the batteries could be put in anyway I wanted to!" or maybe "I can't believe you actually requires batteries to play with this toy. I have been good my whole life and worked hard to get this toy car, that should count for something!" and even "I'm not going to put batteries in it because I know other people put batteries in their cars and they are jerks!"

If you really did call up a manufacture and give these complaints you would end up and the next "list of stupid" email going around the office because they claims are simply ridiculous but we justify saying the same thing about Jesus and having our relationship with God restored.

You can have the greatest gift set before you but if you don't have the batteries it will never be used. You have to have the right power source to get any good out of it. God has given you eternal life but you can only use it by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

"How do I become a 'Baptism'?"

Sunday night as I finished up a few last minute things a teenage approached me with the question, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?" I knew what she meant... baptist, and I knew why she was asking it. She has been attending a different church her entire life with her mother and as felt... less than Spirit led at that church; things seem to be more steeped in religion and tradition that relationship and grace. Having come for nearly 6 months to our Wednesday youth outreach, she has realized that we are not interested in someone merely doing motions in a service nor anyone attending a church based upon the title on the sign. During her attendance here she has urged her mother to come and see our church and experience the difference of relationship over religion... with no avail. Well, Sunday might have changed things. Apparently at the "other church" the sermon was all about how their church and every one of it methods were far superior to any other church in the world, regardless if their practices had any Biblical backing. So, what did I say in regards to the question, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?" The same thing Paul and Silas told the jailer when he asked them a similar question: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16.30

The first thing out of my mouth (after, "You mean 'Baptist'" was;) "It isn't about being a Baptist, or a Lutheran, or a Methodist, or a Catholic, or... it is about knowing Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior. Anyone is welcome to come, participate, and attend our church; if you want to know what it takes to become a member, however, you must profess the name of Jesus Christ having placed your faith in Him and asked him to forgive you. AFTER that you need to be Biblically baptized, and attest that you believe the basic Bible doctrines as we do. It's that simple; Have faith in Jesus Christ, believe the Bible, and follow the Bible."

Immediately there was a relief in her eyes. "So I don't have to do _____, or _____ like at my other church?" she asked. "No, those may be nice things to do, and you may choose to do those to help you reverence God, but the most important things is to live by the Bible." With a smile on her face she said, "I think it would be great to be a 'Baptism'!" I reminder her, "It isn't about being a 'Baptist', it is about being a 'Bible Believing, Christ following Christian' that matters. We have 'Baptist' in our church name, but we have 'Christ' upon our hearts. Worry about being a good 'Christian', not a good 'Baptist'."

As she ran turn to leave the smile was still on her face as she exclaimed, "I'll tell my mom, I hope we can start coming."

There are some who will disagree with me and you are welcome to. However, if you claim that there is something more that a believer should do than what the Bible says, or less that a believer should do than what the Bible says I believe you should read Revelation 22.18-19 "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." We need stop worrying about the title on the church sign, and start worrying about the title of Christ upon your heart.