The ins and outs of on and off
“This is NEAR,” says Ernie as he trots up close to the Sesame St. camera lens. “And this is FAR,” he shouts trotting far from it. “IN,” says a smiling Cookie Monster as he lowers a ginger snap down his cavernous mouth. “OUT,” he utters pulling a chocolate chip treat from a well-stocked cookie jar. This program was brought to you by the words ON and OFF reads a sponsor card.
Near, Far, In, Out, On and Off. A few of the basics of relational descriptors for young and old alike. We need to know these fundamentals because upon them many enduring things are built.
This past Sunday Pastor Andrew focussed on two of these and the bearing they have upon one’s relationship to Christ. In part, the passage from which he spoke reads
“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12)
A distinction to note is that these “greater works” are done by those who “believe on” Jesus Christ. Not every translation bears this out but the truth is taught across scripture.
👉 “This is the work of God,” said Jesus, “that you believe on” the One the Father has sent. (John 6:29)
👉 Sonship of God is granted those who “believe on His Name” (John 1:12)
👉 The Holy Spirit is received by “they that believe on Him” (John 7:39).
👉 Jesus prayer is “for them also which shall believe on me” (John 17:20)
[See also John 9:35, 36; 11:48].
👉 The disciples preached “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Act 16:31). [See also Act 19:4; Rom 4:24; Phi 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:16 and 1 John 5:13]. “And this is his commandment,” affirms John, “That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ…” (1 John 3:23).
You see when a thing is “on” another thing, it is dependent upon that which is beneath it to support it. To “believe on” Christ is to rely upon Him. It is the wise man who builds his house, his life, upon the Rock. (Matt. 7:21-27), and that “Rock,” explains Paul, is “Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). Building on… relying on… Him by faith is the foundation of all Christianity, as Jesus told Peter, “on this Rock,” [professed reliance upon Christ,] “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18).
We believe in – the existence of a historical person; we believe on – a Living Lord.
We believe in – one who was then; we believe on — One Who is now.
We believe in – philosophies, arguments, theories; we believe on — Him Who has power to transform realities, to do through us “greater things,” and to save souls to the uttermost!
Believe on Jesus Christ!
More tomorrow…
To hear this past Sunday’s message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
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