Page Three: “Tied To Jesus Christ” 3/17/13
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Whereas with the Christian, there is an awareness; as John Newton wrote, “I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.”
John Newton was raised by a Christian mother who did teach Him God’s word and the Gospel. Then, at the age of seven, when his mother died, he decided to take after his father. At the age of eleven went to sea. John was described in the history books as impatient, unsettled, rebellious, a deserter; he was flogged and put in irons; arrogant, insubordinate, and immoral. This is what he wrote about himself. "I sinned with a high hand," he later wrote, "and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others." [Found on www.christianitytoday.com]. Then on one of the slaver ships Newton read a book called “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a` Kempis. He said this about himself at the time. "I cannot consider myself to have been a believer, in the full sense of the word." And after having read the “Imitation of Christ,” he became truly converted to Christ He later wrote this. “I am not the man I ought to be. I am not the man I wish to be. And, I am not the man I hope to be. But, by the grace of God I am not the man I used to be.” Folks, there are two kinds of people around you and me. According to the Scriptures, there are two separate groups in the world. “Lost and Found.” Lost and Saved. Here’s what we find in Ephesians 2:12 “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:…” It may be that you are “without Christ” and “without God in the world.” But the moment you believe on Christ, you step into the fountain. |
There was a time in my life when I heard stories about Jesus. I attended Sunday School (and as you all know, I got placed outside the classroom door because I was so disruptive). I attended Church services. I remember going to VBS. And I heard about Jesus. I listened to Bible stories. I likely heard the Gospel. Yet, hearing about Jesus, as you know, was not enough.
I had to quote “get into the fountain.” One day at the age of fifteen I heard the story of the Gospel for one more time and I realized that apart from Christ, I was a good candidate for Hell. And I understood that Jesus Christ had paid my sin’s penalty. That day I got into the fountain. I became a child of Heaven. I am now “in Christ.” First, there are two kinds of people around you; those “in Christ” and those “outside of Christ.” Second, Salvation not only secures your place in Heaven, it also once and forever joins you together with Christ. Here’s Paul again in Colossians chapter two. (12) “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;…” Long before you or I understood what happened at the Cross, God was working out His salvation plan in His Son. The LORD did a totally phenomenal thing when He gave His Son as the Substitute for your sin at Calvary. Here’s what we find in this amazing book of Colossians. Colossians 1:12 – Buried with him Colossians 1:12 – Risen with him Colossians 1:13 – Quickened (made alive) with him |