Introduction: It's sad to think that many will one day stand before the Son of God and He will not know them. But according to God's word that is exactly what will happen. Many will spend their lives in service to a "name" only, but not Jesus Christ the Son of God. There are many in Spanish speaking countries with the "name" Jesus, of course it is pronounces differently.

I once pastored a gentleman who spent years of missionary work in South America. He made a statement that inspired this message. He said; "You don't dare simply ask someone if they know Jesus. They will ask you which one and proceed to tell you where a dozen named Jesus live. It was necessary that you meant the Jesus of the Bible.

Jesus said; John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Jesus also made it plain that those who hear and know Him will also follow Him. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Many will serve a different Jesus from the scripture and be lost

Paul Warned: 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine ( Test, Scrutinize ) yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; (Religious truth, reliance upon Christ for Salvation ) prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate. ( unapproved, worthless, rejected )

( 1 ) SINCE THERE ARE MANY JESUS' , THE WORD QUICKLY STRESSES ONLY ONE IS THE SON OF GOD

* Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

* Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

* Matthew 11: 3 - 5 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

* Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

To many, Jesus is just a historical character they have always read about !

* John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

( 2 ) YOU SAY, I BELIEVE "JESUS" IS THE SON OF GOD. BUT SO YOU REALLY ?

* James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

(A) It is not enough just to "believe" or acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God, but that "belief" must be manifest in "trust" and "following" Him.

( 3 ) DO YOU SERVE THE "JESUS" OF SCRIPTURE, OR A "PERSONAL" JESUS ?

(A) The term "Personal Savior" has given many the wrong impression of Salvation.

(B) Personal: ( Webster) Means private, having to do with ones own character and conduct.

In short, people have adapted themselves a "Personal" Jesus to fit their own lifestyle.

( 4) WHILE EVANGELIZING, I SAW MANY PRECEPTIONS OF SERVING JESUS MEANT FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND CULTURE TO CULTURE.

(A) Each Locality had its own Culture, Traits, Standards, and Moral Values unique to the area

(B) I noticed people developed moral values to match their Environment, Circumstances, and Lifestyles of those around them.

(C) Each "Worshiped" a Jesus that fit "their" needs and lifestyle. (Liberal and Conservative)

(D) When this happens; people Worship a "representative" of themselves ! Self Worship !

** In the beginning, God created man in "His" image to worship and serve Him !

** Now, Man has created a Jesus in "his" image, and worships and serves himself.

** We have created an "American Jesus" that fits any lifestyle ! Even Gays say they know and worship Jesus ( Certainly not the "Jesus" of the scripture )

( 5 ) YOU MAY ASK, WHY ARE YOU TELLING US ? WE ARE CHURCH GOERS, WE WORSHIP JESUS !

* Could I ask you some questions concerning "this" Jesus you serve *

(A) Tell me about "your" Personal Savior ? Are you like Him, or is He like You ?

(B) Did You "change" to conform to His way, OR did you "change" Him to fit You ?

(C) Tell me about the life you live. Do you do the things Jesus "loves" and "hate" what he hates

* JESUS: Loved people, even his enemies ............. DO YOU ?

* JESUS: Denied himself to help others .............DO YOU ?

* JESUS: Came to "Serve" and "Give" ............... DO YOU ?

* JESUS: Had Compassion, was caring and helpful ............. ARE YOU ?

* JESUS: Visited the sick, prisons, the poor, down and out ........ DO YOU ?

* JESUS: Was a man of prayer ............ ARE YOU ?

* JESUS: Was a "doer" of the Father's Word .............. ARE YOU ?

Is This The Jesus You Are Following, Or Are His Ways Strange To You ?

( D) What were Jesus' thoughts on these subjects:

* FORGIVNESS: You must forgive to be forgiven, .............. YOUR THOUGHTS ?

* ADULTRY: If you look and lust, you have committed, ..........YOUR THOUGHTS ?

* MARRIAGE: What he joins together, let no man put asunder ........ YOUR THOUGHTS ?

* DIVORCE: Nothing except death or fornication .............. YOUR THOUGHTS ?

* TITHING AND GIVING: Tithe is Lord's, Give and shall be given. ..YOUR THOUGHTS

* FAITHFULNESS: Be faithful to the end, receive crown of life,...... HOW FAITHFUL ?

Do "Others" Call You A Christian, Or Is That A Title You Gave Yourself ?

* Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. ( Disciple: A learner, follower)

(E) It was OTHERS who called then Christian ! (Christ Like !)

( 6 ) WHAT JESUS ARE YOU SERVING AND BASING THE HOPE OF YOUR SALVATION

(A) There is a Jesus that still Saves, Sanctifies, fills with the Holy Ghost, Delivers, Heals, and changes peoples lives.

* Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Please don't come to the end of life and stand before a Jesus that will not know you.

EXAMINE YOURSELF TODAY !

 

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