I want to talk to Christians today. This message is for Christians only. Christians: what are you going to do on spring break? Have you thought about? Are you planning on going out drinking and are hoping to hook up with someone? Will your non-Christian friends see anything in your life that separates you from them? What are you going to do on spring break?
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise (Proverbs 20:1). Jesus said You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery: But I say to you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
This message is for Christians only. Christians: what are you going to do on spring break? Are you planning on doing anything that you wouldn’t want your parents to see or know about? Are you planning on doing anything that would embarrass you to do in front of your pastor? Are you planning on doing anything that would embarrass you to do in front of God? Remember, the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth. Nothing is hid from Him. We will give an account one day for all of our deeds, our words and our thoughts? What are you planning on doing next week?
You heard the verses earlier, alcohol is for fools. No drunkard or sexually immoral person will inherit the kingdom of God. Drunkards, thieves and sexually immoral people will not make it to Heaven. Are you deceiving yourself? Are you claiming Christ as Savior, but living for Satan? It doesn’t work that way. Do not be deceived. God tells us to be holy because He is Holy.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Christian: Are you living a holy life? Are you living a life that’s pleasing to almighty God? The Bible says we are to make sure that we are in the faith? Are you in the faith? Are you saved? Have you truly been born again?
I’m speaking to Christians today. Christian: are you truly saved? Has God transformed your life? Are you a new creature? For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yes, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:14-17).
When Jesus Christ is truly your Lord, you now desire a godly life. Are you perfect? No. But God is sanctifying you. He convicts you of your sins. You repent from those sins and you want to serve God. You want to be more Christ-like. You want a pure heart and clean hands. Does this describe you? Are you walking with God? Are you following the lead of the Holy Spirit? Are you living for God? Are you living a godly life? Will you do those things next week while you are on spring break?
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation (Psalm 24:3-5). Do you have clean hands and a pure heart today Christian? Will you still have clean hands and a pure heart after next week? Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded (James 4:8).
This message is for Christians only today. Mockers and scoffers please walk on by. Christians: are you living a holy life? Will you still be able to say that after next week? Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared to every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:19-22).
Maybe your best friend or roommate professes to be a Christian. Do they live a godly life or do they try to get you to fall for the things of this world? Love not the world, neither the things that are inf the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affections, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. Do you or your friends claim Christ, but live for the devil? Do you claim Jesus with your lips and then dishonor Him with your actions?
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscience (which means strong sexual desire), even as the Gentiles which know not God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
I’m speaking to Christians today. Christians: Will you honor God next week during Spring Break? Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Do you not know, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:13-17).
Christians, 1 Peter 1:13-19 says, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written: Be holy; for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversations received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Are you living holy today Christian? Will you live holy tomorrow? Will you live holy next week? And the week after? You were bought with a price, a very high price. You have been redeemed. You have been bought by the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 16:24-27 – Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Jesus tells you to deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him. Too many Christians today won’t even follow Him, let alone deny themselves fleshly pleasures; let alone pick up their crosses.
Will you honor our Lord and Savior? Will you truly submit your life to Him? Will you surrender your will completely to Jesus? Instead of getting drunk and chasing women next week, will you spend time alone with God? Will you pray and ask Him if you are following His will? Please have clean hands and a pure heart next week. Ask God if you on His course; on His plan for your life. Then ask Him what He would have you do. Then please be obedient to Him. Be pure, holy and obedient to the Master. There is no telling what God will do with you, there’s no telling how God can use you to help further His kingdom if you will do these things. Cleanse your hands, purify your heart and obediently serve God. Do this starting right now.
(This message was lifted up at Missouri State University on March 5, 2014)