Here on the first day of the year, let’s take a look at the power of one. The Gospel is so simple. Not a lot of rules and regulations. If you have any to add, I’d like to see them. God’s word is the most powerful tool we have as Christians because we are promised of the power of His word.
One thing wrong with our world: sin.
#1 reason prayers don’t get answered: prayers don’t get prayed.
Notice it doesn’t say men — it says a man — that is singular — one person! You can pray and God says “it does a lot.” (paraphrase mine)
One reason God’s people don’t humble themselves and pray – because God’s individuals don’t humble themselves and pray.
Notice here, if you are a Christian you are called by His name! Wow! Remember that a people is made up of individuals. We are waiting for everyone else to humble themselves. It starts with you and me, buddy! One person! Who will be the first?
1 death: the only death for us Christians who have had two births — spiritual and physical.
1 birth: the sad reality for those who have not accepted Jesus — they will have two deaths — spiritual and physical.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[a] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelations 21:8
1 sacrifice to forgive me of my sins: Jesus Christ.
1 Answer for everything: Jesus Christ.
1 Charge to the Church – The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.[b]
1 stupid move — All it takes to lose at checkers or betray Jesus
Peter – betrayed Jesus and was reconciled Mark 14: 71-73
Judas – betrayed Jesus and did not accept forgiveness Matthew 27:2-4
1 person – The minimum number of people Jesus would have died to save– one sheep.
1 moment – The speed at which Jesus’ return will become a reality.
1 judge of our lives: Jesus Christ
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and[a] sin no more.” John 8:11
Remember, this is not an excuse to let everyone else go their way, but rather an excuse not to sit in judgment of our brother and sister. I like the saying — love the person, hate the sin. We all sit one moment away from sinning and one moment away from sainthood for that matter. God can take us home in a flash. We can fall to temptation in a flash. Only through Jesus Christ do I or you have any hope at all! One hope! Jesus Christ!
1 person at a time: how we will be judged
1 way to take away your sin: Jesus Christ
The wicked 1, our 1 enemy – Satan
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 1 John 5:8-9
1 dollar – How many dollars of every 10 belong to God.
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10
I have heard some Christians say that the New Restament exempts us from tithing. In my opinion this is not correct, see Luke 11:42 .
1 person – the number of people you can lead astray for which you will be held accountable.
See yesterday’s post about testing the spirits.
1 Question: All it took to silence His critics
29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” Mark 11:28-30
1 Accord: how we are to pray with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As a side note, this is why I feel that we as Christians need to unite ourselves in one voice using all of the tools at our disposal — including the Internet, blogs, e-mail, everything. God answers prayer! Are we praying prayers?
Lord, I pray that we will pray in one accord as we unite to spread the gospel around the world. May our prayers be a sweet aroma to your ears and forgive us when we do not honor you. We love you. Amen.
1 prayer – All it takes to be heard in heaven.
Remember that for a non Christian, the only prayer that can be heard is to ask Jesus to forgive you. Then the flood gates open up and He begins to work and hear your prayers. He could choose to listen to other prayers of yours, but you are not guaranteed to be heard unless you are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. (Perhaps we’ll study this on another day.) Is today the day Jesus is calling you?
1 God: Yahweh!; 1 Lord Jesus Christ
1 God & 1 Mediator
1 Way to God: Jesus Christ
1 life – All I have to give for Jesus.
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4
The Holy One of God: Jesus Christ
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Luke 4:33-35
The One: Jesus Christ & the Lord our God & the Holy Spirit — the One in Three!
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Mark 12:29
I do not understand it but I believe it!
We spend too much time waiting for another one to be the one to stand up for the One who made one sacrifice and has the One name above all names. We don’t want to be the one to call attention to ourselves because we might become the one who is made fun of by everyone! Will this year be the one when you serve the One who would have died for you if you were the only one on earth?
On this first day of the New Year — will you give this One year to the One: Jesus Christ?
Prayer Focus for Today!
I feel led on the first day of the year to again pray for the Tuareg. This is the unreached people group of our church. Today in a handout in church, they gave all churches a way to adopt an unreached people group. If your church is a Southern Baptist church and would like to adopt an unreached people you can contact hrice@imb.org or call (800) 999-3133, ext. 1427. If your church isn’t Southern Baptist, you can still go to the website and pray but I beg you to stay and pray here with me!
I was touched by an article in the On Mission with God flyer I received at church today. The focus for 2006 is West Africa. Here is an excerpt of what missionaries face there:
Their faith offered the women no certain salvation. Then, as Tammy shared from her Bible about her assurance of eternal life, the women sat open-mouthed. One woman leaned toward Tammy and said: “Please take me with you.”
West Africa includes millions such as these women — people who long to know God’s loving assurance but have never heard the truth….
During 2006, the IMB is focusing Southern Baptists’ attention on West Africa. Board leaders are looking for individuals who will go to West Africa, groups who will pray for the unreached and churches that will commit to reaching a people group with the gospel.”
Let us pray!
Lord, we are humbled by your Word. We are humbled by the simplicity of Your plan and that you would have died for me if I was the only one on this earth. In fact, I am charged to make my salvation sure and I am thankful that you have given me the peace in my heart to know for sure that Jesus has saved me from death.
I pray for those who are reading this and hungering for the truth. I pray that they will begin to speak to you. I pray that they will acknowledge their sins and ask for your forgiveness. I pray that they will accept that Jesus Christ is the son of God and accept His perfect gift of dying on the cross for themselves. This is a great mystery and I praise you! Lord, I praise you for what you are going to do in West Africa in 2006.
I pray for the Tuareg nobleman’s son who has come to you and given up his status among the Tuareg, make him strong and let him hold fast tonight as he hits many trials and the loneliness of giving up his family and tribe. I pray that you will aid translation of the the Bible into a form the Tuareg can understand. Lord, please help them.
Lord, I humbly ask that you help me to never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I ask you to empower all of us who have agreed together to pray in one accord. Please encourage us and show the world how you answer prayer. I ask you to forgive me where I fail you. I submit to your will and ask that you do with me what You will. I ask you to bless my church as we search for a pastor. I praise your Holy name for your goodness and your majesty and your perfection. Do your work in me. Bless all of those who read these words today and plant your word deep in their hearts. Bless them and keep them today and reveal yourself in a special way to them today. Keep us in your word. In Jesus Holy, Wonderful, Beautiful Name. Amen.