AM I A “Closet-Christian”? (Matthew 25:14-30)
A. Do I display medals, trophies, and awards in my home but “hide” Christian literature for fear of offending my “friends”?
B. Do I defend, (in my conversations), politicians, sports figures, and many “good” people, but never defend Jesus, His word, or His church before the community?
C. Do I believe the Bible, (sort of), but can’t tell anyone much about it or what it says?
D. Do I miss the assembly, because Sunday is…
1. The only day I can do yard work
2. The only day I get to sleep in
3. The day that I have company and I don’t want to offend my guests NOTE: Isn’t it strange if I’m NOT afraid to offend Jesus by forsaking His assembly, yet I AM afraid to ask my company to come with me, or if they refuse, to ask them to fix their own breakfast?
E. Do I spend hundreds of dollars for a hobby, or pastime, but feel burdened if asked to give more than $10 to the Lord?
F. Do I tell vulgar jokes, but feel embarrassed when the conversation turns to God, or Jesus, or the Bible?
G. Do I nod at the preacher, all the while wondering when he will shut-up so I can go home and do something I enjoy?
H. Do I agree that more evangelism needs to be done, but then I won’t even invite my friends to worship services? (Much less, study with them?)
I. Do I belong to community groups, committees, clubs, etc. but not one other Member has ever heard me talk about salvation, or the Lord’s church?
A. I must repent, confessing my sins to God
1. (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (Acts 8:22) “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee”
B. Hold forth God’s word in my life (Philippians 2:12-16)
C. Obey God, and be a good example (Matthew 5:14-16)
D. Speak the things I believe (2 Corinthians 4:13) “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak”
A. If I am ashamed of Jesus, He will be ashamed of me (Mark 8:38) “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels”
B. If I KEEP my life, I will lose it (Matthew 10:32-39)
A. “Closet-Christians” are NOT faithful to Christ
B. To be saved I MUST not “hide” the savior
C. If I fail to let the “light” of God’s word permeate my life, (my speech, dress, actions, etc.), Jesus will be ashamed of me on the judgment day.