SundaySermon
Becoming A Real Believer
by Ptr. Gerry Gregoire
A Christmas Message
Scriptural Reference: 2 Corinthians 6:17; 7:1
Listen to Audio Sermon

After much soul searching and consideration and after consulting with Pastors, I have known for years, they all agree that I must be honest with all church people and not hold anything back. I need to declare this day to all present, that after sitting down with my wife and discussing with her, and she also agreed that I had to make this announcement. There may be some who will consider leaving church and some may pray harder and think, is this really true? Some may even understand and agree with this decision and if necessary at this time for the good of all to make the following announcement, as hard as it is to say this, I feel it is necessary at this time for the good of all to make the following announcement. Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters, my wife and I after 37 years of marriage are separating ourselves from the world and becoming real believers. (2 Corinthians 6:17; 7:1)

Catalina and I are real believers and I feel that this is the gift that we must give Jesus this year. By giving this type of gift of becoming a real believer, will really benefit us in the long run.

- As real believers we are people who fulfill our obligations to the Lord and not just lip service.

- As real believers we become people who are not afraid to move out of our comfort zone.

- Real believers will remain steadfast and willing to hold their ground.

- A real believer is someone who God can trust and God will reveal things to them because they put Him first in all things.

Genesis 15:6 Abram believed in God and not only in the promise. (Amplified) and He (Abram) believed (Trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to Him as righteousness.

Abram as a real believer had an intimate relationship with God. Into me see, into Him see.

So our Christmas gift to Jesus is becoming real believers.

I have made an acronym for the words R-E-A-L B-E-L-I-E-V-E-R which tells us how to become that Christmas Gift of being a real believer.

R - Is someone who RECOGNIZES who God is (John 3:10-12). "Jesus replied, are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things? I assure, most solemnly I tell you, we speak only of what we know (we know absolutely what we are talking about); we have actually seen what we are testifying to (we were eyewitnesses of it) and still you do not receive our testimony (you reject and refuse our evidence - that of myself and all those who are born of the Spirit. If I have told you of things that happen right here on the earth and yet none of you believes me, how can you believe me if I tell you of heavenly things.

E - Is someone who EVANGELIZES that truth about God? (Mark 16:15) "And He said to them, go into all the world and preach and publish openly the Good News (The Gospel) to every creature of the whole human race."

A - Is someone who ASSURES others about the truth of God (John 3:16)

L - Is someone who LIVES A LIFE worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12) "To live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness (into which real believers will enter after the Christ's return)

 

B - Is someone who BELIEVES. Mark 9:23 "and Jesus said, (You may say to me) If you can do anything? (Why), all things can be (are possible to Him who believes!)

E - Is someone who ENDURES to the end. Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men, but He that endureth to the end shall be saved.

L - Is someone is a LOVER of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 This know also, that in the last days, perilous times will come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontent, fierce despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."

I - Is someone who is INVOLVED in the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and as much the more as we see the day approaching." Do you volunteer, become involved in Prayer and Bible Study? How involved are you in this church?

E - Is someone who is ENERGIZED. Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive the power after that the Holy Ghost and come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and into the uttermost part of the earth." The Holy Spirit makes the difference in all that we do as Christians.

V - Is someone who is VICTORIOUS. 1 Corinthians 15:57 & 1 John 5:4 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." We can have victory in all things because of Jesus giving us the victory. 1 John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcometh the world, even our faith." or real belief does overcome anything that can and will come against you in this world.

E - Is someone who is an EDIFIER. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of Spiritual Gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." Speak edification, never put down your church. Don't be someone who tears the church down. You may be the only one at Bible Study, but you were blessed. Maybe the message brought home something in your life that needed to be cleaned up. Instead of saying that was a lousy sermon, thank God for chastising you.

R - Is someone who REJOICES CONTINUALLY. Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, (gladden yourself in Him) again I say rejoice." You don't go around looking like you have been sucking lemons all day. You should look like you are enjoying your life here on earth.

Conclusion:

So let's give Jesus the gift of becoming real believers. Brain and heart surgeons may be able with the right operations give someone a few extra years of life here on earth. But in the other hand, you as a believer can give many eternal life with the Lord.

That manger thing was just the beginning. Jesus grew up, died on the cross and resurrected from the dead for you. The least we can do is become real believers. All the promises in the Old and New Testament belong to believers.