Salvations Silver: Red Letters - Pastor Josiah Elias

“Yeshua, Yeshua, Yeshua,” we sang as we worshiped. “Adonai, Elohim, Rapha, Nissi, Shaddai”  the names of the Lord rang out as well. Then Josh Munoz read to us from 1 Peters 2:9-10

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him 

who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once 

you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once

you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 

(NIV)

He reminded us that we are a chosen people, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. God called us out of darkness into the light. “The Lord wants you free, restored,” declared Josh. He wants you free and restored more than we do. Josh continued,”Will you still seek me, pursue me even if it is not easy?”

We say, “Yes” as a house. “Work in our lives. Where else would we go?”

Then Pastor Josiah reminded us that our mission is to culture like Christ, and our vision is Jesus. The last time he spoke, he described healthy shepherds and what to look for in a shepherd. This week in Luke we learned that Jesus was going towards Jerusalem. He sent  seventy-two people He had chosen to go ahead of Him to places He planned to visit. 

Luke 10:1 They were preparing the way for the Lord to share about salvation. As Jesus pressed toward Jerusalem, He taught wherever He went. When we are at home or out, wherever we are going, we are teaching about who the Lord is in our lives whether we speak verbally or through our actions. We are sowing seeds to the bank teller, the barista, the grocery clerk, the coach of our kids or grandkids, or the waitress or waiter. Are the seeds you sow ones of hope and love or worry and disaster?

Also Pastor Josiah emphasized that he desired that we encounter God, of course, as we corporately gather, but out of 168 hours a week, if you only come two hours on Sundays or two on Wednesdays or two in your Synergy group, you are only corporately meeting less than ten hours a week. He encouraged us to encounter the Lord at home, all week long, 24/7. A devotional lifestyle is devoted to encountering and interacting with the Lord daily. Consistently and powerfully “engaging with the Lord is a sign of maturity,” Pastor Josiah stated. Making the Lord the priority in your heart and life is the key.

Returning to Luke 13:23

“Someone asked him,’Lord, will only a few be saved?’

He replied, ’Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s 

kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.’” (NLT)

The Paramount Point is The narrow door is narrow because it’s only found in Christ. 

For example, Jesus stated in John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (NKJV) In John 14:6 Jesus said to him, ’I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (NKJV) Jesus’ statements are very clear and specific. Only Jesus is the way to the Father.

Further, Paul in Romans 1:20 stated that in nature God is evident.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth

and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his

invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they 

have no excuse for not knowing God.” (NLT)

David said it centuries before in Psalm 19:1 “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.”  (NLT) In other words people have no excuse not to follow the Lord because even the heavens declare the glory of God.

People need to make a decision to follow Jesus before it is too late. Luke 13 was a warning to not delay. “When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late.”  Luke 13:25 (NLT) Once the door is shut, the time is up. 

Therefore, our prodigals and unsaved loved ones need to respond soon. Because when each one does accept Jesus as her/his Savior, each will be “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)  As a new creation of God, you do not have to be stuck in your old life. You do not need to be identified by your past. You are a new creation with a new identity, child of the King. Because you are a new creation, there “is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus….” Romans 8:1 (NKJV) Satan loves to condemn us, but the Spirit convicts us to turn to the Lord.

Do not keep one foot in the world and one foot in the Word. Do not try to straddle both places. The Lord dislikes lukewarm believers, for in Revelation the Lord said that He would spit the lukewarm out. The Lord continued to warn people. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Matthew 7:13 (NLT) 

Thus, we need to know who you are.  Pastor Josiah warned, “Look into His Word. Dig into the Word. We need more of His Word.” Those who were only acquaintances of Jesus were not His sheep. They did not know His voice. He did not call them by name. Also, the Word tells of those who said they ate and drank with Him. He replied, ”I tell you. I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.” Luke 13:27 (NLT) Even further in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (NLT)

The devil knows how to manipulate us. He is like a prowling lion ready to pounce on us. He will do all he can to create an offense. You may be offended when you are told that immoral behavior is wrong; that being drunk on alcohol is wrong; that eating from the tree is not really forbidden like how the serpent persuaded Eve. The devil wants to create a barrier between the Lord and you. Don’t let the enemy rob you.

Where are you relationally with the Lord?  In Matthew 7:22-23 

“On judgment day many will say to me, ’Lord! Lord! We prophesied

in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed

many miracles in your name.’

But I will reply ,’I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break

God’s laws.’”  (NLT)

Christ has sent an example for us to follow, and His standard will last forever. His standard is different than our standards. He is perfect, the Almighty Creator, and we are His creations.

The Lord looks at what man can’t easily see. He looks at our hearts, our motivations, our desires. Have we accepted the Lord and live the lifestyle that is consistent with His love, humility, justice, and holiness? Are our proclamations and demonstrations of our Lord consistent?

Salvation’s sliver is only through Christ alone. Now is the time to seek the Lord while we can. “Call on him now while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)

May we follow His example and reflect His light in this dark world.

Calendar:

9/12/25-LB potluck, worship and Meet to Swap with proceeds shared between the FC Young Adults and the FC Youth. Let’s share our good cooking and clean out our spaces of what we do not need.

Blessings,

Larry and Annette