Grow on Your Journey

April 28, 2014
Opening Hymns:
341 I Sought the Lord http://hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh341.sht

Scripture Reading:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
2:14a: But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

2:36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."

2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2:39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him."

2:40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

2:41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Message:
Imagine, 3,000 people being baptized in one day! 3,000 people being forgiven and being saved! As I ponder this amazing number, I also wonder how many people continued on their faith journey. How many of the 3,000 dedicated their lives to serving our Lord?

As we go through our lives things can come and go. We can become interested and dedicated to something, and the next year find interest in something else. My interests seem to fluctuate a lot. One year I’ll be striving to be better at chess, and the next year I’ll focus on learning Spanish. Our favorite TV shows, games, and activities can change. However, one thing that I don’t want to lose is my dedication to following Christ.

Our walk with Christ will and should change. We should learn and grow ever closer to Him. One thing that I fear for the 3,000 who were baptized is: will they grow in their walk with Christ, or will they let their interests change? Every Sunday new babies are being baptized. My hope for them is that they will continually know the love and forgiveness of Christ throughout life’s journey.

Time of Prayer
Lord, Help new Christians hold fast to Your love. Please let our dedication to You be something that grows stronger, and not something that fades away. Give us the strength to teach others about Your love, and remind fellow Christians of Your everlasting forgiveness. Thank You for giving us all that we have and all that we are. Let us use who we are to make the world a more beautiful place. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

301 Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross http://hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh301.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God