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- Apr 25, 2006
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Family Likeness
'Hallowed be your name' Matthew 6:9
You might call yourself a Christian; but do those who know you best agree? You say you're a Christian but would strangers notice? Can people tell by the way you talk, act, and behave that you are following Jesus?
Acts 11:26 tells us, 'It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians' (TM). That new church at Antioch was a curious mixture of people, the one thing that they all had in common was not race, culture or language, it was Jesus. They must have made it so obvious, or why else would people call them Christians ('Christ-ones')?
What about you? Do you make it obvious? When we pray the Lord's Prayer we say, 'Hallowed be your name.' We're saying, "God I believe you are the best there is and all I want to do is make you look good."
Words mean nothing unless they are backed up with actions though. Ever had those embarrassing family resemblance conversations: 'Ooh... you've got your Auntie Ethel's hairy ears and your Uncle Albert's big bellowing laugh!'
They're not really conversations; more like embarrassing accusations that you can do nothing about.
2 Corinthians 5:17 and 20 say, 'If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ... God has given us the task of telling everyone what He is doing. We're Christ's representatives.' Can everyone see the family likeness in you? Do they know you're God's child?
written by Bob Gass
'Hallowed be your name' Matthew 6:9
You might call yourself a Christian; but do those who know you best agree? You say you're a Christian but would strangers notice? Can people tell by the way you talk, act, and behave that you are following Jesus?
Acts 11:26 tells us, 'It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians' (TM). That new church at Antioch was a curious mixture of people, the one thing that they all had in common was not race, culture or language, it was Jesus. They must have made it so obvious, or why else would people call them Christians ('Christ-ones')?
What about you? Do you make it obvious? When we pray the Lord's Prayer we say, 'Hallowed be your name.' We're saying, "God I believe you are the best there is and all I want to do is make you look good."
Words mean nothing unless they are backed up with actions though. Ever had those embarrassing family resemblance conversations: 'Ooh... you've got your Auntie Ethel's hairy ears and your Uncle Albert's big bellowing laugh!'
They're not really conversations; more like embarrassing accusations that you can do nothing about.
2 Corinthians 5:17 and 20 say, 'If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ... God has given us the task of telling everyone what He is doing. We're Christ's representatives.' Can everyone see the family likeness in you? Do they know you're God's child?
written by Bob Gass
