Richard Ellis Talks

A common problem with American Christians is they are more tied to their American culture than to Christianity and spreading the Gospel. The Apostle Paul models for us the importance of not relinquishing his beliefs while adapting to different cultures and people groups.

When we are in the presence of Jesus through His Church, we cannot deny the truth that He is alive. His tomb is famous because it is empty, and it is because of His resurrection that we have the choice to become spiritually alive in Him and let Him use us to reach the world.

The Bible tells us that not only did God make us, but that He also cares for us as His children. When we come to that realization, we can no longer think too highly of ourselves nor on the flipside think of ourselves as worthless. He gives us value, and we can humbly walk as His child, sharing with others the gift of this new identity that is only found in Christ.

The Bible is filled with instruction for living our lives to avoid facing moments of wishing we could have, should have or would have done something differently. We must spend time in God’s Word, heed His instructions, and take a stand when necessary for what He tells us is the right thing to do.

It is so easy to look for answers or for things to fulfill us, but it is only being in the midst of God’s presence that our life will make more sense. We need to seek Him only, not the benefits He has to offer, and He will be with us to face any trial that may come.

It’s okay to be a new Christian for awhile, but at some point we need to step up and take responsibility for the way that we live, following the standards that the Bible sets up for us. Men must stand up as leaders in their families and in their church, and godly women need to seek this kind of godly man.

We can read in Genesis that God saw the evil in the world and destroyed the earth with a flood, leaving only eight people and the animals to rebuild. The New Testament promises that the heavens and the earth will be completely destroyed by fire when Jesus comes again, and we must respond to His free offer of salvation for our only chance to be saved.

As Christians, we are given the task of reaching others as we continue moving forward and pressing on towards the finish line. It’s okay to get tired and rest, but we must pick back up and get moving so that we don’t coast to the end.

God calls us as a Church to be in communion and relationship with one another, carrying each other’s burdens, praying for one another, and sharpening each other. The more time we spend with God, in His Word and with other believers, the more His Gospel truth will spill out of us when we’re in a situation to share this truth with non-believers.

Too many times people will get saved and go back to their old lives and their old sin, not willing to submit themselves to the upward call of Christ for the rest of their lives on earth. God has set out a finish line for us, and we must fix our eyes on Him until the end, not quitting until we reach heaven.