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Short Sermon #111: I AM NOT THE CHRIST - Short easy sermons

"He (John) himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light." John 1 Verse 8 [NIV]

I think we are in some kind of problem as the body of Christ.

The problem, in my view, is that an increasing number of men and women, even teens and senior citizens are, whether by word or deed, trying to take the place of Christ.

Haven't you ever come across church denominations in which congregants seem to, or actually, worship the leader? That's idolatry! The congregants appear not to acknowledge Christ, and by their actions, neither do they seem to have anything to do with Him. All they are eager to do is please their leader, with the leader becoming an idol in God's sight.

Never worship other gods. Never worship false gods. Never worship idols. Never worship your pastor. That is what God expects each one of us never to do! 

I have earlier claimed that a Christian, because of their relationship with Christ, is actually a light. Jesus is 'the source light'. A Christian is 'a light by association'. I believe this gives the proper perspective. Just like John, we are not 'the source light' but witnesses to it.

I love John. Some people had mistaken him for Christ. I think some had wanted to make him the Christ.

What did John do when he noticed this? "He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" John 1:20 [NIV]. Glory be to God!

So, when people mistake you for Christ, when people desire to make you the Christ, when people want to deceive you into taking the place of Christ, you, like John, must not fail to confess, but should freely and boldly confess that you are not the Christ!

Failure to so confess would lead you into the devil's trap. Unfortunately, several people have fallen into the trap already, mainly because of their greediness for money, power, and fame.

Worship Christ, not people. Know your place; never allow people to worship you or to behave, even remotely, like they are offering you the place of Christ. Always point your audience to Christ, not to yourself.

You would do well if you obeyed this message.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Prayer Point for Today: That I may know and take only my proper place in the Kingdom.

I come to You, Holy Father, in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Hear me today.

I desire to worship You with a clean, selfless motive - to worship You for You. I ask for Your help in this regard.

Take away the spirit of deception, the spirit of misrepresentation, that tempts me daily to present a false image of myself before humankind.

I am not the Christ. My actions, words and aspirations must clearly and always demonstrate this position.

Father, may Your perfect will be my guide always. May Your light shine on my path everyday, to the end that I may walk Your narrow road effectively for as long as I am in this body.

Father, I believe that Your grace shall be sufficient for me to see my desires come to pass.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

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