Christian

The #1 Way to Put on God’s Armor and Be Ready for Today’s Battle

November 2, 2011 by Edwin Crozier 2 Comments

We are at war. We may not be able to see the advance of infantry, armory, and cavalry; but we can see the advance of heathenism, hedonism, and individualism. We may not be able to see bombed and burning buildings; but we can see broken and battered homes. We may not be able to see prisoners of war caught in torture camps; but we can see sheep without a shepherd, distressed and downcast, caught in cults, false teaching churches, and dead-end philosophies. We may not see the injured, crippled, and maimed lying in hospitals; but we can see the walking wounded, lying down spiritually because they have no strength to go on. We are at war. And as such, we must learn how to suit up for battle.

11 Ways to be an Unremarkably Average Christian

July 20, 2008 by Edwin Crozier 5 Comments

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings, he will not stand before unknown men.” That’s all well and good, but the more I think about it, the more I recognize that excellence is overrated. I mean, only a minority ever excel. If everyone started doing it, it wouldn’t be excelling any more, would it? The fact is, most folks never get beyond average. That is why we call it average, because most folks are doing it. With that in mind, I have developed a very simple plan to attain average.

I share with you 11 ways to be an unremarkably average Christian.

Equate Christianity with “going to church.”
Only do what the preacher proves you absolutely have to do.
Fit spirituality in around everything else.
Overextend yourself financially.
If someone strikes you, hit him back.
Never confess to your brothers and sisters.
Only forgive others if they have earned it and never say you’re sorry.
Never change your opinion on anything.
Never talk to others about spiritual things.
Don’t get out of the boat.
Never worry about being average, no one will ever question you about it.

To learn more or to download the audio of the expanded lesson, go here and here.

Nods to Chris Guillebeau for inspiring this idea.

ELC

A 10 Question Test To See if Your Light Is Shining

July 13, 2008 by Edwin Crozier 1 Comment

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

We’ve sung the song since we were kids, but are we living it? God wants our lights to shine (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16). He expects us to be the twinkling stars that dance in the vast expanse of the inky black darkness. As sailors once charted their course to safe harbor by using the stars as beacons in the dark nights, we need to live in such a way that others can chart their course to heaven’s harbor by following our light.

We are beacons when we reflect the light of Jesus to the world by walking in Christ’s word so others can follow us to heaven.

However, we sometimes need help on a daily basis trying to figure out if our light is shining with our given choices. I want to share with you a series of questions you can ask to help you determine if you are a beacon.

Am I doing this in the name of the Lord? A question of Authority (cf. Colossians 3:17)

Am I surrendering to God? A question of Lordship (cf. Galatians 2:20)

Am I glorifying God? A question of Goals (cf. Matthew 5:16)

Am I sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? A question of Guidance (cf. Galatians 5:16-25)

Am I providing for the lusts of the flesh? A question of Honesty (cf. Romans 13:14)

Am I professing godliness? A question of Honor (cf. I Timothy 4:7-8)

Am I set apart for holiness? A question of Usefulness (cf. I Thessalonians 4:1-8)

Am I hungering for righteousness? A question of Passion (cf. Matthew 5:6)

Am I cheerful about it? A question of Attitude (cf. Philippians 2:14)

Am I standing out? A question of Commitment (cf. Romans 12:1)

Are you letting your little light shine?

ELC

For more check out the sermon.