How many are numbered with us today? Acts 1: 17 says that Judas Iscariot was numbered with the other eleven apostles. He obtained a part of the ministry of Jesus Christ and the other eleven.He went to the Temple or Synagogue every Sabbath. He was very faithful to the ministry. He was even the Treasurer.
How many people do we have in our churches today that attend regularly and never miss a service. Some people have the misguided idea that it is going to get them to Heaven because of all the good deeds and works they do. Some teach Sunday School, are Church Treasurers like Judas, Deacons, Music Directors and some are even Pastors. Now, laying all that aside, the question is do they know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior with their sins under the blood of Jesus Christ.
This is what Jesus says about this kind of life and what it takes for the True Way into the Kingdom. Matthew 7:21-23 says (and this is Jesus speaking), "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord', have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?' And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!' What will he say to you?
Not everyone who says what they do, but those that do, demonstrate real Christian character. Matthew 7: 20 says, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them".
Some of our good friends believe that baptism is the answer to salvation. For a truly born again believer it does demonstrate that they have died to the way of the world and have risen to a new life.
Peter says in Acts 2: 38, "Then Peter said to them, repent and let every one be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
To my friends that believe baptism is the answer to salvation and getting to Heaven; please take note! The emphasis is on "REPENT" and when that takes place, then comes forgiveness.
I knew of a person one time that felt like that everything was not just right between them and the Lord. They made the statement maybe they ought to be baptized again.
I am here to tell you that you can be baptized so many times until every minnow, frog and tadpole in the stream knows you by your first name and if you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you will be just like Judas Iscariot. He was numbered with the ministry. Let me tell you what happened to him. Acts 1: 18 says (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and his bowels gushed out.) Apparently Judas chose to hang himself.
My friends, he was numbered with the other apostles but he was not a part of them. He split Hell wide open.
Where do you stand today? Are you depending on good works, baptism , being a good neighbor, honesty, being a good family person and attending church regularly to get you to Heaven? That is not going to count when you face the Judgement.
Just remember you are one heart beat away from eternity. Where will you spend it? Are you numbered with them or are you numbered with Jesus Christ.
