BE FAITHFUL TO THE END

BLUE CROSS SUNDAY

Isaiah 2:2-5; 1 Peter 5:8; John 12:27-36

Introduction

He started shivering, twisting his head, scratching his body, and acting weird to my amazement whiles he falls from the chair. Maxwell gave me a tough time because for a moment I thought he had an epileptic attack and may even convulse to death. I later figured out it was what the local people referred to as "turkey". A young graduate with a promising future is now addicted to hard drugs. Who can save him?

I sat back in my chair, lost in thought asking myself, can Maxwell have his life back on track? The Spirit of God said to me, lead him to Christ and see what will happen.

I have come to love evangelistic slogans like: "All soul counts", "Save one lost soul", "Jesus cares more about you", "One more soul for Christ" etc. Today, our focus for the week is 'Leading all people to Him'.

Christ Receives All

We have taken time to teach on Jesus Christ, the Light of the world this year. He is the illumination of God's light to the world. Christ shines on the path of all sinners and lovingly welcomes all to His saving arms. 

Jesus Christ has made it known to us His purpose of incarnation saying, "For this purpose I have come to this hour. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:27,32). "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).

Jesus is drawing all manner of persons to His Kingdom and it is our responsibility to lead them to Him. Isaiah tells us that, the people of God shall call saying, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3) We need to have compassion for the lost in order to lead them to Christ (Mat. 14:14; 15:32).

We (Christians) are mostly quick to condemn sinners instead of compassion. People like Maxwell may wish to come into the light of Christ, but we always nib them in the bud when they come close. Circumstances have placed many people in the clutches of the devil but our task is to snatch them because "The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going." (John 12:35). 

Remember Jesus' parable on the wedding feast, in Matthew 22:1ff, He compared the invitation to the Kingdom of God. When those who were officially invited to a wedding banquet of the kings's son turned down the invite, the servant were told, "Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests." (Matthew 22:9-10) The drug addicts, drunkards, prostitutes, etc are those found on our streets today. Like the servants, we have been sent to lead all of them - "both bad and good" to the banquet.

Drugs intoxicate their victims making them want more and more taking them out of their consciousness. The devil controls them to cause all sought social vices - armed robbery, rape, murder, etc. The wiseman says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1) Jesus is telling us that they do not know what they are doing because they are in the darkness. Beloved, build compassion and not condemnation. Jesus said it is the sick who need healing and not the strong.

Let us be guided by Jesus' counsel, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you." (John 12:35). Maxwell was nurtured in PCG from Children's Service through Junior Youth (JY) to Young People's Guild (YPG), very active in youth evangelism but fell into bad company in Senior High School. When someone offers you alcohol, this fellow is only saying you are perishing do not accept, "Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress" (Proverbs 31:6). 

Beloved, "Walk while you have light, lest darkness overtake you". Peter also added that "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8). As we lead people to God, let us be on guard lest we fall with them.

Conclusion

As we celebrate the Blue Cross Sunday, I pray that as Christians, we would extend a leading hand of God to those who are imprisoned by drugs because all souls count before God. 

We are also counseled to be alert and sober lest darkness overtakes us. 

May God save these souls as we lead all people to Christ.

Shalom aleichem...

THE STORY BEHIND THE BLUE CROSS.

Some time in the 14TH Century, which also corresponded with the period of the Reformation, people started talking about Temperance. 

The idea behind this was to encourage people to either completely abstain from alcohol use or take alcohol in moderation. 

This practice continued with the missionaries who brought the message of the Gospel to our nation, who also continued with the message of temperance. 

In the mid twenties, it is said that some of the missionaries, advocated Temperance as part of the Church’s message. 

Somewhere along the line, the name Blue Cross was adopted. 

The use of the sky blue in a circle, with the white cross in the middle, is very symbolic. 

The sky blue denotes the serene, beautiful and graceful nature of Christ. 

The cross symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus for all humanity. 

However, the Blue Cross concept, unlike the Temperance Society idea, is for total abstinence. And the focus to reach not only those in the web of alcohol but those on other hard drugs. 

The idea of moderation is alien to the Bible concept. 

The Bible warns us that strong drink and beer should be given to those who are ready to perish. 

The Christian message is for total, but not, partial redemption. 

May the celebration of the Blue Cross Sunday this year, help us to warn all men to run to Christ for his redemption.

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