Our Blog

Filter By:
Showing items filed under “Bryan Gotcher”

Spare Change - June 2022

main image

What is the scariest passage of scripture in the Bible?  R.C. Sproul said it is Matthew 7:21-23 in a sermon called "Build on the Rock".  Read this passage and see if you agree.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

This passage tells us that not everyone that claims to know Jesus is a believer.  This is certainly a scary passage.  Just claiming allegiance to Jesus is not enough.  Just knowing His name and who He is not enough.  Even doing works in the name of Jesus is not enough.  This strikes deep at the concept of assurance.  It begs the question, “How do I know that I am saved?”

Jesus is addressing false Christians in Matthew 7:15-27.  From this text we can learn what a true believer is and what it is not.  From this passage we can ask ourselves four
questions and know for certain if we are saved.

1. Is my faith rooted in the gospel?
The implication in this passage is that false Christians are not rooted in the true gospel.  They know some things about Christianity and even do things that make them look like Christians; however, in this passage they are called workers of lawlessness which means they never really believed in the true gospel.  If you believe in Jesus like it says in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:9-10,13 then you have nothing to fear.

2. Do I bear good fruit?
In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus says that you will recognize the false prophets by their fruit. They may look like all the other believers at first but if the product of their faith is rotten fruit, then you can know for sure they are not true believers.  Those of us that are true believers, while not perfect, will reflect the good fruits of the faith like evangelism, discipleship, obedience to Christ, spiritual disciplines, walking in the spirit, etc.

3. Is my life built on the Word of God?
In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus shows us another way to know if we are a true believer.  True believers will hear God’s Word and build their life on it.  This means they learn it and apply it to their lives.  It becomes their foundation for living.  When we do this, we can face any storm or trial of life and survive.  False believers will not be able to stand when hardships come because their life was not truly built on God’s Word.  

4. Does Jesus know me?
Finally, in Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus keys in on something very important.  He says the defining factor of a true believer is not whether we claim to know Jesus, rather it is whether Jesus knows us.  The gospel draws us into a relationship with Jesus.  Yes, He is our Lord, but the relationship goes even deeper.  He is our everything!  It truly is a relationship built on the gospel.  The outworking of that relationship is love.  Jesus loves us and we love Him. This love is displayed in how we learn, obey, and follow Him.  If we truly have a relationship with Him then He knows us and we have no need to fear.

Matthew 7:21-23 can be the scariest passage in the Bible, it serves as a warning for all those that call themselves believers.  Those of us that have trusted in the gospel of Jesus for salvation have nothing to fear. Keep following Jesus and doing the things He has commanded us to do.  For those that might be thinking, “I might be a false believer”, it is not too late. Turn to Jesus today for salvation.  Cry out to Him, He will hear you, and save you today.  Then this passage will not be so scary but rather a constant reminder of the grace and mercy of God.

Posted by Bryan Gotcher with

Spare Change - May 2022

main image

It is my belief that we are severely under encouraged.  Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”  This is a sad reality when we look for a piece of encouragement to keep us going.  We should have much more encouragement in our lives, especially from Christians.  We have been told in the Bible to encourage each other.  Here are just a couple of examples:

-
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thess. 5:11
- Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29
- Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

The Lord knows how important it is for us to continually encourage one another.  We can become downtrodden very easily.  We feel defeated in our lives because of circumstances that we cause and ones that are out of our control.  We also find ourselves hurting others.  All of this contributes to a lack of encouragement, which is why the Bible speaks to this subject.

The answer seems simple enough, be more encouraging; however, encouragement is something we all want but none of us seem willing to dole it out freely.  It is odd because the cure to this problem lies with us being willing to start the cycle, but it seems no one wants to go first.  We don’t want to encourage because no one encourages us, so we wait for something that will never come.  Instead of waiting, why don’t we go first?  Make a pact with yourself to look for opportunities to build up those around you.  Start with one person, someone you are close to and start to encourage them.  Just give it a test run and see how it goes.  I bet it will help them and make you feel amazing as well.

Since it seems most of us are not very good at encouragement here are a few tips to get you going:

1. You must try to be observant.  You have to keep your eyes open and observe those around you.  Don’t just notice them, rather study them.  What do they like, dislike, what makes them tick, etc.  Use that information to find specific ways to encourage.
2. Don’t confuse flattery with encouragement.  Flattery is easy and cheap.  Don’t look for something trite or surface level, look deeper inside and share a word that will really mean something to the person you are trying to encourage.
3. Don’t make stuff up.  We are not trying just to make someone feel better.  If you just make stuff up they will see right through it.  Look to be truthful with your encouragement.
4. Encouragement can be challenging.  Sometimes the thing someone needs is not a pat on the back but rather a loving rebuke.  Some of the most encouraging people have challenged me and have helped me to grow.  Don’t shy away from saying something because it is difficult to say.  This kind of encouragement comes best in a strong relationship.  It is not a good idea to walk up to someone you barely know and challenge them.
5. Encouragement comes in many different forms.  Most of what we have been talking about so far has been encouragement with words.  Words are great, talking to someone is always a good way but notes are even better.  In a note you can speak more deeply and directly without the awkwardness.  I love encouraging notes, in fact I save them in a file folder in my office just to look at occasionally.  Another way is a small gift.  It could be buying someone their favorite candy.  It is the fact that you thought of them that is encouraging.  You can also find ways to serve someone, just by doing something nice and helpful you will encourage them.

Encouragement is easy and for the most part it is free.  You simply have to commit yourself to be an encouraging person.  I know that I don’t do enough of this.  I am not by nature a thoughtful person; however, I have observed very thoughtful people that are in my life and have sought to emulate them.  It just takes a little extra time and concern for another person.  Come on!  We can do it! Let’s commit ourselves to encourage those around us. 

Posted by Bryan Gotcher with

12...78910111213141516 ... 5556