Sermon in The Park

 (Today's service was in the pavilion at Tipton City Park)

The past several weeks we have looked at some of the lesser-known heroes of the Bible.  Today's hero is mentioned, though briefly, in all four gospels.

There are three categories of Christians.

Have you ever tried to be something you are not?

First category: Counterfeit Christians.  There are too many fake Christians.

Second category:  Closet Christians.  Today we see a closet Christian in the Bible.  This was Joseph of Arimithea.  This Joseph was a secret disciple.  He was a prominent leader among the people.  He came to be a believer in Jesus, but he feared the religious leaders.

Being a good person does not mean one has a relationship with Christ.

Joseph, the closet follower of Jesus, was changed when he saw Christ crucified.  He now became a member of the

Third category:  Bold Christians.

Though Jesus was crucified as a criminal, Joseph recognized that he should be honored with a proper burial.  He went to the authorities, claimed the body, and boldly prepared it for burial and entombed it in honor.

Joseph went bold as a believer.  That is what the world needs.

Being a closet Christian is dangerous.  People need to see the bold believer.

How many times have you missed an opportunity to be bold for Jesus?

If you live boldly for Jesus it will radically change not only your life, but the lives of those around you!

People are seeking hope.  We cannot serve our God out of fear.

Romans 3:23   Bad news, good news.
²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:8  
⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23  
²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:8 

 ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

"God knows you are a sinner but He sent His Son anyway!"

What is keeping you from being "all in" for God?

(Following the message, eight people were baptized, thus "going bold" for Jesus!) 

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday noon