At Christmas at Johns Creek we’re having a group that will do sign language for the song “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.” As I was preparing for that, the ending phrase of the song is “Oh, yes, Believer. He come from the glorious kingdom.” I knew the sign for “Oh” and “yes” but I had to look up “Believer.” I couldn’t find a sign for that. I could find “believe” but not “believer.” So, I thought, well, it’s talking about a believer in Christ, so I’ll look up the sign for “Christian.” Many of the signs are compound, that is, there are two signs making up that one word. For example, Savior is the sign for “save” and “person.” The sign for “save” symbolizes being bound and set free. So, “Savior” is a person who sets you free.
When I looked up “Christian” it was a combination of the sign for “Jesus” (pointing to the center of each hand representing where the nails were on the cross) and the sign for “person.” WOW! The sign for “Christian” is “Jesus person!”
I love that! Isn’t that what we are to be? A “Jesus person”? Jesus said If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15) Also, He told us in what we refer to as the Great Commission: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
So, what did He command? Well, right there in Matthew 28, He told us to go, to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach. What about Do not worry about your life?That sounds like a command. Let your light shine before men…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Those sound like commands. Go, be reconciled to your brother (before giving your offering at the altar). Do not judge…Ask…seek…knock…do to others what you would have them do to you. All these are just a few examples from the Sermon on the Mount. All commands.
What if I told one of my daughters “Anna, go clean up your room”? I go back a couple of hours later and say “Anna, did you clean up your room”? What if she said “Dad, I memorized what you said. You said ‘Anna, go clean up your room.’ I have a study group coming over on Tuesday night to discuss the meaning of cleaning, how to clean, and what my room would look like if I cleaned it.” Has she done what I commanded?
But isn’t that what we often do in church? Now, please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying! Gathering together, studying, worshiping, fellowshipping, getting built up in the Body of Christ is vitally important. All of those are in scripture. But if all that doesn’t lead us to actually “do” what He has commanded…
James 1:22 tells us Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. In other words, don’t just read and hear, be a “Jesus person.”
Glenn Crosthwait
Worship Pastor
Johns Creek Baptist Church
3 Comments. Leave new
Glenn, very well stated. God is a verb. A Jesus Person shouldn’t be inactive. We were born to live, to live like Jesus, to do. God has offered us many commands and many opportunities for passion in order for us to find our way to act.
This is an excellent example of the sort of discipleship that we who are in the Sanctuary Choir get to hear every Wednesday night at rehearsal and every Sunday morning before the Worship service! Our rehearsals always include one of Glenn’s amazing devotions that always manage to drive home the message of the words to the songs we are rehearsing.
These devotions add a new dimension to being a choir member; at some point you realize that it’s not the chore of a midweek obligation, but instead, it is another opportunity to worship and praise God, as we receive discipleship from Glenn and the love and support of our fellow body of Believers! We end every rehearsal with the affirmation: “More than music – we’re family!” Indeed, we are part of the family of God! Please come join us and add your voice to the praise. You WILL be blessed!
BJ, you expressed such appropriate sentiments. Traveling in my work, I certainly miss being active in the JCBC Choir. But most sincerely, I miss Glenn’s weekly inspirational devotions. We(our JCBC Church Family) have been so amazingly blessed with Glenn’s leadership and consistent commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. Glenn’s outstanding talent could easily be overlooked or overshadowed with his humility. As I think of that Wednesday night closing: “”More than music, we are family” I just want to expand ever so slightly on Glenn’s leadership and inspiration….”More than music, we are family and Witnesses for our Lord through our music”. It just always seems Glenn NEVER allows us to forget that. THANK YOU Glenn.