Stuck Between Two Opinions
Pastor Erickson preaches from Luke 9, where Jesus asks who people say he is and who his disciples say he is, and from Elijah's challenge on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. He calls the church to stop wavering between two opinions and decide for themselves about who Jesus is, the Holy Ghost, Jesus name baptism and holiness.
The message in 6 points
Two questions Jesus asks
Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is, and then who they say he is. Pastor Erickson asks the church the same two questions, and uses a kids menu to show that fewer options make a decision easier.
1:00:50Elijah on Mount Carmel
Elijah asks Israel how long they will halt between two opinions, and they answer not a word. God is a jealous God who will not let his people stay undecided. Elijah rebuilds the fallen altar, prays a simple prayer, and fire falls and consumes everything.
1:07:24Deciding when no one else does
Anyone can decide while the fire is falling and everyone else is deciding too. He says the real test is standing alone at work or on a college campus as the one who has seen it.
1:22:41Who do you say Jesus is
Peter, a plain fisherman, receives revelation that Jesus is the Christ. Pastor Erickson says he knows what the world believes about the godhead, but the fullness of the godhead dwells in Jesus, and each person must decide who he is.
1:24:22The Holy Ghost and baptism
The Holy Ghost is for all flesh, and he tells of friars speaking in tongues during worship in Poland. He says the Holy Ghost opens the Bible to a person, and that every New Testament believer was baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins.
1:36:34Holiness as a guard rail
Holiness protects us from ourselves, like guard rails on a mountain road. He shares his father's story of searching for a church that cared about the outside too, and calls people to stop standing in the middle and make a decision.
1:56:14
In his words
“Our God is not the type of God who's going to allow you not to make a choice.”
“Somewhere along the way we've got to make a decision. God, I refuse to do what everybody else is doing. I don't care what the world is doing, I don't care what the Christian world is doing, I follow after you because you're my God.”
“I believe that God really wants to do something in your life, but you can't stay where you are and get to where God wants you to be.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Luke 9:18-20
18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
King James Version.
1 Kings 18:21
21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
King James Version.
1 Kings 18:36-37
36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
King James Version.
Colossians 2:8-10
8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
King James Version.
Romans 12:1-2
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
King James Version.
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