Becoming a Proud Spiritual Parent

Most people who call themselves Christians - whether or not they will admit it - are a little uncertain about their posture when it comes to the return of Jesus. Understand that I'm not talking about the timing - will it be in the next 10 years or the next 100 or even 1000 years? What I am talking about is the sure and certain hope that Jesus will return just as He said He would. In that moment, whether it's today or not is not part of what I'm talking about; I am talking about how you will carry yourself as you stand before the King of all Creation and give account of yourself in that moment. The Apostle Paul said that the "...hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming" would be the Thessalonian believers who were also standing the the presence of Jesus. Paul was a proud spiritual parent. He knew that when Jesus returns, he will have a lot to show for his life. The question I want everyone who reads this to deal with is this, "What kind of a spiritual parent am I?" Truly, are you confident that when Jesus returns many of those who are there to greet Him are the result of your investment in their lives?

That's a huge question. But if Paul could be confident enough to boast in the presence of Jesus, then so can all believers! Every one of us CAN be proud spiritual parents to many. There are even some very specific steps to being the proud parent of spiritual children. The steps are found in 1 Thessalonians 2.

The first step is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:4
"...we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."

UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO YOU.

Paul realized that he had been approved by God to tell people about Jesus--He was the keeper of the Gospel. And the purpose of the Gospel--the Good News--is to bring people into a relationship with the Lord.

Jesus said we were to "Go and make disciples." He said, just before he ascended into heaven, "Be My witnesses."

When we came to know Jesus, we became a new creation--created for good works which have the same purpose as the One who re-created us--to bring people into a living and growing relationship with God. This is an elementary teaching, and I don't want to get bogged down here--but it IS the starting place. If you never realize that YOU have been entrusted with the Gospel, then you will never assume the responsibility to help bring people to Jesus. And if you never bring anyone to Jesus, you will be embarrassed when Jesus returns. But I don't want that--I want you to be A PROUD PARENT of many spiritual offspring.

God approved you to be entrusted with the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ. When that sinks in--when you get hold of it--your life purpose will change. You will begin to make a list of people who are lost. You will begin to pray for them. You will begin to do acts of kindness for them--bake pies and cookies--mow their grass--pick up trash in their yards--all kinds of good deeds that will open the door for you to share Jesus with them. And somehow, by the grace of God, you will be able to bring them into New Birth--a new life in Christ. And when that happens, you will be ready for step 2.

I'll talk about step 2 later - but for now, do you realize that you are the custodian of the Gospel? Do you realize that the only way some people will enter into the presence of God for all eternity is if you introduce them to Jesus? Do you realize that you have the opportunity to have your own "crown of boasting at the return of Jesus?" This Gospel is yours! Get that truth in your heart before we move on to step 2.