In a powerful sermon delivered today, Dr. Richard Ross challenged our church with a profound question: “Are you truly redeemed?” Let’s dive into his transformative message about authentic faith and purposeful family life.
The Shocking Truth About Church Membership
Dr. Ross dropped a startling statistic: approximately half of church members may be lost. This isn’t about membership cards or Sunday attendance. It’s about understanding what it truly means to be redeemed.
Dr. Ross cited Matthew 7:21-23 as a Biblical example of how many people claim to know Jesus but aren’t necessarily redeemed.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
Three Simple Steps to Authentic Faith
According to Dr. Ross, genuine reconciliation with Jesus follows a clear path:
1. Believe
2. Repent
3. Follow
But here’s the catch – you can’t just believe. You have to repent and follow Jesus.
As James 2:19 tells us: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
Dr. Ross emphasized that true repentance means turning from self to Jesus, and salvation is a conscious decision to follow Jesus as His disciple.
Finding Your Life’s Purpose
Dr. Ross pointed to Hebrews 1 to explain the divinity of Jesus as he outlined three key aspects to finding your purpose in life.
Your purpose is thee fold:
1. Adoring and glorifying Jesus
2. Following Jesus
3. Joining Jesus in bringing His Kingdom to earth
Your Family’s Purpose
Perhaps the most challenging part of Dr. Ross’s message addressed Christian parenting. He posed a convicting question: “Do you pick sports events over church?” His point wasn’t about perfect attendance but about priorities.
Building a Christ-Centered Family
Dr. Ross shared this powerful statement: “No part of parenting is more important than ensuring your kids see bringing glory to God’s kingdom is their greatest priority.” He emphasized that children learn faith primarily through:
– Observing parents at home
– Listening to mom and dad’s conversations
– Watching how parents live out their faith daily
Making It Practical: Next Steps
Dr. Ross concluded with three actionable questions for families:
1. What priorities need to change?
2. What conversations need to happen?
3. What Bible study and prayer practices should be implemented at home?
The Bottom Line
“My family exists for Jesus and His kingdom” – this bold declaration from Dr. Ross challenges the typical American family structure. His call to action? Raise children to be agents of change for Christ, not just successful members of society.
What struck me most about Dr. Ross’s message was its clarity: our purpose, whether individual or family, is singular – to glorify God and expand His kingdom. In a world of endless distractions and competing priorities, this laser focus feels both challenging and refreshing.
Have you thought about your family’s true purpose? Dr. Ross’s message reminds us that it’s never too late to realign our priorities with God’s kingdom. What steps will you take this week to implement Dr. Ross’s teachings in your family life? Share your thoughts in the comments below.