04/20/2026
Live Like an Armenian, Pray the Baptist are right.
It sounds like I'm making a joke, but it is no joke, not really, this is a good way to believe in Christ and live in Christ.
Isaiah 1:18*
_“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”_
_I live like an Armenian — humble, worshipful, ready to endure, because discipleship is a cross.
I pray like the Baptist — that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, because ‘who He is’ is enough._
Ever had someone ask “what do you believe” and your answer sounds like a joke, but it’s the most serious thing you own?
Here’s mine: _I live like an Armenian and pray the Baptist are right.
That’s not a punchline. That’s Isaiah 1:18 lived out. God says “Come” — that’s my responsibility. God says “I’ll make you white” — that’s His grace. One verse, two truths. Live like it costs you. Pray like it cost Him.
“I LIVE LIKE AN ARMENIAN” — Come now… though your sins be as scarlet*
*A. Humble*
The Armenian people were the first Christian nation. 1700 years of singing liturgy while empires tried to erase them. No swagger. Just survival by worship.
Isaiah 1 starts with “your hands are full of blood” verse 15. God’s not impressed with our religion. The first move is low: _Come_. Bring the scarlet. Don’t hide it.
*B. Worshipful*
_Halak_ לְכוּ־נָא – “walk here.” Worship is movement toward God, not performance for Him. The Armenians didn’t stop the Badarak when the genocide came. They sang “Christ is risen” at the grave. Worship isn’t what you do when life is good. It’s what you do when it’s scarlet.
*C. Ready to endure, because discipleship is a cross*
Jesus didn’t say “take up your creed.” He said “take up your cross” Luke 9:23.
Psalm 22:6 – _tōla‘aṯ_ תּוֹלַעַת “I am a worm.” The crimson worm was crushed on wood to make dye. Christ fixed Himself to wood and was crushed for our crimson.
To live like an Armenian is to know: following _Him_ might cost you. But _who He is_ makes it worth it.
*Application:* Where are you pretending you’re not scarlet? Where are you avoiding the cross because you want Christianity without cost? _Come now._ That’s the Armenian part.
“I PRAY LIKE THE BAPTIST” — They shall be as white as snow… saith the Lord*
*A. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone*
Notice the verbs: _they shall be made white_ יַלְבִּינוּ. Hiphil – God does it. You don’t bleach scarlet. You bring it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 is Isaiah 1:18 in New Testament words: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not your own doing.”
*B. Because ‘who He is’ is enough*
We spent centuries arguing _what_ Jesus is: natures, wills, substance. The thief on the cross didn’t have that. He had _who_: “Jesus, remember me.” Luke 23:42
The altar call is right when it says: stop trusting the _what_ of your theology and start trusting the _who_ of your Savior.
The _tōla‘aṯ_ dies, turns white after 3 days, and flakes off the tree. Christ died, rose after 3 days, and our scarlet flaked off with Him. Revelation 7:14 – “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
*Application:* Where are you trying to add to ‘white as snow’? Penance, performance, perfection. Stop. Pray like the Baptist: “Lord, if You don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.”
“LET US REASON TOGETHER” — The Lord is Talking*
*וְנִוָּכְחָה* _niwwā-ḵə-ḥāh_ – courtroom term. God lays out the case:
1. You’re guilty. Scarlet. Crimson.
2. I’m holy. I should judge.
3. But I’m also the _tōla‘aṯ_. I’ll be crushed so you can be snow.
That’s not _what_ He is. That’s _who_ He is. A reasoning, inviting, self-sacrificing Lord.
You don’t balance these truths. You hold them. You live like it’s serious. You pray like it’s settled.
Your Creed at the Table*
So what do you believe?
_I live like an Armenian — humble, worshipful, ready to endure, because discipleship is a cross.
I pray like the Baptist — that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, because ‘who He is’ is enough._
The Lord’s Table is where Armenians and Baptists meet. The ancient, bloody, enduring faith… and the simple, childlike, “nothing in my hand I bring.”
So come. Bring your scarlet.
He’ll do the snow.
_Saith the Lord._
_For people who want to know Christ more intimately_
I told you earlier what I believe:
_I live like an Armenian — humble, worshipful, ready to endure, because discipleship is a cross.
I pray like the Baptist — that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, because ‘who He is’ is enough._
That creed isn’t just for getting saved. It’s for knowing Him.
*So here’s my question: Do you know Him?*
Not _about_ Him. Not _what_ He is. But _Him_.
Isaiah 1:18 doesn’t end with “and now you’re clean, go home.” It starts with “Come now, and let us reason together, _saith the Lord_.” The point was never just white robes. The point was the conversation. The relationship.
Some of you are saved, but you’re distant. You’ve got snow, but you lost the sound of His voice. You’re living like the Baptist — you know you’re secure — but you forgot how to live like the Armenian — humble, worshipful, enduring _with Him_.
Others of you are enduring. You’re carrying your cross. But you’re doing it alone, like He’s just a doctrine. You forgot how to pray like the Baptist — like _who He is_ is enough, right now, to hold you.
*Psalm 22:6 says “I am a worm.”* The _tōla‘aṯ_. He was crushed on wood so you wouldn’t have to climb the mountain to find Him. He came down.
So if you want to know Christ more intimately, this is your moment. Not to get saved again. Not to prove anything. Just to _come_.
If that’s you — if you’re saying, “Lord, I’ve got the theology, I’ve got the scarlet turned to snow, but I want _You_… I want to know Your voice again… I want the Armenian endurance _and_ the Baptist peace in the same heart” — then stand where you are.
Just stand. That’s the _halak_ לְכוּ. That’s “come.” It’s movement.
If you’re standing, you’re saying two things:
1. *I live like an Armenian* – I’m not above kneeling. I’m not too proud to need Him today. I’ll take up my cross again.
2. *I pray like the Baptist* – And I’m not coming to earn anything. I’m coming because _who He is_ is enough to meet me right here.
*Prayer:*
_Lord Jesus, You are the One who said “Come.” So we came.
For my brothers and sisters standing: they don’t want more religion. They want You.
You are the Lord who reasons with us instead of rejecting us.
Make Yourself known. Not as a doctrine. As a Person.
Give us Armenian hearts — humble, worshipful, ready to endure.
Give us Baptist faith — resting in Your grace, because You are enough.
We don’t want the gifts without the Giver. We want You.
In Your name, Amen._
If you stood, get alone with Him for a minute. No counselor, no card, no line. Just you and Jesus
Isaiah 1:18 is still open. “Come now… saith the Lord.”
The Lord’s here. Talk to Him.