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  Great
Senior Citizens doing
GREAT THINGS
by Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
Alberta`s
former lieutenant governor, Dr. Grant MacEwan, was buried in a moving
State Funeral July 20, 2000 in Edmonton.
MacEwan,
who lived to be 97, had touched many hearts with his humility, generosity
and common-sense approach to life. He had served for decades as a
politician, agriculture professor and Western Canada author and historian!
Ninety-seven
year old Bob Hope was `recovering well` after a serious bout of
gastrointestinal bleeding. Ward Grant, a spokesman for the hospital
stated: "This man bounces back from things. He is probably the
most positive man I have ever met. He is just
remarkable."
Missionary
Evangelist Dr. Don Gossett was in Edmonton a couple of months ago and
called me. Donna and I had just returned from the South Pacific and I was
preparing to leave for six weeks of crusades in Europe, so was unable to
meet our old friend! Don preaches as powerfully as ever at age 71.
Recently,
we met Reverend Thomas and Irene Tutyko in Vancouver. They had just
returned from the Ukraine where they spend six months each year, teaching
in the Bible College and evangelizing across that nation! Tommy is 74.
Joe
and Donna Conroy have just completed another grueling but enthusiastic
tour of orphanages, mission stations and churches, some of which they help
support and supervise in Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique! Joe,
businessman and former Mayor of Invermere, B.C. is 69! In there
retirement, Joe and Donna have gotten heavily involved in a missionary
vision which is blessing thousands.
AVISEN
DAGEN of Bergen, Norway, recently carried a story about Reidar and Marit
Skaiaa who have for the past 24 years operated Prokla- Media, printing
Gospel literature and then spreading it across Norway at country fairs,
kiosks and other outlets. Reidar states, "A preacher has a long
reach, but Christian books can reach farther: They are able to get into
the homes of the people." Reidar and Marit are retired seniors, still
working for God and the people.
Pioneer
bush pilot-missionary-church builder, Reverend John Spillenaar still
travels to the far north among the Inuit, as he has for 64 years! He's
still raising money for missions and building churches, about 50 so far,
as he approaches his 84th birthday! He and his wife Tynne, who is 94, have
been married for 62 years and both are in good health.
Freda
Lindsay recently celebrated her 86th. birthday. Since her husband Gordon,
passed away at age 67 - about 20 years ago - with the help of her family,
she built a struggling little Bible School into one of America's most
powerful Bible Colleges! Her son, Dennis,is president of `Christ For The
Nations`. Freda still writes a column for their magazine, travels
for Jesus and preaches at 86.
A
few years ago, former U.S.A. President George Bush celebrated
his 75th birthday by parachuting out of an airplane as he had done when
his plane was struck by enemy fire, and he was wounded in WW11! His
son, Governor George W. Bush of Texas is presently challenging Vice-
President Al Gore for the presidency of the USA. He is talented,
determined and a man of deep spiritual convictions. A news reporter asked
the Governor, whom did he think was the greatest philosopher. Without
hesitation, Bush replied enthusiastically: "Jesus Christ. He changed
my life!"
It
is impossible to name anyone other than JESUS CHRIST, whose teachings and
spiritual dynamic has any divine power to change hearts and lives! I'm
sure that the WHOLESOME EXAMPLE set by the elder George Bush has rubbed
off on George W! THERE IS A LOT OF LIFE AFTER 65.
I
was recently in Norway for crusades and preached almost non-stop for
almost six weeks, as well as traveling by air, bus, train, boat and
automobile across the nation. And while in Oslo, I was privileged to spend
several days before the television cameras, preaching and hosting OMEGA TV
(9-10 AM; 12-1 PM; 4-5 PM), as well as ministering in the crusade! People
ask, "How can you do it?" My answer is: "That`s all I know,
after nearly 40 years. And if one has received `A CALL` from the Lord,
there`s NO TURNING BACK!"
Dr.
Billy Graham agrees that retiring from preaching Gods' Word, is not an
option! A number of years ago he stated, "I have this feeling that if
I were to stop preaching, these lips would immediately turn to clay".
Even though Billy Graham is battling several debilitating diseases, he
still soldiers on, powerfully delivering the Word of God at age 81. And
his son, Franklin, whom many believed would never amount to anything in
God's Kingdom is EVEN MORE POWERFUL AND UNCOMPROMISING in his messages
than the 'old warrior' himself! The 'apple doesn't fall far from the tree'
and that is clearly evident in the Graham family, as well as that of Oral
Roberts' whose son Richard was also 'a renegade', but came back stronger
than ever and leads the university that carries his father's name.
Dr.
Oral Roberts at 82, continues unabated in proclaiming that 'God is a good
God and the devil is a bad devil!' Hallelujah! The Bible was proven TRUE
in both cases, where the sons went astray but their righteous upbringing
and their parents faith in God brought them back. The Scripture says:
"Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old, he
will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6) It is also a proven fact that
people usually live longer, stay healthier and happier, if they are busy
doing what they enjoy and especially if they are helping someone else; or
fulfilling a 'calling upon their life'.
It
has been my experience in the Ministry, that those retirees who stay busy
helping others - their children, grandchildren or those who cannot help
themselves - and who get involved with their community, hospital, school
or church, live a lot more fulfilling lives than those who think only
about themselves and do nothing productive.
The
'Edmonton Journal' carried a beautiful story about Dmytro and Julia Ulan
who recently celebrated their 70th. Wedding Anniversary. Commenting on
their long and lasting marriage, Julia (87) stated: "Be true to each
other and do things together. Don't drift away from each other. Work
together when you`re raising your family. Talk together. Pray
together." WHAT A SERMON! What wonderful counsel and advise!
Ninety-year-old Dmytro believes the Biblical injunction, that married
people should take their vows seriously. He says: "Marriage is
sacred. People must retain that blessing. Once you flounder, you've got
nothing else."
Enos
Brubacher, the man behind the 'Gospel Signs' often seen beside freeways
and in front of churches proclaiming: `CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS` and
`BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED`, passed away in
1995 at the age of 76! He had labored for 45 years, producing and
distributing Gospel signs and billboards to churches - without charge -
across North America! Enos and Elizabeth Brubacher traveled to the USA,
England, Denmark, Jamaica, Peru, Thailand and Japan, to teach Christians
in those countries the technique of spreading the Gospel via signs! Their
labor continues in Canada through their daughter, Florence Yake, who is
acting director for the 'Gospel Text Crusades' .
HOW
OLD IS OLD & HOW YOUNG IS YOUNG?
On
his 75th birthday - January 26, 1955 - General Douglas MacArthur made this
outstanding statement: "Youth is not entirely a time of life - it is
a state of mind. It is not wholly a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips or
supple knees. It is a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a
vigor of the emotions ...nobody grows old by merely living a number of
years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. "You are
as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self
confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your
despair. "In the central place of the heart there is a recording
chamber; so long as it receives a message of beauty, hope, cheer and
courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart
is covered with the snow of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and
then only, are you grown old." What a great philosophy. And what a
great man, General Douglas MacArthur was.
Researching
materials for this piece and writing it down has given me a greater
respect for the men and women of whom I an writing. Each time I converse
with the Reverend Spillenaar, I instinctively thank the Lord that He
has allowed me the privilege of knowing such a man! I feel the same way
about Vera Dowling, the renowned Canadian World War 11 test pilot,
instructor and member of the 'group of 14 pilots' to become the first
women to fly airplanes for the Royal British Air Force! Vera, who was born
in England of Danish parents, has over the years, received so many awards
and honors that she fears she gets too much credit, when her amazing story
is told and re-told! Dowling states: "If it were not for our Lord
Jesus Christ, I couldn't have done a thing. God spoke to me while I was
still a teenager and told me that I would fly airplanes. He put the desire
in my heart to do so. He opened doors for me to get ahead in the aviation
business and He protected me many times when I could have been shot down
by the Germans, and He saved me from certain death repeatedly when I got
caught in 'impossible weather'! Vera was again honored on May 13, 2000,
when she was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, at the age of
82! She still speaks at luncheons, clubs and churches, sharing the
exciting life of an outstanding aviator who calls God, 'My Master Pilot'.
THE
GOSPEL CHANGES PEOPLE: FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH TO ETERNAL LIFE
When
you think of the intellectually and sexually perverted 'riff-raff' (some
are deviants, drunks and drug addicts) that appear on TV, skin magazines,
home videos - it makes you wonder what "goes on between people's
ears". Have they been 'fried' through drugs and is there any gray
matter left?
If
by chance, I pick up a channel where so-called movie stars, comedians,
Rock and Roll musicians, artists and talking heads pour out their
prejudices and bigotry against the traditional family, normal sexual
behavior, moral values and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I WANT TO VOMIT!
What about all the sore losers who hang out in smoked-filled bingo halls,
casinos and booze clubs in our land? In many cases, children, families and
the elderly suffer because our governments have gotten into the GAMBLING
BUSINESS. Only suckers need apply. There are no winners, even if one wins
playing the VLTs, Bingo or Casino, because it`s the wrong way to make a
living and to spend your hard earned-money, Sir! Lady! According to the
Bible, gambling is motivated by covetousness and greed and is sinful.
In
my opinion, it is a tragedy that so many people go through life without
any noble goals, aspirations or plans for their future retirement and for
'Life after Death'! And it is certainly an INDICTMENT upon the Christian
Church that so many people - who should know better - have become lukewarm
in their devotion to Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel, and have
"fallen away" from the "faith that was once delivered unto
the saints." (Jude 3) What an awful shock is in store for those who
have rejected the Gospel and who go into eternity with NO HOPE of
salvation. The Word of God warns: "For My people have committed two
evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and have hewed
themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
(Jer.2:13)
WHY
WOULD ANYONE TURN THEIR BACKS UPON JESUS?
What
a tragedy! To think that people would turn their backs upon the truth and
embrace error, to abandon Christ and His Word in exchange for the LIES of
Satan, the deceiver extra - ordinare! To turn from the Savior, Who died
for our sins and rose again for our justification (Rom. 4:25), to the
bondage of secular humanism, materialism, occultism and the New Age
movement, shows how far we have fallen as a people. May God have mercy
upon us all.
In
1953, Dr. Ole Hallesby, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church's
Seminary and one of Norway's finest theologians, preached a powerful
message over the National Radio Network (NRK), which shook that nation to
the core. He spoke about life and death, heaven and hell and about
eternity! At the conclusion of his sermon, Dr. Hallesby asked: "What
about you listening to this message? Are you sure that you are saved? If
you were to drop dead this very moment, would you go to heaven or to
hell?"
He
instructed everyone who felt God's conviction upon their souls, to invite
Jesus Christ into their hearts by faith in order to receive His
forgiveness for their sins and be saved! Dozens of people received Christ
that night; spiritually needed people flooded the radio station with
requests for prayer, some angry and others under deep conviction of
sin.
There
was such a stir in Norway after Dr. Hallesby`s address, that politicians
debated in Parliament (Stortingen) about whether or not they should jail
the great theologian for daring to preach about hell over the NRK, and
upsetting the people! Recently, the Norwegian government passed a new law
legalizing same sex marriages (Roman 1:18-28) and are allowing sodomists
to be ordained as 'ministers of God' in the Lutheran State Church! What
does all this mean?
Does
the Bible have anything to say about these things? What must we do to
affect our generation? To turn men and women back to God and cleanse our
society from ever-present evils of lust, greed, pride, hatred, violence
and murder? How can we protect our children from perverts and drug dealers
who prey on them? What shall we do to bring back normalcy, decency and
sanity to this confused, bewildered, twisted and warped generation?
A
recent letter to the editor of the 'Edmonton Journal' hit the nail right
on the head when the writer wondered why politicians and media were so
concerned about Stockwell Day's anti-abortion and anti-sodomy stance, as
though that were a deeriment to good government! Any intelligent person
should realize that according to the historical record, both of these sins
have contributed to the degradation of society rather than the up
abuilding of society! We were all appalled recently at hearing the news of
a step-mother who kept her nine-year-old daughter in a clothes dryer for
up to three weeks at a time and her mouth sealed with duct tape, yet it
doesn't bother some people that 125,000 little unborn babies - every year
- have their lives snuffed out, in Canada! And Harry Jaffa, professor
Emeritus of Claremont McKenna College writes: "From ancient and
Biblical times, anal sexual intercourse has been regarded by the greatest
legislators and moralists as a vicious sexual perversion...Thomas
Jefferson, in a criminal code written during the American Revolution, made
it a felony in the same class as rape."
IS
OUR NATION SICK, SPIRITUALLY & MENTALLY
So,
is our nation sick spiritually? Are our legislators and judges off-track?
Have our politicians, by and large, sold out the truth for a vote? Are our
law makers thinking rationally or there something sinister going on? Is
their a lack in their mental capacities or are some of them being mentored
by evil spirits of perversion and lust for power? God's Word says:
"My people have committed two evils. They have forsaken Me the
fountain of living water; and they have hewn themselves out cisterns,
broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jer. 2:13) "When the
righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked
beareth rule, the people mourn." (Prov.29:2) "Righteousness
exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov.14:34)
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..." (Psalms 33:12)
WHAT
MUST WE DO THEN?
The
Church must repent of the sins of compromise, acquiescence and not taking
a strong stand on issues. We must call for a time of Fasting and
Prayer, asking God for HIS MERCY upon this backslidden nation! The Bible
says: "If My people shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My
face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and I
will forgive their sins and HEAL THEIR LAND." (2 Chron.7:14) THERE IS
ONLY ONE WAY: THAT IS JESUS CHRIST! Only Jesus Christ can help us! He is
the life changer! He is the healer of broken hearts, broken lives and
broken homes! Jesus said: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) "Him that
cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) The Bible
invites us to cast all cares upon Jesus for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
Our Lord said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not
as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) My dear friend, take this
opportunity to get acquainted with Jesus, the 'Friend of Sinners'. He
said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man cometh unto the
Father, but by Me."
JESUS
CHRIST invites: "Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth My
Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall
not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
(John 5:24) Amen.
Why
was
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was
born to to destroy the works of the devil
Sin,
however, was in the world because Satan (the devil). The devil, who
is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called
the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'.
(Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).
Because
of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly
planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of Life, in the Garden
of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?
The
great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve. Now, for the
moment of truth. How would Adam & Eve feel? Would they now
be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised them? Was the
rebellion and disobedience towards God worth it? No - a thousand
times NO.
Adam
& Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see? Adam
& Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and
nakedness. Fear stalked and filled their souls. They had never
felt fear before sin entered their lives. They realized they were
naked, vulnerable and inadequate. Now, they realized they must face
the music, and meet God alone.
But
where was Satan (the devil)? Where was the evil one who had been
their wise tempter such a short time ago?
Of
course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory. I'm sure that
the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding behind
a tree, excitedly waiting to see the inevitable outcome of their sin.
The inevitable outcome, the separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His
special creation, man.
THE
DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR
Evil
satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam & Eve's
plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.
Adam
& Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou? ADAM,
WHERE ART THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John,
where are you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!
God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You were
clothed with My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad
you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! Adam said, "The
woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is Eve's fault, she
gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You
gave me the woman".
EVERYONE
LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much easier to
pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take the blame,
saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."
It's
similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative way.
One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he vigorously
attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen, the world
wouldn't be in the mess it's now in. The preacher nailed Jezebel and
Delilah. "Women are the ruination of many good men", he
shouted.
At
the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking hands.
Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to get
out the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She squeezed his
hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting me". She
looked him square in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the
telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about". She
squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch". She spoke
again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you
are hurting me." She said, "Well, I know the telephone
number of the Garden of Eden. It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go
of his hand and left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam also
disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the
evil one, the devil (Satan).
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman,
what is this that thou hast done?" Eve made more sense than
her husband. She put the blame where it belong. "The
serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan (the devil) is the culprit. The devil is
to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug
addiction and juvenile delinquency. He is the architect of all that
is evil, wicked and destructive. Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder,
sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and results of his plans,
goals, purposes and seduction.
SATAN
(the devil) IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the
troublemaker.
JESUS
CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44; John
10:10) Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for to steal,
kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
YES
- THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN
God
said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD."
Almighty
God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou among
all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go all the
days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and
snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed (the
wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It (Jesus, the seed of the
woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS
DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid the
supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the dead.
He had delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan (the devil)
and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all the
sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the
believing, sick person..
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John
3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other, for
there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby you may be
saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There is
one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1
Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10) And St. John stated:
"For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy
the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8) The Scripture says, "When
the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with
devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that
were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was
upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His own
body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should live unto
righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross) healed"!
(1 Peter 2:24) "He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh unto
the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Again our blessed
Saviour said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved..." (John 10:9) Again He said, "Come
unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the
shedding of blood there is no remission for sins."
(Hebrews 9:22) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for
the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) Again, "The
soul that sinneth it shall surely die." (Ezekiel
18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be
sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")
AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED
ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk in
the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins! "One of the
elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And
He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps
and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints."
"And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;....Worthy
is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
"And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation 5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM
The
Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He
made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians
2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.
We
serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today. I know that
He is living, whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just
the time I need Him....He's always near.
He
lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He
lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great ability Jesus
has. St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles.
Drink in these truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy
and Holy Ghost power.
"The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the
hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance in
the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He
wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His
own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all
things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the
church." (Ephesians
1:18-22)
The
Bible says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of
darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son
(Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the
forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold
the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of the world."
(John 1:29) To this agree the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye
shall call His name Jesus (Salvation) for He shall save (salvage) His
people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself
of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven
and in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".
The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring
forgiveness and healing to His people. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His
virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is
very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the
end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other
tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful
strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah
61:1-3 prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness,
healing, deliverance and joy!
"And
he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was,
He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And
when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,
"The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord."
"And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And He began to say unto them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your
ears." (Luke 4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet.
He ended the reading by saying, "This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and
Jewish Messiah by those words.
The
year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement had
taken place. He would die on the cross like the lambs died on the
alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away the
sins of the world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high
priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial
animal. Jesus was not only the sacrifice but also the high priest
Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself.
(Hebrews 9:11-14)
The
scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying away our
sins. He is our substitute! Every 50th year Israel celebrated
the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and slaves were freed and
debts were forgiven. This is a picture of the Gospel Age when
everyone is set free by the blood of Christ and His everlasting Gospel!
THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.
My
dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart and life
as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and King.
JESUS
CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
Jesus
said, "I am come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke
19:10) You are included in that number, for "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) You say, 'I
cannot live a Christian life in my own strength'!
You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but He will
change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The
Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally Jesus said, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) "...and
lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew
28:20)
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SERMONS LIBRARY
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