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  The
Indestructible
GOSPEL OF CHRIST
by Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
THE
ETERNAL GOSPEL OF CHRIST
- Incomparable,
Indestructible & Irresistible
"For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth." (Romans 1:16)
St.
Paul was a preacher of the gospel for many years and was called the 'Apostle
to the Gentiles.'
His
encounter with Jesus Christ on the 'Damascus Road' made such an impact on
his life that he recounted it repeatedly in his preaching and before
important people like Governor Felix and King Agrippa!
Writing
to new converts in Rome, he stated: "The Gospel of Christ is the
power of God unto salvation..." (1 Corinthians 1:16) The
gospel is the power of God. What an awesome statement!
Paul
was anticipating a visit to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome - where he
knew he would suffer imprisonment - so he wrote the epistle to educate,
prepare and strengthen the saints, who would also suffer such a fate for
their belief in Jesus Christ!
Christians
everywhere were being persecuted and undoubtedly, many believers were
afraid to witness their faith publicly or were ashamed of being a part of
a movement that was so maligned, and that made them a laughing stock
before their peers!
Apparently,
Timothy was feeling the pain of Paul's persecution and having anxious
moments about his own life being so closely allied to the great Apostle.
JESUS
DEMANDS TOTAL SURRENDER!
St.
Paul admonished Timothy: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear,
but of power, love and a sound mind. Be not thou therefore
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God:
"Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our
works; but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in
Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"Onesiphorus
oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain." (1
Timothy 1:16) To Church at Philippi, he wrote: "For me to
live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
Jesus
didn't pull any punches. Jesus didn't make it easy for people to
follow Him. He demanded all or nothing and because He gave all, He
expected His followers to do the same.
Our
Saviour said: "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the
Gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:34-36)
To
the man who exclaimed: "Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever
Thou goest", Jesus answered, "The foxes have holes,
and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to
lay His head."
Our
Lord said to another, "Follow Me", but he said, "Lord,
suffer me first to go and bury my father." Jesus answered, "Let
the dead bury their dead, but go thou and PREACH the Kingdom of God."
According
to Jewish tradition, the eldest son had first right to the inheritance and
had to take charge of family matters when his father died. In this
case, the man's father may have still been alive but he felt it his duty
to stay at home until his passing.
Jesus
had a different view on the matter. His message is this, if you
are called to follow Him and proclaim His Gospel that trumps other
obligations that are not as important. Even if the man's father was
already dead, others could be assigned to bury him!
In
other words, let those who are spiritually dead bury their dead and allow
those that are spiritually alive to preach the gospel and save precious
souls to Christ!
"And
another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them
farewell which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No
man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
Kingdom of God." (Luke 9:57-62)
What
is Jesus teaching us through this? Jesus is serious about our
spiritual life and eternal salvation. Everything fades into
insignificance when you compare temporal things with the spiritual needs
of the individual. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He
came to heal the broken hearted and mend sick bodies and spirits. (Luke
4:18-19)
Nothing
is as important as pleasing God and sharing His mercy and love to family,
friends and neighbors. He stated: "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the
second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Matthew 22:37-39)
JESUS
IS STILL THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
Jesus
gave His life so that we may live. Jesus is our Saviour, Redeemer,
Deliverer, Healer and Sustainer. His Gospel is the greatest
news our sinful and sick world could ever hear.
He
stated: "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down
his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I
command you." (John 15:1)
"I
am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As
the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father and I lay down My life
for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
"For
when we were without strength (hopeless), in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. But God commendeth His love toward us, in
that, whole we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:6,7)
At
the Council of Nicea in AD 325, ATHANASIUS the intrepid Champion of the
true deity of Jesus Christ vigorously opposed the spurious attacks of
ARIUS and the UNITARIANS who denied our Saviour's divinity. A
wishy-washy friend warned the great Man of God thusly: "Have a
care Athanasius: The world is against you!"
Athanasius answered: "Then, I am against the world!"
WHAT
MAKE THE GOSPEL SO POWERFUL?
What
was it about Jesus of Nazareth that so captivated the apostles and early
disciples that they forsook all earthly conveniences, fortunes and zones
of comfort to follow Him, even to their deaths?
What
impressed Matthew the tax collector, Luke the
physician and Zenas the lawyer, to forsake all and follow
the Master? And what has inspired millions more down through the
last two Millennia to worship the Lord Jesus Christ as very God and to
make known His name to multitudes everywhere, often at the cost of their
lives?
What
was it that caused Peter and Andrew, Thomas
and Bartholomew to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?
What was it that caused the proud Pharisee Saul of Tarsus to humble
himself, repent of his folly and become the greatest of all Gospel
preachers, after his encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road?
What made this 'Jewish terrorist' and injurious persecutor of Christians
and blasphemer of Jesus, make this sudden switch?
What
inspired Silas and Timothy, Barnabas and Apollos,
Jude and Agabus, to pick up the torch of this
Evangelical Gospel? What was the reason that Justin Martyr and
Polycarp declared their faith in Jesus Christ at the cost of
their lives?
What
made John Huss go to his death so that the Gospel of Christ
would not be compromised? What inspired Bishops Lattimer
and Ridley to shout God's praises and continue to confess
Christ from Papal Rome's Burning Stake?
It
was, my beloved friend, the indisputable, indestructible, unmistakable
call of the Holy Spirit of God upon those whose love for Jesus Christ and
His gospel had become greater than life itself!
JESUS
CHRIST: GOD INCARNATE !
Jesus
stated: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow
Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which
gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of
My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.
"Say
ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou
blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God. If I do not the
works of My Father, believe Me not. But, if I do, though ye believe
not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father
is in Me, and I in Him." (John 10:27-29, 36-38)
It
is the amazing truth that Jesus of Nazareth who was born in a stable in
Bethlehem was more than a man. He was the Eternal Son of God from
Heaven and the Creator of all life. He was God incarnate (God in
human flesh).
He
came to earth on a specific mission to redeem Adam's fallen race from sin,
fear, sickness, disease, death and demons!
JESUS
OF NAZARETH was born to die in order to defeat Satan, the enemy of our
souls. And to rise from the dead, victorious over death, hell and
the grave! Jesus Christ is truly the Saviour of the world,
the Liberator of sinful man, the Healer of every sickness,
the Emancipator of the human race and the Possessor of
Eternal Life!
Here
is the final victory speech of St. Paul who was personally recruited by
the Lord Jesus Christ to spread His glorious Gospel across the Gentile
world:
"For
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to
me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (2
Timothy 4:6)
The
Gospel is the GOOD NEWS of God's unconditional love, unmerited
mercy and prevenient grace toward lost and perishing
humanity. How do I know all this? God Himself says so.
His Holy inerrant Word proclaims that it is so. And He cannot deny
Himself, change, make a mistake, fail or lie!
HISTORICAL
RECORD VERIFIES AND CONFIRMS THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND MERCY OF GOD
The
historical record verifies and confirms it. God's dealings with
mankind recorded in sacred as well as secular writing show His
unconditional love for carnal, lost and ungodly men by providing a way of
escape from Satan the perverted Evil One called Satan the Hater, Oppressor
and Adversary of God and man!
His
greatest mission of unconditional love, overcoming all barriers of sin,
death and judgment was manifested on Calvary's cross nearly 2,000 years
ago when the incarnated SON of God paid the ransom price for the souls of
lost humanity, meeting the demands of Divine Justice through His perfect,
vicarious and all atoning death and glorious resurrection from the dead!
He
sought us before we knew Him or even thought of Him! The songwriter
scribbled these words: "When He was on the cross I was on His
mind. He loved me before I knew Him.." And St. John wrote: "We
love Him because He first loved us." (1 John)
It
is the power of God because it changes those who receive its life giving
message. It not only transforms the inner man but it heals sick and
diseased bodies through the efficacious power of the shed blood of Jesus
that was given freely for us on Calvary's tree.
THE
RIDDLE OF THE CHANGED CALENDAR
Almost
2,000 years later, Dr. A.U. Michelson, another prominent Jew wrote in 'The
Riddle of the Changed Calendar' as follows:
"What
mighty earthly monarch decreed and ordained the rise and fall of the
tides? We all know there was none. It is a decree of
nature, of a force not set in motion by man. Nor could the
entire human race do anything to check its regular flow and ebb.
"Again,
what earthly monarch decreed or commanded, or even suggested that all
civilized peoples should date their calendars backward and forward, B.C.
and A.D. from the birth of Jesus Christ?"
"History
furnishes no clue to this question; for there never was such an edict; no
such suggestion ever came from the lips or the pen of any world potentate.
Each human ruler would much prefer to impose upon the face of history a
date system whereby some great deed or victory of his own should forever
be commemorated. Such futile attempts were repeatedly made; some
even simultaneously with the slow, but inexorable, forward march of the
Christian calendar."
"The
most notable attempt in modern days to find a new starting point for
civilized time was that undertaken by France in 1793. This
revolutionary calendar fell with the cause it represented. It lasted
just thirteen years, and its only legacy to history is the tangle of dates
which confuses the record of these thirteen years."
"Ancient
history also is strewn with these forgotten way marks of time - Babylonian
Eponyms, Greek Olympiads, Roman Consulates. For centuries before
the birth of Christ, the letters A.U.C. designated the founding of that
great city, And, yet when, and by whom, was it decreed that the letter
A.U.C. should give place to A.D. and B.C.? No imperial edict
forced this change; yet all civilized time bears the signature of Jesus
Christ. How did this come to pass? Again history is mute in
answer to this question."
"Who
is the person to whom the whole civilized world gives daily
recognition?"
He
was a humble inhabitant of an obscure town in a small province of the then
existing Roman Empire. His public life was short. He wrote no
book. He overthrew no government. He left no great band of
highly influential followers. In fact, after three years of
pedestrian itineraries, He was put to death as a criminal. His
followers, few and humble, forsook Him and fled.
To
reject the claims of Jesus as being equal with God, as being God the Son,
the very almanac of the modern world is an incredible absurdity.
If
a jury of historians had to explain, on purely historical grounds, the
letters A.D. and B.C. which now serve universally as the point from which
civilized time is reckoned, they must report that "some force",
mysterious in origin, and independent of human will, but with range and
energy sufficient to affect all civilized nations, and persistent enough
to run through all the centuries, has "somehow" put the impress
of Christ's hand on all history!
What
possible explanation is there for this enigma?
Here
is a man of the darkest age of the world. He lived in a subject
province. He never wrote a sentence that has been preserved.
He died when He had scarcely reached manhood; and He died cast out by His
own race, and abandoned by His scanty band of followers.
And
yet, twenty centuries after He hung upon a cross, His birth is accepted by
believers and unbelievers alike, at the point from which all centuries are
dated. Every morning all the newspapers of the world, even though
some are impregnated with hatred and ridicule of Jesus Christ, adjust
their dates to His cradle. The very dates on our cheques and
letters, all governmental records, all legal documents, all literature,
yes, all are unconsciously a testimony to the birth of Jesus Christ.
There
can be but one explanation for this riddle of the 'Changed Calendar.'
It is that He who hung upon that Roman cross, was, at He claimed, more
than a man, that he was, in fact, God incarnate. God in the person
of His Son - Himself the Creator of Time. And this Lord of Creation
performed upon that cross a far mightier work than all human achievements
put together - namely, the redemption of the human race; available to all
who will believe and receive Him as Redeemer and Lord.
DEATH
BED CONFESSION OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
Frederick
W. Kates, writing in The Churchman says, "It is hardly to
such a man as Napoleon Bonaparte one would turn for spiritual
enlightenment: but it is interesting indeed to note what he said
about Jesus of Nazareth and the Christian Religion".
"I
see in Lycurgus, Numa, and Mohammed only legislators who,
having the first rank in the state, have sought the best solution of the
social problem"; said Napoleon, "but I see nothing there which
reveals divinity ... nothing announces them divine. On the contrary,
there are numerous resemblances between them and myself, foibles and
errors which ally them to me and to humanity."
"It
is not so with Christ", he continued in this conversation
with General Bertrand, one of his companions during the twilight days of
his meteoric career.
"I
search in vain in history to find the equal of Jesus Christ, beyond the
march of events and above the human mind."
"Everything
in Him astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds
me. Between Him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible
term of comparison. He is truly a Being by Himself. His
ideals and His sentiments, the truths which He announces, His manner of
convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the
nature of things."
"His
birth, and the history of His life; the profundity of His doctrine, which
grapples the mightiest difficulties, and which is, of those difficulties,
the most admirable solution; His Gospel, His apparition, His empire,
His march across the ages, and the realms, is for me a prodigy, a mystery
insoluble, which plunges me into a reverence which I cannot escape, a
mystery which is there before my yes, a mystery which I cannot deny or
explain. Here I see nothing human."
"The
nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me,
everything remains grand - or a grandeur which overpowers."
"His
religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not that
of man. There is a profound originality, which has created a
series of words and of maxims before unknown. Jesus borrowed nothing
from our sciences. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him
alone, the imitation or the example of His life."
In
another place Napoleon wrote: "I know men; and I tell you that Jesus
is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and
the founders of empires, and the gods of other regions. That
resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and
whatever other religions the distance of infinity...."
Napoleon
states his conception of the Christian religion in the following words
when he says it is "neither ideology nor metaphysics, but a practical
rule which directs the actions of man, corrects him, counsels him, and
assists him in all his conduct."
"The
Bible contains a complete series of facts and historical men, to explain
time and eternity, such as no other religion has to offer. If this
is not the true religion, one is very excusable in being deceived for
everything in it is grand and worthy of God."
Referring
to Christ's empire and His Church in contrast to his own passing fame and
glory, Napoleon who has been described as the "world's greatest
traveling man of slaughter" said:
"You
speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests, and of the
enthusiasm they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you
conceive of a dead man making conquests with an army faithful and entirely
devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me, even while
living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our
power!"
"Such
is the history of the invasion and conquest of the world by Christianity.
Such is the power of God of the Christians; and such is the perpetual
miracle of the progress of the Faith and the government of His Church.
Nations pass away, thrones crumble, but the church remain. What is,
then, the power which has protected this church, thus assailed by the
furious billows of rage and the hostility of ages? Whose is the arm
which for eighteen hundred years, has protected the church from so many
storms which have threatened to engulf it?"
"Alexander,
Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires. But on what did we
rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ
alone founded His Empire upon love; and, at this hour, millions of men
would die for Him."
Then,
and rather pathetically, the great Napoleon remarked to his companion:
"We are mere lead now, General Bertrand, and soon I shall be in my
grave. Such is the fate of great men! So it was with Caesar
and Alexander, and I, too, am forgotten, and the name of a
conqueror and an emperor is a college theme."
"Behold
the destiny, near at hand, of him who has been called the great Napoleon!
What an abyss between my deep misery and the eternal reign of Christ,
which is proclaimed, loved, adored, and which is extending over all the
earth! Is this to die? Is it not rather to live? The
death of Christ - it is the death of God!"
TO
GOD THE FATHER BE GLORY - THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
St.
John the Apostle had been exiled to the Island called Patmos for his
testimony about Jesus Christ. It was while he was serving his sentence
there, that he was visited by the Eternal living and resurrected Son of
God in all His glory.
At
the very presence of the Glorified Christ, John fell at His feet as dead
but Jesus laid His hand upon him, saying: "Fear not; I am in
the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and
behold I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of
death." (Revelation 1:17, 18) To God be all the Honour,
Praise and Glory forever and ever. 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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