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THE
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF
JESUS CHRIST
What
does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
THE
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST
"This
cup is the New Testament of My blood, this ye do, as oft as ye drink it,
in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death til He come." (1 Corinthians
11:25, 26)
"In
Whom also we have obtained an INHERITANCE, being predestinated according
to the purpose of Him. Who worketh all things after the counsel of
His own WILL. That we should be to the
praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ."
"In
Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel
of your salvation: in Whom also, after that ye believed, ye were SEALED
with the Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the EARNEST our our
INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the
praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:11-14)
"The
Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God. And if children, then heirs; HEIRS of God, and JOINT HEIRS
with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be
glorified together." (Romans 8:14-17)
"For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the spirit of ADOPTION; whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
"For
all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory
of God...Who hath also SEALED us, and given the EARNEST of the Spirit in
our hearts. (1 Corinthians 1:20-22)
The
Will & Testament of Jesus Christ is LEGAL, BINDING & UNALTERABLE
The
'Baptism in the Holy Spirit', guarantees our eternal salvation,
providing we "continue in the faith; grounded and settled, and be
not moved away from the hope of the gospel..." (Colossians 1:22-23;
John 8:31)
The
Blessed HOLY SPIRIT is the guarantor of our salvation. The glorious
'Holy Spirit Baptism' is the EARNEST or 'down payment' that God gave to
those who are "heirs of eternal life." (Hebrews 1:14; James
2:5; Titus 3:7; Galatians 3:29)
JESUS
made a legal, binding and unalterable Will or Last Testament before He
died on Calvary's cross, for the sins of the world! He included
us in His all encompassing, yet exclusive WILL!
Even
though Jesus Christ died for everyone, only those who believe the Gospel
and receive Him as Lord and Saviour are included in his Last Will and the
New Testament in His blood!
The
Bible says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Jesus'
LAST WILL and TESTAMENT includes all believers:
"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)
"Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do because I go
into My Father."
"And
whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. If ye shall any thing in My name, I will
do it. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in
Me, and I in you." (John 14:11-14, 20)
THE
CROSS: SATAN'S TOTAL DEFEAT
Before
our Lord died on Golgatha, He cried out: "It is finished."
(John 19:30) He spoke in the Greek language, employing the word: 'tetelestai',
which is taken from the verb 'teleo'. The verb 'teleo' has three
essential meanings:
 1.
"to bring to an end, finish or complete something."
2.
To carry out; accomplish, perform, fulfill."
3.
"To pay what is owed."
When
Jesus cried, "IT IS FINISHED!" He was declaring our liberty.
He had purchased our complete and eternal salvation through His
sufferings and death on the cross!
The
blood was already flowing and His victory over Satan, death, hell and the
grave was already assured! No longer could Satan rule the world
with impunity. His little 'red wagon' was wrecked. His
kingdom was destroyed and the 'foolish one-time archangel' who had wanted
"to be God", was like "the emperor who had no
clothes."
IT
IS FINISHED! Redemption was an accomplished fact! All the
Old Testament Scriptures concerning the Messiah (332 in all - 61 major
prophecies) had been FULFILLED! And our sin debt had been PAID IN
FULL, by the shed blood of 'The Christ, the God-Man', the Saviour of the
world!
St.
Paul makes it so clear: "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 (He was God in human flesh); 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 which is above every name:"
"That
at the name of JESUS, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and
things 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)
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS DEFEATED SATAN
The
all powerful blood of Jesus Christ, which did not die: ("saw no
corruption" - Acts 2:31), stripped the devil of all authority over
every human being who calls upon the name of the Lord for mercy, and
receive Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour!
The
Bible says: "And ye are complete in Him (Christ), Which is the head
of all principality and power:
"And
you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath
He quickened (made alive) 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 show of them openly
(Satan and his demon forces), triumphing over them in it."
(Colossians 2:10, 12-15)
Writing
to the Hebrews, St. Paul (Martin Luther thought it was Apollos) states
emphatically that Jesus Christ not only destroyed Satan's works (1 John
3:8), but the 'EVIL ONE' as well:
"Forasmuch
then as the children (that's us) are partakers of flesh and blood, He
(Jesus Christ) also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through
DEATH, He might DESTROY him that had the power of death, that is, the
DEVIL; And DELIVER them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14, 15)
Christ's
Victory and Satan's Defeat is Our Liberty! The Bible says:
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you fee.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
(John 8:32, 36)
The
Holy Spirit lets us in on a very important truth concerning the works of
the devil versus the workings of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
"The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and kill, and to destroy: I am come
that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
WHO
IS THE THIEF THAT JESUS REFERS TO?
Who
is the THIEF that Jesus is referring to in this scripture? The Holy
Spirit answers that question so well: "He that committeth sin is of
the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of
the devil." (1 John 3:8)
During
His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ vigorously opposed and defeated these
enemies: sin, fear, sickness, death, poverty, demons and Satan himself!
"How
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, Who
went about doing good and healing all who were OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL,
for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
Some
people have questioned where sickness and disease comes from! We
know that before the "fall of our first parents", there was
neither SICKNESS nor DEATH! With sin, came fear, pain, sickness,
disease, death and sorrow!
ONE
THING WE KNOW FOR SURE:
One
thing that we know: The Holy Spirit always tells the truth.
He states unequivocally, that all the sick and diseased people that Jesus
healed, were OPPRESSED and made SICK by Satan.
Satan
made them sick, but Jesus made them all well! Hallelujah to the Lamb!
JESUS
IS TESTATOR: The Holy Spirit is executor of His Will
These
Scriptures prove without a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus Christ, Who made
the WILL that includes us all, died and rose again! He is ALIVE and
is seated on God's right hand, and the Holy Spirit is the Executor of His
WILL.
Therefore,
we can be assured that what Jesus died to provide for us, will be given
to us, without fear of duplicity, trickery or unethical practice on the
part of relatives, interested parties or dishonest judges, lawyers,
advocates or executors! Hallelujah!
The
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He is the Executor of Jesus' WILL!
The Bible says that He convicts us of sin, convinces us of the reality of
heaven and hell, invites us to repent and return to the Father, through
the finished work of Jesus Christ on the 'cursed tree'!
The
Holy Spirit always causes us to glorify Jesus and share His gospel with
others. He intercedes to the Father on our behalf, praying through
us with 'groanings' that that cannot be uttered! He leads, guides
and directs us through the Word of God and the gifts of the Spirit!
He comforts us. He fills us with joy, peace, love and power, and
HEALS US!
In
Canada, an executor of a WILL is entitled to an agreed specific amount up
to 15% of the total amount of the will! The Holy Spirit does not
take anything for His work. He will give us 100% of what Jesus died
to provide us! And our Lord Jesus Christ works together with the
Holy Spirit, to make absolutely sure that we receive what is Biblically,
legally and rightfully ours!
JESUS
CHRIST SITS ON THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND
The
Bible says: "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all, How shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things?" (Romans 8:32)
JESUS
is alive and is presently seated on the right hand of the Majesty on High
(Hebrews 1:3, 8:1), and oversees the righteous implementation of His own
WILL!
It
is impossible for Jesus Christ not to keep His Word, since He is the
'Way, Truth and Life', and because it is His WILL to do so! He has
promised to meet every need of His believing saints, who are "heirs
of God and joint heirs" with Himself. (Matthew 11:28)
And
since He is in Heaven NOW, with God the Father, He will do whatever His
legal, binding, eternal WILL declares! No one can break, contest or
alter His LAST WILL and TESTAMENT! Anyone who tries to do so is a
thief, blasphemer and liar. No one can steal the inheritance of
God's 'blood washed' children!
I
trust Almighty God, my Heavenly Father and the Blessed Holy Spirit - the
executor of Jesus' Will - to deliver to myself and all born-again
believers, what is legally ours through inheritance, as "Children of
God, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ."!
The
Bible says, "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death."
"For
as many as are leg by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to dear, but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
"The
Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God. And if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Jesus Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also
glorified together." (Romans 8:1, 2, 14-17)
The
Word of God declares: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Beloved, now
are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but
we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall
see Him as He is." (1 John 3:1,2)
HE
IS IN US, WE ARE IN HIM: WE ARE HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD
The
Bible says: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your
affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our LIFE,
shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
(Colossians 3:1-4)
St.
Paul enunciated one of the greatest truths that human ears and minds,
could hear and understand, when he wrote: "For we are members of His
body, of His flesh, and of His bones. This is a great mystery, but I
speak concerning Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:30,32)
He
was instructing the church in 'family matters', regarding a man's
relationship to his wife! He said: "For this cause shall a man
leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they
two shall be one flesh." (verse 31)
After
God had performed surgery on Adam, in order to create a woman out of his
rib, the man said: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man."
(Genesis 2: 23)
It
is clear, that as the first Adam identified his wife as, "bone of my
bone and flesh of my flesh", Jesus Christ, Who was the second and
last Adam (1 Corinthians 15: 45-47), identifies himself with the CHURCH
which is His body, just as closely.
"We
are one with Christ. He is in us and we are in Him, and we are hid with
Christ in God! He is the “Head of the Church and we are His body."
(Ephesians 1:22-23; Col.1: 18). He is "the Vine and we are the
branches." (John 15:5). We are bone of His bones and flesh of
His flesh! (Ephesians 5:30)
He
has no sin in His life, nor should we. He has no sickness in His body,
nor should we! He has no cancer in His flesh. He has no broken bones or
incurable disease and since we are bone of His bones and flesh of His
flesh, we receive His spiritual life (which is against sin) and physical
healing and health because "BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED."
(Isaiah 53:4,5: Matthew 8:16,17: 1 Peter 2:24)
In
His high priestly prayer to His Heavenly Father, Jesus prayed: "As
Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the
world." (John 17:18) And St. John stated: "…because as
He is, so are we in this world." ( John 4:17)
THERE
IS NO DENYING IT! We who are 'born again' are "one with
Christ". We are "in Him" and "He is in us"
and we are ONE with the Father and the Holy Spirit! Jesus Christ is
"our life"! We are "hid with Christ in God"!
You can’t get any closer than that! We are safe and secure in Him!
The
Bible says: “That they may be ONE, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in
Thee, that they also may be ONE in Us: that the world may believe that
Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them;
that they may be ONE even as We are ONE: I in them and Thou in Me…”
(John 17: 21-23)
This
is why God’s Word says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have
overcome them (the evil spirits): because greater is He that is in you,
than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:1)
Greater
is Jesus Christ, My Lord and Saviour, Who purchased my salvation and has
the title deed to my life! Greater is the Holy Spirit, Who is within me,
directing me, leading me and protecting me, than the devil and all his
evil power that is within the world!
Greater
is the Word of God that is within my spirit-man and the BLOOD OF JESUS
that cleanses me, covers me and protects me, than all the demons of hell!
And greater are God’s angels that protect me, from all the onslaughts
of the enemy!
The
Bible says: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear Him, and delivereth them." (Psalms 119:7) Hallelujah! God's
Word states: "For in Him we live, we move, and have our
being..." (Acts 17:28) A gospel song says: "I can't even
walk without Him (the Lord) holding my hand."
Our
lives are in God's hands and what a wonderful place to be!
The
Bible says: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper:
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt
condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their
righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17)
“There
shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh unto thy
dwelling, Because he hath set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver
him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call
upon Me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will
deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew
him My salvation." (Psalms 91:10,14-16)
"Fear
thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of My righteousness
“Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring
forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of
the Lord shall be thy rear guard. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord
shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here am I..."
(Isaiah 41:10; 58:8-9)
THE
BIBLE SAYS: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth
on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith." (Galatians 3:13,14)
St.
Paul wrote so confidently: "Now thanks be unto God, Who always
causeth us to TRIUMPH IN CHRIST, and maketh manifest the savour of His
knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of
Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish." (2
Corinthians 2:14,15)
"Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him that
loved US.
“For
I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the LOVE OF GOD, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:35-39)
THE
WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE
God’s
Word does not change to meet the ever changing times, fashions, and whims
of mankind! His laws are fixed, immutable and sure!
A
number of years ago, I discussed the importance of praying for the sick
with several fellow ministers. I stated that God’s promises to answer
our prayers for the sick and suffering are found in many and varied
places in the Bible, even in a familiar passage like Hebrews 4:12. They
were amazed when I pointed it out to them:
“For
the Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart."
Jesus
is the living Word of God, and the Bible is the written Word of God. It
is alive and so effective that it can minister to the various needs of
our soul (intellect, emotions and will and our spirit (inner spirit-man),
and is a discerner of our very thoughts and intents! God’s Word also
brings peace, rest and divine healing to our body (physical), as well as
our spirits and souls!
I
said: “There may be sin in our hearts, minds or spirits, but what about
our joints and the marrow of our bones? There is NO SIN there, but there
may be arthritis, cancer or some other dread disease there. We may have
broken bones that need to be mended! The Word of God gets into those
areas and heals us, just like the Bible says."
The
Word of God says: “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He
saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His Word and HEALED them,
and delivereth them from their destructions." (Psalms 107: 19,20)
WHAT
IS OUR INHERITANCE?
God’s
promises to us today, are the same as for those of any other age! He has
not changed, cannot change and will not change!
God
has not lied, He cannot lie and He will not lie! He has not failed,
cannot fail and will not fail! He is no respecter of persons, places
or times. What He has done for others, in different places or times, He
will do for us, if we believe and trust Him! God is always ready to help
us. He is not on vacation or sleeping. He is available 24 hours a day and
best of all, He loves us!
I
had wonderful parents, who were always there for their children. If
anyone needed help - of any kind - they were always available and ready
to respond! But, sadly, as the years passed, they got old, became ill and
finally died! God, however, cannot die!
God
is much like my parents, with several exceptions: God is better than they
were. He is perfect and totally good, gracious and kind. And He
loves us unconditionally! Secondly, He has the power to save us, forgive
us, protect us, heal us and prosper us!
And
finally, God doesn’t get tired or old. He will never die and leave us
to fend for ourselves! Jesus promised: “…and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28: 20)
The
writer to the Hebrews (probably Paul), expands upon Jesus’ promise:
“…for He (Jesus) hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee.” (Hebrews 13: 5)
In
the original Greek text, Jesus used a double imperative to express how
strongly He felt about giving of Himself to His followers! He said, “I
will never, no never leave thee. I will never, no never forsake
thee…"
WHAT
DID JESUS PROVIDE FOR US, IN HIS LAST WILL?
1).
Peace
“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)
“These
things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world.” (John 16:33)
“And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called
in one Body. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 3: 15; Romans 5: 1)
“And
the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4: 7)
2).
Love
Beloved,
let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth, is
born of God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.
“In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his
only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein
is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to
be the propitiation for our sins.
“Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen
God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us and His love
is perfected in us.” Herein know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us,
because He hath given us of His Spirit. (1 John 4: 7-13); “And hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.” (Romans 5: 5)
3).
Joy
“But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
(Galatians 5: 22,23)
“These
things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask,
and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 15: 11; 16: 24)
“For
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace,
and JOY in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14: 17)
“Now
unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding JOY.” (Jude
24; James 1: 2; 1 Peter. 4:13)
4).
Divine Healing
“…for
I am the Lord that healeth thee…and I will take sickness away from the
midst of thee; And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and
will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon
thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” (Exodus 15:26;
23: 24-25; Deuteronomy 7: 15)
“Bless
the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all
thine iniquitites; who healeth all thy diseases; He sent His Word, and
healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalms 103:
2,3; 107: 20)
“Surely
He hath borne our sicknesses (kholee - heb.), and carried our pains (makob
– heb.) yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His
stripes, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53: 4,5)
“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 Isaiah the
prophet, Saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses.” (Matthew 8: 16,17)
“Who
His (Jesus) own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes we
were healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24)
JESUS
CHRIST GAVE HIS POWER TO HEAL the sick, to the twelve apostles
(Matthew 10: 8; Mark 6: 7, 12,13, to the seventy disciples (Luke 10:
17-19) and to all believers (Mark 16: 17-20)
The
Bible instructs the Church in the procedure of bringing Divine Healing to
its members: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the
church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of
the Lord:
“And
the prayer of faith shall save (gr. sozei, the future, 3rd. singular of
sozo – to ‘save, heal, protect, make well’) the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven
him.” (James 5: 14,15)
John
Wesley - founder of the Methodist Church - in ‘His Notes on the New
Testament’, commenting on James 5: 14, says: “Having anointed him
with oil” – this single conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to
His apostles (Mark 6:13), remained in the church long after the
miraculous gifts ceased. It seems to have been designed to remain always;
and St. James directs the elders, who were the most gifted men, to
administer it. This was the whole process of physic in the Christian
church, till it was lost through unbelief."
5).
Holy Ghost Baptism: Fire and Power
“But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and
ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8)
“…He
(Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Luke 3:
16) And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,
(parakletos, gr. – One sent along side to help) that He may abide with
you forever:
“Even
the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him
not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and
shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
“But
the Comforter (One just like Jesus) Which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the
Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if
I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John 14: 16-18,26; 15:26; 16:7
“Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and
to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
(Acts 2: 38,39)
“And
be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5: 18,19)
“But,
beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you that there should be
mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
“These
be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But, ye,
beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of
our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 17-21)
6).
Fellowship with God, and Believers
“That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with
His Son Jesus Christ: .
“If
we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie,
and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanseth us from all sins.” (1 John 1: 3,6,7)
“God
is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus
Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1: 9)
7).
Eternal Life
“That
whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John
3: 25,16)
“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 then 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” (John
10: 26-30)
“As
Thou hast given Him (God’s Son) POWER OVER ALL FLESH, that He should
give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life
eternal, that they might know Thee the ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ,
Whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17: 2,3;)
That
which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen
with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of
the WORD OF LIFE:
“For
the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show
unto you that eternal life, Which was with the Father, and was manifested
unto us;” (1 John 1: 1,2)
“He
that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that
believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the
record that God gave of His Son.
“And
this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life
is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the
Son of God hath not life.
“These
things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of
God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe
on the name of the Son of God.
“And
we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And
we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,
that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that true, even in
His Son Jesus Christ. This is the TRUE GOD and ETERNAL LIFE.” (1 John
5: 10-13,19,20)
“Neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but by HIS OWN BLOOD He entered in once
into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the ETERNAL SPIRIT
offered Himself without spot to GOD (the Father), purge your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God?
“And
for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
“For
where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the
testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead: otherwise it is
of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
“For
then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but
now once in the end of the world hath HE APPEARED TO PUT AWAY SIN BY THE
SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF.
“So
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look
for Him shall He appear the Second Time without sin unto salvation.”
(Hebrews 9: 12,14-18,24-28)
Amen
WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN
YOU DIE?
What
does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Listen
to 'The Place called Heaven'' audio sermon
WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL
?
Jesus
said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom
of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born
again." (John 3:3, 7)
Many
people wonder what happens when you die. Do you just die and that's
it, ITS ALL OVER. Does your body just lie in a grave forever, OR IS
THERE MORE? Is there an after life, is there a heaven and is there
a hell.
WHAT
WOULD THE DEAD TELL US ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH - IF THEY COULD? IS
THERE REALLY A HEAVEN? IS HELL REAL?
What
would the dead say happens after you die? Would they tell us of Heaven,
would they tell us of Hell or would they say there is nothing in the
after life?
Would
the deceased share with us words of encouragement and blessing of what
they are experiencing, or would they hurl verbal accusations against the
preachers, pastors and theologians who lied to them about ETERNITY and
the wages of sin, WHICH IS DEATH? (Romans 6:23)
WHAT
DOES THE BIBLE SAY HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?
The
Bible tells us that one day we will die, and after death comes the
judgment. The Bible tells us there is a Heaven and a Hell.
The
Bible tells us that when we die, we will certainly be judged, and then we
will go to Heaven or to Hell for eternity.
SATAN
AND HIS DEMONS CAN TRANSFORM INTO "ANGELS OF LIGHT"
"And
when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits,
and unto wizards that peep, and mutter; should not a people seek their
God? for the living to the dead?" (Isaiah 8:19)
Satan
and his demons: translated into angels of light. I am not referring
to the hocus pocus of spiritualist mediums who "mutter and
peep" during their
séances. (Isaiah 8:19) These medium are supposedly communicating
with the dead, and often conjure up masquerading demons who give only
half truths, lies and deception. These mediums are in violation of
God's word. (Isaiah 8:19)
When
I speak of Satan and his demons: Translated into angels of light, I am
not referring to the group of occults that make up the New Age Movement.
When
I speak of Satan and his demons: translated into light, I am also not
referring to the weird, occult spirit guides, yoga flyers, channellers,
pyramid power, crystal balers, soul travelers and clairvoyants who make
up the New Age Movement.
SATAN
AND HIS DEMONS HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES
INTO "AN ANGEL OF LIGHT"
When
Satan and his demons (evil spirits) are transformed into "an angel
of light", their mission is to deceive the spiritually ignorant into
trusting and believing their lies.
Satan
and his demons make people believe they are "An Angel of
Light", that they are good spirits, instead of evil spirits.
The mission of Satan and his evil spirits is to sway gullible, trusting
people to believe him and not to believe in Jesus Christ, who is the
"light of the world."
Satan
and his demons are recruiting people for Hell. Satan and his evil
spirits, the demons, are working over time to turn people from Jesus
Christ.
ST.
PAUL WARNED IN 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14-15 THAT SATAN CAN TRANSFORM HIMSELF
INTO "AN ANGEL OF LIGHT"
"For
such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is
transformed into "an angel of light". Therefore it is no
great thing that if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2
Corinthians 11:13-15)
St.
Paul warned that Satan has the ability to transform himself - as do
his ministers - into “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians
11:14,15), seeking to deceive the spiritually ignorant and gullible
into trusting his lies rather than believing in Jesus Christ the true
"light of the world"! (John 8:12)
I
am referring to the words of Jesus Christ Who said, 'I AM THE WAY, THE
TRUTH AND THE LIFE, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John
14:6) "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28)
JESUS
TOLD THE STORY OF HEAVEN AND HELL
Jesus
gave us the answers of what happens when you die. Jesus clearly
tells us in the Bible of what happens when you die.
JESUS
TOLD THE STORY OF TWO MEN WHO DIED AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AFTER THEY
DIED. JESUS GAVE US A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH
Jesus
allowed us to look beyond the veil to see what happens at the time of
death and 'after death'! Jesus
told the story of two men who died and what their final outcome
was.
THE
STORY OF LAZARUS & THE RICH MAN
Lazarus,
the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Heaven, paradise.
The Rich Man died and was sent to Hell.
Lazarus
was terminally ill, unable to work and had to resort to begging, in order
to stay alive. The other man whom Jesus did not name, was very rich with
no thought for God or anyone else. He had no compassion for the poor, as
was evidenced by his treatment of the beggar who was carried daily to his
gate and subsisted only on the crumbs which fell from his table!
THE
HOLY BIBLE, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY BOOK YOU CAN RELY ON FOR
ANSWERS OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE
WHEN
LAZARUS DIED HE WAS CARRIED BY ANGELS INTO HEAVEN (PARADISE).
Taking his
last breath 'didn't end it' for Lazarus. Jesus stated that "he
was carried by the angels into paradise - Abraham's bosom" -
where he was comforted. When the "rich man" died, he was
undoubtedly afforded a splendid funeral, but that wasn't the end for him
either! Here is 'THE REST OF THE STORY', as Paul Harvey would put it!
THE
RICH MAN CRIED IN TORMENT IN HELL AND BEGGED FOR A DROP OF WATER
"And
in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and he cried and said,
Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip his
finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this
flame."
Abraham
refused his plea, stating: "Between us and you there is a great gulf
fixed" with no traffic allowed between the Two Places! Then the
'doomed man' became missionary-minded and pleaded that Lazarus be sent to
urge his five brothers to repent of their sins, "lest they come into
this place of torment"! Again Abraham had to refuse his request
saying, "They have Moses and the prophets; Let them hear them".
The
rich man remonstrated, saying: "Nay, father Abraham: but if one went
unto them from the dead they will repent." Abraham got the last
word, however: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded, thou one rose from the dead." (Luke
16:19-31)
What
will it take, to cause people to repent? What will it take for people to
forsake their sins and be converted? What will it take for people to
turn from their wicked ways and give their lives to God through Jesus
Christ our Lord?
We
need to think long and hard of eternity. We aren't able to
speak to the dead to find out answers. We can't ask the deceased
what happened when they died. We must rely on the Bible scriptures for
the answers which are clearly written.
Some
people are fortunate enough to get a 'FINAL WAKE-UP CALL' in
their life. This "final wake up call" could be in the form of a
national disaster, a terminal illness or someone close to them dying.
This
final wake up call causes them to re-examine their lives, and
forces them to look at the big picture. Each one of us will
eventually die, that life here on earth is short, but what comes
after death. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU DIE. Is there an after
life, is there a Heaven and a Hell, and where will happen to them when
they die.
Many
people continue rejecting the Lord, thinking they have all the time in
the world, that they are indestructible and not worrying about the future
or eternity. But one day it will be too late for these people, because
when you die, you will not receive any wake up calls or be given a second
chance. Each one of us has only one life, and each one of us will
one day die. And each one of us must carefully consider the
question, "What happens when you die."
Each
person alive today has the ability to choose his own path, God has given
us the choice. Satan and his demons are hard at work transforming
into "Angels of Light". Beware of Satan trying to fool
you. Beware of people who claim they are speaking with the dead.
Beware of Satan and his evil spirits who are lurking everywhere,
transformed as "angels of light".
Instead,
turn to Jesus Christ, the true angel of light. Turn to the Holy
Bible scriptures for the answers. Think carefully before you
believe people who are trying to turn you away from Jesus Christ.
These people could be Satan and his demons transformed into "Angels
of Light".
PERSONAL
TESTIMONIES OF INFLUENTIAL MEN!
Some
time ago while preaching in Norway, I was given a copy of the powerful
testimonies of a number of very influential men, who had expressed their
personal beliefs in no uncertain terms. Here are several of them.
SWEDISH
AUTHOR AUGUST STRINBERG STATED: I ASCRIBE ALL MY MISFORTUNE TO THE FACT
THAT I HAVE BEEN GODLESS
Shortly
before his death, well-known Swedish author, August Strinberg, made this
statement. "Clearly said: I ascribe all my misfortune to this one
fact, that I have been godless!
WITHOUT
GOD YOU CANNOT RECEIVE ANY BLESSINGS
An
individual that has broken contact with God, cannot receive any
blessings. All this talk about 'being your own man and making your own
happiness' is chaff! "If the Lord does not build the house,
they labour in vain who build it. That is the whole truth!
That
misfortune can also strike a person of faith, we know. But the outcome is
not the same. These accidents seem only like trials that pass over and
leave peace in their wake!
"A
curse rests upon everything that an ungodly person puts his hand to. If
money comes his way, it will disappear like it came. Nothing remains,
nothing prospers in the life of the ungodly!"
SIR
WINSTON CHURCHILL: CHRISTIANITY IS THE MOST SECURE FOUNDATION FOR A
PEOPLE
When
Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain visited Norway
shortly after World War 11, he spoke at Oslo's University. Here are some
of his remarkable words.
"In
order to make excuses for myself, I could mention the school teachers of
my youth who rejected Christianity. But I will lay the blame upon myself.
Then, maybe I'll find ONE who will carry that for me. "Nothing can
come against the future of a people who has the Christian ethic as their
leading light. Christianity is the most secure foundation for a
people!"
PRESIDENT
DWIGHT EISENHOWER: THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THE SUREST STRENGTH AND
PRESERVE THAT AMERICA HAS
In
a radio and television speech, US President Eisenhower said: "The
Christian Faith is the surest strength and the greatest preserve that
America has. On the battlefields we learned that there are no atheists in
the foxholes!
"In
the highest sense, the Bible is to us the unique repository of eternal
spiritual truths. In the most tangible sense, it is the ultimate and
indispensable source of inspiration for America's life in freedom."
PRESIDENT
GEORGES CLEMENCAU WAS AN ATHEIST & REJECTER OF GOD
The
French President, Georges Clemencau was an atheist and God rejecter.
Shortly before his death in 1929, he wrote this letter to his friend,
Gustav Herve (1871-1944), French politician & publicist:
"Dear
friend! I will soon leave this world. You know that during my entire
life-time I have run roughshod over Christianity, and similarly, so has
my republican government done!
"I
am now convinced, however, that it is impossible to build an ordered
society upon unbelief. If I had understood this earlier, I would have
without fear of being ridiculed stood in the breach for it, like you are
doing. "I hereby give you full authority to officially make known my
testament, as an educational lesson for the next generation."
PRINCE
OSKAR BERNADOTTE:
At
the conclusion of a speech, Prince Bernadotte (1859-1958) of Sweden,
stated: "To all here present I wish to testify, that the greatest
thing in my life is to be a witness for Jesus. A person could easily
believe that someone in my position should always be happy, but that is
not the case. "Being in possession of the very choicest of what this
world has to offer, wouldn't give an individual peace. The heart of man
longs for something better!
"Immediately,
after receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, that restless
longing for something more was gone. My desire and goal in life is to be
a witness about His love in word and deed. "And I wish to say to all
who listen to these words, that it is a joy to serve Him, a great - great
joy."
HERE
ARE SOME MORE POWERFUL WITNESSES FOR JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL, WHICH PROVE
THE ENNOBLING AFFECT CHRISTIANITY HAS HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE UPON
INDIVIDUAL LIVES AND SOCIETY AT LARGE!
CROWN
PRINCE HAAKON MAGNUS:
In
an interview with NRK TV Oslo, on July 20, 1991, Norway’s Crown Prince
Haakon stated: “Jesus is my hero, my role model”.
The
interview took place on Haakon’s 18th Birthday and his declaration
about Jesus was in response to a question he was asked about whether he
had any other role models outside his immediate family.
He
said, “I believe that Christianity is a very fine model, whether people
are religious or not. In many ways Christianity is the strength that
carries us in Norway. Especially when times are tough and difficult, it
is important that people know that there is a spinal-cord in our faith,
nationally”.
When
asked if this faith was important for him personally, Haakon answered:
“Yes, since very young. I have a very strong relationship, especially
with the New Testament. I remember my confirmation was a strong
experience for me - not just the ceremony in the Palace Chapel, but also
preparing for it”.
THE
NORWEGIAN ROYAL FAMILY:
Norway’s
Royal Family has always had a strong Christian influence on that nation!
As the Nazis were invading Norway, during World War II, King Haakon was
forced to flee with his family and the entire government to England.
Speaking
to the Norwegian people on BBC radio from London on Christmas Eve 1940,
the king stated: “Men have removed my name from the official prayers of
the Norwegian Church. I include in my prayers, my Christmas wishes and
thoughts for all the Norwegian people, that you will join with me and
mine in a red-hot prayer for the future of Norway”.
KING
OLAV V:
When
this godly man was crowned in 1958, he said: “It seems only natural to
me that the king should pray for forgiveness for his deeds”.
Several
years before his death, King Olav spoke in ‘King Haakon’s
Cathedral’ in Copenhagen. His closing remarks were: “I pray that this
Church will continue to be a great blessing to the Danish people, even
until the Coming of Jesus Christ”. When the service was
concluded, the Bishop asked King Olav if he believed in the ‘Second
Coming of Jesus Christ’, to which the king answered emphatically, “JA
VIST!” meaning “YES, OF COURSE”!
HIS
MAJESTY KING HARALD:
During
a 1995 interview, King Harald expressed himself thusly: “It is good to
receive letters from people informing me that they are praying for me.
There is power in the ‘folded hands’, and when that power is
concentrated on the work of the king, clearly it feels good”.
CHARLES
LAMB:
In
a letter published after his death, Robert Browning, the famous poet,
quoted the utterances of men of genius concerning the Christian faith.
Here is one from the eminent Charles Lamb, British author and critic
(1775-1834):
"In
a gay fancy with some friends as to how they would feel if some of the
greatest of the dead were to appear suddenly in flesh and blood once
more, on the final suggestion, 'And if Christ entered this room?' he
changed his manner at once and stuttered out as his manner was when
moved, 'You see if Shakespeare entered we should all rise; if HE
appeared, we must kneel."
VICTOR
HUGO:
The
distinguished French author Victor Hugo (1802-1885), wrote: “England
has two great books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare
and the Bible made England”.
PRESIDENT
ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
“I
believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to mankind. All of
the good from the Saviour of this world is communicated through this
Book; but for this Book, we could not know right from wrong. All of the
things desirable to man are contained in it”.
ALEXIS
DE TOCQUILLE:
In
1931, Alexis de Tocquille was given a commission by the government of
France to examine the prisons and penitentiaries of America. While in
that country, he gathered information for a penetrating study of American
society and politics.
This
led to the publication of his two volumes on ‘Democracy in America’
(1835, 1840) which won him a reputation in Europe and a seat on the
‘French Academy’. The Encyclopedia Britannica says: “...his
writings proved him to be one of the shrewdest, if more pessimistic,
political observers of his century”.
Tocquille
wrote: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her
commodious harbours and her ample rivers, and it was not there: in her
rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I
went into the churches of America, and heard her pulpits aflame with
righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power.”
EMPEROR
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE:
Fredrick
W. Kates’ article in ‘The Churchman’ states: “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 & 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! “Everything in Him astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and
His will confounds me. Beside 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 eyes, 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 -
and of a grandeur which overpowers."
“His
religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not a
man. There is a profound originality, which has created a series 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 religions, that resemblance does not exist. There is between
Christianity and other religions, the distance of infinity...”
PRESIDENT
CHIANG KAI SHEK:
Here
is the personal testimony of Taiwan’s President Chiang Kai Shek to his
people, after fleeing the onslaught of China’s communist chief and mass
murderer, Mao Zedong. “How I wish that all the people would read
the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible
which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the
triune God: Father, Son & Holy Spirit".
“The
Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His
Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and
shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in
Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically.
“Christ
is FREEDOM’S rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone
who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!”
JOHN
NEWTON: One
of the world’s most beloved hymns was written by John Newton. Here is
the first verse of that song:
“Amazing
Grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see.”
The
epitaph of John Newton’s tombstone, in his own words give a powerful
testimony of GOD’S GRACE in his life: “I was an infidel, libertine
and slave trader, but by the rich mercy of Jesus I was preserved,
restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith I long laboured to
destroy.”
CHRIST
IS THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHER: HE
CHANGED MY LIFE - GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH:
During
the current Republican primary (Feb/2000), Texas Gov. George W. Bush made
a very profound statement, more intellectually brilliant than many of the
theologians, philosophers and politicians I have studied for the past
forty years! When asked by reporters, "Who do you consider the
greatest philosopher"? he answered, "Christ. He changed my
heart!"
I
have often used those very same words, stating unequivocally that the
'PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS' like: "Do unto others as you would have them
do unto you" and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart...and thy neighbour as thyself", is unparalleled among any
group of secular philosophers or religious gurus you may name!
Ask
yourself: "Could anyone improve upon His parable of the 'Good
Samaritan' which He used to lecture the lawyer who asked, "Who is my
neighbour?" The answer is, "CERTAINLY NOT!"
Let’s
look at the statements and actions of some of the so-called great
philosophers we have had to study over the years:
PLATO
- (427-348 B.C.):
Plato,
the Greek Philosopher - a student of Socrates, a Greek teacher of wisdom
and ethics - in 375 B.C. stated:
“Our
men & women should be forbidden by law to live together in separate
households and all women should be common to all men. Similarly, all
children should be held in common. No parent should know its child or
child its parent.”
Have
you heard of anything so warped, wanton & twisted, coming from the
pen of a so-called brilliant philosopher? Without doubt, Plato was a
DEVIANT and PERVERT of the first degree!
After
reading such a carnal, lustful and immoral statement about the sacred
state of marriage, love and family, how could anyone trust his opinions
about God, existence, the purpose of life, death or the ‘afterlife’!
The teaching of Socrates, who advocated that “virtue is wisdom”, was
most certainly lost on his protege Plato.
JESUS
HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LIFE!
He
said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man cometh unto the
Father but by Me”. (John 14:6) He stated, “The thief (devil)
cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have
life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) And He spoke
about ETERNAL LIFE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life”. (John 3:16)
BERTRAND
RUSSELL:
This
supposedly brilliant philosopher lived to be almost 100 years of age and
died as an unbeliever. And, that is sad!
He
wrote the book, ‘Why I am Not a Christian’, even after having had the
privilege of reading the greatest of all books, ‘THE HOLY BIBLE’,
which is the Word of God.
Jesus
Christ declared that “Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye
have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me”. (John 5:39),
and St. Paul stated that “the scriptures are able to make thee wise
unto salvation”. (2 Tim. 3:15)
We
cannot compare Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with a SPIRITUAL ILLITERATE
like Bertrand Russell, who at an advanced age - when he should have known
better - allegedly dispensed advise about loosening our moral codes to
give more license to “free sex”!
JAMES
RUSSEL LOWELL:
James
Russell Lowell was a literary genius and one-time U.S.
minister-ambassador to Great Britain. Here is his answer to a sarcastic
critic:
"I
challenge any skeptic to find a ten-square-mile spot on this planet where
they can live their lives in peace and safety and decency, where
womanhood is honoured, where infants and old are revered, where they can
educate their children, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not gone
first to prepare the way. If they find such a place, then I would
encourage them to emigrate thither and there proclaim their
unbelief."
I
challenge any pointy-headed University professor, seminary theologian or
media talking-head to come up with a better philosophy than the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, which changes hearts and lives for the better!
JESUS
REGULARLY QUOTED THE LAW, PSALMS & THE PROPHETS!
Jeremiah
stated, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked (incurably sick): who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9;
Ecclesiastes. 9:3)
And
Jesus declared, "For from within, out of the heart of men,
proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21,22)
Ezekiel
stated: "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your
transgressions...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will
I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you a heart of flesh.
“And
will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and
ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26,27)
THE
BIBLE SAYS: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a
new creation; behold, old things are passed away; all things become
new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus
Christ is not only the Savior of the world, the Great Physician and
Healer of broken hearts, minds and families, but He is also the greatest
Teacher and dispenser of Wisdom and Understanding this world will ever
know!
AND
YES, THE WORLD'S GREATEST PHILOSOPHER, AS WELL, BECAUSE HE CHANGES HEARTS
AND LIVES TODAY! AND ISN'T THAT WHAT EVERYONE HOPES AND LONGS FOR?
By
the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is reaching out even
now to bring forgiveness, love, peace, joy & healing to each one of
us at this very moment!
He
said, “Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28) Amen
Powerful AUDIO Bible
sermons messages
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
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