|
 WHAT
IS SIN?
and
how to be
FORGIVEN
FROM SIN
What
does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D..
WHAT
IS SIN?
To
put it simply, SIN IS BREAKING GOD'S LAWS or COMMANDMENTS.
From
the original Greek and Hebrew scriptures, when translated the
Bible has several words for Sin, one being 'transgression' ad
another being 'iniquity.'
Sin
is "Transgression of God's Law" - "And the LORD
commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God,
for our good always, that he might preserve
us alive, as it is at this day." (Deuteronomy 6:24).
SIN
is defined as: "Actions by which people rebel against God, to
'miss the mark'. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my
commandments." (John 14:15)
SIN
IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD
"And
hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4)
SIN
HAS ITS ROOT IN THE INNER MAN
"For
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"
(Romans 3:23)
We
are all sinners, we are born in sin. Jesus Christ is perfection,
and He is the standard that we must judge and measure sin by.
Sin
has its root in the inner man.
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth
from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the
heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies.: These are the things
which defile a man but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a
man."
SIN
PUTS A BARRIER BETWEEN GOD AND MAN
Breaking
God's commandments or laws separates you from God.
"But
your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your
sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
(Isaiah 59:2)
SIN
IS "UNBELIEF"
Unbelief
rejects, denies, substitutes for God's Truth. "He
that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)
SIN
BRINGS DEATH
Sin
brings death. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 6:23) "The
soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:20)
SIN
IS REAL - WE ARE ALL SINNERS
Thousands
of years ago, King David stated: "He that confesseth and
forsaketh his son shall have mercy; bu the that covereth his sin
shall not prosper." (Proverbs 28:13)
The
Bible states emphatically: "If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." 1 John 19
"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 sin". (1 John 1:7)
Sin
is real, says famed psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger. The
highly acclaimed psychiatrist is distressed by modern society's
failure to understand that many of man's problems are caused by
sin.
It
annoys him to hear people discuss morality without so much as
mentioning the word "SIN".
WHEN
WE DISCOVER THE ROOT OF OUR PROBLEMS - WE CAN DEAL WITH THEM
Menninger
believes that in order to raise civilization's moral tone and deal
with depression, anxiety and worry, people must learn the root
cause of their problems.
And
the root cause in many instances is a person's unwillingness to
take responsibility for his own actions, but rather lay the blame
on someone - or something - else!
Several
decades ago, George W. Cornell of the Associated Press (AP) wrote
a column titled "Word Sin Disappears but Remains a Fact', in
which he quoted at great length Dr. Karl Menninger's beliefs on
this subject.
ARE
IMMORALITY & UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR SIN?
"He
says the realities of personal guilt and sin have bee glossed over
as symptoms of emotional illness or environmental conditioning for
which the individual is not considered responsible, but he adds:
"There
is sin...which cannot be subsumed under verbal artifacts such as
'disease', 'delinquency', 'deviancy'. There is immorality.
There is unethical behavior. There is wrong doing."
WHATEVER
BECAME OF SIN?
Cornell
states: "He calls for a reaffirmation of the concept of sin
and personal responsibility for it." In a new book
published by Hawthorne called 'Whatever Became of Sin?" he
declares:
"In
the concept of personal responsibility and answerability for
ourselves and for others were to return to common acceptance, hope
would return to the world with it."
We
have the father of psycho-analysis, Sigmund Freud - who was
battling his own weird and kinky imaginations and habits - to
thank for much of that! The
founder of the Menninger Center in Topeka, Kansas, is seeking to
correct the situation by addressing the problem.
SIN
HAS A DEFIANT, DISLOYAL QUALITY
His
latest book, 'Whatever Became of Sin?',. described the subject as
"a transgression of the law of God; disobedience of the
divine will; moral failure...Sin has a defiant, or disloyal
quality, some is defiled or offended or hurt."
Modern
psychiatry often lets people off the hook. And failure to
bring offenders face to face with their error could produce a
sense of vindication, without coming to grips with the problem;
the need to change lifestyles.
ACCEPTING
RESPONSIBILITY & REPENTING BRINGS FREEDOM FROM GUILT
& ANXIETY
Menninger
has successfully treated thousands of clients for more than a half
century and has proven that acceptance of responsibility coupled
with repentance, often brings freedom from guilt and anxiety.
The refusal to confront the problem only compounds it by giving at
the very best, temporary relief.
Thousands
of years ago, King David stated: "He that confesseth and
forsaketh his sin shall have mercy, but he that covereth his sin
shall not prosper." (Proverbs 28:13)
FORGIVENESS
IS THE KEY TO MENTAL HEALTH
Forgiveness
is vital to good mental health. We must forgive others if we
expect God to forgive us, as well as being able to forgive
ourselves.
A
leading psychiatrist noted that 90% of the mentally ill could be
immediately well if they were able to forgive themselves and
others and to receive forgiveness. It
is difficult for an individual to forgive himself without the
assurance that God has forgiven him.
That
is why the GOSPEL, CONFESSION, REPENTANCE & FORGIVENESS is so
relevant and necessary!
IF
WE CONFESS OUR SIN, GOD IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE OUR SIN
The
Bible states emphatically: "If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "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 sin." (1 John 1:7)
Some
health officials, in explaining their AIDS program, go to great
lengths promoting condoms, as well as sexual abstinence.
Then they usually add: "This
is not a moral issue."
How
ridiculous. Of course it's a moral issue!
If
our young people had higher morals there wouldn't be such a
problem with drug abuse, fornication or homosexual problems which
puts them at risk for the AIDS virus.
A
RISE IN MORAL VALUES WOULD DECREASE SEXUAL DISEASES
If
people were more moral and stuck with the Bible standard of
"one woman - one man", there wouldn't be such a dramatic
increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
A
RISE IN MORAL VALUES WOULD ELIMINATE SO MUCH SIN!
It
goes without saying, that if there was a rise in moral values,
violence would be almost non-existent, and crime, rape, murder and
child abuse would drop drastically. We would see fewer
divorces, fewer unwed teenage pregnancies and a drop in sexually
transmitted diseases.
WHAT
THE WORLD NEEDS IS A MORAL REVOLUTION
There
are signs that a moral revolution is coming. During an
election some years ago, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was
accused of lying. Constituents were sending politicians the
message: "We won't tolerate dishonesty."
MORAL
VALUES ARE NECESSARY FOR A THRIVING ECONOMY
During
an election some years ago in Canada, Prime Minister Jean Chretien
was accused of breaking three earlier election promises which
included the promise to scrap the hated "GST". In
a recent US Presidential election, nearly all candidates were
speaking about values. Why? People understand that a
sense of moral values is not only important, but necessary.
America's
annual "SIN BILL" topped more than a half a trillion
dollars in 1987.
Dr.
Charles Ewing of The National Statemens said that Americans spent
$144 billion dollars for liquor, $177 billion on gambling, $110
billion on drugs, $73 billion on tobacco and $40 billion on
pornography.
TEENAGERS,
WHICH ARE OUR GREATEST COMMODITY are
being threatened by violence, murder, drugs, alcoholism &
suicide.
An
article by Dr. Robert Blum in the Journal of American Medical
Association states: "Over the past 30 years, adolescents have
been the only population in the US who have not experienced
improvement in their mental status."
According
to Blum, 77% of adolescent deaths were caused by accidents and
violence, including self-inflicted violence. And there was a
shocking four-fold increase in suicide and murders.
A
US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report states:
"Of the 10,25 kids born today...one will die and four will
sustain serious or crippling injuries in an alcohol related crash
before they reach the age of 24."
A
SERIOUS WARNING - "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH"
This
is a very sobering, serious warning about sin, accidents and
death. May we all take a lesson from these tragic
statistics, realizing that "The wages of sin is death."
WHAT
MUST I DO TO BE FORGIVEN OF MY SINS?
You
may say, "All you have stated is true! But what must I
do to be forgiven of my sins and be freed of my sins?"
The Bible says, "If we confess our sins (to God) He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
George
W. Cornell writes: "Menninger says that just as it is
inadequate for a clergyman to give only pastoral counseling to a
schizophrenic, it is inadequate for a psychiatrist to treat a
symptom like sleeplessness of a man involved in wicked
rascality."
REPENTANCE
OF SIN IS VALUABLE
"It
does little good to repent a symptom, but it may do great harm not
to repent a sin. Vise-versa, it does little good to merely
psychoanalyze a sin and sometimes a great harm to ignore a
symptom."
He
says recognizing the fact of voluntarily willed sin is "the
only hopeful view", since it implies the possibility of
repenting and correcting it. He adds:
"The
logical reasonable effective solution for tension reduction in
such circumstances is to make atonement, as the theologians call
it, or as we say, by restitution, acknowledgement and revised
tactics."
As
the situation now is "vague amorphous evil appears all around
us" with the presumption that "no one is responsible,
not one guilty" and that there is 'just nothing to do'.
BUT, THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO!
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN
"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 sin." (1 John 1:7)
The
Bible says:..."But the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
 4
SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF
THE END TIMES
What
does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
There
are four significant signs that show us where we stand today in
relation to then end times and our Lord’s soon return, namely:
 The
Sick Condition of our Planet
The
Sick Condition of the World
The
Sick Condition of Israel
The
Sick Condition of the Church
SIGN
#1 - THE SICK CONDITION OF OUR PLANET
Mankind
is groaning under the terrible weight of sin and condemnation.
Satan - the enemy of God and man - has bound the human race with
shackles of rebellion, unbelief, fear, torment, lust, greed,
hatred and perversion! It was Adam’s acquiescence to the Evil
One’s lying temptation that brought sickness and death
(spiritual and physical) upon the human race.
The
Bible states: “For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason
of Him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the
creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in
pain together until now."
“And
not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit (that is to say), the redemption of our
body.” (Romans 8:19-23)
People
everywhere are waiting for the ‘MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF
GOD’! What does that mean? Six billion people are
looking for an escape from the emptiness, fear, torment, sickness
and bondage in which they live.
THE
ENTIRE WORLD IS WAITING FOR US - GOD’S CHILDREN TO BE SO FILLED
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE CAN FREE THEM FROM THE TYRANNY AND
LIES OF THE DEVIL AND HIS EMISSARIES.
Don’t
believe for a moment, that the millions lost in sin and bound by
evil spirits of occultism, superstition, false religion, satanic
oppression and sexual perversion are happy in that state! No
one enjoys being in slavery to witchcraft, fear, torment and evil
spirits.
Oh,
some are sufficiently deceived to live in a fool’s paradise
having convinced themselves that everything is A-Okay, but the
opposite is true. If everything is all right, why do so many
rock musicians die of drug overdoses and commit suicide? Why
do many Hollywood stars die of alcoholism, suicide and drug
overdoses? And why do wealthy, successful people - who
seem to have everything going for them - take their own lives?
The
Bible says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it
cannot rest, bringing forth mire and dirt. There is no peace saith
my God to the wicked”. (Isaiah 57:20-21)
Our
enemy is not flesh and blood, but Satan himself and all his demons
that tempt, deceive, coerce, inhibit, afflict, torment, steal and
kill! Our battle is with the devil - not with human
beings, however he does use people to do his bidding! The
devil must have his emissaries & ministers, to do his evil
work.
And
what of the Hindu extremists constantly fighting the Muslims in
India and the Seiks battling the Hindus? And the (political)
ungodly Roman Catholic IRA killing the (political)
‘Christian-in-name-only’ Protestants and vice versa?
And
if the pagan are so happy in their religious life, why are there
so many ‘holy jihads’? Two examples: Muslim Iran against
Muslim Iraq in a seven year war that saw one million men die, and
at present Islamic extremists terrorizing and butchering hundreds
of their own people in Algeria?
THEY
DO NOT KNOW GOD and have not been changed by His mighty power.
Anyone who has been converted to Christ, being born again by the
Word of God and the Holy Spirit, would certainly not be waging
‘holy wars’ against their fellowmen. The only warfare
that we are commanded to fight is the ‘Good Fight of
Faith’"
HOW
DO WE FIGHT THE DEVIL?
The
Bible says, “Satan, your adversary, goeth about like a roaring
lion, seeking who he may devour, whom resist in the faith...” (1
Peter 5:9) We resist him by serving Jesus to the best of our
ability; by living a holy and righteous life, preaching the gospel
of Jesus Christ, healing the sick and casting our devils!
The
Scripture says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians
10:4-5)
In
our search for more land to conquer, new technologies to improve
our living standards, and the pursuit or more wealth, man has
engaged in wars, enslavement, violence and pollution which has
raped our environment, land, water and air.
Our
Planet is groaning under the terrible weight of the awful harvest
of mankind’s sins of rebellion, greed, hatred, violence and
slavery!
In
the beginning, after the fall of our first parents, THE ENTIRE
HUMAN RACE was plunged into sin, fear, sickness & death! God
immediately placed a curse upon the earth - “And unto Adam He
said, Because thou hast harkened unto the voice of thy wife, and
hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou
shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow
shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life”. (Genesis 3:17)
OUR
PLANET is struggling to stay alive and is groaning under this
burden! The ‘second law of thermodynamics’ began after the
fall and continues today with aging, deterioration and decay. Only
the return of Jesus Christ will salvage the earth. Mankind will
not be allowed to destroy the earth, but will be punished for
defiling and polluting it, as is prophesied in the last book of
the Bible.
THE
BIBLE SAYS, “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come,
and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that
Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; And
shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Revelation
11:18)
God
will have the last word and will judge polluters! If you want a
good example of this, look at the former Soviet Union which
polluted the land, sea and air and after raping the environment,
ended up totally bankrupt.
JESUS
CHRIST MUST RETURN IN ORDER TO SAVE US FROM OUR OWN DESTRUCTIONS,
SO THAT HE CAN REIGN ON THIS EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS OF PEACE AND
PROSPERITY.
Believers
in Jesus Christ, like St. Paul, are waiting for the moment when we
can be free from the limitations of our weak, carnal flesh and to
be glorified (in the next life) to forever be in Heaven with Jesus
Christ and all the redeemed from all ages! WE WILL THEN RECEIVE A
RESURRECTED BODY WITHOUT THE LIMITATIONS WE HAVE TODAY.
The
Bible says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit (that is to say), the
redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)
Eternity
will be a joyful time of peace and glory as we live eternally in
Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ and all the redeemed from every
nation, tongue and people of all ages"
“And
I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the
voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings,
saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be
glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."
“And
to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And
he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto
the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are
the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)
SIGN
#2 - THE SICK CONDITION OF THE WORLD
The
Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the
lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
These
are Satan’s three knockout-punches which he uses to tempt the
“children of men”, namely: 1) the lust of the eyes 2) the
lust of the flesh and 3) the pride of life.
Satan
used these three temptations on Eve with great success. “And
when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the
flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of th eyes),
and a tree to be desired to make one wise (the pride of life), she
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat.” (Gen. 3:6)
King
David fell under this temptation also: He saw a beautiful woman
taking a bath in the privacy of her garden (the lust of the eyes).
He desired her and sent for her, committing adultery (the lust of
the flesh). HE FELL AFTER ONLY TWO STRIKES
JESUS
DEFEATED HIM TOTALLY
It
was a different story when Satan used his time-tested strategy on
our Lord Jesus Christ. He withstood the temptation and defeated
the devil each time he came with a new “trick up his
sleeve".
After
Jesus had fasted 40 days, Satan said to Him: “Command that these
stones be made bread.” (the lust of the flesh) Jesus answered,
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The
devil tried again: “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself
down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge
concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest
at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (the pride of
life) Jesus answered, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt
the Lord thy God.” IN OTHER WORDS, GOD DOESN’T CLOWN FOR
ANYBODY.
Finally,
Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time and said: “All these things will I give thee (pride of
life), if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” WHAT A
DESPICABLE, ARROGANT, EGOTIST SATAN IS! Jesus rebuffed him
immediately with the Word of God saying, “Get thee hence, Satan
(enemy): for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:1-11)
SATAN
HAD TO LEAVE HIM, THEN
The
Bible affirms that Satan is “the god of this world” and “the
spirit which now worketh in the children of the disobedience”.
(John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2) He is the world’s greatest liar and
the father of lies and a murderer extra-ordinaire (John 8:44))
The
whole world lies in the lap of the wicked one (1 John 5:19) and he
“goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”
(1 Peter 5:8). We however, can “resist him in the faith and he
will flee from us”. (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7)
The
Bible records that Demos was swayed by the bright lights of
Thessalonica and forsook Paul, “having loved this present
world” (2 Timothy 4:10). And St. John commends the young men in
the Church for overcoming the wicked one! (1 John 2:13)
ST.
PAUL WARNED OF THE TOTAL DETERIORATION OF MORALITY, DECENCY AND
FAIRNESS IN THE LAST DAYS. DECADENCE & PERVERSION WILL RULE
JUST PRIOR TO OUR LORD’S RETURN, STATED THE APOSTLE! AS WE READ
THE PROPHECY WE FEEL SADDENED BY THE RESEMBLANCE OF OUR PRESENT
AGE TO THE PROPHETIC WORD OF GOD.
“This
know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME. For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
“Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that IN THE LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL
DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;” (1 Timothy 4:1) “And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of
them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-12) “Brethren, be
followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have
us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians
3:17-20)
Interjected
among the reports of hypocrisy, backsliding & gross moral
evils, St. Paul interjects the Blessed Hope of the Return of Jesus
Christ.
“For
our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Our
thoughts, actions, prayers, plans, goals and complete agenda here,
is tied to Heaven’s plans, purposes and desires. We belong to
His heavenly kingdom and labour first and foremost for Christ.
Why
is this so important? Only our Blessed Jesus Christ has the
mandate, power & desire to straighten out this wicked world.
Therefore we wait for Him to come.
PERVERSION
VYING FOR RESPECTABILITY
Jesus
prophesied that the time will come, “that whosoever killeth you
will think that he doeth God service”. (John 16:2)
And
the prophet stated, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that
put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are
wise in their own eyes...Which justify the wicked for reward, and
take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Is.
5:20-23)
St.
Paul expounded, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them
that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-5)
That
this WORLD IS EVIL AND PERVERTED is no secret! The world
system that despises that which is good and glorifies that which
is EVIL is a product of Satanic invention, since he is the “god
of this world”.
Again
Paul declares that Jesus Christ “gave Himself for our sins, that
He might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according
to the will of God and our Father”. (Galatians 1:4)
SIGN #3 - THE SICK CONDITION OF ISRAEL
ISRAEL
IS VULNERABLE FACING ATTACKS FROM EVERY DIRECTION
At
this moment in history, Israel is very vulnerable because of the
pressure placed upon them by the nations of the world to give up
land for peace. And
the United States - who traditionally has been their friend, is
turning the screws the hardest of all.
Eventually,
Israel will succumb to all this pressure and give away so much
land that they will be unable to defend themselves. Sometime in
the future, Israel will be deceived into accepting the Antichrist
as their Messiah and will suffer terribly because of that.
Referring to this, our Lord said to the Jewish leaders,
“I
am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another
(the anti-Christ) shall come in his own name, him ye will
receive.” (John 5:43
The
Jewish leaders rejected Jesus Christ Who came to save them in His
Father’s Name. When Antichrist comes in his own name, they will
receive him!
WHAT
A SAD & TRAGIC COMMENTARY ON WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!
My
guess is that Iraq will eventually be reduced in power after the
United States and her allies are finished with her. Then
undoubtedly, Iran will pick up the pieces and gobble up Iraq (and
possibly Syria) and control all the oil flow in the Middle East!
(Ezekiel 38 & 39)
GOD'S
WORD STATES THAT RUSSIA WILL RISE UP AGAIN IN GREAT POWER AND LEAD
THE MARCH AGAINST ISRAEL
Iran
will then be the dominant power in the area, with the USA and
Israel giving in to their demands! According to God’s Word,
Russia will rise in great power again and lead the march against
Israel!
The
prophet Ezekiel declared that Iran (Persia) together with
Ethiopia, Libya & Turkey will march against Israel in the
great battle of ‘Gog and Magog’.
GOD
WILL FIGHT FOR ISRAEL AND DEFEND HER
GOD
WILL FIGHT FOR ISRAEL AND DEFEND HER! A great slaughter will
unfortunately take place however, before God’s chosen people
come to their senses. They will ultimately receive their long
awaited Messiah Jesus Christ, when He returns n the Second Coming
of Jesus Christ in power and great glory at the end of the age!
Jesus
Christ will then rule and reign for 1000 years of peace upon
planet earth, as King of kings and Lord of lords!
SIGN #4 - THE SICK CONDITION OF THE CHURCH
Celebrated
Canadian writer, Peter Newman exposes the weaknesses in our
churches and outlines wherein and how we have failed to
communicate the Gospel to our children, grandchildren and our
neighbours.
In
his recent book, ‘The Canadian Revolution’ Peter Newman
chronicles the free-fall of the United Church of Canada’s
membership as well as their influence in society during the past
three decades.
Newman
writes, “The United Church, formed in 1925 through a union of
Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists, suffered the
steepest decline. Three million Canadians declared their United
Church affiliation to the latest census takers but less than
380,000 bothered going to church. Although the most liberal of the
mainstream congregations, allowing for the ordination of gay
priests and promoting the social gospel, the United Church found
itself paradoxically unable to attract the young.”
A
footnote says, “An increasingly typical event was the closing,
during the fall of 1994, of Chalmers United Church in downtown
Vancouver. There wasn’t a single member left on its
congregational rolls who was less than 80 years old.”
For
years, University of Lethbridge sociologist Reginald Bibby has
tracked the religious life of Canadians. In his book ‘Unknown
Gods’ , Bibby states: “Tragically, religious groups are
failing in what appear to be spiritually prosperous times. The
churches are inept religious companies that cannot get the faith
out of the ware house …The news is that interest and intrigue
persist, in spite of the problems of organized religion. The
result may be a very sizable, ongoing spiritual vacuum.”
The
Anglican Church, according to the census has 2.2 million members
with 784,000 active adherents. Addressing the church synod in
1994, Archbishop Peter O’Driscoll warned: “In the next ten to
fifteen years the largest age group in the present Anglican Church
of Canada will be dead. At the end of two generations, there
won’t be enough people to say there’s still an Anglican Church
alive in this country.”
HOW
SAD AND TRAGIC!
While
the Anglican Church lost 250,000 members from 1981 to 1991, and
the United Church lost 665,000 members during that same period -
that’s 10 % and 20 % respectively - the Pentecostal Church grew
by 100,000 adherents and the Christian & Missionary Alliance
doubled in size!
The
November,1965 issue of Canada’s Revival Magazine, ‘Cry of His
Coming’ carried the following prophetic headline: 1965 UNITED
CHURCH NEW CURRICULUM SETS STAGE FOR MORE APOSTACY! MODERATOR REV.
HOWSE DENIES PHYSICAL RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST !
In
that article, this author wrote under the by-line, ‘THE GREAT
FALLING AWAY’ - St. Paul warns: “Let no man deceive you by any
means, for that day shall not come except there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition.” (2 Thess. 2:3)
The
‘Great Falling Away’ is Here Now- with entire denominations of
Christian Churches turning their backs on the Holy Scriptures,
declaring them fallible and contradictory. They despise the great
truths of the Bible, and exchange them for their own humanistic,
man-made philosophies!
As
strange as this may seem, these reprobate preachers actually
play-out the exact role of ‘backsliding Israel’ in Old
Testament times.
“For
My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the
fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)
HERE
IS A LIST OF THEIR BACKSLIDINGS!
They
have violated the sanctity of the Holy Bible, discarding the
eternal truths of God’s Word. Man-made philosophies, secular
humanism and blatantly spurious doctrines have filled the void!
They
rely almost totally on man’s wisdom and carnal knowledge, having
rejected the wisdom that comes solely from the Holy Scriptures.
This leaves them incapable of making sound spiritual decisions!
They
have rejected the counsel of the Holy Spirit- divine paraclete-
and draw their inspiration from the teachings of others similarly
deceived. Serious decision making regarding spiritual matters and
doctrine is therefore prejudiced, flawed and compromised!
Their
emphasis is on good works, rather than the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ for our sins. The ‘social gospel’ they preach is devoid
of the grace of God and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Their
‘good works’ message offers only secular and political
rhetoric to undo social injustices, without a sound spiritual
foundation.
They
have desecrated the Holy Scriptures by substituting their own
verbiage instead of the correct translation of the original Hebrew
and Greek, in reference to God Himself. These literary
counterfeiters have unilaterally -without any jurisdiction-
decided to change the gender of Almighty God from masculine
(Father) to Mother. Instead of addressing God as He, they
refer to Him as She and the Lord Jesus is not the Son of God, but
the Child of God!
The
Word of God conclusively states: “This know also, that in the
last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron; Take heed unto thyself, and
unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2,
16)
AN
URGENT WARNING ISSUED TO THOSE TAMPERING WITH GOD’S WORD
“Who
is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is
antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth
the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth
the Son hath the Father also.
“Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
“Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard
that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
“Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... Who is he
that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the
Son of God?
“If
we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. 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.” (1 John 2:22-23; 4:1-3; 5:1, 4-5, 9-12)
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN? SIMPLY THIS:
Anyone
who denies that Jesus Christ is God is a false teacher and an
enemy of God.
Every
spirit that confesses that ‘Jesus Christ is come in the flesh’
is of God. Those who do not are of Satan and the Antichrist
spirit!
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN: “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh”?
There
are millions of babies born daily across the world. They are all
born of flesh & blood. They have all “come in the flesh”.
That is no miracle, but when God is incarnated in human flesh,
that is a miracle. It simply means that Jesus Christ was God in
human flesh! God the Son came down from Heaven, through the very
miraculous and complex process of the virgin birth!
God
the Holy Spirit placed within the virgin Mary’s womb a specially
created body for the Lord Jesus. He was begotten by the Holy
Spirit and born of a virgin woman without the aid of a human
father. Jesus Christ - true God & true man, in order to suffer
and die for our sins and rise again for our justification. ( )
“The
new United Church curriculum - now taught to thousands of children
- denies the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, leaving the inference
that Joseph or some other man was Jesus’ father. This would
indicate that His mother Mary was sinful and promiscuous, instead
of a chaste virgin and that Jesus Christ was not divine!
Have
you heard of such SACRILEGE? And this - not from an atheistic
journal - but from the official organ and pulpits of Canada’s
largest Protestant denomination!
That
same ‘curriculum’ calls the first eleven chapters of Genesis -
which deal with God’s marvelous creation, Noah and the flood - a
fable or myth! It denies the miracles in the Bible, rejects the
physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and ridicules
His ascension and second coming!
Read
the blasphemous statements made by Rev. Ben Smilie- United Church
chaplain at the University of Saskatchewan, as chronicled by
Regina Leader Post’s Tom Jarvis in an article titled, ‘A
MASSIVE IRRELEVANCY’:
“The
Toronto Telegram printed it in full with the somewhat shocking
passage in large type which speaks of fundamentalist belief in
“clay-made man, a floating zoo, an amphibious-footed Jesus, a
son of God who was a home brew artist, and an ascension that looks
like a Cape Kennedy blast-off”.
Have
you heard of anything more blasphemous and anti-Christian, coming
from the pen of an ordained Protestant clergyman!
We’ll
let the moderator of the United Church speak for himself. The
following was carried by the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 5, 1965.
‘HOWSE SAYS LITERAL BELIEVER IN BIBLE LACKS UNDERSTANDING’.
“The
moderator of the United Church of Canada says Christians who
believe literally in all of the ‘metaphors and imageries’ of
the Bible exhibit ‘lack of understanding’.
“The
Rt. Rev. Ernest Howse of Toronto, in an interview Thursday said
that one of the most significant religious trends today is the
movement away from ‘medieval imagery and hypocrisy’.
“Dr.
Howse, who had been in Banff for a meeting of the United
Church’s Alberta Conference, said people should not take
literally such events as Christ’s physical resurrection and the
virginity of Mary. The moderator said the United Church’s new
curriculum which allows for liberal interpretation of the Bible,
is ‘really nothing new at all’.
“There
is nothing in the curriculum which was not accepted when I was in
College thirty years ago. If people are shocked by it, then it is
evident our ministers have not been adequately teaching their
congregations”.
NEW
MODERATOR: SAME OLD APOSTASY IN UNITED CHURCH!
Bill
Phipps probably learned ‘APOSTACY’ from professors, who were
themselves corrupted while in College! The new moderator of the
United Church is Rev. Bill Phipps - a little known Calgary pastor
- who is making big waves with his outspoken, irreverent and
blasphemous remarks. It appears that he has excelled in unlearning
the basic, fundamental doctrines of Christianity, in the tradition
of the Rev. Howse and the liberal theological College to which he
referred!
‘AN
ACTIVIST MODERATOR IS ROCKING THE UNITED CHURCH’ -Edmonton
Journal
In
a major news story carried across Canada in the Southam Press,
Nov.1, 1997, Rev. Phipps made these statements: “I don’t
believe Jesus is the only way to God. I don’t believe he rose
from the dead as a scientific fact. I don’t know whether those
thing happened. It’s an irrelevant question.”
In
a follow-up article, the ‘Ottawa Citizen’ wrote: ‘CHURCH
MODERATOR A HERETIC, PROFESSOR SAYS’ - “The moderator of the
United Church of Canada is a heretic, says a professor of modern
Christian history.
“A
heretic is defined as someone who chooses a doctrinal path other
than that of the church to which he belongs”, says John
Stackhouse, of the University of Manitoba.
“By
that standard, Rev. Bill Phipps “is a heretic according to the
United Church of Canada’s own standard of doctrine. He’s also
a heretic in generic Christian terms, because he denies the creeds
that all Christians have subscribed to, whether they’re
Catholic, Protestant or Eastern Orthodox.”
“In
interviews with media organizations, Phipps denied the divinity of
Christ, denied the reality of the resurrection as a historical
fact, and said he was unclear ‘The historic Church says there
are such realities, which are crucially important to human
life,’ said Stackhouse, a former president of the Canadian
Evangelical Theological Association.”
THE
WHOLESALE BACKSLIDING OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS DURING THESE PAST
THIRTY YEARS, AND ESPECIALLY THE LAST DECADE, SIGNALS THE SAD
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT THIS VERY CRUCIAL
MOMENT IN HISTORY - THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND THE MILLENNIUM!
A
very sad commentary on the Church is found in Christ’s message
to the Church where He states:
“And
unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of
the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold
nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to
buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and
white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.” (Rev. 3:14-18)
Again
He said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits...
“A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
“...Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven...And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:15-23)
Jesus
asked a very pertinent question: “...Nevertheless. When the son
of man cometh will He find faith on the earth?” The answer is
“not very much”! That is why He stated, “Strive to enter in
at the straight gate, for many, I say unto you will seek to enter
and shall not be able”. (Luke 13:24)
“Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew
7:13-14)
HOW
MUST WE PREPARE FOR THE END TIMES AND TO BE SURE WE ARE
READY FOR JESUS CHRIST'S SOON RETURN IN THE SECOND COMING?
St.
Peter warned, “Make your calling and election sure...” (2
Peter 1:10) It behooves each one to do a reality check to be
absolutely certain that you know Jesus Christ personally as your
Lord & Saviour.
Remember
that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead
for our justification. Only He has the power to save you because
He is the Redeemer of the world.
Jesus
said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by Me”. (John 14:6) “I am the door: by Me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and
find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:9-10)
The
Bible says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim. 2:5) “Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
St.
Paul declared, “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 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.” (Phil.
2:5-11)
Jesus
Christ invites us to receive Him as personal Saviour and Lord with
the promise: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) And, “All that
the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I
will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
We
are warned: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat
of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Amen.
A
number of recent news stories highlighted the growing fear by many
people, due to the increase of terrorism, world disasters, wars,
tsunamis, terrorist attack, earthquakes, world viruses and
diseases.
FEAR
IS A UNIVERSAL ENEMY
Fear
and anxiety are universal enemies and certainly not a new enemy.
Fear had its beginning with Adam's rebellion and fall, in the
Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's
directive to them, fear entered their hearts.
"And
Adam said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I am naked, and I hid myself." (Genesis 3:10)
IN
THE LAST DAYS "MEN'S HEARTS WILL FAIL THEM FOR FEAR"
That
the slavish tentacles of fear are spreading and increasing in
intensity is also prophetical. Jesus declared that in the
last days "men's hearts" will fail them for
fear...." (Luke 21:26)
THE
LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IS HEART DISEASE
The
leading cause of death is heart disease. People are
suffering from strain, anxiety and stress is adversely affecting a
large number of men and woman. Alcohol consumption, drug
abuse and anxiety attacks are increasing, all contributing to
heart disease.
CANCER
IS #2 LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH. FEAR IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR
Cancer
is the #2 killer and medical science believes "fear" is
a contributor - because it constructs the vessels carrying blood
to affect areas.
Cigarette
smoking is a major cause of heart disease and sickness, why why do
people smoke? Often, because they are uptight, nervous,
anxious and afraid!
FEAR
& DEPRESSION ARE THE GREATEST "ENEMIES" AMONG US
Fear
is "the enemy" among us and is taking a tremendous toll,
psychologically, economically, domestically and physically.
As well as politically, both nationally and world wide.
FEAR
DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS
Fear
is our "greatest enemy" and it hinders growth in
business, impedes academic progress, breaks up families and keeps
people out of church.
Fear
is often the cause of strife, worry, bitterness, resentment,
jealousy and hatred. But fear can be conquered and driven
out of our lives!
Many
years ago, USA President Herbert Hoover stated: The dominant
emotion everywhere in the world s FEAR.
Many
years ago, USA President Herbert Hoover stated: "The dominant
emotion everywhere in the world is FEAR. This applies to
every part of human activities - finance, industry, farmers,
workers, thinkers and government officials."
THE
ATLANTIC CHARTER - USA President Roosevelt
The
Atlanta Charter, drawn up by US President Theodore Roosevelt and
Britain's Sir Winston Churchill is still heralded as one of
history's greatest documents, championing the common liberties of
mankind.
Freedom from fear
Freedom of speech
Freedom from want
Freedom of religion
It
contained four essential freedoms: freedom from want,
freedom from fear, freedom of speech and freedom of religion
New
York City's Dr. David Mitchell declared, humans are born with only
2 fears, sound of a sudden noise, and unexpected removal of
support or falling!
There
are however many unreal, imagined and unreasonable fears which
plague mankind. These we must reject in order to enjoy good
mental health and peace of mind.
Neurologists
believe that the lower central part of the brain called the
thalamus is the center of all emotions; this is where fearful
thoughts issue from. The nerve center is also where
affection and love are born.
It
is therefore important that we sort out our thoughts and allow
only those that are sane, sensible, wholesome and truthful stay in
our minds.
The
Bible says: "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he".
And
St. Paul admonished: "Whatsoever things are true, honest,
just, pure, lovely and of good report...think on these
things." (Philippians 4:8)
PHOBIAS
- THERE ARE MORE THAN 40 DOCUMENTS PHOBIAS
There
are more than 40 phobias that harass humanity today - from
ailurophobes (the fear of cats) to zoophobia (the fear of animals
in general). And there is healing for everyone - through
faith in Jesus Christ - and some old fashioned common sense.
JESUS
CHRIST CAN HEAL YOUR FEARS & PHOBIAS - IF YOU TRUST IN
HIM
The
Bible says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but
of love, power and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
President
Roosevelt stated: "The only thing we have to fear, is fear
itself", and the Bible says, "....perfect love casts out
all fears." (1 John 4:18)
WHAT
IS THE OPPOSITE EMOTION OF FEAR
What
is the opposite of fear. It is FAITH. Faith brings us
peace and tranquility!
Jesus
said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as
the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The
Bible says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom
also we have access by faith in to this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.: (Romans 5:1-2)
Since
perfect love removes all fears, it is good to know that God is
love and His love has reached out to us through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ on the cross for us!
And
because He rose from the dead and is not only the testator but the
executor of His own will - through the Holy Spirit - we are
assured of His total peace and healing for spirit, soul (mind) and
body.
GOD'S WORD ON
THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
by: Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
HOW
TO OVERCOME FEAR & ANXIETY
The
Bible says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but
of love, power, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
MY
PEACE I GIVE TO YOU - LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
"For
the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR
NOT, I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13)
WHAT
IS FEAR? AND WHAT DOES FEAR DO TO US?
Fear
is a corrupting, constricting and crippling agent! Fear corrupts
us. Fear consumes the thoughts and controls the mind.
Fear
is divisive, demeaning and destructive! Fear creates a divided
heart which brings only condemnation and confusion.
When
we allow fear in our minds and in our hearts, we are not allowing
the Lord to give us the peace that he promises us in the
scriptures.
The
Word of God states: "Fear thou not, for I am with thee"
The
Holy Scriptures declare: ”There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth
is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4: 17-18)
The
Bible states, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Fear
destroys the perfect love that God gives us
by the unbelief it breeds in our hearts! When we put our
full trust in the Lord, we give him our troubles and our
fears. We are released from fear through the Lord Jesus
Christ, and as we walk with Him, read the Word of God and pray, he
gives us perfect peace.
The
Bible says, "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be
strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance,
even God with a recompense: he will come and save you."
(Isaiah 35:4)
It
constricts the flow of the Holy Spirit and reduces the fruit that
faith produces! Its crippling effect erodes the peace and joy that
results from receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Why?
Fear hampers the normal functions of the Gifts of the Spirit,
making victims and spiritual cripples of servants and emissaries
of our Lord.
The
Bible states: ”But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For
he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind
and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any
thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his
ways.” (James 1: 7-8)
The
deacon, Phillip, broke tradition by preaching in Samaria, among
that city’s Jewish-extracted, mixed-race population.
Cornelius’ household were the first Romans to accept the gospel
- two years later - when ‘Shimon bar Yonah’ (St. Peter)
preached to them.
Jesus
said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as
the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
Since
God does not give anyone the spirit of fear, it is evident that
fear comes from Satan, and Satan is the ENEMY of God. Satan
is also the enemy of man.
When
Jesus' powerful blood sweeps over our souls, fear must leave
immediately!
There
is no room for Satanic bondage of any kind in the life of a
Christian.
"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." (Isaiah 41:10)
A
marvelous story of faith has come to us from the Second World War:
In
the Battle of Britain, the German Luftwaffe rained down about
thirty-five thousand bombs upon London during nightly air raids,
causing terrifying fear and tremendous destruction and mayhem in
large parts of the city.
For
months, as sirens wailed out warnings of approaching German
bombers, the general population automatically hurried toward the
nearest Air
Raid Shelter! People learned to look after one another during the
nightly raids and the ’morning after’ walk abouts and
clean-ups.
After
a terrible night of bombardment, an elderly woman was not seen in
a certain neighborhood for several days. Her neighbors assumed
that she had either been killed by the falling bombs or that she
had gone to the countryside to escape the danger, disruption of
life and incessant noise.
Some
time later, a neighbor spotted the elderly woman walking down the
street and articulated his happiness that she was alive and well.
"It’s
nice to
see you back", he said. "I
have not been away", she replied.
"Where
have you been?" he asked. "I’ve been at
home", said the woman.
"What
have you been doing at home during the air raids?” inquired the
neighbor.
"Sleeping",
she answered.
"How
could you sleep with all the noise and
explosions?"
he asked.
"Oh",
she replied, "I was reading my Bible and found in Psalms 121:
4 where it declares that God doesn’t slumber nor sleep, so I
thought there was no point in both of us staying awake."
The
Bible says: ”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 with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Isaiah 41: 10)
FEAR
IS A UNIVERSAL ENEMY
Fear
is demeaning because it makes you think, say and do things that
makes you look foolish, puts you outside the will of God and is
out of character with Christian living! It is destructive because
it destroys your confidence in God and His Word and therefore your
fellowship with Him.
The
Bible confirms: ”For if our heart condemn us, God is greater
than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart
condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever
we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and
do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:
20-22)
What
is the underlying cause of condemnation? Plain and simple: Sin.
And
what is the antidote or solution for the serious problem of sin?
The answer in a nutshell, is the Blood of Jesus.
What
can wash away my sin?
The
Bible says: ”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. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all sins.”
(1 John 1: 7,9)
When
the sin is cleansed away, condemnation leaves and faith leaps to
the forefront! Then, miracles occur as God answers prayer in
response to sincere faith-filled petitions coming from a clean
heart!.
Fear
brings trepidation, torment and terror! It is an enemy, but fear
can be neutralized, beaten and vanquished.
The
Bible states: ”God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of
love and power and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Since
God does not give anyone the spirit of fear, it is evident that
fear comes from Satan, Satan who is the ENEMY of God. Satan is the
enemy of man.
The
Holy Scriptures declare: ”There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth
is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4: 17-18)
Jesus
said: ”The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, and to
kill and to destroy. I am come that ye may have life, and that ye
might have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 10)
Former
alcoholic and drug addict, James Payne, wrote a Gospel song titled
John 3: 16. Here are the lyrics:
"Alone
one night at the end of my rope
In a hotel in Nashville praying for hope
In
my hand was a Bible I had read as a child
On the table was the bottle that was driving me wild
I
poured the whiskey into the glass
Praying that somehow I could forget my past
Then I remembered how Jesus had died on the tree
I poured out the whiskey and fell down on my knees
The night old Jack Daniels met John 3:16
God’s
Word broke the chains that he had over me
I traded Tennessee whiskey for Calvary’s tree
The night Ol’ Jack Daniels met John 3: 16
That
is the exact reaction of the spirit of fear meeting the blood of
Jesus.
When
Jesus' powerful blood sweeps over our souls, fear must leave
immediately! There
is no room for Satanic bondage of any kind in the life of a
Christian.
The
Blessed Holy Spirit makes us free from sin, free from guilt and
free from fear. And He keeps us free for God’s glory.
US
President Roosevelt stated: "The only thing to fear is fear
itself."
In
many cases that is true. Because fear is a spirit, when it digs
its deceptive tentacles into a victim, raw fear often proves to be
far worse than the object of the fear.
In
Middle East folk lore there is story of a great warrior who meets
a mythical rider called Death, carrying a gigantic scythe! .
Addressing him, the warrior says: ” I have just come from a
battle where I left 5,000 men dead.
Where
have you been and where are going?” Replying, the mystical rider
says: ”I have just left the area to which you are heading."
Inquiringly,
the warrior asks: ”How many dead will I find there?” Death
answers: ”The plague killed 5,000."
The
next week, the great warrior again meets the mythical rider on the
windswept desert. He hails the scythe - carrier with a shout:
”You lied to me. The plague left 50,000 dead . You told me that
you had killed only
5,000!” Death replies: ”I told you the truth. 5,000 perished
from the plague. The rest died of fear!"
An
old adage says: ”Cowards die a thousand times before their
death.
The
valiant tastes of death but once!’ Without doubt, fear is a real
enemy and robber. The Bible character Job, after having been
attacked by Satan, confessed: ”The thing which I greatly feared
is come upon me.” (Job 3: 25)
DO
NOT BE AFRAID - CALL UPON GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
When
things go wrong and it appears that the bottom has dropped out of
everything, that is not the time to become afraid or to panic.
God’s
Word says: ”And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” (Psalms 50: 15) Jesus
said: ”Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you life.” (Matthew 11: 28)
JESUS
CHRIST DIED
FOR YOU
#1
- JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU
No
more beautiful words were ever spoken by men or angels than these,
"I know God loves me!" Praise God. Say these
precious words and believe them and you will see what a change
will be affected within your life.
#2
- JESUS CHRIST KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU
"For
the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to
show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)
"Tis
so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, Just to
rest upon His promise, Just to know, Thus saith the Lord."
In
every situation of life God knows about you! During every
trial, heartbreak and discouragement in the temptations and
struggles of life Jesus knows about us and makes a way of escape.
(1 Corinthians 10:13) God knows and He is ready to help -
Say it to yourself, "God knows about my existence and He
loves me - His eyes are upon me and I know everything will be
alright."
#3
- JESUS CHRIST CARES ABOUT YOU
"Casting
all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you." (1 Peter
5:7)
Life
often seems like a rat race with dog eat dog and whoever gets in
first get what he needs and whoever gets in last misses
everything. People can often be hardhearted and cruel -
circumstances and situations can make life almost unbearable.
Many times Satan has filled peoples' hearts and minds with such
tremendous disillusionment and depression that they have in utter
hopelessness taken their own lives.
The
hymn writer penned the words, "What a Friend we have in
Jesus, All our sins and grief's to bear! What a privilege to
carry - Everything to God in prayer."
I
am thrilled with the great news of God's love every time I hear
it. I am thrilled that God loves me, He knows all about me
and that He cares about me - my difficulties and my needs.
Praise God! Say it to yourself - "I know God cares
about me and will help me!"
#4
- JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU
"But
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
You
can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
No wonder the Apostle John wrote, "We love Him because He
first loved us." There is a word that is seldom used in
today's world but one which is probably one of the most powerful
in our vocabulary. It is the word "Apodictic" and
it means "Evident beyond contradictions". It is
one of my foremost words because it relates to the gospel and to
Christ our wonderful Lord. When you speak about God, His
power, His words, His promises, His grace, His goodness and His
mercy and love, the word Apodictic covers them all!
Evident
beyond Contradiction! His existence is so real that only a
foolish person could try to contradict the fact! No wonder
the Bible says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no
God". (Psalm 14:1)
 NO.
5 ~ JESUS CHRIST AROSE FROM THE DEAD AND WILL HELP YOU TODAY
A
dead man has no power to help anyone - He cannot even help
himself! That is why so many traditional churches and nominal
Christians receive no answers to their prayers and have no victory
in their lives. They believe in and worship a dead Christ. They
wear crucifixes that have a resemblance of Christ, dead on the
cross. Beloved friends, the cross is empty - Jesus Christ is alive
for evermore with all power at His disposal.
He
has the power to set His children free from every bondage and
situation in which we find ourselves that is embarrassing,
improper, humiliating and painful.
“Lo
behold the man of sorrow, lo behold Him in plain view. There He
stands that mighty conqueror, since He rent the veil in two."
“I
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. You ask me how I
know He lives, He lives within my heart.” Hallelujah.
The
very essence of Christianity, the heart of the gospel and the
foundation truth of the church is that Jesus Christ, God’s Son
died upon a cross for our sins and that He was raised from the
dead on the third day for our Justification! (1 Corinthians
15:1-4)
Of
all religions only Christianity can boast a resurrection and only
Christ is a Saviour, for He only is Alive Forevermore. Praise His
Name.
JESUS
IS THE ONLY WAY
No
wonder Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved”. (Acts 4:12)
Why?
Because the name of a dead man can save no one but Jesus is not
dead HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE! Hallelujah. His entire ministry
while upon this earth revolved around preaching the gospel,
healing the sick, forgiving the sinful, restoring the diseased
back to health, feeding the hungry and raising the dead.
When
He was crucified His ministry came to an end abruptly - until 50
days later - after He had risen from the dead and spent 40 days
with His disciples He ascended into heaven and poured out upon His
followers the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4)
Then His ministry continued greater than ever through those who
believed upon Him - The blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame
walked, the dead were raised and the gospel was preached to
multitudes.
“Now
Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of
prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his
mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of
the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that
entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go
into the temple asked an alms.
And
Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of
them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up
and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up:
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he
leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the
temple, walking, and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-9)
“And
by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's
porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the
people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the
Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
“Insomuch
that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them
on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing
by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out
of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and
them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed
every one.” (Acts 5:12-16)
THE
GREAT COMMISSION
It
is evident the Book of Acts is a continuation of the ministry of
Jesus Christ through His followers by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and that it is God’s will for His power to continue to
bring blessing and healing to His people in every generation until
the church age is over and Christ sets up His kingdom and ushers
in the millennium -
Notice
His words to all who believe, “And he said unto them, Go ye into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that
believe, In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink
any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on
the sick, and they shall recover”. (Mark 16:15-18)
The
Holy Bible says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one 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)
If
you are called, you are saved and if you are saved, the baptism of
the Holy Ghost and power is for you! Again see what St. James
writes to the church, “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 the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him”. (James
5:14,15)
THE
SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN
Now
in closing let us see what Jesus Himself said concerning praying
and receiving an answer....
“Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and
he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened.” (Matthew 7:7,8)
“Believe
me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe
Me for the very works' sake. 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 unto 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 ask any thing in
My name, I will do it.” (John 14:11-14)
“Jesus
said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)
“Again
I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them
of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)
“If
ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)
My
beloved friend, Jesus Christ is indeed alive and waiting to hear
from you. If you will accept Him as your personal Saviour and
trust in Him you will definitely receive answers to your prayers
and the assurance that all is well with your soul, for He has
promised and guaranteed you that His word is true and the
scripture cannot be broken. (John 10:35)
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)
WHOSE
SIDE ARE
YOU ON?
by: Rev. Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
CHAPTER
1: TWO ROADS
Millions
today are groping in the darkness of despair as they journey down
life's road toward eternity!
Multitudes
have not found the way of true happiness and joy and are searching
for peace and an answer to life’s problems, heartaches and ills.
Many others have known the true essence of life but somehow
have gone astray, lost the way and are haphazardly adrift on the
sea of life.
The
saying goes, “When in Rome do as the Romans do”,
or “Follow the crowd”.
The great bulk of humanity are doing just that.
They are following the crowd.
Take the easy way out or the path of least resistance.
The sad part is that the crowd is not always right, and the
path of least resistance is often the wrong path which becomes a
rut into which the journeyer finds himself bogged down.
Chained by bad habits and inability to say “No”
to evil suggestions and fettered by wicked companions, such a
person becomes an easy mark for Satan.
My
dear friend, perhaps you are one of the restless multitudes in
this rut, the broad road that the Bible speaks of which will
eventually take you to doom and damnation in Hell, unless you
repent of your sins and get off this road.
The
Bible says: “There
is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are
the ways of death”. (Proverbs 16:25)
It
seems natural to do what others are doing, however, the natural
man is often motivated by the lusts, greed and prides of this
wicked world. The
Carnal man is sinful and out of fellowship with the righteousness
of God. Therefore, the
natural man is at enmity with God.
God's
word states: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can
be.” (Romans 8:7); “Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of
the world is enmity with God?
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God,” (James 4:4) Sinful man cannot do good unless God
intervenes and changes his nature through the process of new
birth: “Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say
unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.” (John 3:3)
Look
around and follow the current events in the news media to realize
that this world is corrupt and continually getting worse with
wars, social and political upheavals, increases in the crime rate,
immorality, sex perversion and broken homes.
FOLLOWING
THE CROWD: A BAD IDEA!
In
other words, the CROWD is corrupt and getting worse. If you follow
this crowd you will find yourself in bad company and serious
trouble spiritually! The
Bible says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”. (Matthew
7:13-14) Jesus urged, “Strive to enter in at the strait
gate: for many, I say
unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able”. (Luke
13:24). To strive means to “put some effort” into finding the
right way.
It
must be very important to enter the straight gate or Jesus would
not have admonished us to STRIVE TO ENTER IN.
The reason is that the wrong road leads to an eternal hell,
and the right one takes you to Heaven.
The Bible says: “Wide
is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction and
many there be which go in thereat”.
Many
are on this broad road because the gate is wide enough to take in
everyone, regardless of a person’s wickedness, evil habits or
unrighteous companions. There
is plenty of room, and no questions asked - that is of course,
until it is too late to get off.
The murderer travels this road together with the gambler,
drunkard, liar and thief.
It
is the broad road and is easy travelling because this road has a
slight downward grade, although not very noticeable at the start.
The self-righteous Church member who has never been saved
together with the modernistic theologian, the atheist and the
communist, all have plenty of room to travel without even rubbing
shoulders, because the road is so wide.
The
alcoholic, drug user, the unfaithful, deceptive wife or husband,
rich and poor, well and sick, young and old, respected and
despised, educated and illiterate, bond and free, all may travel.
Caution
is thrown to the winds and off you go merrily on your way - the
music blares and you sail along!
TRAVEL
NOW - PAY LATER, SEEMS TO BE THE SLOGAN
- Yes, this is the broad road to destruction.
JESUS warns you to get off it NOW. Don't stay on it a
minute longer. Jump off it immediately and enter the Straight Gate
onto the NARROW Road that leads to LIFE and Eternal Bliss!
DO
YOU KNOW WHICH ROAD YOU ARE ON?
You
may ask, “How do I know which road I am on?”
I am glad you ask that question, because I have the answer
for you. The Bible
says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”.
(Romans 3:23) “There
is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 2:10)
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my
mother conceive me”. (Psalms 51:5)
The
Scripture tells us that through Adam’s transgression the whole
human race was plunged into sin.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned.” (Romans
5:12) Through the
Scripture we see that everyone is born in sin and because of the
fall, the human race inherited the stigma of sin.
Secondly,
we learn that man’s nature is sinful and he is a sinner by
choice. The Bible
says: “All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned
every one to his own way; the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity
of us all.”( Isaiah 53:6) ; “The heart is deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked:
who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
“The
fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is
none that doeth good. The
Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if
there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become
filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalms
14:1-3)
We
have now established the fact that all human beings are sinners,
not only by birth and nature, but also by choice.
Jesus exhorts everyone to, “Enter into the strait
gate”, because everyone naturally is on the broad road to start
with, and must turn off to get on the right road.
ALL
A SINNER MUST DO TO GO TO HELL IS TO CONTINUE WHAT HE IS DOING,
but there is a way of escape. There is a way out and salvation is
available for everyone who believes and turns to the Lord. Jesus
Christ came to redeem us and save us from our sins, the power of
Satan and the broad road.
Lost
souls must call out to God for mercy, receive His wonderful
salvation - purchased by Christ’s blood and get on the narrow
road and enter the straight gate which takes us to Heaven.
Jesus said: “Except a man be born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God”. (John 3: 5)
Here
is your answer - All those who have not had a personal encounter
with Jesus Christ, been born again by the incorruptible Word of
God and by the Spirit of God and had their sins washed away by
“the precious blood”, is on the broad road and lost in their
sins!
NOT
VERY MANY ARE GOING TO BE SAVED!
The
Bible states that because, “Wide is the gate and broad is the
road”, many will go in thereat.
The broad road is crowded with journeyers travelling toward
their doom and destruction. In
Matthew 7:14, the Bible declares, “Because strait is the gate
and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be
that find it”. He
asked how many would be saved? He answered: “Strive to enter in
at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able”. (Luke 13:24)
The
Gate to Heaven is straight - no crookedness can enter there.
Foolish pride must be swept away.
There is no room for human reasoning because the gate will
not move, be enlarged or slanted to take in the new ideology,
theories or curricula of sinful, carnal humanity.
Some preach that there are many ways to be saved and gain
admittance into the Kingdom of God.
This
is utterly false.
“Jesus saith unto
him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John
14:6)
Jesus
did not say, I am one of the ways, but He said I AM THE WAY.
No wonder our Lord said, “Strait is the gate”, for that
gate will not bend or expand to accept any other doctrines or
beliefs except the words, teachings and doctrine of Jesus Christ,
the Son of the living God. The
gate that Jesus spoke of will not conform or change to fit the
traditions or customs of a changing world and a carnal, secular
society. NO, THANK
GOD! The Gate that
leads to God and Heaven is FIXED forever and is as unchanging as
God Himself.
Anyone
entering this gate must humble himself, and in order to enter the
straight gate must do so on his knees
leaving behind him all his unbelief, pride, lust and greed.
There is no room for excess baggage as the individual
passes through this gate. Webster’s
Dictionary defines the word “straight” as Jesus used it here
as, “Being in a right line”.
That right line is God’s way - none other will do!
The
hymn writer penned the words
“Just
as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God I come, I come.”
Without
exception, everyone must come the same way, and there is no
respect of persons - rich and poor, educated and illiterate, wise
and foolish - all must come in through the same gate and conform
to the straightness of this gate.
There is no favoritism or partiality.
There
is only one way to God, Heaven and eternal life.
It is a definite, certain and fixed way, and that way is
Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Jesus said, “I am the door:
by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved”. (John
10:9). Here Jesus
emphasizes that there is only one door, and to be saved we must
come through Him.
There
are not many doors to God’s Kingdom, but one only - the Lord
Jesus Christ. Jesus
says, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me”. (John 14:6)
There it is! Mohammed,
Buddha, Confucius, Shiva or the Pope
will not do - the Virgin Mary, St. Peter or the angel
Moroni cannot save you. There
is no other way to be saved than by and through God’s Divine
Resurrected Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
St. Peter declared, “There is none other name under
heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”. (Acts
4:12)
THERE
ARE MILLIONS OF GODS!
The
heathen have millions of gods and false Christs, but there is only
ONE TRUE CHRIST and His Name is the Lord Jesus Christ - the
only one who is able to save you.
The Bible says, “There is one mediator between God and
men, the Man Christ Jesus”. (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus Christ the resurrected Saviour is the mediator
between Almighty God and sinful man.
Millions
of people seek peace and forgiveness by bathing in some river or
by having holy water - supposedly blessed by a religious person -
sprinkled upon them. Others,
by making pilgrimages to shrines, reciting repetitious prayers
continually, counting beads or doing penance by lying on spikes,
walking on coals of fire, beating themselves and even carrying a
cross on their back or abstaining from food.
BUT,
OH, HOW FUTILE! WHAT A
WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY WHEN WE KNOW THE TRUTH - when Jesus
Christ has paid the penalty for our sins and has shed His blood;
suffered and died so that we can be forgiven, healed and blessed;
and that He rose again from the dead and lives forevermore!
There
is only ONE Who can give peace to troubled minds, joy to tortured
hearts, new life to the lost and forgiveness to the sinful, and I
must shout it out loud and clear, His Name is Jesus.
He alone is the Saviour of the world.
The
hymn writer stated:
“What
can wash away my sin,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me pure within
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! Precious is the
flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
God's
Word says, "Without shedding of blood is no remission."
(Hebrews 9:22); "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth
us from all sin." (1 John 1:7). Many ask, "Why
could not Buddha, Mohammed or the Pope be saviours as well as
Jesus? The answer is very simple!
The
Bible declares, “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).
God had only One Son, and His only begotten Son’s name
was not Buddha, Mohammed, Shiva or Pope Pius. The name of God’s
Son is JESUS.
The
angel said to Joseph: “Thou
shalt call His name Jesus: for
He shall save His people from their sins”.
(Matthew 1: 23); Jesus said, “As My Father
hath sent Me, even so send I you”. (John 20:21);
“As Thou hast sent Me into this world, even so have I
also sent them into the world.” (John 17:18)
Jesus
repeatedly stated that He is the Son of God. (John 5:18; 10:30 -
33; Mark 14: 61,62) And don’t forget that Jesus Christ was the
only One Who died on the cross for our sins, fulfilling the Old
Testament prophesies (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; 1 Peter
2:24), and we read that
Jesus was, “declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the
dead”. (Romans 1:4) Praise
the Lord!
So
we see that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead sets
Him apart from all other men of all ages and gives final proof to
the fact that He was, is and always will be the Divine, Holy Son
of God and the only Saviour of the world.
Jesus Christ stands completely and altogether above
everyone else because He was the only one who had power to rise
from the dead.
A
dead man cannot help you and all of those other people who have
been mentioned are dead and gone, but Jesus Christ lives on in
power and greatness; resurrected and alive; able to save and
deliver all who come unto God by Him. (Hebrews 7:25)
ON
WHICH ROAD ARE YOU TRAVELLING?
Now
I want to ask you a pointed question:
Who's Side are you on?
On
which road are you travelling? As you read these lines I must
remind you that you are on one of these roads, either the broad
road with the wide gate which will take you to an eternal hell, or
the narrow road with the straight gate that brings you to Heaven
and Eternity with God. There
is NO middle road and NO neutral ground. You are either on one
road or the other. We
are all travellers into Eternity.
Every person living today is on one of these roads.
If you have not given your heart and life to God and
accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, Lord and Master, then you
are a lost soul on the road to hell, and will never have peace,
joy or happiness in this life or the one to come, if you continue
in the way you are going.
TODAY,
AS YOU READ THESE LINES YOU CAN COME TO JESUS AND BY FAITH TURN
YOUR LIFE OVER TO GOD; GET OFF THE BROAD ROAD AND GET ON THE ONE
THAT LEADS TO GLORY. “By
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: not
of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
As
the Holy Spirit moves upon you, will you not surrender your entire
life to the Lord; slip down on your knees in prayer to God; cry
out for mercy as the publican did in the Bible, “God, be
merciful to me a sinner”; (Luke 18:10-14)
Accept the full and free salvation that God offers you now,
and you will enter the straight gate and be on the narrow road of
Christian living. Jesus
said, “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28)
Amen.
MAX
SOLBREKKEN WORLD MISSION
Box 44220
RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6 www.mswm.org
email: max@maxsolbrekken
FOUR
ESSENTIAL TRUTHS
that must not be
diminished, downgraded or dismissed!
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken
THE
WORD OF GOD has power to free you from bondage, sin, fear and
sickness. The Bible says, "He hath sent His Word and
healed them, and delivered them from all their destructions."
(Psalms 107:20)
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST is so powerful that it cleanses us from
all our sin and purges the conscience. The Bible says,
"If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have
fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's
Son cleanses us from all sins." (1 John 1:7)
THE
HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD baptizes us into the Body of Christ at
conversion and as we totally surrender to God, He fills us with
His presence (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Bible says:
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein in excess; but be filled
with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18, 19)
THE
NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is the greatest weapon to drive Satan
away from us. Jesus said: "Go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel unto every creature, He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be
damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe.
In My Name, shall they cast out devils..." (Mark 16:15-20;
Luke 10:17-20)
HEALING
FOR
SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
The
Greek word SOZO means to 'protect, deliver, heal, preserve, save
and make well.' In reality it means the 'Salvation of God'.
Seven hundred years before Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the Prophet
Isaiah declared, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a
sign, Behold a VIRGIN shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall
call His name Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
The
Angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph saying, "....Fear not to
take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and
thou shalt call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from
their sins."
"Now
all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold a 'virgin' shall be with
child, and shalt bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US."
(Matthew 1:20-23)
The
name of 'Jesus' in Hebrew is 'Yeshua' which means 'the Salvation
of God'. God's salvation for mankind is 'forgiveness,
healing, protection, wellness and deliverance' from the power of
the Devil and His evil work.
The
name of 'JESUS' means: 'Saviour, the salvation of God; the God who
saves, heals, protects, delivers and makes well."
Everywhere
our Lord went, he preached the Gospel and confirmed His message by
healing the sick and casting out evil spirits from those who were
bound: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
The
Bible states: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Ghost and power who went about doing good and healing all who
were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts
10:38)
"...Jesus
of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and
wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye
yourselves also know." (Acts 2:22)
"How
shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy
Ghost, according to His own will." (Hebrews 2:3,4)
GOD'S
WORD says: "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' the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14,15)
The
word SOZO used here means to heal the sick and make them well, is
used interchangeably for forgiveness and healing for body or soul
in the following Scriptures: Mark 5:23, Mark 5:34, Mark
6:56, Mark 16:16, Luke 8:36, Luke 17:19, Luke 18:42, Acts 2:21,
Acts 14:9, Acts 4:12 and Ephesians 2:8.
THE
HOLY RECORD states: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget
not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who
healeth all thy diseases." (Psalms 103:2,3); "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)
"And
when the even was come, they brought unto Him (JESUS) 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);
"Who His 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 ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
The
BIBLE says, "He hath sent His Word and healed them and
delivered them from their destructions." (Psalms 107:20);
"He brought them forth with silver and with gold' and there
was not one feeble person among their tribes." (Psalms
105:37)
"I
am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything to hard
for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27); "And ye shall serve the Lord
your God, and He shall bless thy bread and thy water, and I will
take sickness away from the midst of thee." (Exodus 23:24,25)
GOD'S
HEALING COVENANT WITH ISRAEL
In
His great love and concern for His people, Israel, Almighty God
made a 'Healing covenant with Moses' on their behalf. Here
it is:
"If
thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and
wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His
commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these
diseases upon thee, which i have brought upon the Egyptians, for I
am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)
The
ten plagues which Jehovah the Covenant God of Israel released upon
the Egyptians that finally forced Pharaoh to allow the Hebrew
slaves leave their bondage did not adversely affect God's people.
The
promise of divine healing and health was reserved for the Hebrews
and by extension to all who trust in Christ our Great physician
Who fulfilled all the types of the coming Messiah.
"He
brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not
one feeble person among their tribes." (Psalms 105:37)
"Then they cried unto the lord God in their trouble, and He
saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His Word and
healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
(Psalms 107:20)
"God
is a very present help in time of trouble." (Psalms 46:1);
"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be
afraid?" (Psalms 27:1)
"No
good thing will God withhold from them who walk uprightly."
(Psalms 84:11); "There shall no evil befall thee, neither
shall any plague come nigh unto thy dwelling." (Psalms
91:10); "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee
the desires of thine heart." (Psalms 37:4); "Unto you
that fear My name shall the Son of righteousness arise with
healing in His wings." (Malachi 4:2)
"No
weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against thee shalt thou condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is
of Me sayeth the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17)
Divine
Healing is promised for those who fast and pray and seek the Lord:
"Is not the fast that I have chosen? To lose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go
free, and that ye break every yoke?"
"Is
it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the
poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the
naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from
thine own flesh?
"Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy 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 shall cry, and He shall
say, Here am I..." (Isaiah 58:6-8)
THIS
IS THE REASON JESUS CAME
"For
this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy
the works of the enemy." (1 John 3:8); "The thief
(Satan) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy. I am
come that you might have life and more abundantly." (John
10:10)
"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); "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the
world, and preach the Gospel unto every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned."
"And
these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they
cast out devils...they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they
shall recover." (Mark 16:15-20)
Jesus
said: "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and
I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28); "All that the
Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I
will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
He
invites us to fellowship with Him through prayer, praise and
meditation. He said, "Ask and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For everyone that asketh receiveth; he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7,8)
Then
He shared this great analogy: "And what man is there of you,
whom if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone?" Something
useless! "Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent?" Something dangerous!
"If
ye then, being evil, know to give god gifts unto your children,
HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father in Heaven give good things to them
that ask Him? (Matthew 7:9-11) He stated: "I will never
leave thee nor forsake thee. I will be with thee unto the
end of the world." (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)
In
this PROMISE our precious Lord Jesus used a 'double imperative' to
drive home a very important truth. He actually said: I will
never, NO NEVER leave thee. I will never, NO NEVER forsake
thee, I will be with thee until the end of the world.
Of
all the promises our Lord gave us, I think this is the most
touching. Jesus was so concerned that we know the truth of
His presence and nearness to us at all times!
"The
promises of God in Christ Jesus is Yea and Amen." The Bible
states: "If God be FOR US, who then can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31) "Greater is He that in IN US that he that is in
the world." (1 John 4:4) His promises are 'YES'...and
not NO.
"God
hath delivered us from the power of DARKNESS, and hath translated
us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, in Whom we have REDEMPTION
through HIS BLOOD." (Colossians 1:13, 14)
When
Satan's power was defeated in our lives and we were translated
into Christ's KINGDOM, Satan's power to harass us was finished.
We can tell him to remove his sickness and disease from us for we
are God's PROPERTY.
We
have been purchased by His blood: "Ye are BOUGHT WITH A
PRICE: therefore glorify God in your BODY, and in your SPIRIT,
which are GOD'S." (2 Corinthians 6:20)
My
Friend: In the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and upon the
authority of God's Word and by the BLOOD of the everlasting
covenant, I command the pain to LEAVE YOUR BODY and the power of
Satan to be broken off your entire being.
We
can legally say: "SATAN: IT'S OVER! YOU HAVE LOST
and WE HAVE WON through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! Amen.
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by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
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