A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Friday, 28 March 2014
A common creator
A common Creator
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein
I believe Einstein got it right when he said the above. I don’t know whether Einstein believed in God. He was Jewish I like to think he did.
But I do believe from this statement that he believed all things from the galaxies to the smallest parts of the Atom are in some way unified.
I believe there is an order in the universe. That there is what scientist are calling a grand unification theory.
I believe that eventually man may be able to put together that grand theory.
The reason I believe is because I believe the universe is the creation of God.
I believe the statement made in Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
I believe the statement of John when he said,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made”
John 1:1-3.
I also believe in good science. That if science is done well and with out any prejudges, we will one day prove that the universe was created.
I believe it was Stephen Hawking the great theoretical physicist that said, “Science may not be able to prove the existence of God. But it may be able to tell you the exact moment he made the universe.”
Ultimately accepting that there is a God is an act of faith. Still that faith can come about by looking at the magnificence of the universe around you. Seeing how perfectly made it is and making the right conculsion.
Think about it.
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein
I believe Einstein got it right when he said the above. I don’t know whether Einstein believed in God. He was Jewish I like to think he did.
But I do believe from this statement that he believed all things from the galaxies to the smallest parts of the Atom are in some way unified.
I believe there is an order in the universe. That there is what scientist are calling a grand unification theory.
I believe that eventually man may be able to put together that grand theory.
The reason I believe is because I believe the universe is the creation of God.
I believe the statement made in Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
I believe the statement of John when he said,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made”
John 1:1-3.
I also believe in good science. That if science is done well and with out any prejudges, we will one day prove that the universe was created.
I believe it was Stephen Hawking the great theoretical physicist that said, “Science may not be able to prove the existence of God. But it may be able to tell you the exact moment he made the universe.”
Ultimately accepting that there is a God is an act of faith. Still that faith can come about by looking at the magnificence of the universe around you. Seeing how perfectly made it is and making the right conculsion.
Think about it.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
What do you expect the Messiah to be
What do you expect the Messiah to be?
He who has ears, let him hear.
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Matthew 11:15-19
Here Jesus points out the he and John had quite different styles. John followed the strictest rules. He came eating only the basics and he never drank strong drink.
By contrast Jesus did eat and drink. Additionally he sat down with anyone who would listen to him.
Both ways were condemned by the teachers of the law. It was a no win situation.
It appeared that no matter how God decided to show himself the learned leaders of the day refused to accept the message.
It’s the same to day. We as followers of Christ are called to present Jesus but sometimes it doesn’t matter what we say people will reject Christ.
Think about it.
He who has ears, let him hear.
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Matthew 11:15-19
Here Jesus points out the he and John had quite different styles. John followed the strictest rules. He came eating only the basics and he never drank strong drink.
By contrast Jesus did eat and drink. Additionally he sat down with anyone who would listen to him.
Both ways were condemned by the teachers of the law. It was a no win situation.
It appeared that no matter how God decided to show himself the learned leaders of the day refused to accept the message.
It’s the same to day. We as followers of Christ are called to present Jesus but sometimes it doesn’t matter what we say people will reject Christ.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Creation
Creation
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
The bible states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1. Creation is one of those faith things with me. Never the less my faith is based on what I see.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and atoms all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness I think it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. There is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
By that same faith I believe that Jesus is the incarnation of God. The Bible stating,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
I believe those who believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible have no fear of science because I believe good science will point to the existence of God.
At the beginning of this article I’ve put a picture of the earth taken from the space probe Voyager. It has travelled further in space than any man made object. At this point it is beyond the solar system.
From trillions of kilometres away N.A.S.A. turned its cameras around and took the picture.
As I look at it I am amazed and humbled that the God of creation did consider every human being on that “mote of dust” as Carl Sagan put it, worthy of his personal love. In that he did in deed send His One and Only Son to us. That we may know eternal life.
Think about it.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
The bible states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1. Creation is one of those faith things with me. Never the less my faith is based on what I see.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and atoms all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness I think it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. There is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
By that same faith I believe that Jesus is the incarnation of God. The Bible stating,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
I believe those who believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible have no fear of science because I believe good science will point to the existence of God.
At the beginning of this article I’ve put a picture of the earth taken from the space probe Voyager. It has travelled further in space than any man made object. At this point it is beyond the solar system.
From trillions of kilometres away N.A.S.A. turned its cameras around and took the picture.
As I look at it I am amazed and humbled that the God of creation did consider every human being on that “mote of dust” as Carl Sagan put it, worthy of his personal love. In that he did in deed send His One and Only Son to us. That we may know eternal life.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
False Teachers
False teachers
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at many preacher in the media, not all, it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money.
The classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the seed faith crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want to not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to ministries that are not preaching a return on your money.
Some ministries offer a little gift for giving that’s fine but if a ministry is telling you to give to get a return on your cash stay away from them.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Think about it.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at many preacher in the media, not all, it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money.
The classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the seed faith crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want to not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to ministries that are not preaching a return on your money.
Some ministries offer a little gift for giving that’s fine but if a ministry is telling you to give to get a return on your cash stay away from them.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Think about it.
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Why I'm a Christian
Why I’m A Christian
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,...”
1 Peter 1:3,4
When people ask me why I’m a Christian it’s simple. I can’t believe that this world is all there is. I cannot believe that when this mortal body dies we just past to oblivion.
I believe that spark that we have that separates us from animals. Call it intelligence, the soul whatever. That part of your body that makes you, you, I believe is made to live forever.
That this world is just the beginning of a journey through eternity. I believe as the ancients did that what we do here affects what will happen to us in eternity.
I’ve looked around at other faiths and for me the only one that makes sense is Christianity.
Christianity requires an act of faith. For many perhaps the hardest thing to put into practice. But it is in putting ones faith in Jesus Christ that lets us attain eternal life in heaven. It gives assurances of eternal life for simple faith in Jesus Christ.
We don’t have to worry about having the good in our lives weighed against the bad in our lives when we stand before God.
Christianity does call us to live as good and loving life as we can but it also recognizes that we are and always will be as mortals, a long way from perfect.
Jesus said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
I know to many such a statement may seem perhaps overly simple or even arrogant on the part Jesus.
But I believe what he said.
I don’t believe that I could ever be good enough to stand before a holy God if I was left to my own devices.
I am human and I fall far short of what God wants for my life daily. Thus I truly believe I am in need of a savour to pay the price for my short comings and that is exactly what Jesus did.
To the reader of this I would ask that you read the Bible carefully with an open mind and make your own conclusions.
I would challenge you to go to an evangelical church, perhaps a Baptist church or if you’re in Canada a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church or in the United States an Assemblies of God church, and talk to the pastor.
Ask them questions about their faith. Ask them why they believe and what they believe.
Good honest pastors are always willing to meet with you and share their faith. So why not ask them to do so.
Think about it.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,...”
1 Peter 1:3,4
When people ask me why I’m a Christian it’s simple. I can’t believe that this world is all there is. I cannot believe that when this mortal body dies we just past to oblivion.
I believe that spark that we have that separates us from animals. Call it intelligence, the soul whatever. That part of your body that makes you, you, I believe is made to live forever.
That this world is just the beginning of a journey through eternity. I believe as the ancients did that what we do here affects what will happen to us in eternity.
I’ve looked around at other faiths and for me the only one that makes sense is Christianity.
Christianity requires an act of faith. For many perhaps the hardest thing to put into practice. But it is in putting ones faith in Jesus Christ that lets us attain eternal life in heaven. It gives assurances of eternal life for simple faith in Jesus Christ.
We don’t have to worry about having the good in our lives weighed against the bad in our lives when we stand before God.
Christianity does call us to live as good and loving life as we can but it also recognizes that we are and always will be as mortals, a long way from perfect.
Jesus said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
I know to many such a statement may seem perhaps overly simple or even arrogant on the part Jesus.
But I believe what he said.
I don’t believe that I could ever be good enough to stand before a holy God if I was left to my own devices.
I am human and I fall far short of what God wants for my life daily. Thus I truly believe I am in need of a savour to pay the price for my short comings and that is exactly what Jesus did.
To the reader of this I would ask that you read the Bible carefully with an open mind and make your own conclusions.
I would challenge you to go to an evangelical church, perhaps a Baptist church or if you’re in Canada a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church or in the United States an Assemblies of God church, and talk to the pastor.
Ask them questions about their faith. Ask them why they believe and what they believe.
Good honest pastors are always willing to meet with you and share their faith. So why not ask them to do so.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Why Christians Preach
Why Christians Preach
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1John 1:1-3
If you had the what you deemed to be the most important thing in all of history, something that people must hear, wouldn’t you want to share it.
That is what we as Christians believe we have.
We have the way to salvation and eternal life. That being a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here John makes that perfectly clear. Look carefully at what he has to say,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."
John and the other disciples actually lived with Jesus. They listened to his teachings and were completely convinced he was who he said he was the Son of God.
He notes that,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear that Jesus was with our Heavenly Father, God, and that he appeared to them in bodily form, Jesus.
John does not say Jesus may be the way or is one of many ways. He says he is the way to eternal life.
He makes it clear saying,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John wants all the world to know that we all can have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the message all true Christians want to present to the world.
Would you consider asking Jesus into your life?
Think about it.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1John 1:1-3
If you had the what you deemed to be the most important thing in all of history, something that people must hear, wouldn’t you want to share it.
That is what we as Christians believe we have.
We have the way to salvation and eternal life. That being a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here John makes that perfectly clear. Look carefully at what he has to say,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."
John and the other disciples actually lived with Jesus. They listened to his teachings and were completely convinced he was who he said he was the Son of God.
He notes that,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear that Jesus was with our Heavenly Father, God, and that he appeared to them in bodily form, Jesus.
John does not say Jesus may be the way or is one of many ways. He says he is the way to eternal life.
He makes it clear saying,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John wants all the world to know that we all can have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the message all true Christians want to present to the world.
Would you consider asking Jesus into your life?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
About Jesus
About Jesus
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
Jesus is God John in his Gospel makes that clear. In John 1 he notes that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.”
That, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
And that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
This is the bottom line for Christians. Jesus is God the creator of the Universe. Whether he used the big bang or some other way of doing it is unimportant.
The fact is the Bible tells us that He is the creator of the universe. And distinguishes the part of God that was made flesh by calling him the Word or the Son of God does not diminish that He is still God the one who created the universe.
The Bible simply puts the fact out there and asks you to decide for yourself. Who you think Jesus is.
Is he God the Creator of the universe. The Saviour of mankind or is he a man who was charismatic enough to created the biggest lie in history?
Think about it.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
Jesus is God John in his Gospel makes that clear. In John 1 he notes that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.”
That, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
And that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
This is the bottom line for Christians. Jesus is God the creator of the Universe. Whether he used the big bang or some other way of doing it is unimportant.
The fact is the Bible tells us that He is the creator of the universe. And distinguishes the part of God that was made flesh by calling him the Word or the Son of God does not diminish that He is still God the one who created the universe.
The Bible simply puts the fact out there and asks you to decide for yourself. Who you think Jesus is.
Is he God the Creator of the universe. The Saviour of mankind or is he a man who was charismatic enough to created the biggest lie in history?
Think about it.
Monday, 17 March 2014
Who do you think Jesus is?
Who do you think Jesus is?
“While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.
And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
Matthew 9:32-34
Throughout the ages Jesus has been seen as many things. Here the Pharisees say he is the prince of demons.
They had an axe to grind with Jesus . They seen him as a threat to their authority. They used anything they could against him.
Here their calling him the prince of demons doesn’t make sense. Why would the prince of demons drive out demons from a man? Isn’t it counter productive to his cause?
Jesus drove out the demons to prove that he was the Son of God that he had the power over the demons. That, that power came from God.
Over the years people have seen Jesus as everything from as the Pharisees did, a demon, to a prophet, to Messiah, to a good man, to a great moral teacher.
I like to quote C.S. Lewis when he wrote,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
“While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.
And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
Matthew 9:32-34
Throughout the ages Jesus has been seen as many things. Here the Pharisees say he is the prince of demons.
They had an axe to grind with Jesus . They seen him as a threat to their authority. They used anything they could against him.
Here their calling him the prince of demons doesn’t make sense. Why would the prince of demons drive out demons from a man? Isn’t it counter productive to his cause?
Jesus drove out the demons to prove that he was the Son of God that he had the power over the demons. That, that power came from God.
Over the years people have seen Jesus as everything from as the Pharisees did, a demon, to a prophet, to Messiah, to a good man, to a great moral teacher.
I like to quote C.S. Lewis when he wrote,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Who is Jesus
“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;
and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”
Matthew 9:27-31.
Here Jesus heals two blind men who had the faith to believe he could heal them. It was their faith that healed them. They went to Jesus in faith expecting to be healed and he rewarded their faith.
He then told them not to tell anyone.
However a momentous thing had happened to them and they told it seems anyone who would listen to them.
Jesus here more than likely didn’t want to be strictly known as a faith healer. His purpose in life was to bring people out of their sin. The reconcile them to God. The miracles as great as they were, were only a small part of his ministry.
They showed that he was from God. But he I believe didn’t want to be known strictly for those miracles.
When we look at Jesus today we need to see him not as a miracle worker, not as a good moral teacher or simply a good man.
We need to see him as the one and Only Son of God. Our Lord and Savior.
How do you see Jesus.
Think about it.
The Blind Can See
The Blind can see
“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;
and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”
Matthew 9:27-31.
Here Jesus heals two blind men who had the faith to believe he could heal them. It was their faith that healed them. They went to Jesus in faith expecting to be healed and he rewarded their faith.
He then told them not to tell anyone.
However a momentous thing had happened to them and they told it seems anyone who would listen to them.
Jesus here more than likely didn’t want to be strictly known as a faith healer. His purpose in life was to bring people out of their sin. The reconcile them to God. The miracles as great as they were, were only a small part of his ministry.
They showed that he was from God. But he I believe didn’t want to be known strictly for those miracles.
When we look at Jesus today we need to see him not as a miracle worker, not as a good moral teacher or simply a good man.
We need to see him as the one and Only Son of God. Our Lord and Savior.
How do you see Jesus.
Think about it.
“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;
and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”
Matthew 9:27-31.
Here Jesus heals two blind men who had the faith to believe he could heal them. It was their faith that healed them. They went to Jesus in faith expecting to be healed and he rewarded their faith.
He then told them not to tell anyone.
However a momentous thing had happened to them and they told it seems anyone who would listen to them.
Jesus here more than likely didn’t want to be strictly known as a faith healer. His purpose in life was to bring people out of their sin. The reconcile them to God. The miracles as great as they were, were only a small part of his ministry.
They showed that he was from God. But he I believe didn’t want to be known strictly for those miracles.
When we look at Jesus today we need to see him not as a miracle worker, not as a good moral teacher or simply a good man.
We need to see him as the one and Only Son of God. Our Lord and Savior.
How do you see Jesus.
Think about it.
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Of Faith
Of Faith
“While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,
he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
News of this spread through all that region.”
Matthew 9:18-26.
Throughout the gospels we have stories of faith in Jesus. Here are two good examples.
A ruler comes to Jesus and has faith enough to believe that Jesus can raise his dead daughter.
Proof that Jesus had people who believed in him not just in the lower and middle class but in the ruling more educated classes.
This man asked Jesus to come to his home where there were people hired to play instruments as part of the mourning process for the dead.
They laughed at Jesus when he said she was only asleep. They obviously knew she was dead. Her death had probably been pronounced by someone.
Yet here Jesus touches here and she comes to life.
Prior to this while he was on his way a woman who had an issue of blood an incident noted in Mark five and Luke eight had the faith to believe that if she simply touched the hem of his cloak she would be healed.
She touched it and Jesus turned to her and said, “your faith has healed you.”
It must be noted that it was the faith of the people involved here that healed them.
Faith is the key to being a Christian. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Question, Where is your faith?
Think about it.
“While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,
he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
News of this spread through all that region.”
Matthew 9:18-26.
Throughout the gospels we have stories of faith in Jesus. Here are two good examples.
A ruler comes to Jesus and has faith enough to believe that Jesus can raise his dead daughter.
Proof that Jesus had people who believed in him not just in the lower and middle class but in the ruling more educated classes.
This man asked Jesus to come to his home where there were people hired to play instruments as part of the mourning process for the dead.
They laughed at Jesus when he said she was only asleep. They obviously knew she was dead. Her death had probably been pronounced by someone.
Yet here Jesus touches here and she comes to life.
Prior to this while he was on his way a woman who had an issue of blood an incident noted in Mark five and Luke eight had the faith to believe that if she simply touched the hem of his cloak she would be healed.
She touched it and Jesus turned to her and said, “your faith has healed you.”
It must be noted that it was the faith of the people involved here that healed them.
Faith is the key to being a Christian. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Question, Where is your faith?
Think about it.
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