God’s Wisdom
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Here we have Paul pointing out that Christianity, and the preaching of the cross is foolishness to both Jew and Greeks.
The Jews were looking for a conquering Messiah not a suffering one. The Greeks by their way of thinking could not understand that a great man who claimed to be all Jesus did, would let himself go to the cross.
Even today one has to admit that for a someone who is to be saviour of the world to be put to death is illogical at least to man’s way of thinking. But then God does not do things the way man does them.
God did not have is son born to high birth. He chose a poor girl and her carpenter husband to look after his child. And while the message of Jesus is for all. His ministry reached the average person on the street first.
The message of the Gospel requires nothing from the individual but faith.
Kenneth L Barker states,
“The Corinthian Christians themselves were living proof that salvation does not depend on anything in themselves, so that those who are saved can only “boast in the Lord” (v. 31). Their salvation did not spring from the cleverness of human intellect or the centers of human power but from the free grace of God."
( Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible copy right 2002)
Paul makes it clear,
“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:30,31.
That is the beauty of Christianity it is God reaching down to man. Saying you are saved by My Grace not by your works.
In sending Jesus down to this earth to be born of parents of low birth, to live among and preach to average people, means God fully understands all that man is going through.
Think about it. Jesus experienced everything it is to be a man. Everything from the mundane such as walking along a dusty road. To feeling the sun and rain. To constantly being harassed by his enemies and ultimately suffering and dying for a crime he didn’t commit.
Man’s logic would be to come in power wipe out his enemies and attempt by force to convert those who didn’t believe.
I like the words of Napoleon when it came to Jesus he got it right saying,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Think about it.
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Who is Jesus
Who is Jesus
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your
Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his first born into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
Hebrews 1:1-9.
Here the writer of Hebrews makes several important points about Jesus.
1/ Jesus is he Son of God.
2/ The universe was made by Him.
3/”The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
4/ He (Jesus) provided purification for sins
6/ He is superior to the angels
7/ God’s angels worship Jesus
8/ Jesus’s thrown will last for ever
9/ righteousness will be the scepter of His Kingdom
10/ Jesus love loves righteousness and hates wickedness.
These are in a nut shell what true Christians believe about Jesus. He is indeed God. He is not ‘a god’ he is God the creator of the universe.
There are some that claim to be Christians that do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is an angel. This is not so. Here the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is indeed God.
John in his gospel records this conversation between Jesus and the apostle Philip,
“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
John 14:8-11.
Jesus is indeed God according to the New Testament. This is what all true Christians believe. It is the foundation stone of our very faith.
Think about it.
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your
Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his first born into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
Hebrews 1:1-9.
Here the writer of Hebrews makes several important points about Jesus.
1/ Jesus is he Son of God.
2/ The universe was made by Him.
3/”The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
4/ He (Jesus) provided purification for sins
6/ He is superior to the angels
7/ God’s angels worship Jesus
8/ Jesus’s thrown will last for ever
9/ righteousness will be the scepter of His Kingdom
10/ Jesus love loves righteousness and hates wickedness.
These are in a nut shell what true Christians believe about Jesus. He is indeed God. He is not ‘a god’ he is God the creator of the universe.
There are some that claim to be Christians that do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is an angel. This is not so. Here the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is indeed God.
John in his gospel records this conversation between Jesus and the apostle Philip,
“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
John 14:8-11.
Jesus is indeed God according to the New Testament. This is what all true Christians believe. It is the foundation stone of our very faith.
Think about it.
Friday, 4 July 2014
Not Perfect perhaps not even Christian
Not Perfect perhaps not even Christian
“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 7:22,23
Here’s an admission from a Christian of forty-one years. The church today especially her in the west is a long way from perfect. There is a lot of misinterpretation of the Bible to conform with the prejudges of the individual.
It’s the same in any large movement. There are always factions with in any movement be it a religious movement or secular movement, that move away from the central beliefs of the movement. It just seems to be human nature.
Still with Christianity it is a major problem one the fledgling church recognized and addressed. The majority of the New Testament is given over to correcting the errors developing in the fledgling church as it expanded.
These corrections sadly are corrections not listened to by many Church congregations, denominations, as well as pastors and evangelist today.
For me the following is in a nut shell what makes up a Christian.
First and foremost a Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They believe his words when he says
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
We believe that it is by grace that we are saved it is a gift of God not by our works. Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said I believe a true Christian should also be,
None Judgmental. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
A true Christian will not judge, that is God’s job. A true Christian will let the Holy Spirit convict men of their sin.
A true Christian will simply present their faith to anyone who will listen.
A True Christian will do their best to follow the words of Paul to the Romans,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21
A true Christian will love, Jesus said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love this way,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
These are the traits that truly typify a Christian.
I know there are many who say they are Christians in the world today, especially it seems in the media that are not.
They are spouting judgement against and individual or group this is not being Christian. A Christian will not judge.
I do not believe messages that judge people, promote hatred or prejudice are messages from God.
While I admit there are many things within Christianity that those outside our faith may find controversial, our core values that I have listed in brief above I believe are not controversial.
The key thing I would tell anyone who is listening to someone who calls themselves Christian is remember the words of Jesus who said,
“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 7:22,23
Think about it.
“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 7:22,23
Here’s an admission from a Christian of forty-one years. The church today especially her in the west is a long way from perfect. There is a lot of misinterpretation of the Bible to conform with the prejudges of the individual.
It’s the same in any large movement. There are always factions with in any movement be it a religious movement or secular movement, that move away from the central beliefs of the movement. It just seems to be human nature.
Still with Christianity it is a major problem one the fledgling church recognized and addressed. The majority of the New Testament is given over to correcting the errors developing in the fledgling church as it expanded.
These corrections sadly are corrections not listened to by many Church congregations, denominations, as well as pastors and evangelist today.
For me the following is in a nut shell what makes up a Christian.
First and foremost a Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They believe his words when he says
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
We believe that it is by grace that we are saved it is a gift of God not by our works. Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said I believe a true Christian should also be,
None Judgmental. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
A true Christian will not judge, that is God’s job. A true Christian will let the Holy Spirit convict men of their sin.
A true Christian will simply present their faith to anyone who will listen.
A True Christian will do their best to follow the words of Paul to the Romans,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21
A true Christian will love, Jesus said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love this way,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
These are the traits that truly typify a Christian.
I know there are many who say they are Christians in the world today, especially it seems in the media that are not.
They are spouting judgement against and individual or group this is not being Christian. A Christian will not judge.
I do not believe messages that judge people, promote hatred or prejudice are messages from God.
While I admit there are many things within Christianity that those outside our faith may find controversial, our core values that I have listed in brief above I believe are not controversial.
The key thing I would tell anyone who is listening to someone who calls themselves Christian is remember the words of Jesus who said,
“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 7:22,23
Think about it.
Thursday, 3 July 2014
Truth or Lie
Truth or Lie
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise
Luke 23:42,43
The following is a an inscription found on the linen wrappings of the Egyptian Mummy Thothmes II 1493-1479 B.C.
“Hail to thee, O my father Osiris, I have come and I have embalmed this my flesh so that my body may not decay.”
For thousands of years mankind has believed in an afterlife and a God or gods. Today if surveys are correct the majority of people around the world still believe in an afterlife.
The Egyptians created great pyramids for their kings laying in them vast amounts of grave goods thought to be needed in the afterlife.
About four thousand seven hundred years ago the Bronze age Beaker people buried their dead in the crouched position accompanied by grave goods that included food and drinking vessels and body ornamentation and even weapons.
In the middle Iron age Britain some bodies were even laid along side carts to speed them into the afterlife.
We all must die as Seneca the Younger said in 65A.D.
“Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death: a thousand doors open onto it.”
The question is where will we spend eternity. I as a Christian do not believe we can live a life good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah 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
I believe God knew this that is why he reached down to us through his one and only Son Jesus Christ.
I believe Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
I don’t think God cares too much about our way of life, our lifestyle, our social economic status or whether we are a pauper, prince or king.
I believe God only care for us as individuals. The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
At the beginning of this article I quoted a conversation recorded in the book of Luke between one of the criminals crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:42,43
That man did what I as a Christian believe all men must do. He recognized that Jesus was innocent of what he was being crucified for and that he was the Son of God. He then confessed his sins to Christ, who forgave those sins.
Jesus making it clear saying “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
At this point Jesus was either lying or telling the truth.
If he is telling the truth and I believe he is. Then he must be the one and only Son of God. For only God can forgive sin.
If he is telling the truth then what the John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
And what I have quoted from John 14:6 is true,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
No other faith in the world makes that claim. No other founder of any faith in the world makes that claim.
Therefore it comes down to the individual. Do you believe the claims of Jesus or not.
Think about it.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise
Luke 23:42,43
The following is a an inscription found on the linen wrappings of the Egyptian Mummy Thothmes II 1493-1479 B.C.
“Hail to thee, O my father Osiris, I have come and I have embalmed this my flesh so that my body may not decay.”
For thousands of years mankind has believed in an afterlife and a God or gods. Today if surveys are correct the majority of people around the world still believe in an afterlife.
The Egyptians created great pyramids for their kings laying in them vast amounts of grave goods thought to be needed in the afterlife.
About four thousand seven hundred years ago the Bronze age Beaker people buried their dead in the crouched position accompanied by grave goods that included food and drinking vessels and body ornamentation and even weapons.
In the middle Iron age Britain some bodies were even laid along side carts to speed them into the afterlife.
We all must die as Seneca the Younger said in 65A.D.
“Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death: a thousand doors open onto it.”
The question is where will we spend eternity. I as a Christian do not believe we can live a life good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah 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
I believe God knew this that is why he reached down to us through his one and only Son Jesus Christ.
I believe Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
I don’t think God cares too much about our way of life, our lifestyle, our social economic status or whether we are a pauper, prince or king.
I believe God only care for us as individuals. The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
At the beginning of this article I quoted a conversation recorded in the book of Luke between one of the criminals crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:42,43
That man did what I as a Christian believe all men must do. He recognized that Jesus was innocent of what he was being crucified for and that he was the Son of God. He then confessed his sins to Christ, who forgave those sins.
Jesus making it clear saying “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
At this point Jesus was either lying or telling the truth.
If he is telling the truth and I believe he is. Then he must be the one and only Son of God. For only God can forgive sin.
If he is telling the truth then what the John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
And what I have quoted from John 14:6 is true,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
No other faith in the world makes that claim. No other founder of any faith in the world makes that claim.
Therefore it comes down to the individual. Do you believe the claims of Jesus or not.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
The Way to Heaven
The Way to Heaven
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
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.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23,
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“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
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
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.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23,
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“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
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
The Great Commission
The Great Commission
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20.
Here is the commission given by Jesus to his disciples and passed on to us. It is something many people of other faiths do not like. Yet it is the most important part of Christianity.
Christianity is if you think about it evangelical Judaism. The Jews were the first to worship the one true God creator of the universe by faith.
For thousands of years they kept that faith. They followed by faith the one true God. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Hebrews 11:8-16.
This is what we as Christians are proclaiming. We believe one must have faith in the one true God. That we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It is the same faith Abraham and the Jewish patriarchs had.
I believe God’s plan all along was for the world to know Him on a personal level that’s why at just the right time Christ came into this world.
We who believe in Jesus want every individual in the world to know that they can meet God on a personal level.
We believe its only through faith in Jesus Christ that one can enter heaven. Paul writing to the Ephesians wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Salvation and eternal life with God are a gift from God through Jesus Christ.
It is as if God placed a free meal for us to have. A banquet that is free to all who will come. All we have to do is partake.
The decision is up to us. To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the one and only Son of God who takes away our sins, or he is not.
The choice is always left to the individual.
The choice is yours.
John writes,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12,13
Jesus himself make things clear saying,
“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
He also said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
These statements are bold and I know controversial but they never the less are what Jesus taught His disciples and it is what Christians today believe.
Think about it.
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20.
Here is the commission given by Jesus to his disciples and passed on to us. It is something many people of other faiths do not like. Yet it is the most important part of Christianity.
Christianity is if you think about it evangelical Judaism. The Jews were the first to worship the one true God creator of the universe by faith.
For thousands of years they kept that faith. They followed by faith the one true God. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Hebrews 11:8-16.
This is what we as Christians are proclaiming. We believe one must have faith in the one true God. That we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It is the same faith Abraham and the Jewish patriarchs had.
I believe God’s plan all along was for the world to know Him on a personal level that’s why at just the right time Christ came into this world.
We who believe in Jesus want every individual in the world to know that they can meet God on a personal level.
We believe its only through faith in Jesus Christ that one can enter heaven. Paul writing to the Ephesians wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Salvation and eternal life with God are a gift from God through Jesus Christ.
It is as if God placed a free meal for us to have. A banquet that is free to all who will come. All we have to do is partake.
The decision is up to us. To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the one and only Son of God who takes away our sins, or he is not.
The choice is always left to the individual.
The choice is yours.
John writes,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12,13
Jesus himself make things clear saying,
“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
He also said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
These statements are bold and I know controversial but they never the less are what Jesus taught His disciples and it is what Christians today believe.
Think about it.
Monday, 30 June 2014
A Most Important Day
A Most Important Day
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them.“Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1-10.
This is the most important day in human history. Jesus rose from the dead. He was not reincarnated, he rose from the dead and would be seen by many people.
No other faith in world history has such beliefs. Jesus physically rose from the dead.
This is something the individual must believe or dismiss. As with everything else with Jesus there is no middle ground.
Jesus would go on from here to eventually ascend to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Flavius Josephus, Born: 34AD died 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. Wrote,
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.
[Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Josephus definitely not a Christian. A Romanized Jew living during the time of Christ confirms the events of Jesus life. He calls him a wise man who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. That many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples.
And he ends with the question “Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders."
This is the question all individuals must answer. Is Jesus the Christ the Saviour of the world or is he not. The choice is yours.
Think about it.
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them.“Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1-10.
This is the most important day in human history. Jesus rose from the dead. He was not reincarnated, he rose from the dead and would be seen by many people.
No other faith in world history has such beliefs. Jesus physically rose from the dead.
This is something the individual must believe or dismiss. As with everything else with Jesus there is no middle ground.
Jesus would go on from here to eventually ascend to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Flavius Josephus, Born: 34AD died 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. Wrote,
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.
[Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Josephus definitely not a Christian. A Romanized Jew living during the time of Christ confirms the events of Jesus life. He calls him a wise man who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. That many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples.
And he ends with the question “Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders."
This is the question all individuals must answer. Is Jesus the Christ the Saviour of the world or is he not. The choice is yours.
Think about it.
Sunday, 29 June 2014
A Truth or a Lie
A Truth or a Lie
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
Matthew 27:57-66.
The Romans were good at what they did and the priests and Pharisees wanted to make sure they did it exceptionally well at this time. They went to Pilot and asked that he seal the tomb to ensure that Jesus disciples couldn’t steal the body and claim that he rose from the dead.
Pilot ordered it but Jesus still rose and it was miraculous. The priest and Pharisees knew this that’s why they bribed the Roman soldiers, Matthew recording events after the women had discovered Jesus had risen.
“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Matthew 28:11-15.
The lie that the disciples of Jesus had stolen the body circulated and was still doing so when Matthew wrote his gospel.
To day people believe that lie.
I know it’s hard to believe that a person can rise up from the grave. The writers of the New Testament realized that.
When the Apostle Paul presented the truth about Christ in Athens he concluded with these remarks recorded in Acts,
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:31-34.
Believing in the resurrection from the dead is an act of faith. Acts of faith can be very hard.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
It’s hard to believe in what we cannot see, hear, or touch. Yet that is what is required to become a Christian.
The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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
Do you believe that this Jesus of Nazareth spoken of in the New Testament in both the Saviour of mankind as well as Lord and God creator of the universe?
Think about it.
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
Matthew 27:57-66.
The Romans were good at what they did and the priests and Pharisees wanted to make sure they did it exceptionally well at this time. They went to Pilot and asked that he seal the tomb to ensure that Jesus disciples couldn’t steal the body and claim that he rose from the dead.
Pilot ordered it but Jesus still rose and it was miraculous. The priest and Pharisees knew this that’s why they bribed the Roman soldiers, Matthew recording events after the women had discovered Jesus had risen.
“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Matthew 28:11-15.
The lie that the disciples of Jesus had stolen the body circulated and was still doing so when Matthew wrote his gospel.
To day people believe that lie.
I know it’s hard to believe that a person can rise up from the grave. The writers of the New Testament realized that.
When the Apostle Paul presented the truth about Christ in Athens he concluded with these remarks recorded in Acts,
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:31-34.
Believing in the resurrection from the dead is an act of faith. Acts of faith can be very hard.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
It’s hard to believe in what we cannot see, hear, or touch. Yet that is what is required to become a Christian.
The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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
Do you believe that this Jesus of Nazareth spoken of in the New Testament in both the Saviour of mankind as well as Lord and God creator of the universe?
Think about it.
Saturday, 28 June 2014
The Death that saved the world
The Death that Saved the World
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”
Matthew 27:45-56
There is something interesting here. The events noted here and the miracles of Jesus are noted in a piece of work that is not Christian at all, it’s Jewish, the Talmud,
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
“The Talmud makes note of Jesus' miracles. No attempt is made to deny them, but it ascribes them to magical arts from Egypt. Also His crucifixion is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1ff; John 19:31ff). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51), the Talmud records the earthquake and the tearing in two of the Temple curtain during the time of Jesus' death.”
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, also tells of these events.
Flavius Josephus was born in 34AD. He became a Pharisee at 19, later he became a Roman Jewish historian.
Josephus writes,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles.
He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
So we have proof these events were real from the records of his enemies. If these things are true then its not much of a leap to say all of Jesus teachings are true.
For me the evidence both inside and outside the bible is irrefutable. Jesus is the Son of God. The Savior of mankind.
If there is any problems with the teachings of Jesus it is due to interpretational errors of man.
Many of these errors are due to men taking verses and phrases out of context. It is therefor incumbent on us to read the bible correctly. Studying it as a whole and not taking words and phrases out of context and changing the meaning to suit one’s own way of thinking.
The teachings of Jesus, and the apostles have real meaning for those of us living in the twenty-first century. All we have to do is study them correctly and they can change our life for the better.
Not only that they point us to life eternal.
Think about it.
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”
Matthew 27:45-56
There is something interesting here. The events noted here and the miracles of Jesus are noted in a piece of work that is not Christian at all, it’s Jewish, the Talmud,
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
“The Talmud makes note of Jesus' miracles. No attempt is made to deny them, but it ascribes them to magical arts from Egypt. Also His crucifixion is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1ff; John 19:31ff). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51), the Talmud records the earthquake and the tearing in two of the Temple curtain during the time of Jesus' death.”
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, also tells of these events.
Flavius Josephus was born in 34AD. He became a Pharisee at 19, later he became a Roman Jewish historian.
Josephus writes,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles.
He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
So we have proof these events were real from the records of his enemies. If these things are true then its not much of a leap to say all of Jesus teachings are true.
For me the evidence both inside and outside the bible is irrefutable. Jesus is the Son of God. The Savior of mankind.
If there is any problems with the teachings of Jesus it is due to interpretational errors of man.
Many of these errors are due to men taking verses and phrases out of context. It is therefor incumbent on us to read the bible correctly. Studying it as a whole and not taking words and phrases out of context and changing the meaning to suit one’s own way of thinking.
The teachings of Jesus, and the apostles have real meaning for those of us living in the twenty-first century. All we have to do is study them correctly and they can change our life for the better.
Not only that they point us to life eternal.
Think about it.
Friday, 27 June 2014
In Microcosm
In microcosm
“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”
Matthew 27:32-44
We have here Matthews account of the crucifixion. Here we see humanity in microcosm.
First of all we have uncaring soldiers who had mocked Jesus and were now gambling for the only real possessions he had, his clothing.
Today there are armies and governments who are uncaring. People to whom life is cheap. People who if you don’t conform to their ways treat you as less than human.
Next we have the sign”This is Jesus the King of the Jews” the religious leaders objected to the sign. John’s gospel recoding,
“The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
John 19:21,22.
I was I think pilots way of needling the religious leaders. He knew Jesus was innocent. And while he may not have thought Jesus the son of God. He may have thought of him as at least a good man simply caught up in politics.
So he without realizing it placed a sign for the ages. “The King of the Jews”.
I believe that when Jesus returns to this earth the Jews of that day will recognize Him as their Messiah. And truly worship him.
We as Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah that in accordance to Old Testament prophesy came to the Jews first then the rest of the world. That he was a suffering Messiah that died for our sins.
The way Christians see things about Jesus is depicted by the reaction of the thieves crucified with him that day.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
These criminals had the same choice to make as we do today.
To believe Jesus is who he said he is the Christ the one and only Son of God or to reject him.
One chose to reject Jesus and I believe did not go to heaven.
The other however confessed that he was being punished for the crimes he had committed. He confessed his sins and by faith believed that Jesus was indeed the one and only son of God the Saviour of the world.
In doing so he fulfilled what we Christians believe you have to do to inherit eternal life. Confess your sins to God and believe by faith that Jesus is the Son of God.
The final group was the men that for political expediency had condemned Jesus to death they mocked him.
For them all Jesus was, was a political enemy. A threat to their authority. They never listened to what he had to say. Some from what we know thinking some of what Jesus taught foolishness.
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
1 Corinthians 1:18-23
Think about it.
“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”
Matthew 27:32-44
We have here Matthews account of the crucifixion. Here we see humanity in microcosm.
First of all we have uncaring soldiers who had mocked Jesus and were now gambling for the only real possessions he had, his clothing.
Today there are armies and governments who are uncaring. People to whom life is cheap. People who if you don’t conform to their ways treat you as less than human.
Next we have the sign”This is Jesus the King of the Jews” the religious leaders objected to the sign. John’s gospel recoding,
“The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
John 19:21,22.
I was I think pilots way of needling the religious leaders. He knew Jesus was innocent. And while he may not have thought Jesus the son of God. He may have thought of him as at least a good man simply caught up in politics.
So he without realizing it placed a sign for the ages. “The King of the Jews”.
I believe that when Jesus returns to this earth the Jews of that day will recognize Him as their Messiah. And truly worship him.
We as Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah that in accordance to Old Testament prophesy came to the Jews first then the rest of the world. That he was a suffering Messiah that died for our sins.
The way Christians see things about Jesus is depicted by the reaction of the thieves crucified with him that day.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
These criminals had the same choice to make as we do today.
To believe Jesus is who he said he is the Christ the one and only Son of God or to reject him.
One chose to reject Jesus and I believe did not go to heaven.
The other however confessed that he was being punished for the crimes he had committed. He confessed his sins and by faith believed that Jesus was indeed the one and only son of God the Saviour of the world.
In doing so he fulfilled what we Christians believe you have to do to inherit eternal life. Confess your sins to God and believe by faith that Jesus is the Son of God.
The final group was the men that for political expediency had condemned Jesus to death they mocked him.
For them all Jesus was, was a political enemy. A threat to their authority. They never listened to what he had to say. Some from what we know thinking some of what Jesus taught foolishness.
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
1 Corinthians 1:18-23
Think about it.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Fighting God
Fighting God
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.
They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.
After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”
Matthew 27:17-31.
The Roman soldiers were the best in the world at the time in dishing out punishment. They were ruthless.
Here they are mocking Jesus inflicting pain on him. They did not believe who he was. As far as they were concerned once Jesus was put to death that was the end of the story. They were wrong.
The words of Pharisee named Gamaliel, at the trial of Peter and another apostle I think sums the situation up here at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Luke records in the book of Acts,
“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”
Acts 5:34-40.
Those Roman soldiers didn’t know what they were up against. This movement started by Jesus was of God. The proof as they say is in the pudding. The story of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ has reach every nation in the world despite being the most persecuted faith in the world.
I like what Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said of Jesus. He said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Even as you read this there are many groups doing what ever they can to silence the gospel of Jesus Christ. But they will not for I am certain they are fighting God.
Think about it.
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.
They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.
After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”
Matthew 27:17-31.
The Roman soldiers were the best in the world at the time in dishing out punishment. They were ruthless.
Here they are mocking Jesus inflicting pain on him. They did not believe who he was. As far as they were concerned once Jesus was put to death that was the end of the story. They were wrong.
The words of Pharisee named Gamaliel, at the trial of Peter and another apostle I think sums the situation up here at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Luke records in the book of Acts,
“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”
Acts 5:34-40.
Those Roman soldiers didn’t know what they were up against. This movement started by Jesus was of God. The proof as they say is in the pudding. The story of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ has reach every nation in the world despite being the most persecuted faith in the world.
I like what Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France said of Jesus. He said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Even as you read this there are many groups doing what ever they can to silence the gospel of Jesus Christ. But they will not for I am certain they are fighting God.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Political Expediency
Political expediency
“Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.
So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:11-26
Here is the trial or what passed for one before the Roman governor Pilot.
Pilot could have let him go. He himself knew Jesus was innocent. His wife even said to him,
“Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Pilot was as they say between a rock and a hard place.
The religious leaders were whipping up the crowd to have Jesus crucified he may have even thought that were they not to get their way they would riot. That was something Rome would not want.
So he gave into the crowd. Matthew records,
“...he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
At that moment Pilot was as guilty of killing Jesus as was the Jewish leadership of the day and the crowd.
Jesus knew such a thing would happen to him. That’s one of the reason I believe he truly was the Christ. The Son of God.
If he wasn’t the Son of God then he was insane and he has fooled people now for two millennia.
C.S. Lewis wrote this of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him (Jesus): I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say.
A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the 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.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Think about it.
“Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.
So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:11-26
Here is the trial or what passed for one before the Roman governor Pilot.
Pilot could have let him go. He himself knew Jesus was innocent. His wife even said to him,
“Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Pilot was as they say between a rock and a hard place.
The religious leaders were whipping up the crowd to have Jesus crucified he may have even thought that were they not to get their way they would riot. That was something Rome would not want.
So he gave into the crowd. Matthew records,
“...he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
At that moment Pilot was as guilty of killing Jesus as was the Jewish leadership of the day and the crowd.
Jesus knew such a thing would happen to him. That’s one of the reason I believe he truly was the Christ. The Son of God.
If he wasn’t the Son of God then he was insane and he has fooled people now for two millennia.
C.S. Lewis wrote this of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him (Jesus): I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say.
A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the 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.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Think about it.
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