Do You Love the Church... Which One?

This One?

Or This One?

This is a short introduction of the Lords church that can help you understand a little more of what Christ's church is. The Church is it’s People wherever they meet on the Lords day Sunday, where they gather to worship and honor Jesus, worshiping God in spirit and in truth as he so richly deserves, and commands. The church was bought at a great price in the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross through His obedience to the Father to the last breath. Then on the historical third day as written in His Word, Jesus raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit of God so you might have a chance to become a new citizen of His one and only church, the one he built with His blood that he spoke about in Matthew 16:13-18 of the New Testament.

Jesus said:

“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

The church, the one that Jesus built as he stated in the above scripture some 2000 years ago still stands today with no threat of Hades in sight!

Is "the church" a building, a place of worship, you know, something physical without personality or a beating heart? Or is it people, a local gathering of God worshiping souls who collectively make up a diversity of talents, needs and heartfelt caring for others all in the name of Jesus Christ? The scripture below (Ephesians 3:9-11) speaks about a "manifold wisdom" of God within the church that is a source of Gods light in the world that is perceived as a fellowshiping mystery to those without light. And the Apostle Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit:

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I am often amused yet concerned to hear people refer to the church as a physical place having no real sense of what Jesus was referring to when He said he would build it. Jesus is talking about the heart of man in that His church would live within the heart and mind among the fellowship of believers, not the wood and mortar of a structure! And "the Rock" is not Peter. Its Jesus Deity and authority. You see, it is the heart where God resides in redeemed men and women which makes up His one and only church. Jesus never spoke of multiple churches, just one - "I will build My church." In other words, the unity of saved believers that have been baptized into Him (Acts 2:41, Galatians 3:27).

We love many things and people in our lives on this planet called earth. But this is a temporary place, a place that can only reach so far in filling our deepest desires in life. The Lords church being a living organism with eternal qualities provides much more to the feeding of our inner souls through the presence of Christ in His church body, the saved, that we ought to truly be in love with the church membership no matter with its problems and hypocrisies. What did Jesus say about His purpose for coming and establishing His church?

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Luke 5:31-32.

And...

"Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:9-10.

If you think the church of the redeemed, the ones that will inherit the kingdom, the prize of heaven are supposed to be without faults or sin, that they have to be perfect for you to worship with them, I must remind you of what the Master says,

"He who is without sin, cast the first stone." John 8:7

And...

“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:4-5.

The church is a spiritual hospital in which its members help each other with all their differences and shortcomings – to get to Heaven! But you’ve got to be there to get and give help in the name of Jesus.

Friend, there is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian. It is too often true that churches are not living up to the call of Jesus Christ. Some churches do not teach the Bible at all, and other churches favor their traditions over what the Bible teaches. Too many other churches teach the truths of the Bible and yet do not show the love and community that God desires. Do these difficulties, however, mean that we can or should be Christians without being part of a church? The witness of the Scriptures is clear: God expects Christians to work together in a local church. Love for one another, encouragement to continue in the faith, and accountability are all learned in the environment of the local church. We cannot grow to be the type of Christians that please God if we attempt to do so on our own!

Yes, it is unfortunately true that too often local churches are not representing God's intentions very well. Too many churches encourage too much passive behavior and do not challenge their members to represent the community that God expects the local church to be. Just because many churches fail to live up to God's desires does not mean that we are "off the hook" of the local church. God established local churches in His wisdom for our benefit. If God desired to have "maverick Christians," He could easily have done so. He recognizes, however, that we are too weak to defeat Satan by ourselves. Christians need opportunities to assemble with one another, to show love to one another, building one another up, and encouraging and exhorting each other to continue to serve God according to His will.

Can Man Worship As He Pleases?

by Steve Dewhirst

Historical evidence abounds that man can, indeed, worship as he pleases. As creatures of choice, God affords us the privilege of opting for His guidance or striking out on our own. The real question, however, is whether or not humanly-designed worship will be acceptable to Him. The very nature of the term worship demands careful attention to the instructions of God. Worship denotes reverence or obeisance (bowing down). One can hardly “bow down” reverently before the Creator, while ignoring His divine will. So much has been introduced into modern worship, not because of biblical instruction, but because of human tastes and preferences. It is the height of presumptuousness to assume that God will be pleased simply because we are pleased. “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). Not only does that principle apply to man’s general course of life, it also has application to our public expressions of worship and devotion to God.

At the core of this issue lies not the matter of “forms” or “acts of worship,” but the matter of love and dedication to the God of heaven. Even correctly-executed public worship can be an abomination to Jehovah, if congregants offer it as mere routine. “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” begins the plaintive cry of God in Isaiah 1:11-15. The lack of genuine devotion makes worship a sham. To serve God with less than “the whole heart” is to fail to serve Him (see Jer. 3:10). By contrast, God directed Jeremiah toward a day when He would give His people “a heart to know me…I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jer. 24:7).

The incongruity of worshiping God without the whole heart surfaces again in the New Testament. Jesus’ famous interview with the Samaritan woman at the well illustrates the human preoccupation with form over reality. When she states, “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship,” Jesus doesn’t debate the issue with her. Instead, he strikes at the very heart of Samaritan misunderstanding. “You worship what you do not know…” (Jn. 4:22). Certainly the Samaritans were in error for violating God’s instructions for Old Testament worship, but theirs was a more fundamental problem: they had no real knowledge of the God they purported to honor. The Samaritans were ignorant because they rejected most of the Old Testament scriptures, and apart from divine revelation, man can know neither the person nor the will of Deity. By contrast, Jesus taught that “true worshipers” in every age “worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23-24). In other words, true worshipers worship with their spirits (their whole hearts) and, therefore, worship God in reality.

We can never claim to worship or reverence a God whose will we ignore. Genuine faith in God establishes His will as our rule of life and conduct (Rom. 3:31). No aspect of human life is exempt from the sovereign rule of Christ, and particularly not the public expressions of our devotion to Him. “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?” (Lk. 6:46).

Why, indeed? If the term Lord implies rule and authority, our only logical response is to understand and implement His will. Disciples have eternal life by virtue of faith in Christ, and are to live by faith (Rom. 1:16-17). But what we do, as a matter of faith in Christ, is governed by principles found in God’s word, for “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). We cease to “live by faith” when we base our convictions and practices on human desire, however well-intentioned. Jesus exposed this spirit in the Pharisees by quoting the prophet Isaiah. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). Jesus wasn’t condemning their worship practices; He condemned their self-service that rendered worship meaningless. That same spirit thrives today.

When men say, “I want to worship God in my own way,” it ceases to be the way of God. When one decides that he must employ his “special talent” in the public worship of God, public worship becomes a showcase of talent, rather than a demonstration of reverence for God and His word. And it must also be stated that human egos lie at the heart of much sensationalism in modern worship, coupled with the assembly’s desire for entertainment.

Authorized Worship in the Assembly

We eat the Lord’s Supper, Sing, Pray, and Teach in our worship assemblies because God’s word shows those same practices by first century Christians under the direction of the apostles (see Acts 20:7-12; 1 Cor. 11:17-34; 1 Cor. 14). We Contribute Funds to the furtherance of God’s work because God’s word so orders (1 Cor. 16:1-4). Moreover, we limit the day of eating the supper and giving of our means to Sundays, because that seems to be the clear of import of our Bible examples. By faith, we employ the same practices as revealed in God’s word. But outside of divine revelation, we have no basis for faith or religious action. If we are discontent with Bible-directed worship, we can certainly introduce our own preferences as creatures of free choice. But we’d best not expect our actions to have the approval of heaven.

It’s wonderful to fellowship with the set apart saints of the Lord, there is no other place we should want to be right now, tomorrow and the rest of our days on planet earth. Do you love the church, the people who are the church? Then deal with the differences and just Love one another. Or are you a seeking soul looking for a perfect congregation of followers of Christ? Let me inform you, there is no such thing as congregational perfection. The perfection comes to each individual Christian through the shed blood of Christ before the throne of God. This is the true perfection I hope you who are reading this will come to repentance and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are a wayward Christian that needs to come home, my prayer is for you to truly lay your issues aside and just come to the Lord and return back to church where you belong. Church is where Jesus is for you, church is where He is present in His body, the assembly of the saints.

Chart courtesy Barnes Bible Charts

If you would consider becoming a Christian in the Lords one church He built, please click this LINK to learn how.

Blessings...

Scriptures Weekly 59 - A Home in Heaven?

John 14:2-4.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Text Version:

The question to you is, “If you were to expire tonight, will you be received by Jesus in His Kingdom of Heaven into a mansion He has prepared?”

You may think doing a short test on such an important, if not the most important test you will ever take seems that such a test trivializes the question – “Will I go to Heaven?” Let me attempt to set this idea to rest. Do you think asking this question about something that is so personal invades your privacy and you resent it? Well I can understand because I was where you are at with no Bible knowledge and virtually no spiritual awareness growing up in a home riddled with atheism. I was asked this question many times by folks who ended up receiving a mouthful from me also. I know exactly where you are coming from in this regard, but I want to share with non-believers and others that have had some sort of church upbringing an opportunity to test your faith however you came to it. That you would be bold and open-minded enough to finally know for sure the answer to the eternal question I have set forth here. There is no reason to take offense to my challenge because it comes from my heart with compassion and love for all who are seeking the truth about God and His Kingdom – Heaven. It deserves an honest study of God’s Word. The Lord knows you will put Him to the test and He welcomes it because He loves all His creation and wants you to come home to a mansion. But He is also a just God that is in charge and knows what He expects souls to understand and follow through to please Him. You see and this may sound harsh, God doesn’t need you or me. But He wants you, desiring to give you every good gift from Heaven free of charge. All He asks for is your heart. I as well am asking you to explore your heart and mind as you consider Gods Word and His plan for you.

Do you think words are important? I admit to you first hand my words at times have hurt, but they have uplifted also. Let’s consider what God says about this, “All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge” (Proverb 8:8-9). Words we choose shape our very lives. They set us up for both goodness and danger, evil and righteousness. So, the answer to this question is obvious. The words written in the Bible lead to righteousness. Will you choose to read and listen to their instruction? Let me tell you something. Out of fear of Gods judgment and missing Heaven, I finally did read and listen to His words by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ. His words literally uprooted my life and set me on the path back to Him. And I can say without equivocation nor doubt, I have a mansion in Heaven waiting. I love the Lord with all my might, with all my heart and all my soul. I believe I have passed this test I am about to share with you.

This test is a non-threatening icebreaker to the greatest question of all time. And that’s a fact. There is no greater question one should consider answering however long it takes, just so long as it gets answered and responded to before you leave this life. The test does not cover every aspect of spiritual instruction, but it does cover the essentials God requires in the bible to enter His church and on the road to Heaven. It’s a narrow gate and a difficult path as you will read in the gospel books in the New Testament. They are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then for information and instructions on how the church was established and how to become a new citizen of the Kingdom, the book of Acts will vividly show you what 8 or so examples of what people learned and did to become Christians in the first century. These examples were the Jews in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost around A.D. 33, just 5 weeks after Jesus ascension into Heaven. A preacher named Apollos, some disciples in Ephesus, Lydia and her family, a Philippian Jailor and his family, a high powered Jewish Treasurer, the Christian persecutor Saul of Tarsus, and more. These instructions in the New Testament still hold true today and will never change as Jesus the Christ never changes as we read in Hebrews 13:8.

So, if you are searching out how to be assured of a place in a mansion, you need to consider your "spiritual state" with God to know whether or not the Lord will in fact award you a place. Jesus Christ’s instructions in the New Testament will reveal how one can know if he or she will have eternal life after the one day we all must face. The following questions will help guide the seeker into this knowledge and ultimately assurance of a home with Him.

1. Do you believe every word in the bible is written by direct inspiration of God through men? 2 2 2 Timothy 3:16.
2. Do you believe God created all things including all living things on the earth, even you? Genesis 1:1-28.
3. Do you believe Heaven does exist and do you want to go there? Matthew 22:29-33, John 18:36.
4. Do you believe the Devil exists and is wreaking havoc in the world today? Matthew 4:1-11.
5. Have you heard and obeyed the gospel?  2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:14.
6. Do you believe that Jesus was who He said He was while on earth, the Son of God i.e. God in the flesh? John 1:14, John 8:24, Titus 2:13.
7. Do you believe Jesus lived, was crucified to death and buried in a tomb for 3 days, and after such, resurrected to life? Matthew 28:6-7, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:5.
8. Do you believe you are a sinner separated from God doomed for the lake of fire? Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23.
9. Do you believe Jesus had to shed His blood for you in order to atone (pay) for your sins? Hebrews 9:22.
10. Are you repenting of your old sinful ways, turning your life around by changing your mind, and knowing your sinful life will subject you to the judgment of God? Acts 17:30.
11. Have you confessed among witnesses your love and acknowledgment that Jesus is your savior and King? That only through Him you have access to God in heaven? Romans 10:10, Acts 8:36-37.
12. Do you believe baptism (in water) is a spiritual circumcising work of God where the blood and resurrection of Christ is contacted? Study Colossians 2:12 in-depth before answering this question.
13. Do you believe that Jesus commanded baptism for the remission of your past sins is the final passive act of obedience that gifts you salvation? Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21.
14. Do you believe you have to be “in Christ” to be saved? How does this happen? Galatians 3:27.
15. Have you been baptized (immersed) in water for the remission of all your past sins to be saved, not because you are already saved? Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4.
16. Once you have been saved (redeemed), do you believe you can lose your salvation? Matthew 7:21-23, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Ephesians 5:1-7, Philippians 2:12.

                          

          

Charts courtesy Barnes Bible Charts

May you be blessed gaining more knowledge of what God would have you do to be His and have a home with Him.

Some Unsaved Believers

The rise and spread of false doctrines among Gods people have driven them to promote un-scriptural concepts just to be a part of the religious community. They are not willing to "endure sound doctrine" but "according to their own desires ... turn away from the truth and ...are turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4. They are able to make big inroads into the Lord's church because they find a ready-made audience for their erroneous teachings, unlearned and unstable brethren, who are dissatisfied with the New Testament pattern for the Lord's people and are always wanting something new and novel.

____________________

One of these false doctrines are in the creed book of one popular denomination stating, “that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” But is it true? Does the Bible say that if one believes in Jesus, it makes no difference what else he believes or does? Are you surprised that the Bible plainly says that faith alone is not enough?

In James 2 the Bible addresses the question of “faith alone” by talking about a man who believes but does not obey. James asks “Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). His answer is a clear No! Even demons believe (James 2:19) to no avail. Man is justified “not by faith only” (James 2:24) because “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

In John 8:30-36, Jesus spoke to some who “believed in Him.” But they were not yet saved. Jesus said they also needed to obey His word to be made free. They were believers, but they were not yet free from sin. Later, in John 12:42, some among the rulers believed on Jesus but would not confess it. Were they saved? No, Jesus said plainly that one who will not confess Him on earth will be denied before God (Matthew 10:32-33).

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says that some who believe enough to accept Him as Lord will be lost because they “practice lawlessness” in spite of their belief. Our practice can affect our salvation! The New Testament speaks of the possibility that one may believe “in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:2). Luke 8:13 speaks of some who believe and then fall away. We are told in Acts 8:13 that the sorcerer Simon believed, yet in Acts 8:20-23 we see that his heart had not become right with God, and he was back in the “bond of iniquity.” Obviously something more than believing was required.

These scriptures do not minimize the value of faith. Faith is an absolute requirement for forgiveness, but it is not the only one. John 1:12 says believers have “power to become children of God.” They are not yet children of God, but they have the power to become such, because faith empowers all the other things that believers are told to do (Acts 8:35-39; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 22:16). Certainly faith is the foundation, but it is the beginning, not the end.

It is not enough to “simply believe and receive,” or to believe and say a sinner’s prayer. When the Bible says “not by faith only” (James 2:24) it should be clear that something else is required.

So, what else is required? This is a very good question that deserves a correct response according to Gods Word:

____________________

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).

"Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21).

"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin" (Romans 6:3-7 -- The church in Rome was composed of both Jews and Gentiles).

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28).

"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:11-13 -- the passage was directed to Gentiles who had become Christians).

Scriptures Weekly 58 - Gods Love & Majesty

Psalm 145,

In the Old Testament we have a song of praise written by David, yes the same David, son of Jesse that approached the Philistine, Goliath, in the name of the Lord, slaying him with a single stone blow from his sling.

Notice the many attributes of God in bold print sung by David in honor of Him - We too can live a life in honor of God if we decide to do so. Its all a matter of choices and decisions we make in our daily lives for Him.

1  I will extol You, my God, O King;

And I will bless Your name forever and ever.

2  Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

3  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

And His greatness is unsearchable.

4  One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts.

5  I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,

And on Your wondrous works.

6  Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,

And I will declare Your greatness.

7  They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,

And shall sing of Your righteousness.

8  The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,

Slow to anger and great in mercy.

9  The Lord is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works.

10  All Your works shall praise You, O Lord,

And Your saints shall bless You.

11  They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,

And talk of Your power,

12  To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,

And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

13  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14  The Lord upholds all who fall,

And raises up all who are bowed down.

15  The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

And You give them their food in due season.

16  You open Your hand

And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17  The Lord is righteous in all His ways,

Gracious in all His works.

18  The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

New Testament Baptism

Second to believing Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for yours and my sins, the subject of Baptism remains the most misunderstood bible topic of all time. Is it essential to salvation or is it not? Should one obey the command by Christ to do it to be saved or after one says he is saved? Is water or Holy Spirit baptism or both active today? Is infant baptism necessary? Why did Jesus get immersed when he was without sin? Can one truly be “In Christ” without being baptized for the remission of sins? And finally, how and when does one become a new citizen of Christ’s church?

These are all important salvation questions that should be pondered and studied by allowing all of the scripture (Matthew 4:4, Psalm 119:160) to speak the truth over man made doctrines that are so prevalent today in Christendom. To be blunt but with Love – your souls eternity depends on it!

Please begin your own study with much prayer and openness to all of Gods scriptures that mention Baptism in the New Testament to where He – not your opinion confirms His instructions to you. God is a just and loving God, but He is also a very detailed and specific God that is no respecter of persons. He will only have those that will obey His commands and sometimes that can be a very difficult thing to do. Even if it means changing one’s mind in exchange for the mind of Christ and His Kingdom like the unsaved Apollos did in Acts 18:24-28. It may even mean leaving the church you are currently worshiping at for one that is rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), practicing sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4) that will help you get to Heaven.

Click this LINK to be directed to bible lessons pertaining to the many aspects of Baptism you may have not yet realized in your past studies. We think you will add to your knowledge and faith as you allow God to speak more clearly to you on this subject.

Many study blessings to you…

2 Timothy 3:16

A World Without Jesus?

A world without the arrival of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago is a subject worth contemplating if you are a follower of Christ, or if you are not. This is because the impact He singlehandidly made on Jewish culture of His day has forever caused civilization to take notice in so many ways.

One may ask, “Tell me just what is it about this meek and lowly man that changed the direction of rampant historical paganism and barbarism, and the hearts of men?” Another opinion might be, “There is no historical proof Jesus ever existed, he was a myth invented by the Romans.”

History and historians who record such have much to say about the Christ with beginning writings in the first century A.D. This is well documented outside of the bible text if one is actually interested in investigating these pearls of fact. But let’s get back to the question, “What was it about Him?”

In one word that explains it all – Resurrection.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women,

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1-7)

Jesus Christ overcame death immediately ushering in a new hope and direction of mankind that had never been seen in the history of the earth, or for that matter, the universe. Within 3 days of His death, He brought mankind a brand new gift – Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God. And all one has to do as the bible says is, receive this gift by obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We hope you enjoy this video presentation on the question – What If Jesus Wasn’t?

Scriptures Weekly 57 - Power, Love and Discipline

2 Timothy 1:7,

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."

Sometimes, it can be very hard, or scary, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's not always what is most popular to do, and sometimes it really takes humility to stand up for what you believe. But in this verse, Apostle Paul is telling us that God has not made us to be afraid, He has made us to have power, love, and discipline in Him!

I know whenever I hear this verse I am comforted, because there are life situations where I just wouldn't be able to stand true on my own. But with Christ's resurrection power within us, a power that conquered and triumphed over death itself, there is truly nothing to be afraid of. This week, if you are a baptized Christian, I challenge you to not be afraid as challenges come your way.

Hope you have a wonderful week! God bless.

~ DISCIPLE ~

GOD, I want to be,

A disciple,

Just want to do the ministry,

Of my Master,

To the sick,

The outcast,

The lonely,

To the unnoticed,

But needy.

Place one in my path today,

And help me be a faithful disciple,

To that one...


What kind of disciple do you want to be?
"click"

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Scriptures Weekly 56 - Discipleship on Jesus Terms

John 8:31-32,
,
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

This week’s post is concerning discipleship. Some may not have an understanding of what discipleship is. What it means in Christianity is personal, passionate devotion and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause — He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself and His Kingdom. To be a disciple of Christ is to be a devoted bond-servant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus Christ over all other interests and desires in this life. This does not mean a Christian no longer invests oneself in relationships with loved ones and acquaintances, it means a Christian puts Christ first in everyday decision making and purpose towards others over himself.

Just how costly can discipleship for Christ be?

Luke 14:26-33 - Jesus said,

26 “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?  29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’  31 Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace.  33 So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

If you are a seeker of God and haven’t yet become a new Christian, we hope this short video lesson will help you understand what it will mean to make a firm decision in faith and trust in Christ Jesus. If you are a Christian of weak faith, this lesson reminder can be an encouraging source of calling and determination to get back on your own road to Jerusalem. Regardless of ones station in life, please continue your studies and fellowship with seasoned loving Christians that will support you in prayer out of a pure heart and love for the Lord and King Jesus Christ.