WE PREACH CHRIST
I know that lately I have been running numerous articles by other writers and preachers on Jesus; on his work, love, and passion for us! Sometimes, in the turmoil of the world and in the struggles we face, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Some quick reminders:
The story of Jesus is the story of God loving man so much that he sent Jesus, His only Begotten Son (John 3:16) to save us from ourselves. This, sometimes, seems so “unbelievable.” Why would God send His Son to die for man who has turned their back on Him; who willfully disregards His will? What does He see in us to desire to save us? What are we worth to Him? The cross answers that. If we consider this for a few moments, it emphasizes that God does love us; that He wants what is best for us, and that we often (and we can admit this) do not even know what is best for us.
He wants an everlasting relationship with us!
He as a loving Father, will do whatever He can to save us from ourselves. The least we can do is to acknowledge His love, and give ourselves to Him, for He knows us best and He wants what is best for us. In our fallen world that perverts everything that is holy, just, and righteous it should amaze us that He puts up with us! We are here because he has not called a halt to the world as it is YET!
Because of Jesus, we know that this life is not all that there is. The Bible emphasizes that this world will one day be destroyed, and all people; past, present, and future, will be judged righteously by Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46). There exists a heaven and hell, reward and punishment. I know it is not what the world wants to hear, but it still must be told. It is truth.
The church needs to be held to the much higher standard than the world – the standard of God’s word. After all, we are representatives of Jesus. His will must be our will. He wants all men to be saved, but many will choose to reject the only hope they have. The church has the responsibility to teach and preach Jesus, and the best way is by our example. He honors our choices. If we choose to try to live like Him and in the way He desires, He promises to be with us “to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). May we all strive for us to live accordingly when Judgment Day comes.
I close out my part by simply asking some questions that must be on our hearts DAILY?
· If I died right now, where would I spend eternity?
· Have I asked for God’s forgiveness and love to take away my sins? Have I repented of my sins? If I am not a Cristian, have I obeyed the gospel by allowing my faith in God’s word to motivate me to repentance – a change of mind that results in a change of life? Have I confessed Jesus before men as Savior (Romans 10:10)? Have I been immersed in water for the forgiveness of my sins (Acts 2:14-39; Acts 21:37-22:16; 1 Peter 3:21)?
· Have I been obedient to Him as I should? Have I been as faithful to Him as He has been to me? Not just attending church, but faithfully living for Him, seeking His will above my own, daily?
The difference between heaven and hell depends on God’s marvelous, magnificent grace grace, and our continued, faith and love to the one who loves us more than we can imagine. Please don’t allow yourself to take this mercy and grace for granted — live for Him as He was willing to die for you.
JESUS
The name Jesus tells us why He came. Jesus simply means “SAVIOR.” The angel of the Lord told Joseph “. . . But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21). How thankful we should be because he left heaven and came to earth to save us. Notice these other passages that stress the most important fact of history.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV).
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 ESV).
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15 ESV).
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV).
“. . . Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Revelation 1:4-5ESV).
It is no wonder that Paul exclaimed in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.” The gift of Jesus for the sins of the world is so meaningful and wonderful that it cannot adequately be described with words. Do you feel the same way Paul did? Do you thank God often for the gift of His Son?
When you hear the name Jesus, remember that it means Savior. Jesus is special because he came to save you. Ken Tyler Via the Exhorter 2 11 1990
As we consider this, remember what we said above! His life (he showed us how to live), death, burial and resurrection is what we must follow
IS JESUS YOUR LAWYER AND/OR YOUR JUDGE?
A woman, in view of an approaching lawsuit, had planned to employ an able attorney in her town. After delay, she asked him to take her case. But it was too late!
“I am very sorry,” he said, “but I have just been appointed a judge. I cannot plead for you now, I can only judge you.”
Jesus is now available to plead our case before the throne of the Father. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1 ESV).
When we know Jesus as our attorney, he successfully talks to God for us. “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3 ESV
One day, in the future, Jesus will be our judge. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:31, 32 ESV
If we have known Jesus as our lawyer, he will recognize us when He becomes our judge, if we have confessed Him, He will confess us.
I don’t want judgment day to be my first introduction to the Person who will be my judge!
Jerri Barber Via Central Church of Christ Dalton, GA July 11, 1985
