Jesus who?

The Lord Jesus Christ is no ordinary person. I make this statement in the present tense because the Lord Jesus is not just a figure of history but he is, today, still alive in heaven. I don't mean alive in the way we might think about a relative who has died and hope is now in heaven (as a Christian I believe people who have turned from their sin and accepted Jesus as their Saviour will be in heaven when they die but this is not my point at the moment). I mean that Jesus is alive, physically in heaven. Your response might be - impossible and unbelievable! 

The record of the life of Christ is all highly improbable if you ignore the key ingredient, God. I agree that believing that Jesus was more than a man, lived an absolutely faultless life, could do miracles, somehow became accountable for sin and evil and died to pay the price to deal with it on a cross outside Jerusalem and finally three days after his death came back to life. Add to that he lived on earth for forty days after his suffering, death and resurrection and physically rose from the earth and passed through the sky and space into the presence of His Father, God in heaven itself. On a purely rationale level this sounds like I am stretching facts and calling it truth! 

BUT WHAT IF......

A careful analysis of the facts points to Jesus being the Son of God!

The evidence points to it being statistically impossible for the historical predictions (the bible calls them prophecies) being fulfilled accurately being mere coincidence!

It was impossible to deceive so many historians and eye witnesses on a such a grand scale!

The probability of it being the truth is higher than the probability of it being a lie?

I believe that this is the truth of the matter. I believe that the evidence to the authenticity of the bible is there if you care to look for it. I believe there is no other honest conclusion that you can come to about who Jesus is if you are prepared to genuinely look at the facts.

In support of this the bible clearly states: 'these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life in his name', John 20:31. 

Why not have a look at some bible teaching videos or podcasts about the Bible at www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Something for everyone! - 1 John 2:12-17

As we continue to work our way through John's First Epistle we discover that John is interested in each member of God's family. If you are not a believer bear in mind that you only become a member of God's family when you are born into it at conversion (see John chapter 3). John addresses the little children, the fathers and the young men. Everyone in the family of God can be satisfied and blessed as a result of the work of God in their life. 

There are important lessons in this passage for every believer in Jesus Christ. One of the big ones is that this world is only temporary but God and his purposes are for ever. Make sure you invest in the right thing!

1 John 2:12-17

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

The 3 step plan to Salvation

I do love the simplicity of the Bible. It's not that the message is simplistic as in stupid or not thoroughly thought out but it is simple. 

The blog I posted yesterday had a lot of detail about the gospel, the authenticity of the message and provided some examples of people who made it their aim to verify and/or discredit the Bible and Christianity. Today's blog will be different. 

All I want to do is restate how a person becomes a Christian and can be sure of the safety that is guaranteed in the word of God, the Bible. 

Please read the verse above carefully.

It is plucked out of Acts chapter two in the Bible. The Apostle Peter is the preacher. He is explaining events that had just taken place in Jerusalem. People in the city had assumed that the disciples of Jesus were drunk (see verse 15) because they had been given, by God, the ability to talk languages that they had never studied or learned (see verse 6). 

Peter announced that this amazing phenomena was the fulfilment of an ancient prediction. The prophet Joel had prophesied that this would happen, Joel 2:28-32. It was a prediction that some day in the future God would 'pour out His Spirit upon all flesh' and that young and old would speak God's message to the society around about them. The day of it's fulfilment had arrived and the people of Jerusalem were witnessing it first hand. These were extremely significant and momentous days. 

But what was the point of this miraculous outpouring of God's Spirit on men and women in Jerusalem. Was it just a spectacular event or would there be a long term effect on people. Peter gives us the answer in this verse!

The purpose was to catch people's attention! God was speaking and he wanted people to listen. Often when God speaks most of us ignore Him. Sometimes God has to shake us up a bit to get our attention! Maybe he has done that in your life. Could it be that it took illness to catch your attention! Or relationship problems! Or financial difficulties! Whatever it takes God will not be ignored, the matter of your soul and your eternal destiny is far too important! You may drift along but at some stage in life God requires you to listen to his voice. It's for your eternal blessing and well being. 

The event we are readng about today was the day that the Church was formed. Christians call it the birthday of the church. The Bible calls it the 'Feast of Pentecost,' Leviticus 23:15,16 & Acts 2:1, which was an ancient Jewish festival that took place at the end of a harvest period -  it was also known as the 'Feast of Ingathering,' Exodus 23:16 & Exodus 34:22. It is a wonderful picture of the fact that God is gathering out of the world people who are prepared to repent (turn from) their sins and trust His Son for salvation. Three thousand people were saved on the day that the Church was formed and another five thousand men were saved a few days later. It was definitely a Feast of Ingathering. People were accepting God's forgiveness through trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. 

The verse, Acts 2:21, states salvation and forgiveness of sins is available to:

1. Everyone 

2. Everyone who calls (asks)

3. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

It's so simple! 

Key points

A. You need to ask God for forgiveness for Him to save you. 

You need to realise and admit you need salvation before you will do that! In other words if you don't realise you have sinned against God then you won't ask. Sin is every wrong thing you do, think and say. It is arge and small offences. It can take the form of lies, selfish behaviour, unbelief, stealing in any shape or form, anger and sexual sin any shape or form. This is just a very short sample list, ultimately sin is to fall short of the glory of God; that is God's standards which are glorious and for our blessing. 

B. You need to realise that the Lord Jesus is the only one who can save you! If you don't 'get it' about who Jesus is you won't accept that He alone can save you. He was not just human; he was God who became a man. He demonstrated by miracles that he was God visiting earth. He is perfect and never sinned or did wrong. It is his perfection that qualified him to take the punishment for our sins. This is why he is the only one who can save.....because no one else is without sin. 

C. Finally, you need to accept that Jesus came back from the dead. Read my blog posting of the 22nd April 2016 to get more info re this. It is a key ingredient of the gospel message - 1 Corinthians 15 & Romans 4:25. If Jesus is still dead the Christian gospel is a farce. 

My prayer is that you will come to God by faith in Jesus and know the joy of salvation and peace with God. 

Please get in touch through my web-page www.seekthetruth.org.uk.