Max Solbrekken & Neslon Aprigio at Assembly of God 
         ParqueBrasil Cruzade Paulinia, SP Brazil, April 13, 2005 
JESUS CHRIST
The Light of the World
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

    The Bible says: "He was in the WORLD, and the WORLD was made by Him, and the WORLD knew Him not.  He came unto His own and His own received Him not.  But as many as received him, to him gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."  (John 1:10-12)

     A MAN LAY DYING in a little shack in the hill country of California.  A kind Christian lady came to be with him during his last hours on earth.  She read these words of Jesus Christ from the New Testament: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

     The dying man asked, "Is that in the Bible?"  The woman answered, "Yes it is."  He asked, "Is He speaking to me?"  She answered, "Yes, He is speaking to you."  
   The dying man asked, "Did He say anything else?"  The Christian lady answered: "Yes! He said: As many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God."  The dying man answered, "I receive Him. I'm satisfied."

   Then, he closed his eyes and went directly into the loving arms of JESUS.  How powerful and reassuring, indeed, are the inspired life-giving words of the Holy Bible!

   "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  What an amazing promise!  Peace flooded his soul and he died knowing that he had been accepted into God's Kingdom.

    God's Word says: "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will."

    "To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us Accepted in the Beloved; in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:4-6)

                      CHRIST:  GOD'S PASCAL LAMB

   He LOVES us!  He KNOWS about us!  He CARES for us!  He DIED for our sins!  He AROSE from the dead for our justification!  And He will RETURN for us!  The Bible states that Jesus "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25); '
    "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28)

    Our OFFENCES speaks of the sins of unbelief, pride and treason against our God, Maker, Life-Giver and Saviour.  Our sins nailed Him to the Cross!  He was delivered, meaning: He was arrested, condemned, scourged, crucified and died for our sins!  The Bible teaches the substitutionary (vicarious) Death of Jesus the Messiah, for the sins of the entire world!

    The Bible states: "Therefore being, justified by FAITH we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  For when we were yet without strength (hopeless), in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

    "For more then, being now justified by His BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:1, 6; Romans 8:10)

    The hymn writer penned these amazing words: 'O love of God so rich and pure, so measureless and strong.  It shall forevermore endure the saints and angels song.  If you could with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchment made and every stock on earth a quill, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry and could the sky contain the whole would stretch from sky to sky.'

              GOD IS FOR US:  NOT AGAINST US

    There are those who believe that God is against us and wants to punish us for our sins.  Nothing is farther from the truth.  The Scripture states: "As I live saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked TURN from his way and live: Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways for why will die....? (Ezekiel 33:11)

    "For I know the thoughts that I have toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (hope and a future).  Then ye shall call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you saith the Lord..." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

     This Scripture holds out hope for us all, even those who have fallen into gross sins.  Israel had sinned by breaking His laws and God judged them with seventy years in Babylonian captivity.  His extended hand of love, mercy and grace reached out to them again letting them know that they were still His people and that if they would call upon His name He was ready to forgive and give them a bright future in Palestine as well as an eternal Home in Heaven!

    St. Peter writes: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)  So great was the love of God toward us that He sent His only begotten Son into this wicked, desperately evil WORLD to save us all through the SACRIFICE of Himself!

                 GOD'S LOVE IS UNIMAGINABLE

    His love toward us is incomprehensible, inconceivable and beyond the scope of human understanding!  That God the Son would wrap Himself in human flesh and come down in our midst and offer Himself as a ransom to pay for the sins of the world - past, present and future - to meet the demands of Divine Justice, exceeds the limits of our intelligence!

    The Bible declares: "To wit (that is), that God was in Christ reconciling the WORLD unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  For He hath made Him to be SIN (sin offering) for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 19:21)

    The word GRACE means unmerited favor.  We are saved by grace and kept by the power of God through His mercy.  St. Paul stated: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)  It is by Grace alone, through Faith alone and in Christ alone that we are able to enter God's Kingdom.

    The Gospel is all about JESUS CHRIST and what He has done to redeem sinful and lost humanity.  The mercy, grace and love of God was extended to us in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, "Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the CROSS, despising the shame and is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on High." (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus Christ said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)  "I am the Door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be Saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.

            JESUS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

    There is no other road one may travel, no other way one may go and no other entrance into the Kingdom of God except through God's Pascal Lamb, Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified on Golgotha's Hill nearly 2000 years ago.  
   No one else could have filled the role of the God-man, the Jewish Messiah, and no one else could have RISEN from the dead three days later!  He is not only the sole Saviour of the world but also the King of kings and Lord of lords and the ultimate Judge of all mankind!

    That is GREAT NEWS if you are a believer in Christ, but very scary, indeed, if you know not Christ as personal Saviour and Lord.  St. John makes this definitive, judicially proper and theologically correct statement:

    "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in Himself.  He that believeth not hath made Him a liar, because he believeth not the RECORD that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record that God hath given to us Eternal Life, and this LIFE is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath LIFE, and he that hath NOT the Son of God hath NOT Life." (1 John 5:10-12)

     The Bible states: "The Thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy.  I am come that they might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.  I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep." (John 10:9-11)

    Saul of Tarsus, a rabid enemy of Jesus of Nazareth and His followers, was apprehended by the RISEN LORD on the Damascus Road.  The encounter was supernatural and life changing as our Lord appeared in a light brighter than the sun, blinding the murderous religious Jewish Enforcer! (Acts 9, 22, 26)

     St. Paul states: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the CROSS."

     "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is ABOVE every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)

                    LOVE NOT THE WORLD

    There are three obstacles that impede our ability to receive power with God.  The three giants that must be defeated to experience power with God are the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the eyes and the Pride of life!  With God's strength in us we can do it, and we will by His grace!

   St. John issued this serious directive to the Church: "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.  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.  And the WORLD passes away and lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

     Satan used these three temptations to snare EVE in the Garden of Eden.  The LIAR promised that she would not die if she ate the forbidden fruit, but rather become wise.  He accused the Creator of withholding something good from her.  The word devil means: Liar, slanderer, false accuser.

   The DECEIVER convinced her that he was concerned about her well-being.  Satan is still the greatest of all deceivers.  He promises everything but delivers nothing but death!  Eve believed that the fruit which was pleasant to her eyes (lust of the eyes) would be good to eat (lust of the flesh), and it would make her wise (pride of life)!

    When Satan, which means the Enemy and Adversary, tried his three knock-out punches on our Blessed Lord and Saviour, he was soundly trounced and beaten and had to retreat!  Jesus refuted and finally rebuked him and he had to back off.  WE CAN DO  THE SAME!

      St. James stated: "Submit yourselves unto God, RESIST the devil and he will FLEE from you" (James 4:7) and St. Peter warned: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil (LIAR), as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the Faith...." (1 Peter 5:8)

    Jesus used the Word of God to stop the devil.  Three times Jesus of Nazareth authoritatively said: "IT IS WRITTEN."  We can do the same!           The Bible states: "The WORD OF GOD is quick (alive) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

     The devil confronted JESUS with these words: “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matthew 4: 3). The LIAR knew full well that Jesus of Nazareth was the incarnated Son of God and the Deliverer that the Almighty God had promised would one day crush his head, yet he tried to seduce the very Son of God! (Genesis 3:15)

           HOLY SCRIPTURES FROM GOD'S MOUTH

     The Lust of the flesh was a powerful tool to use on a man who had fasted for forty days and forty nights, but out Lord countered: “IT IS WRITTEN man shall not live by bread alone but by every WORD that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God.” (Matthew 4: 4) Jesus told the Devil and everyone else that He believed the Old Testament Scriptures. What a powerful answer!

   Jesus said two things: Man is a spiritual being and should not be controlled entirely by his flesh and the reason the Holy Scriptures are so powerful is that GOD Himself is their Author.

    The Second Temptation that the Adversary used was the Pride of Life. Again he challenged our Lord’s position as the Son of God, trying to make Him demonstrate the fact that He could cast Himself down and be protected. That would have shown PRIDE. Jesus did not fall for the temptation, but rather quoted the WORD of God: “IT IS WRITTEN again, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matthew 4: 7)

     Jesus’ answer lectured Satan by reminding him that He was the Son of God and deserved worship, and that Satan was only a created being and still under the jurisdiction of the “Lord thy God.” And that he was clearly out of order in tempting Him!

     The Third Temptation is called the Lust of the Eyes.  Satan took Jesus up into a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them, saying: “All these things will I give thee if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4: 9). What possessed him to believe that JESUS would fall down and worship such an Evil one? Why did the LIAR think he could seduce the Son of God, Who had created the universe and every living creature?

     PRIDE blinds people and no doubt the Deceiver thought that since he had influenced one third of the angelic host to follow him, he would try it on the very Son of God. He is twisted in his mind and knows no shame! One day he will be cast into the LAKE OF FIRE forever! (Revelation 20:10)

   Jesus, the Perfect and Holy Son of God ordered the devil: “Get thee hence, Satan. IT IS WRITTEN; Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4: 10). Jesus commanded the fallen archangel to “Get away from here.” The contest was over and Satan was gone: “Then the devil leaves him and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” (Matthew 4: 11)

           THE WORLD, THE FLESH & THE DEVIL

    The World had no attraction for the Son of God. He had come to EARTH for one purpose only and that was to SAVE the world! The Plan and Purpose of Redemption had been in the heart of God from before the foundations of the world. (Romans 8:29; Eph. 1: 1 4; 1 Peter 1:20)

    And Jesus of Nazareth, Who was in the bosom of the Father (John 1: 18), knew His great part in the deliverance of lost humanity! (Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; 18:37; Luke 24:27). He had come to die in our place in order to save us for time and eternity. He stated: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of God be lifted up.” (John 3:14)

     He had witnessed Lucifer’s rebellion and his eviction from Heaven by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Revelation 12: 7-14). He had seen him fall to the earth and observed the great carnage that ensued there. (Ezekiel 28:13-17; Isa.14:12-17). He had witnessed the Traitor’s verbal assault on ‘the woman” in the Garden of Eden.

    He knew full well the pain, agony and eternal doom that Lucifer had wrought on the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. And He knew the price He had to pay to meet the demands of DIVINE JUSTICE in order to redeem the sick and suffering and lost and dying of the earthlings. (Luke 24: 25-27; 1 John 3:8)

     The Jewish Messiah would be rejected by His own people and judged by His Heavenly Father, suffer, bleed and die the most humiliating, ignominious and torturous death upon the cursed cross outside the city walls of Jerusalem, and after three days rise again in power and great glory.

               PREACHING & HEALING THE SICK 

    Preaching and healing the sick is necessary for the proclamation of the Gospel. The miracles of healing confirms the message preached. It proves the love of Christ in His kindness and caring spirit. It is also a witness to the fact that sickness and disease is the result of Adam's Fall. It shows everyone that God is still and charge and one day we will be restored again to the perfect form from which Adan fell.

    JESUS had chosen twelve men as His apostles whom He sent out to preach the Gospel and heal the sick and suffering. They returned with glowing reports of great victories that multitudes had received the Good News of the Kingdom of God and that the very same works of healing the sick and casting out of demons had occurred also in the their meetings.

    "And when He had called unto His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease... And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devil: freely ye have received, freely give." (Mark 10:1, 7-8)

     THE RESULTS: “And they went out, and preached that men should REPENT, and they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6: 12-13); “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.” (Luke 9: 6)

     SEVENTY MORE: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven.

     “Behold, I give unto you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy (Satan): “And NOTHING shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10: 17-20)

                 JESUS CHRIST LOVED THE WORLD

    Jesus stated: "For God so LOVED the WORLD that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16, 17)

    Our Lord stated: "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12); "My Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:6).  "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10); "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends," (John 15:8);

    "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hated you."

    Jesus Christ said: "Remember the word I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted Me they will persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep your also.  But all these things will they do for My name's sake, because they know not Him who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken with them, they had  not had sin:  But now they have no cloak for their sin.  He that hates Me hates My father also.

     "If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father.  But this comes to pass, that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law, they have hated Me without a cause." (John 15:18-25)

            JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

    The HOLY BIBLE states: "Jesus cried and said, He that believes on Me, believes not on Me but on Him that sent Me.  And he that sees Me sees Him that sent me.  I am come as a LIGHT into the WORLD, that whoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness and if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not, for I came not to judge but the save the world."

    "He that rejects Me, and receives not My words, hath one that judges him.  The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His commandment is LIFE EVERLASTING: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)

    St. Paul wrote: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to Life Everlasting. Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever.  Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

     The world is that which is sin and rebellion against God.  To Jesus, the world was the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Him as Messiah and turned others away from the Truth of Who He was, even though they had the writings of the prophets and the Holy Scriptures.  He stated: "But woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."  (Matthew 23:13)

     For us, the world is anything that opposes God, Christ and His Gospel.  The great preacher James Denney stated: "If God has really done something in Christ on which the salvation of this world depends, and if He has made it known, then it is a Christian duty to be intolerant of everything which ignores, denies or explains it away."

            THE FLESH VERSES THE SPIRIT

St. Paul declared: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

   "Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lustful), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (conflict), emulations (jealousies), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in the past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God."

     "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering. gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: Against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections (passions) and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:16-25)

   St. Paul again exhorts us to holy living and fruit bearing in God's Kingdom: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are of the Spirit, the thing of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

    "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children of God, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we also be glorified together." (Romans 8:5,6,13-17)

                     O’ THE JOY OF LOVING HIM

    At Christ the Healer Gospel Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, we love to praise and worship to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.

A song that always blesses my soul is called, O’ the Joy of knowing Him. It goes on to say: O’ the joy of loving Him, and O’ the joy of praising Him, and O’ the joy, joy, joy of serving Him! 
    Hallelujah to the Lamb of God! What an honour to know Jesus Christ as our Lord, Saviour, Healer, Master and God! What a joy it is to serve Him and be led by the blessed Holy Spirit.

     The secret of a joyous Christian life is to fully dedicate ourselves to the Lord in sincerity and humility and to submit to God’s Word in repentance and faith. Through prayer and intercession, we must seek God for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, Who will give us the grace to follow the path of righteousness and become living epistles of Christ’s love, mercy and grace! Amen.

        REV TERRY SEVERSON, TORO MINISTRIES
            RECEIVES NEW YEAR GIFT


 
Christ the Healer Gospel Church, Saskatoon, SK


Dear Friends in Christ,                           December 22, 2018
    We pray that you and your family will enjoy the Blessings of God this Christmas!   Donna and I are planning to spend Dec. 31 with our friends in Saskatoon, SK. The services will be SUN 10:30 & 6:30. We will have a Baptismal Service at the close of the evening service.   
    On Monday Jan. 1, 2018 there will be a special New Year Rally to TRANSFER (without charge) Christ the Healer Gospel Church, 136 Ave F S in Saskatoon to the TORO Ministries, under the leadership of Rev. Terry and Sherry Severson. 
   This will be the last time I will preach as the pastor of Christ the Healer Gospel Church in Saskatoon.
•     On August 31, 2007, Solbrekken Evangelistic Association of Canada (established in 1963), purchased the property at 136 Ave F S from the River of Life Ministry. 
      My wonderful wife Donna and I opened Christ the Healer Gospel Church with a 10 Day Fasting and Prayer Revival           On September 26, 2007, we dedicated Christ the Healer Gospel Church to the Lord Jesus Christ for preaching of God's Word  and practicing the Christian Faith in Saskatoon, SK .
       Several years later we undertook a major renovation, joining two buildings together with a new foyer and Front entrance. Donna worked untold hours, untiringly painting. Architect Dan Custer was a great help in the shaping of the New Addition, as was our son John Solbrekken who put in the electrical, plumbing and did the carpentry.
      God spoke to my Missionary heart to use our $120,000.00 Missions account to get started. He assured me that Riversdale area referred to as 'the Hood' was indeed a mission field. There were many expenses, including the installation of a new furnace. Friends from across Canada began to send small and large donations to help us. 
      One day, a businessman from another province called to say that God had spoken to Him to visit me. He had some back tithes which he should give me.                                                    It was a surprise as I had not seen him for more than 20 years. God was blessing his business in a wonderful way. He wrote out a cheque for $50,000, and for a number of years he has continued supporting our Missionary Ministry with that same amount, allowing me to continue doing overseas Missions while pastoring in Saskatoon.
      For the past 4 years we have been praying that God would send us a Ministry to which we could confidently TRANSFER Christ the Healer Gospel Church. We are seeking our Lord for a major grassroots Revival, in order to change the spiritual complexion of Riversdale and Saskatoon.
•    We know Terry and Shelly Severson, and have seen their ministry blossom into righteous living and a heart for the poor, lost and dying. He and his family have a strong desire to bring together people of all ages and races. They will reach out to the young and old and to little children and youth. His Ministry in Brazil went amazingly well and also was blessed in Assinaboine and Sturgis, SK.
•      This will free me to pursue the Missionary work I have been  involved in for more than 50 years, as well as publishing many very powerful books which I have written, as well as doing radio and television work.
•     Donna and I, as well as a number of our National Directors will join us in officiating the legal transfer to TORRO Ministries on Monday January 1, 2018 at 2:30 PM.                         Please join us in praying God's blessing upon Terry and Shelly, their family and those who labour with them in the big task of bringing in the harvest for Christ and His Kingdom! 
• 
  
• In Jesus' precious Name,
• Pastor Max  Solbrekken
• 2 Cor 4:5 / Heb 13: 8

ONLY IN CHRIST JESUS

BY THE GIFT OF GOD

Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

     “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” (2 Cor.8: 9); “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” (2 Cor. 9: 15)

     JESUS CHRIST is the unspeakable Gift that God gave us when He sent His only begotten Son to this earth to Redeem fallen man. He came to liberate us from the world, the flesh and the devil. We were in His heart before the creation of the world!

     The Bible says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

     “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Eph.1: 3-7)

     The Redemption of the human race was His number one priority. The Holy Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16, 17

  GOD KNOW US, LOVES US & WANTS US!

    The amazing thing is that He loves us and wants us even though we were sinful, arrogant, rebellious and proud. Jesus proved that by going to the Cross in our stead. While hanging on that cursed tree, He prayed: “Forgive them for they know not what they do...” (Luke 23: 34)

    The BIBLE states: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2: 3,4); “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness: but is long suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

     “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are.” (1 Cor. 1: 27-28).

     St. Paul wrote: “That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption. That according as it is written, He that glorieth, Let him Glory in the Lord.” (1 Cor.1: 29-31)

     By the grace of God alone, we have been Chosen to become Partakers of Christ's Nature, thereby making us Children of God, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. In His great Mercy, Kindness and Love, He has made us ACCEPTED in the Beloved.

      Not only has He saved us from Satan's evil power and our own carnal and sinful ways but through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, God has given us His Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption!

                WHO OF GOD IS MADE UNTO US!

  So great is the SALVATION of God for sinful mankind, that by His BLOOD that was shed for us on Golgotha and His resurrection from the dead, we have been lifted from our sins and the kingdom darkness into a sphere of true wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption!

     He has taken the foolish things of this world and made us His very own sons. His blood Redeemed us from the curse of the law, when Jesus became a curse from us. (Gal.3: 13). The underlying PURPOSE was that no flesh should glory in His presence. It is all the WORK of Almighty God to make us New Creatures - Forgiven, Cleansed, Redeemed and Sanctified.

    Why did God, the Father do all this? What was the purpose of Christ's Incarnation, Miracle Ministry, vicarious Death on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection from the grave? It was the out-flowing of our Heavenly Father's great mercy, love, grace and GOODNESS toward the human race!

   His great heart planned and executed it all, before the worlds were created. He would have a Church, a People and a Family to bless, love and cherish and use as the expression of His mercy and grace for time and eternity!

             WHO CAN UNDERSTAND SUCH LOVE?

     No-one is able to comprehend His Goodness and the magnitude of His Grace. It is beyond our human ability to assimilate or even imagine! He wanted us. He loved us, desired us and forgave us. He cleansed us. He saved us from our sins, our filthiness, pride and unrighteousness. He lifted us from the muck and mire, to sit with His Son Jesus Christ at His Heavenly Throne.

    No wonder St. Paul said, “...That no flesh should glory...” We have Nothing to gloat about! It was all His Plan, His Work and His Goodness that gave us all this! 
    Where would we be without His MERCY? Lost in our sins, bound by chains of hatred, fear, lust, greed and pride. Doomed forever in a Lost Eternity, filled with fear, agony, pain and torment!

    O' what a Saviour! O' what a Redeemer! O' what Blessedness we have in Jesus Christ our Lord! To Him be glory, honour and praise forever and ever. World without end. Amen.

             BY GRACE ALONE: NOT OF WORKS!

     St. Paul admonished: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of Works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2: 8-10).

     JESUS stated: “I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” (John 15: 5). Some Greeks came looking for Jesus, saying: “We would see Jesus.” (John 12:21). What an honourable and intelligent desire.

     Why is Jesus so important? What can He do for us that no-one can? Jesus said: “All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18); “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

    Our Saviour stated: “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and earn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11: 28, 29)

    We must approach our Heavenly Father with deep reverence, humility and devotion in the Name of Jesus Christ. Since only faith pleases God, we must come before His throne of mercy in full faith of Calvary's victory.             Knowing that He delights in hearing our requests, let us pour out our hearts before Him in fervent prayer asking for His blessing, forgiveness and healing.

    He has promised to hear and answer our prayers: “All that the Father giveth unto Me shall come unto Me; and him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6: 37); “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very work's sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall ye do also and greater works than these shall ye do because I go unto My Father.

     “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son, If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:11-14); “If ye abide in Me and My words abide, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15: 7)

                   O' COME LET US ADORE HIM

    We are SAVED by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone! St. Paul writes: “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to Whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Rom. 11: 36). Expounding on salvation through faith, the great Apostle declares:

     “BUT FOR US ALSO, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by FAITH , we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the gory of God.” (Rom. 4: 24; 5: 1,2)

    Let us WORSHIP Jesus Christ like the women on the first resurrection morning: “And as they went to tell His disciples Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.” (Matt. 28: 9).

    The Heavenly Father instructed the angels to worship Him: “And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He saith, And let Angels of God worship Him.” (Heb. 1: 5,6). The Book of Revelation states:     “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy BLOOD out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

     “And every creature which is in Heaven and on the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying, Blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the LAMB forever and ever.” (Rev. 5: 9, 13).

     Dear friends, O' Come Let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord! Amen.

In 1948, Bethlehem's Christian population was 85 %. Now, in 2017, the Christians number only 2% due to the Evil Islamists, which have killed or driven them out. In the 1970s we led tours to Bethlehem. We met hundreds of friendly, civilized Christian Arabs in Bethlehem. Arafat and his band of marauders changed that. The Antichrist forces are working world-wide to destroy Christians and Jews. The Enemies of the Cross will be judged by Christ Himself when He sets up His Kingdom on Earth. - Pastor Max Solbrekken

THE RELIGION OF THE SWORD
HAS DRIVEN CHRISTIANS AWAY! 

Just like during the original Christmas, Jesus' birth will not be celebrated in Nazareth this year -- though this time, it's being blamed on President Trump.

Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has caused a backlash in the region, particularly among Muslims, and the reaction's reverberated to Nazareth, where the town's mayor, Ali Salam, announced Thursday that all planned Christmas events would be canceled.

Video

Pa

THE HEAVENLY VISITOR

by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D

   "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying blessed by the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people." (Luke 1:67-68)

     Christmas is always a blessed time for our family. I will always have fond memories of my childhood and so many Christmases since. And now that all our children are grown and they have families, this glorious tradition continues! 

    A special joy and goodness accompanies this time of the year, as we spend extra time with the family, go to Church and think about the wonders of God's grace which brought Jesus Christ into our world!

    We all know that December 25 was not the date of that first 'Blessed Morn' when God came down in human flesh to redeem us from death, and reconcile us to God.

     The exact date of that great event is not important. The truth is that He did come and His birth, life, death and resurrection are all glorious realities!

   Again, the word "Christmas" certainly is misleading since it actually means "Christ-Mas", or a Mass for Christ, derived from the R.C. conglomeration of confusion. That does not take away from the fact that Jesus did come to earth, and that great event is honoured by billions the world around!

    When I think about Christ's birth and the great truths that surrounded that event, together with the significance and the results of His coming, the exact date and the name by which this mighty act is called, pale into insignificance!

THE FORERUNNER OF THE LORD

   Jewish prophets had foretold the First Advent of the Messiah. The faithful in Israel had long awaited King Messiah's coming. In the fullness of time He arrived on the scene as promised.

    John the Baptist - the prophet - was His forerunner. Zacharias, the priest and his wife Elizabeth both received physical miracles of healing, in order for John to be born due to his advanced age and her barrenness!

    The Angel Gabriel announced the good news to Zacharias thus: "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 

     For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord...And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

    ZACHARIAS asked: "Whereby shall I know this; for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 

      And, behold thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season". (Luke 1:11-20)

                            BLESSED BE THE LORD

    Since Zacharias did not fully believe the words of the angel, he was struck dumb for a period of nine months. When John was born, his tongue was loosed and he prophesied saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people". (Luke 1:67-68)

      Divine words flowed from the lips of the Priest as he was filled with the Holy Ghost, declaring "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel".

     I join the heavenly choir and the multitude of blood washed saints who have gone to their eternal reward, together with millions still on earth, saying, "Blessed be the Lord!" I also join King David in blessing and praising the Lord:

    "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 

   "Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's". (Ps. 103:1-5)

     We have so much to praise and thank the Lord for; His mercy and love endureth forever! The Psalmist was constantly praising and blessing God for His goodness and mercy. Many people have forgotten the benefits of Calvary, but the Psalmist hadn't; he rejoiced as he thought about God's provisions to him in forgiveness, healing and protection!

     King David continues to bless and praise God in Ps. 34:1-4, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears".

                   CONTINUALLY PRAISING GOD

    "And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

     “And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” Let us learn from the Early Church and praise and bless the Lord constantly. Zacharias called the Lord, "Blessed", for He both visited and redeemed His people!

      The Bible says "...and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord". (Ps. 102:18) Here is why we should praise God more often: "For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary: from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death". (Ps. 102:19-20)

       Hallelujah! No wonder we praise God for all the great things He has done for us. God is constantly looking down upon us to see our need, protect, heal and bless us; so why shouldn't we praise, magnify and bless His Holy Name?

      “And when He was come nigh, even now at the decent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a LOUD VOICE for all the mighty works that they had seen.” (Luke 19: 37)

     Some people ridicule us for praising God audibly in our church services. They feel that is not proper. The only answer I have is the answer Jesus gave to His critics: "Ye do err: not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God". (Matt. 22:29)

     Believers who are well versed in the Scriptures would never make such foolish statements, since the Bible abounds with accounts of joyous and enthusiastic praise unto God. Anyone who knows God's grace and has seen His power in action, would be more exuberant in their praise to Christ for all His great and mighty works!

     Jesus declared that those who have been forgiven much will love much. He was surprised that of the ten lepers which He had cleansed on a certain occasion, only one returned to give thanks and praise to God!

    Many people, however, have never experienced God's miracles since they do not believe in His power, so they have nothing to praise God for. We, who have experienced God's power, however, have much to praise Him for.

             VISITED AND REDEEMED HIS PEOPLE

     What a visit that was, when Heaven kissed the earth; when Divinity came into contact with Humanity; when He who was perfect and Holy came to change the imperfect and unholy! He who was rich became poor so that we might be made rich through His goodness and grace.

     What a visit that was, when God came down to save sinners, heal the sick, change the course of human lives, mend that which was broken and make us all new!

      What a visit that was, when God's only Son came to earth to redeem Adam's fallen race, to meet the demands of Divine Justice and to sacrifice Himself so that we might have life. What a visit! Oh, what a visit that was!

Oh, the blessings of God toward those who accept His unspeakable gift, who turn to Him in humility and brokenness. 

     Oh, the peace of mind, tranquility of soul and joy of heart that floods the very being of those who accept this message for themselves, appropriate His promises and believe the Word of God.

    Oh, the miracle of restored health and strength, the goodness, mercy, patience and gentleness that comes to those who accept the Prince of Peace into their lives and allow Him to work out His will in them.

                  LET THE WORLD KNOW THE TRUTH

     No other message could ever be as joyous as that of the Heavenly Visitor Who came from Glory to redeem fallen man; to purchase our salvation and destroy Satan's control over the souls and lives of the lost, hopeless and unregenerate.

    No other message could ever be as important as the message of the redeeming work of Christ on the cross! The Good News of God's Salvation for confused, bewildered and deceived mankind. The Bible tells us to "shout it from the housetops", which translates into: "Let everyone know". (Matt. 10:27)

      Don't hide your light or cover it up, but let it shine. Let people know that Jesus Lives on the inside. Yes, my friend, Let the World Know that there is a Better Way than the way they are living, a better road than the one they are on!

      Let the world know that Jesus Christ CARES for them, that He died for their SINS. And that He was buried and rose from the dead, and will soon return to rapture the Church!

     Tell them that our Lord waits for them to call on His name in faith and receive His forgiveness and freedom from every sin, fear, oppression and torment. And eternal life for evermore!

    Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). The word Gospel means the Good News. The Good News is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10).            The Good News is that, "Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 1:21), and that Jesus invites: "Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest". (Matt. 11:28)

     That is most reassuring, for He also said: "Him that cometh to Me I shall in no wise cast out". (John 6:37)

                 NO OTHER MESSAGE IS AS URGENT

    The Bible says, "The king's business requires haste" (1 Sam. 21:8), and Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 19:16) Jesus said, "Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest. Behold, I say unto you, 

    "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." (John 4:35-36)

      Again Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work". (John 9:4)

    How important that we appropriate Gods Promises for ourselves and allow Him to live in our lives as he wishes, so that we can become effective witnesses to a lost, needy, sick and confused world.

     Let us go forth with the message of God's great love, mercy and peace. Let us not slacken off in proclaiming to the unreached masses that Jesus Christ came into this world to "seek and to save that which was lost"! (Luke 19: 1)

     Let us continue to hold up the bloodstained banner of the Cross, knowing that there is only One Way to Heaven and that Jesus Christ is that Way. May we constantly remind ourselves, "Only one life, it will soon be past - only what's done for Christ will last".

     I am praying for you and your family at this beautiful time of the year. Please pray for us and help us as we continue reaching the lost for Christ, in the months and years to come!

     My prayer is that we will all be fully awake, alert and aggressively building His Kingdom, when He returns! Amen.