WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN
by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
It all seemed so ridiculous to me, having read his statements for years, to see his ignominius end. Russell died at the age of 99, a lost soul going into eternity to meet God all alone, away from his fellow agnostics and philosophers, the glare of T.V. cameras and friendly newspaper reporters.
Bertrand Russell - like all other agnostics and atheists - will have to face Jesus Christ at the Eternal Judgment Bar, like a blithering idiot, trying to explain his silly philosophical bent to the God of the universe and Saviour of Mankind!
When the news of his death reached me, I immediately prepared a radio message for release across the nation. It was titled: ‘England's Wisest Fool is Dead’!
ENGLAND’S WISEST FOOL!
To have had access to the Holy Bible as well as writings of some of the finest Christians of all time - Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Bunyan, and Charles Spurgeon, and still champion the kind of ideology and philosophy that he did, seemed sad to me. Especially, since Almighty God had endowed him with a brilliant mind and ample opportunities to develop and illuminate it!
How could a man live almost a century and reject Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Fountain Head of Wisdom, the Pearl of great price, the Prince of Peace, and Giver of Eternal Life? To do so, a person would have to be extremely dull intellectually or blinded spiritually by evil spirits, whose satanic duty it is to destroy men’s souls in hell!
Since Bertrand Russell was a brilliant man, I deduced that like millions of others across the world, he must have been deceived. St. Paul writes of Satan, "blinding the eyes of those who refuse to receive this gospel...so that they will be damned!" (2 Thes. 2:12)
RUSSELL EXUDED HOPELESSNESS!
Bertrand Russell stated: “The life of man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach and where none can tarry long. One by one, as they march, our comrades vanish from our sight, seized by the silent orders of omnipotent death.
“Brief and powerless is man's life, on his and all his race the slow, sure doom falls, pitiless and dark. Blind to good and evil, reckless of destruction, omnipotent matter rolls on its relentless way. For man, condemned today to lose his dearest, tomorrow himself to pass through the gates of darkness, it remains only to cherish, ere yet the blow falls, the lofty thoughts that ennoble his little day.”
SHAW AND WELLS REJECTED ATHEISM!
Writers H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw were brilliant men who had left God out of their lives! They built their beliefs on the sinking, shifting sands of exalted humanism, and their lofty ideologies came crashing down around their ears. In the end, both Wells and Shaw wrote of their disillusionment with atheism and the fallacy of their belief in science as a near end-all religion!
Wells' final literary work oozed of hopelessness and is indeed a testament to the failings of his earlier projections of building a utopian world based on the inherent goodness in mankind! It has correctly been called "a scream of despair." He had given up all hope for humanity!
George W. Shaw (1856–1950) winner of 1925 Nobel Prize in literature stated: “I am ready to admit after contemplating the world and human nature for 60 years, that I see no way out of the world’s miseries but by the way that would be found by Christ’s will.”
What a marvelous testimony to the overwhelming power of the Gospel that eclipses all human abilities and frailties throughout all times and ages!
He stated: “The science to which I pinned my faith is bankrupt. Its counsels, which should have established the millennium, have led directly to the suicide of Europe. I believed them once. In their name I helped to destroy the faith of millions. And now they look at me and witness the great tragedy of an atheist who has lost his faith."
Oh, the futility of atheism! Shaw died as a believer in Jesus Christ! For more than 60 years I have studied the Bible and served in the Christian ministry, and yet I can say with all sincerity and fairness, that God is reliable, and the Bible is relevant! And that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and humanity’s only hope for time and eternity!
WITHOUT DOUBT, CHRIST IS COMPETENT, ABLE AND WILLING TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS, EVEN IN THIS DARK HOUR OF HUMAN HISTORY!
Make no mistake about the fact that the Holy Spirit is actively working today in the lives of all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. He continues to faithfully call lost souls to turn back to God in repentance and faith, so that they may receive the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life together with those who are redeemed and sanctified!
For many years I have studied a great deal of theological as well as philosophical, ideological, and scientific journals, and have been strengthened immensely in the faith, even by reading the liberal higher critics who seek to destroy belief in Christ's deity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus and the miracles of the Bible!
Having researched their writings, I have discovered that when you get all the facts, use the proper hermeneutical approach, taking into consideration the historical, cultural, and religious context of any Biblical passage, and diligently searching out the original texts, all apparent inconsistencies vanish like the fog before the sun! To come to this conclusion, one must be totally honest!
My statement to Mike Roberts of CHBC TV will forever be my testimony: "I'm satisfied with Jesus Christ. God has been far too good to me. I do not deserve all the blessings He has showered upon my life!"
I thank Professor Bertrand Russell posthumously for the challenge I received from his ill - prepared and unscientific, anti-Christian statements.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIVING WORD
And I thank the Holy Spirit who prompted me to set the record straight on behalf of my good friend and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is everything He claims to be and more, the Son of the Living God and the sole Saviour of the world. In fact, in Him we live and move and have our being! (Acts 17:28)
I had the privilege of debating Charles Templeton - Canada's leading Agnostic on the subject of the Christian Gospel, at Edmonton's CKER Night Watch a number of years ago. A scheduled debate on Ray Torgrud's CKY TV Talk Show, Winnipeg, however, didn't get ‘off the ground’ as Templeton was unable to appear.
On one occasion I asked Mr. Templeton pointedly, "What do you think of Jesus Christ?" He answered, “Jesus Christ is the single most important influence in my life.” Then, I probed, "Is He the Son of God?" Templeton answered: "No, he is not the Son of God!" I asked, "Who is He then?" He replied, "A moral genius”.
Then I dropped a bombshell: "How can a moral genius be a colossal liar? For He said, ‘I am the Son of God!’ If He is a moral genius, He cannot be a liar and is therefore the Son of God.”
For a moment on the other end of the telephone there was a short embarrassing silence, just before Templeton began a rambling defense. In broadcasting, we call that silence: "The moment of truth!"
In my heart I pity Charles Templeton, who preached the gospel and together with Billy Graham reached multitudes for our Lord Jesus Christ! When I debated Templeton, he called himself an agnostic. Fifteen years later when he wrote his last book, Farewell to God, he called himself an atheist!
Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Youtube; Facebook: Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donations to [email protected]. May the Lord bless you!
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN!
For many years, I have preached this message to large crowds in our crusades across the world with great success. Finally, by God's grace I have found the time to put it into print.
In the first chapter, I deal with the subject, ‘What is a Christian?’ In subsequent chapters I give the arguments, reasons, and deductions I have arrived at after more than 60 years of dedicated research, study, observation, and experience.
DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to young people who are searching for the truth. May the Holy Spirit graciously allow this book to fall into their hands! Then may He, the Divine Paraclete open their eyes so they may recognize Jesus Christ for who He really is, the Son of the Living God!
I dedicate this book to young married couples and those in middle age, who are so busy with their lives raising children, making ends meet and getting their youth through college and university, that they have simply left God out of their lives!
I dedicate this book to the early retirees, seniors, the golden agers, and those who are close to eternity! May each one of us take a good look at eternal values and Jesus Christ, the only hope for eternity and Heaven! Amen.
Acknowledgements:
To the many preachers, scholars, and theologians, whom I have known or whose books I have read and learned from, I say thank you for your great help! I wish to thank the blessed Holy Spirit for His guidance and wisdom in anointing His humble servant in this undertaking!
In my busy schedule of pastoring, counseling, travelling, and writing, He has encouraged me and enabled me to finally get these words on paper.
I thank my wonderful wife Donna, for her love, devotion to God and family and her patience in my arduous tasks of both pastoring and world evangelism!
And a special ‘thank you’ to our daughter, Betty Farge, who typed and re-typed the manuscript for this book and many others, for more than a decade.
CHAPTER 1:
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
“They were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:20). The word 'Christian' really means 'Christ-like-one'. Christ Himself was called 'the Nazarene', to fulfill the Scriptures, therefore some of His followers adopted that name (Matt.2: 23; Is. 11:1).
After the Antioch episode, however, followers of Jesus Christ were called christians, which also had the connotation, 'The Family of Jesus’! That’s fitting, because St. Paul states that we are of the “household of faith" and "the household of God". (Gal.6 :10; Eph.2 :19)
For the first twenty years after the birth of the Church, the followers of Jesus were referred to by several other names beginning with 'Maaminim' which was a derisive name given this Jewish sect of believers in Yeshua (Jesus) as Ha Mashiach (Messiah).
The first believers in Jesus were Jewish! They were called “Maaminim” and comprised a spiritual movement within the scope of Judaism - with their own synagogues - and preached the ‘Besorah’ (Good News) of salvation.
Dr. H.H. Goldberg states, “Besides the Perushim (Pharisees), Tzedukim (Sadducees) and Essenes, the ‘Maaminim’ - were an integral part of the Temple community and ‘Ha-aam Hayehudi’ (the Jewish people)”. For the first eight years after the resurrection of Jesus, the ‘Maaminim’ ministered exclusively to Jews.
The deacon, Phillip, broke tradition by preaching in Samaria, among that city’s Jewish-extracted, mixed-race population. Cornelius’ household were the first Romans to accept the gospel - two years later - when ‘Shimon bar Yonah’ (Peter) preached to them.
JESUS CHRIST CALLS SAUL!
Rabbi ‘Shaul of Tarsus’, a fanatical pharisee, crusading to exterminate the ‘Maaminim’, met Jesus of Nazareth - in a blinding light - on the Damascus Road and was converted. The Bible says, “And as he journeyed, he came near to Damascus: and suddenly, there shined round about him a light from heaven:
“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads).
"And he trembling and astonished said Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here Lord.
“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for behold, he prayeth, and he hath seen in a vision a man called Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.
“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto to Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My Name’s sake.
“And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in thy way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from His eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized.
“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came hither for the intent that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket.” (Acts 9: 3 25)
ST. PAUL MOST EFFECTIVE!
Among the
evangelists, he was the most effective in converting the heathen. Gentile believers became known as Christians
and their houses of worship, churches (heb. fem. of synagogue). At the Jerusalem Council - A.D. 50, the ‘Maaminim’ accepted gentile believers
into fellowship - without embracing Jewish customs and disciples - except
refraining from idolatry.
The ‘Maaminim’ grew so large that in A.D. 90, Gamaliel II called the ‘Yavneh Council’ of rabbis to stem the growth of the new Jewish movement. It was decreed that a disparaging verse against the ‘Maaminim’ be included in the ‘Amidah’ (central prayer in synagogue service).
The persecution increased when Rabbi Akiba declared ‘Shimon bar Kochba’ - who led an insurrection against the Romans from A.D. 132 to 135 - the Messiah. The ‘Maaminim’ remonstrated saying, “There is no Mashiach - except Yeshua”.
THE HISTORICAL RECORD EXPOSES ONE OF CHRISTIANITY’S MOST SHAMEFUL CHAPTERS: THE UNRIGHTEOUS TREATMENT OF JESUS’ FIRST FOLLOWERS AND GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE! WHAT PERSECUTING JEWS FAILED TO DO - DESTROY THE ‘MAAMINIM’ - PROUD, BIASED AND SPITEFUL GENTILE CHRISTIANS SUCCEEDED BY THEIR HATRED AND REJECTION!
Jewish preachers had converted many pagans to Christ. But after the first century, Gentile Christians - who had become dominant - began to persecute their Jewish brethren!
Church fathers and clergy demanded that Jewish believers renounce their Jewish observances and practices. They forgot that the ‘Maaminim’ in A.D. 50 embraced them, on the basis of their belief in Jesus, without changing cultures. Now they demanded that the Jews change their customs - as the basis for salvation. (Rom. 11)
The Council of the Evangelical Church met in Stuttgart, Germany – October, 1945. Lutheran clergymen went on record as saying: “We are bound to our (German) people not only in a community of suffering but also in a solidarity of guilt. With heavy pain we say: Through us, unending misfortune was brought to many”.
Dr. H.H. Goldberg, spirit-filled rabbi of a Los Angeles Maaminim congregation says, “A true Jew is committed to God, to the land of Israel and to the Jewish people. And many Jews today believe in Jesus as their Mashiach”.
There are multitudes across the world, who bear the name of Christ, but really do not know Him and are not obeying His Word, because of ignorance, carnality, or stubbornness.
One of the 'tragedies in the Christian Church' is that millions of people in various Christian communions are not born again, even though Jesus said, "Except a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God". (John 13:3)
No wonder Jesus said, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:22,23)
Our Lord emphasized, "With their mouths they do worship Me but their heart is far from Me. In vain they do worship Me..." (Matt. 15:9) Again our Master said, "Why call ye Me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
Jesus demanded total commitment and obedience from His followers. He said: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)
JESUS - THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Jesus said, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth and for joy selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field". Again, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matt. 13:44-46)
In the First Parable, Jesus lays out His demands. The kingdom of heaven is worth everything if it's worth anything!
CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE PRICELESS TREASURE! EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECOND RATE AND WE MUST GET RID OF ALL CONFLICTING INTERESTS IF WE WANT TO ENTER HIS KINGDOM!
IT'S ALL OR NOTHING! Christ will not play second fiddle, to anyone. He wants to be Number One and demands first place in our hearts and lives! Jesus Christ will not share His glory with anyone. Our hearts must be burning for Him totally!
A pearl is a thing of beauty, rarity, and great value. The pearl of great price is the crown jewel, the priceless treasure and the opportunity of a lifetime!
Our Master made His position clear, in relationship to each of us: "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." (Matt. 10:37)
A Christian then, is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, a Christ-like one and a reflection or imitation of our Saviour! St. Paul stated, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts known and read by all men!" (2 Cor. 3:2-3)
We are the only Bible some people will ever read! Christ is the Living Word, the Bible is the written Word, and we are to be reflections of that Word, pointing men and women to Christ!
JESUS CHRIST: LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
St. Paul admonished: "Be ye followers of God as dear children." (Eph. 5:1). The Greek gives us the rendering of the following words which refer to our relationship with Jesus Christ, as given in the Pauline epistles!
2) TUPOES - means ensamples: Christ
is the pattern - we are carbon copies.
He is the original. We are copies.
WE FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE!
3)
EKSEIKETAI - means echo; sounded
out: We only echo what He has
spoken. We sound out the evangel and
bring words of reconciliation and healing to the people in His name! WE SPEAK HIS WORD!
EXCEPT YE BE BORN AGAIN!
Jesus said, "Except a man be born again he shall not see the kingdom of Heaven". (John 3:3,7) Without the born-again experience, a person cannot fully please God or understand the things of the Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit further opens our eyes to the reality and relevance of God, in this generation! Jesus said: “…If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
“But this He spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7: 37-39)
"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." (1 John 2:3-5)
A CHRISTIAN IS FIVE THINGS:
1) A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks
2)
A Christian is a heart through which Christ
loves.
3)
A Christian is a voice through which Christ
speaks.
4)
A Christian is hands through which Christ
helps and heals.
5) A Christian is feet through which Christ
carries the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
6)
A Christian is eyes through which Christ
sees the lost and needy!
7)
A Christian is ears through which Christ
hears the call of lost souls!
The word Christian means ‘belonging to Christ; Christ-like-ones’. The early Christians were spoken of as belonging to the ‘Family of Jesus’! The first believers in Jesus the Messiah were Jewish and still worshipped in the synagogue, but also met together on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) – that was the day they found the tomb of Jesus empty – and also from house to house!
They were called ‘maaminims’, a derisive term placed upon them by the Jewish Community. These believers in Jesus as Messiah were as much a part of the religious community as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians or Essenes!
Philip went to Samaria – a spiritually perverted people – with the Gospel, and the entire city believed in Jesus Christ when they saw the signs, wonders and miracles which he did in Jesus’ name! (Acts 8: 5-8).
When Saul of Tarsus was converted (Acts 9: 17-22), he carried the gospel throughout Europe and Asia Minor with great success! Cornelius and his family were the first Italians to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and be filled with the blessed Holy Spirit, after listening to the message brought by Peter! (Acts 10: 44–48).
St. John declared: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 5:10, 19).
The Church desperately needs to experience the love of Christ which goes beyond description in kindness, mercy and love!
Our Lord stated: “A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13: 34, 35).
Without a miracle, it is impossible to love someone like Jesus Christ loved us! Jesus said: “With men this is impossible, but not with God. For with God, all things are possible.” Mark 10: 27).
His great love and mercy toward us makes this possible! “For He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to then that believe on His name.” (John 1: 11, 12).
Since the fall of Adam and Eve, all of us were born in sin and shapen in iniquity. The Bible states: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3: 23); “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3: 10); “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17: 9).
Here’s how this miracle works: “Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5: 17); “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14).
Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, He cannot see the kingdom of God...Except a man be born of water (God’s Word) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3: 3, 7);
"Being born again, not of corruptible, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1: 23).
The human mind is the devil’s real battlefield and he is a master at deception and trickery! Satan knows that if he can dominate a person’s thought life with foolish fantasies, occult lies or lustful, spiteful, hateful thoughts, he has won! Satan is a liar, deceiver and the enemy of God and man! The good news is that he was defeated by our Lord Jesus Christ’s vicarious death for us and glorious resurrection from the dead!
The mind of Christ is creative, brilliant, and understanding!
He imparts knowledge, dispenses wisdom, and gives life to all who receive His mind! God has given us the ability to pro-create children in our image because He created us in His image. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and we are spirit, soul (mind) and body.
And because we are so constituted, He gives us the innovation, inspiration, and wisdom to concentrate, pray and create things through invention and construction!
The mind of Christ does not waver, change or deal in ambiguous terms!
There is no double-speak! There are no contradictions! The Bible warns: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1: 8). “...not with eye-service, as men-pleasers: but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col. 3:22).
The Bible says: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil.4: 8)
The mind of Christ is a sound and stable mind!
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and power and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7). The purpose of the demeaning, derogatory and abusive treatment King Herod and his soldiers heaped upon our Saviour through verbiage and acts were meant to humiliate and harm Jesus of Nazareth physically and mentally!
When they platted a crown of Jerusalem thorns - the Arabian Nebulae -it was meant to drive our precious Lord insane, but instead of losing His mind through it all, Jesus purchased our peace of mind! He took upon Himself the curse which was brought upon mankind through the fall of Adam! (Gal.3:13).
The Bible says: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way. And the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquities of us all.” (Is. 53: 4-6)
A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks.
As our mind assimilates those godly thoughts, we think about people like God thinks about them. Our thoughts then become the will of God for the people, and we begin to work in accordance with His Word, will and purposes!
St. Paul writes: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1: 7). “But the natural mind receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto Him: neither can He know them, because they are spiritually discerned. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2: 14, 16)
Jesus spoke to people who were fearful, troubled, diseased and sinful! His words brought peace to the tormented, forgiveness to the sinner, pardon to the guilty and healing to the sick and diseased! And life to the dead – both spiritually and physically!
He spoke with great compassion, love, mercy and grace! No man ever spoke like Jesus! His voice of invitation was full of kindness and reassurance! And he rebuked the Pharisees, He spoke with authority and firmness, and when He commanded evil and unclean spirits to vacate their slaves, the wicked ’hordes of hell’ obeyed immediately! His merciful words of invitation and hope also brought strong admonitions against unbelief, false doctrine, hypocrisy, and wrongdoing!
LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF JESUS’ WORDS:
PEACE: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto thee: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27)
FORGIVENESS: “Jesus said unto her, Woman,
where are those thine accusers? Hath no man accused thee? She said, No man,
Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.”
(John 8: 10, 11).
COMPASSION: “And when the Lord saw her, he
had compassion on her, and said unto her, weep not. And He came and touched
bier: and they that bear him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto
thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered
him to his mother.” (Luke 7:
13 – 15).
REASSURANCE: “Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt.11:28)
HOPE: “.Looking for the Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might Redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus1:13, 14)
AUTHORITY: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
INVITATION: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)
WARNING: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Repent, or else I will come unto quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Rev.2:4,5,16).
1V: A CHRISTIAN ARE HANDS GOD USES TO HELP AND HEAL!
“Then He called His Twelve disciples together and gave them Power and Authority over all devils and to Cure Diseases. And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to HEAL the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel, and Healing everywhere.” (Luke 9:1,6)
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before His face into every are city and place, whether He Himself would come. And HEAL the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come unto you. And the seventy returned 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 and Nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10: 1, 9., 17-19).
“Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.
“And these Signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with other tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the SICK and they shall recover. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16: 14-18, 20)
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was MOVED with Compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He to His disciples, the HARVEST truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest, that He will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matt.9: 36-38)
NO
TIME TO WASTE
by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
What an awesome commission God's servants have received from Him to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. And to obediently respond to His call to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"! (Mark 16:15)
A dispensation is a God-given order and an allotted period of time to do a specific work for our Master! It is also a calling to dispense or give the gospel of Jesus Christ freely to our fellowmen! It is, therefore, a matter of great importance and urgency!
The great apostle wrote: "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek". (Rom. 1:14-16)
The question arises: “Why is preaching the Gospel so important? And why should that be a priority for all believers? Are not Missionaries, Evangelists and Pastors called to that? Why should I be involved?
Adam's sin and consequently our own sinning has pitted God's wrath against the
human family. Our transgressions against
His laws have earned us God's judgment and condemnation. In the natural, there is no escape for the Bible emphasizes:
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.”
(Heb.10:31)
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), and "God hath concluded all under sin". (Gal. 3:22): "There is none righteous, no, not one". (Rom. 3:10)
We are therefore sinners by birth and sinners by choice as well, for the Bible says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”. (Isaiah 53:6)
The Lord Jesus declared, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved”. (John 3:19-20)
2). THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH!
The Bible says, "The soul that sinneth shall die". (Ezek.18:30): "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". (Rom. 6:23)
God's ultimatum to Adam in the Garden of Eden was, "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die". (Gen. 2:16). The original Hebrew states: "in dying, thou shalt die". In other words, "If you transgress in disobeying My law, you will begin to die and eventually die".
The moment Adam and Eve transgressed, they plunged the entire human race into sin and death! They died spiritually then, as fellowship with their Maker was ruptured. God immediately inaugurated the sacrificial system - when He slew an innocent animal - based on His promise to send the Saviour, who would "bruise (crush) the serpent's head"! (Gen. 3:15)
Immediately after rebelling, the 'process of death' began in their bodies, and they eventually died physically! And since that time, every baby born has had the process of death functioning within their mortal bodies, from DAY ONE! The bottom line is that all who die in their sins, in an unconverted state are "outside of Christ" and will be lost throughout eternity, with no hope of repentance or reconciliation!
There is no time to waste. It is important that we answer the Master’s call to Evangelism! We must not procrastinate. The time for Revival is Now! The Bible speaks of those who "have no hope" (1 Thess. 4:13) and "having no hope and without God in this world". (Eph. 2:12)
3. JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS. HE IS OUR SUBSTITUTE!
The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on 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)
The Gospel of Christ teaches the 'Doctrine of Substitution' - one taking the place of another - and that is what Jesus did on the cross. He took our place. He died for us: “…And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (John 3:16, 17)
THIS IS THE TRUE GOSPEL!
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!
In his defense of the Gospel, St. Paul gets very exuberant and excited about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: For whether we be beside ourselves (insane, crazy), it is to God: or whether we be sober (of sound mind), it is for your cause.
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead, (in our trespasses and sins): And that He (Jesus) died for all, that they which live should not henceforth turn unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again". (2 Cor. 5:13-15)
In his apologetic on the rapture of the Church, St. Paul links our believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to our future resurrection from death!
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (died in the faith), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." (1 Thess. 4:13-14)
Again, the Apostle nails down this great doctrine of the Church - the death of Jesus Christ for our sins, and His subsequent glorious resurrection for our justification!
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (1 Thess. 5:8-10)
The word justification signifies, that gracious act of God whereby we as sinners are made just through our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead, by the blessed Holy Spirit. (Rom. 1:4)
Christ’s righteousness becomes ours, when we receive Him as our personal Saviour and Lord! The Bible says, "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption". (1 Cor. 1:30)
"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." (Eph. 2:8-9).
Jesus Christ stated unequivocally, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". (John 14:6) Again He said, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture". (John 10:9)
Our Lord Jesus invites us all: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. (Matt. 11:28)
St. Paul stated, "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. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time". (1 Tim. 2:3-6)
And St. Peter declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
5). GOD HAS COMMISSIONED US TO DISPENSE, SPREAD & PROPAGATE HIS GOSPEL TO EVERYONE!
In His Great Commission Jesus commanded, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". (Mark 16:15-18)
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (age) Amen." (Matt. 28:18-20)
The angel said, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay and then go and tell His disciples”. (Matt. 28:6). It is our obligation to “go and tell” others what we have experienced in Christ Jesus, so that they also may receive His salvation!
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom. 10:13-15)
"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And the labourer is worthy of His reward." (1 Tim. 5:17-18)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Simply this – Let us support the preachers who are getting the job done, with our tithes and missionary offerings!
We can become co-workers with God by praying for and supporting (financially) God’s servants. I am praying that God will speak to many hearts through this message to help us reach the heathen while we are still able.
7). GOD HAS WARNED US THAT TIME IS SHORT!
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)
To the women who had come out - from behind closed doors, with spices to anoint the body of Jesus - the angel of God said, "...Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.
Our Lord Jesus stated, “I must work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work”. (John 9:4)
Dear Friend, we hold the destiny of this generation in our hands. What will we do with the gospel of Christ? Will we share it with the unsaved, begore they are lost forever, without HOPE for time and eternity!
We must do as the disciples did: "And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word". (Matt. 28:8). Amen.
Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 22440 RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Blog: MSWM; Face Book, YouTube. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]. Thank you so much and may the Lord richly bless you. Amen.
