God With Us
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
FAIRWEATHER CHRISTIANS
A Vancouver pastor picked up a visiting missionary at the airport on a Sunday morning some time ago. As they hurriedly drove across the city, it seemed as though every light was green as they rolled along towards the church. The pastor was overjoyed and jubilantly exclaimed, "My, isn't it wonderful how we have had all the green lights. We haven't encountered even one red light all the way from the airport. Surely God is with us"!
The missionary very wisely replied, "If we would have hit only red lights along the way this morning, would God have still been with us"?
A young Christian man died in a communist prison in Eastern Europe. He had been incarcerated for approximately 8 years. Beaten, bruised, tortured and brainwashed, finally he succumbed to the guard’s brutality and they found him dead one morning in a pool of blood on the dungeon floor. Vital organs had ruptured as a result of the traumatic beatings and he hemorrhaged blood until he died.
In the last minutes of life he had staggered over to the edge of that dungeon and left his testimony on the wall written in his own blood, with his own finger. So great was the impact of his testimony that the guards who found him accepted Christ as their Saviour and passed the story on to the Full Gospel Christians in Western Europe. This is what he wrote: "I believe in the sun even when it's not shining and I believe in love even though I feel it not and I believe in God even when He is silent, so by faith I'll hold on to what I have got"!
He hadn't seen the sun in 8 years. He had felt and seen only hatred from his captors in 8 years and for 8 long years he had prayed for release from that living hell without an answer, but still he believed in God! Hallelujah!
EVEN WHEN THINGS GO WRONG WE STILL
HAVE GOD'S ABIDING PRESENCE
In 1982 my father, Ingvar Solbrekken was walking down the highway from his home in a little town in Saskatchewan to his farm when he was involved in a tragic accident. An old man, aged 86, was driving down that road and struck my father with his automobile, rendering him almost dead on the side of the road. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and then by ambulance to Regina where he lay near death with brain concussion, ruptured bowel, broken pelvis and right leg and foot.
As well as this he was fighting pneumonia and infection from the operation on his stomach. Even in the coma my brother Emil and I who were at his bedside often kept telling him, "Papa, God is with you, Jesus is here, God is with you - everything will be all right"!
How wonderful, that God is with us always. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. In good times or bad times; in joy or sorrow; in sickness or health! God is with us - Praise His Holy Name.
THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL, THE HOLY BIBLE -
THERE IS HOPE FOR ALL, IF GOD IS WITH US
Over seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth the prophet Isaiah speaking by divine inspiration declared that God would send His Son to become the Saviour of the world. The book of Isaiah is aptly called "The Gospel of the Old Testament." How precious to read of the birth, life and death of Christ in this Old Testament Gospel! What good news that God had perfected a plan for the salvation of lost mankind through His virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death and glorious resurrection of the Messiah King of Israel! He would be rejected by men and forsaken by God but brought back to life and restored to a place of glorification with His Father so that you and I can receive eternal life.
The sign of the virgin birth - What a Miracle! To be supernaturally conceived by the Blessed Holy Spirit and born naturally of a virgin mother. Talk about confounding the mouths and minds of those who rejected Him.
IT BLOWS THE MIND, ALMOST
No wonder the Bible says, "The natural man understandeth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Again the scripture declares, "Had they known who He was they would not have rejected the Prince of life." (1 Corinthians 2:8)
They tried to reason it all out and couldn't. The intellectuals failed miserably; and they are still messing up today trying to incorporate Jesus, the Christ into their natural minded stereotype. It can't be done.
Why can't puny little man take God's Word at face value - accept the Gospel of Christ for what it's worth and embrace it all, including the supernatural aspects of: (1) Who He is, (2) Why He came, (3) What He did, and (4) What it all means and how it relates to us today. But NO, the egotistical proud earthling wants to find his own way, chart his own course and fly his own craft to the stars!
The Bible says, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God." (John 1:11-12). What a position we enjoy as redeemed blood-bought children of God. I can hardly contain it all! Hallelujah.
It is so simple that many feel it is too elementary. It's a fact of life that in everything from religion to politics, people like to make things as complex as possible. Yet no tool or gadget is as good, effective and usable as the most simply operating one. The simpler anything operates the more valuable it is and the more reliable and easy to maintain.
Hear the plain, simple and yet profound truth: "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)
Jesus confirmed that statement when He declared: "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17) Again He said, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
WHO IS EMMANUEL?
Jesus Christ, Lord, God, Saviour, Christ, Messiah? Emmanuel… “The prophet answered by saying, And shall call His name Emmanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Just recently the well known radio commentator and author Charles Templeton, from Toronto, was a guest on our 2-hour weekly talk show “Nightwatch.” When I questioned him about his agnosticisms and his relation to Christ, he replied, “Jesus in my estimation is a moral genius. He has influenced my life more than any other person that has ever lived.”
That’s quite a statement! Then I asked him, “Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?” Charles Templeton answered, “No, I do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” I asked Him,"Who is Jesus Christ, then?" Charles answered, "He is a moral genius!"
Then I asked him another question: “How can Jesus Christ be a moral genius and also be a liar: if He is not the Son of God for He claimed He was the Son of God?”
I had him in corner and he knew it, and tried to reconcile his beliefs with truth and could not. How sad, to build your belief on a lie is tragic! What will he say on the Day of Judgment!
WHAT THE HOLY BIBLE SAYS OF JESUS CHRIST – THE SON OF GOD
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of man.” (John 1:1-4)
"God...Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:2-4)
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God.
"And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
"And He hath on His vesture and His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
WHAT GOD THE FATHER SAYS OF HIM
"For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son? And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they shall be changed: but thou art the same and thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said He any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:5-6, 8-13; Psalm 2:7)
"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)
"While He yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him." (Matthew 17:5)
WHAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS OF JESUS CHRIST - EMMANUEL
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) HAVE SAID UNTO YOU." (John 14:26)
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." (John 15:26)
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13-14)
WHAT THE PROPHETS SAY OF HIM
"..which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you.
"And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." (Acts 3:21-24)
"Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:25-27)
"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)
WHAT HIS MOTHER SAID OF HIM
"His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, DO IT." (John 2:5)
WHY DID JESUS CHRIST COME?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
"...That He (Jesus) should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:2-3)
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39)
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11)
"...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
"But 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." (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT DID HE ACCOMPLISH?
"...Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47)
"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)
"Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." (Colossians 1:13)
"And (Jesus) having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15)
HOW DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO US TODAY?
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:12)
"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath quickened them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:22-24)
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me." (John 12:44)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me." (John 13:20)
Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works" sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in Me 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.
If ye love Me, keep My commandments. I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him, but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:11-18)
"But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"And He said unto them, 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)
"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
"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)
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)
"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)
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
GOD IS WITH US - EMMANUEL
When God laid Salvation's Plan, He included you and me - We are the recipients of His divine grace! Hallelujah.
The Bible says, "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalms 84:11) And "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) How great and majestic is the glorious salvation of our Blessed Christ and Redeemer. The very word 'Jesus' in both Hebrew and Greek means 'Saviour'.. The angel spoke to Joseph in Hebrew and said "Ye shall call His name Jesus (Saviour) and He shall save (salvage) His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
What good news, God is with us - Jesus is God and He is with us. God is not only with us but through the baptism of the Holy Ghost He is in us!
Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16-18)
Note these precious words: "At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." (verse 20)
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
THINK OF IT. GOD IS WITH US AND ALSO IN US. HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL
Let this scripture grip your heart as it has mine.
"He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love Him, and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21)
IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? WHAT ASSURANCE
The great apostle to the Gentiles certainly spared no words when it came to giving us assurance of God's great power that is very available and readily accessible to His people. Let me share only a few:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
And we know...no doubt, no mealy-mouthed uncertain teaching, whatsoever!
Definite, definitive and unfailing are the promises of God. We need not worry, fret or doubt. WE KNOW! WE KNOW! WE KNOW.
St. Paul knew a great many things about our Blessed Lord and His marvellous salvation which unfortunately, many so-called preachers seem to be in doubt today. The following scripture gives one of the keys to his success - notice his sincere desire in this prayer.
"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..." (Philippians 3:10). Here's another of his positive confessions and professions:
"...I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)
FOR I AM PERSUADED
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's Elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yeah rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:33-34)
THEY THAT ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THEY THAT ARE WITH THEM
Let me share with you a little about the great miracle that happened at Dothan. A miracle of God's power, provision and grace!
It was told to the King of Syria that the reason he was unable to get the advantage over the Israelites was due to the supernatural gifts of God by which the prophet Elisha was able to warn Israel of the plans, designs and purposes of their enemy, coming against them.
Finally the King of Syria sent his army to Dothan with orders to capture the prophet. The servant of Elisha was greatly concerned when he saw the place surrounded by hostile men of war. He cried out, "Alas my master, How shall we do?"
Notice the prophets answer: "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16) Elisha then prayed for God to open the spiritual eyes of the young man and he saw. "...The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." (v. 17) Praise God.
Jesus said, "All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth...and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:18-30)
What a promise! I am with you always! Even to the very end of the age - Hallelujah. Again our Lord said, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER WILL JESUS LEAVE US!
He will be with us in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health, in success or failure, in testings, trials, tragedies and sorrows. He will be with us in times of poverty or prosperity right up til the END; including the journey through the valley of the shadow of death! (Psalms 23)
Jesus promised, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all: and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." (John 10:27-29)
* NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD...No one can pluck us out of our Father’s Hand; No One; No One, No one!
* WE ARE PROTECTED FOR TIME AND ETERNITY, provided we walk in the light of the Gospel to go His way!
* We are the only ones who can choose to depart from His love. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US IF WE WANT HIM TO STAY.
St. Paul said, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:38-39)
Please remember, dear friend: "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) Also never forget that there are conditions as well as promises. Here is a good example.
"If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:14-15)
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)
St. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) We can do the same for Jesus our Lord is "No respector of persons, places or times!" (Acts 10:34) "He is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
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 declared, "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 IT IS THAT WE APPROPRIATE GOD'S PROMISES FOR OURSELVES AND ALLOW HIM TO MOVE IN OUR LIVES AS HE WISHES, SO WE CAN BECOME EFFECTIVE AS WITNESSES TO A LOST, NEEDY, SICK AND CONFUSED WORLD
We must go forth with the message of God's great love, mercy and peace. Let us not slacken off in proclaiming to the un-reached masses that Jesus Christ came into this world to "seek and to save that which was lost"!
It is imperative that we 'lift 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 Donna and myself, our family and staff, to be more effective in reaching multitudes with the gospel of Christ, through our radio programs, printed materials and crusades across Canada and abroad.
My prayer is that we will all be fully awake, alert and aggressively building His Kingdom, when He returns!
Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]. May God richly boess you in Jesus' Name! Amen. All glory, honout, praise and worship we give to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savour. Amen. -Max Solbrekken
