"Why Follow Christ?"
A Devotional Series
by Rev. George L. Erdei



Why Follow Christ ? - Introduction

Devotional series, “Why Follow Christ.” With all of the different religions in the world today - why choose Christianity?  What is it that makes Christianity unique? What’s so special about the Bible and Jesus Christ? 

In this series, we will take an in-depth look at Jesus and the Christian faith. We will explore why Christianity and its founder is the only logical, historically accurate and prophetically correct choice for reaching, following and honoring God. To some, this may sound narrow minded, however, Jesus Himself made this statement; John 14:5-6, “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

The latest count shows there are approximately 4,300 different faith groups spread throughout all the countries of the world. Below is a list of the top twelve with the approximate number of adherents:

Christianity: 2.1 billion

Islam: 1.5 billion

Secular/Non-Religious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion

Hinduism: 900 million

Chinese Traditional Religion: 394 million

Buddhism: 376 million

Primal-Indigenous: 300 million

African Traditional and Diasporic: 100 million

Sikhism: 23 million

Juche: 19 million

Spiritism: 15 million

Judaism: 14 million

Our first observation is that religious/belief systems are vitally important to the human race. There is something inherent in the heart of man that causes him to seek after a power higher than himself. There is a void in man that can only be filled by knowing God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There is a longing in each of us to reach out beyond our own limited capabilities and resources; to worship a greater source of strength, security, wisdom and love. That source is God Almighty - El-Shaddai.

Our second observation is that some people categorically reject the concept of a God. (Psalm 14:1). They choose to believe in happenstance; creation and order accidentally formed from chaos. People that think this way want to be in complete control of their lives and do not want to be accountable to an ultimate authority – especially a righteous one. They are determined to be in charge of their own thoughts and actions. They want to be free to choose what is right in their own eyes. Proverbs 26:12 states, “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

In the beginning, Adam and Eve had a close relationship with the one true Creator God. They communicated with Him daily and knew Him intimately. After the fall, separation took place between God and mankind. Sin (disobedience, rebellion) caused a break in their fellowship. All things changed; sickness, decay, disease, suffering, pain, perversion, hatred, jealousy, violence and death entered into the world. It was no longer a perfect place (paradise was lost). (Genesis 3). 

Over time, truth became distorted, strange ideas sprang up, new philosophies took root and people began to follow false teachers and prophets. Distortions of the truth, the philosophies of men and enticing words by charismatic leaders caused people to follow erroneous man-made religions. The truth became corrupted. Consider this warning from Matthew 24:10-12, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” 

After the fall, many stopped following and teaching about the one true Creator God. They became deceived, confused, complacent and self-centered. As a result, new religions sprang up infused with the doctrines of men. Today, humanity suffers the consequences as man-made religions bring divisiveness, conflicting ideas, division and distortions. 

Here is a key concept for promoting the truth: John 8:31-32, “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  

Part 1 -  Holy Books of World Religions   

Every religion has its so-called “Holy Book or Sacred Text.” In most cases it was written by the founder of the religion or some close associates. Usually, it is a book of wise sayings; enlightened thoughts and guidance for daily living. Contained within most sacred writings are instructions on how to reach, please and honor God - ultimately attaining perfection in an after-life paradise.   

Here are some of the major religious sacred texts:

The Analects - A collection of Confucius' teachings thought to have been recorded by his students. They are considered the only sayings that can safely be attributed to him.

Bhagavad Gita - A Sanskrit poem that is part of the Indian epic known as the Mahabharata . It describes, in a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna, the Hindu path to spiritual wisdom and the unity with God that can be achieved through karma (action), bhakti (devotion), and jnana (knowledge). The Bhagavad-Gita was probably written sometime between 200 B.C. and A.D. 200.

Five Classics - Five works traditionally attributed to Confucius that form the basic texts of Confucianism. They are the Spring and Autumn Annals, a history of Confucius's native district; the I Ching (or Book of Changes ), a system of divining the future; the Book of Rites , which outlines ceremonies and describes the ideal government; the Book of History ; and the Book of Songs , a collection of poetry. Together they promulgate a system of ethics for managing society based on sympathy for others, etiquette, and ritual. Although the dates of these books are uncertain, they were probably written before the third century B.C.

Koran - (Arabic, al-Qur'an) The primary holy book of Islam. It is made up of 114 suras, or chapters, which contain impassioned appeals for belief in God, encouragement to lead a moral life, portrayals of damnation and beatitude, stories of Islamic prophets, and rules governing the social and religious life of Muslims. Believers maintain that the Koran contains the verbatim word of God, revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. Some of the suras were written during Muhammad's lifetime, but an authoritative text was not produced until c. A.D. 650.

Talmud - A compilation of Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings that is separate from the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament. It is made up of two parts: the Mishna , which is the oral law itself, and the Gemara , a commentary on the Mishna . The Talmud contains both a legal section (the Halakah ) and a portion devoted to legends and stories (the Aggada ). The authoritative Babylonian Talmud was compiled in the sixth century.

Tao-te-ching (The Way and Its Power) - The basic text of the Chinese philosophy and religion known as Taoism. It is made up of 81 short chapters or poems that describe a way of life marked by quiet effortlessness and freedom from desire. This is thought to be achieved by following the creative, spontaneous life force of the universe, called the Tao. The book is attributed to Lao-tzu, but it was probably a compilation by a number of writers over a long period of time.

Upanishads - The basis of Hindu religion and philosophy that form the final portion of the Veda . The 112 Upanishads describe the relationship of the Brahman , or universal soul, to the atman , or individual soul; they also provide information about Vedic sacrifice and yoga. The original texts of the Upanishads come from various sources and were written beginning c. 900 B.C.

Veda - The sacred scripture of Hinduism. Four Vedas make up the Samhita , a collection of prayers and hymns that are considered to be revelations of eternal truth written by seer-poets inspired by the gods. The Rig-Veda , the Sama-Veda , and the Yajur-Veda are books of hymns; the Atharva-Veda compiles magic spells. These writings maintain that the Brahman , or Absolute Self, underlies all reality and can be known by invoking gods through the use of hymns or mantes. The Vedic texts were compiled between c. 1000 B.C. and c. 500 B.C., making them the oldest known group of religious writings.

With all of these different religious views and philosophies it can be confusing, especially for a new seeker. So, which one is truly from God? Is there more than one way to reach God?

This lessons key questions: Do you question and then investigate why you believe the way you do? Or do you accept things at face value?   

 

Part 2  - The Holy Bible

The sacred texts of the major world religions were all written by men; formed from their own philosophies and ideas about reaching and pleasing God. In this lesson we will take a look at the Holy Bible – God’s holy, infallible, inerrant, and inspired word to the human race.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are told, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This fundamental truth is a main difference that elevates the Bible far above any other religious book or sacred writing. God Himself, through His Holy Spirit, moved upon faithful men to place His inspired (God-breathed) words into written form. The Bible is God’s “owners manual” to His people. When we follow His instructions and principles, our lives are transformed and shaped into something of great value and beauty. His word instructs us in righteous living and enables us to maintain a personal relationship with God that pleases and glorifies Him.  

First, let’s take a look at some of the basic facts about the Bible. Did you know that the Bible was written:

* over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)

* over 40 generations

* over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. - kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)

* in different places (i.e. - wilderness, dungeon, palaces)

* at different times (i.e. - war, peace)

* in different moods (i.e. - heights of joy, depths of despair)

* on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)

* in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)

Yet, it reads as though it was written by a single author - God Almighty (EL SHADDAI)

There are no errors, no inconsistencies, and no contradictions in the Bible. Many times we hear people say there are contradictions and mistakes, but in most cases, the person saying this has never done a personal, diligent and comprehensive study of the scriptures. They are going on hearsay and not true facts. That’s why God tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” In other words, study the scriptures for yourself and see first hand that the His Word is completely true. Don’t rely exclusively on the ideas and opinions of others. Even religious leaders, pastors, priests and teachers should be checked and proved by the word of Truth. God wants us to personally seek after Him and His truth. Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

The consistency of the Bible’s message is a miracle in itself, even when it comes to dealing with “controversial” issues. Imagine this for a moment, ask five random people to write down their personal views about several “hot topics” such as; same-sex marriage, legalizing prostitution, how to discipline children, gun control, etc. Then, instruct the participants to compile a book on the subjects. Most assuredly, we would get a wide range of views; liberal, conservative and everything in between. No opinions would be consistent. Yet, the Bible is consistent on all of the great issues of life. Incredible and unbelievable – except for the fact that One God inspired the thoughts and dictated the words!

Remember this – “Religion is mankind’s attempt to reach God in his own way – Christianity is God’s love and mercy reaching down to mankind.”

This lessons key questions: Have you read and comprehensively studied the scriptures for yourself? Or, have you relied on others to do the work for you?   

Part 3 - The Holy Bible & Modern  Science 

Many people are of the opinion that the Bible and modern science are at odds with each other. They feel you must choose to believe in one or the other.  However, we will see how the Bible is scientifically accurate, even though it was written hundreds of years before modern scientific instruments and knowledge were attained. 

What is science? Science is the study of God’s creation. It is systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. We can study the physical world as it is today, but can only speculate on what it was like in the beginning. Since God was there at the start of things, it only makes sense that he would place such knowledge in His written word – the Holy Bible. 

Even though the Bible was written in ancient times, 1400BC–100 AD, it has an amazing account of scientific foreknowledge. There are literally hundreds of examples. Here are just a few of the scientific accuracies found in the Bible:

The Shape of the Earth - "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.  He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in," (Isaiah 40:22, NIV). This may or may not be construed to support the spherical shape of the earth.  The horizon is a circle and a circle is flat. 

The Earth is suspended in nothing - "He spreads out the northern [skies] over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing," (Job. 26:7, NIV). This is particularly interesting, considering that the cosmology of other cultures at that time did not have the earth suspended in nothing, but rather upon pillars, or people, or animals. 

The Stars are Innumerable - "He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars -- if indeed you can count them.'   Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be,'" (Gen. 15:5, NIV). 

The Existence of Valleys in the Seas - "The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils," (2 Sam. 22:16, NIV).

The Existence of Springs and Fountains in the Seas - "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month -- on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened," (Genesis 7:11, NIV).  See also Gen. 8:2; Prov. 8:28. 

The Existence of Water Paths (Ocean Currents) in the Seas - "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! ... When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ... You made him [man] ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet ... the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas," (Psalm 8:1,3,6,8, NIV).

The Hydrologic Cycle - "He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight," (Job. 26:8, NIV). "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind," (Job 36:27-28, NIV)  "The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.  All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.  To the place the streams come from, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7, NIV).

The Concept of Entropy - "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.  They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded," (Psalm 102:25-26, NIV). 

The Nature of Health, Sanitation, and Sickness - The listing for this section is too large for this page, but the scriptural references are Leviticus 12-14. 

Now, let's consider another source of ancient eastern wisdom: "The moon is 50,000 leagues higher than the sun, and shines by its own light; night is caused by the sun's setting behind a huge mountain several thousand feet high, located in the centre of the earth, that this world, flat and triangular is composed of 7 states - one of honey, another of sugar, a third of butter, and still another of wine, and the whole mass is borne on the heads of countless elephants which in shaking produce earthquakes." 

No it's not a joke; this is from the Hindu sacred book known as the Vedas. This “great wisdom” represents the popular cosmology of the day. The pagans said that the earth was supported by a giant man called atlas, while the Greeks had horses, elephants and snakes supporting the planet.

As we can clearly see, only the Creator and Sustainer of all things could have known about factual information concerning the things discussed in this lesson and had it recorded for the benefit of all mankind. 

This week's key questions: Have you accepted the belief that science and God are at odds with each other? Were you taught by a secular professor or teacher that promoted this opinion?    

Part 4 - The Holy Bible & History 

Not only is the Bible the greatest religious book ever written, but it also records an astounding account of world and human history. The pages of the Bible give us unparalleled insight into people, places, events and times of the ancient world; starting from the very formation of the earth, to the times and life of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church.

Many skeptics have tried to disprove the Bibles validity. These criticisms are usually based on a lack of evidence from outside sources to confirm the Biblical record. Since the Bible is a religious book, many scholars take the position that it is biased and cannot be trusted unless we have corroborating evidence from extra-Biblical sources. In other words, the Bible is guilty until proven innocent, and a lack of outside evidence places the Biblical account in doubt. This standard is far different from that applied to other ancient documents, even though many, if not most, have a religious element. They are considered to be accurate, unless there is evidence to show that they are not.

 Let me say this, the Bible has stood the test of time and overcome the most ridged of critical examinations. Every day, as more and more archeological discoveries are made, the Bible is proven to be an accurate and reliable source for historical knowledge.

Although it may not be possible to verify every incident or location in the Bible (over the centuries many names have changed), the discoveries of archeology since the mid-1800s have demonstrated the reliability and plausibility of the Bible narrative.

Here are just a few excellent examples:

· The discovery of the Ebla archive in northern Syria in the 1970s has shown the Biblical writings concerning the Patriarchs to be viable. Documents written on clay tablets from around 2300 B.C. demonstrate that personal and place names in the Patriarchal accounts are genuine. The name “Canaan” was in use in Ebla, a name critics once said was not used at that time and was used incorrectly in the early chapters of the Bible. The word tehom (“the deep”) in Genesis 1:2 was said to be a late word demonstrating the late writing of the creation story. “Tehom” was part of the vocabulary at Ebla, in use some 800 years before Moses. Ancient customs reflected in the stories of the Patriarchs have also been found in clay tablets from Nuzi and Mari.

 · The Hittites were once thought to be a Biblical legend, until their capital and records were discovered at Bogazkoy, Turkey.

 · Many thought the Biblical references to Solomon’s wealth were greatly exaggerated. Recovered records from the past show that wealth in antiquity was concentrated with the king and Solomon’s prosperity was entirely feasible.

 · It was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon as recorded in Isaiah 20:1, because this name was not known in any other record. Then, Sargon's palace was discovered in Khorsabad, Iraq. The very event mentioned in Isaiah 20, his capture of Ashdod, was recorded on the palace walls. What is more, fragments of a stela memorializing the victory were found at Ashdod itself.

 ·  Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, king of Babylon, named in Daniel 5. The last king of Babylon was Nabonidus according to recorded history. Tablets were found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus' son who served as coregent in Babylon. Thus, Belshazzar could offer to make Daniel “third highest ruler in the kingdom” (Dan. 5:16) for reading the handwriting on the wall, the highest available position. Here we see the “eye-witness” nature of the Biblical record, as is so often brought out by the discoveries of archaeology.

 The discoveries of archaeology can be helpful in removing doubts that a person might have about the historical trustworthiness of the Bible. The miracles described, as well as the spiritual message, must be accepted on faith, which is the basis of our relationship with God. When the truth of Scripture is challenged by skeptics, archaeology can be used to demonstrate that the people, places, and events of the Bible are real.

Remember these words from Jesus to the Apostle Thomas – “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” – John 20:29

This week's key questions: Does your faith rely on “proving” the Bible is accurate through scientific or historical research? Or do you trust and believe in God by faith, without the need to verify everything by the words and works of men?

Part 5 - Bible Prophesy

If there is any one thing that sets the Bible far and above all other religious texts it is in the area of prophecy. First, let’s define prophecy. The word "prophet" derives from the Greek word "to announce." A prophet of God “spoke” His words and not his own. He was a mouthpiece through which God declared His message to men. Since we already consider the Bible to be God’s written word, all of the authors of scripture can be considered prophets because they were simply recording God’s words and instructions for the benefit of future generations.  

Now prophecy has both a broad and a narrow meaning. The broad meaning can be defined as to "forth-tell" (speak for God), and the narrow meaning means to "fore-tell" (to predict future events). Today, we’ll concentrate on the fore-tell (future prediction) aspects contained in scripture.

The acid test for identifying a prophet of God is recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:21-22. According to this Bible passage (and others), God's prophets, as distinct from Satan's spokesmen, are 100 percent accurate in their predictions. There is no room for error.

The Bible accurately foretells specific events-in detail-many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur. Approximately 2500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2000 of which already have been fulfilled to the letter—no errors. (The remaining 500 or so reach into the future and may be seen unfolding as days go by.) Since the probability for any one of these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance averages less than one in ten (figured very conservatively) and since the prophecies are for the most part independent of one another, the odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than one in 10²⁰⁰⁰ (that is 1 with 2000 zeros written after it)!

Let’s take a look at just four of the 2500 prophecies found in scripture, their fulfillment and their probability statistics. Note: The estimates of probability included herein come from a group of secular research scientists and mathematicians.

1) In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah (Micah 5:2). The fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Christ is one of the most widely known and widely celebrated facts in history. (Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10⁵.)

2) In the fifth century B.C. a prophet named Zechariah declared that the Messiah would be betrayed for the price of a slave—thirty pieces of silver, according to Jewish law-and also that this money would be used to buy a burial ground for Jerusalem's poor foreigners (Zechariah 11:12-13). Bible writers and secular historians both record thirty pieces of silver as the sum paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus, and they indicate that the money went to purchase a "potter's field," used—just as predicted—for the burial of poor aliens (Matthew 27:3-10). (Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10¹¹.) 

3) The prophet Isaiah foretold that a conqueror named Cyrus would destroy seemingly impregnable Babylon and subdue Egypt along with most of the rest of the known world. This same man, said Isaiah, would decide to let the Jewish exiles in his territory go free without any payment of ransom (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1; and 45:13). Isaiah made this prophecy 150 years before Cyrus was born, 180 years before Cyrus performed any of these feats (and he did, eventually, perform them all), and 80 years before the Jews were taken into exile. (Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10¹⁵.)

4) Mighty Babylon, 196 miles square, was enclosed not only by a moat, but also by a double wall 330 feet high, each part 90 feet thick. It was said by unanimous popular opinion to be indestructible, yet two Bible prophets declared its doom. These prophets further claimed that the ruins would be avoided by travelers, that the city would never again be inhabited, and that its stones would not even be moved for use as building material (Isaiah 13:17-22 and Jeremiah 51:26, 43). Their description is, in fact, the well-documented history of the famous citadel. (Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10⁹.)

Given that the Bible proves so reliable a document, there is every reason to expect that the remaining 500 prophecies, those slated for the "time of the end," also will be fulfilled to the last letter. Who can afford to ignore these coming events, much less miss out on the immeasurable blessings offered to anyone and everyone who submits to the control of the Bible's author, Jesus Christ? Would a reasonable person take lightly God's warning of judgment for those who reject what they know to be true about Jesus Christ and the Bible, or who reject Jesus' claim on their lives?  

Psalm 119:159-160, “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

This week's key questions: Do you believe the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant and completely trustworthy word of God? If your answer is “yes,” – then how are you doing in living your life according to God’s will and instructions? 

Part 6 - The Life of Christ - His Birth 

Of all the people that have ever lived on the face of the earth, who would we say has had the greatest impact on our history, culture and beliefs? There is only one name that raises to the forefront – Jesus Christ. From the most humble beginnings; having been born in a manger, to ascending to the heavens, His entire life has been nothing short of miraculous. Jesus lived on the earth for only 33 years. He began His public ministry at the age of thirty and it only lasted for about three years. Yet, in those three years He said, taught and did many astounding and extraordinary things.

For centuries, the Bible foretold of a coming Messiah (the Anointed One). About 675 years before Jesus was born, a prophet named Isaiah had written about his birth: “For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel (meaning God with us).” (Isaiah 7:14) There are over 360 Old Testament prophecies that foretold about the coming Jewish Messiah - hundreds of years before Jesus (His name in Greek) was born in Bethlehem. Jesus exactly fulfilled all of these prophecies. Of these 360+ prophecies, there are 109 that only Jesus (Yehoshua in Hebrew), (Yeshua in Aramaic) could have fulfilled.

Listed below are just a few of the OT prophecies and NT fulfillment concerning the birth of Christ:

1. Promised Through the Seed of Abraham:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 22:18
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1

2. Promised Through Isaac:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 21:12
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:34

3. Out of the Tribe of Judah:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:33

4. Born in the Family of Jesse:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 11:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:32

5. Born in the House of David (King):

• Old Testament Prophecy: Jeremiah 23:5-6
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:31

6. Born in Bethlehem:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:4-7

7. Born of a virgin:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:18

8. Worshipped and Presented gifts by Kings:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 72:10
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:11

9. Worshipped by Shepherds:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 72:9
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:9

10. Weeping for the Children

• Old Testament Prophecy: Jeremiah 31:15
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16

11. Flight to Egypt

• Old Testament Prophecy: Hosea 11:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:13-14

12. He will be called Lord:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 110:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:11

13. He is the Son of God:

• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 2:7
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:22
  (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11)

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born of a virgin. Why is this so important? The fact that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit is vital in understanding His life and purpose. Having a human mother and a Heavenly Father (God) together they formed Jesus to be 100% human and 100% divine. He was human in every way; He had a physical body with emotions, feelings, thoughts and senses that were completely like all of us. In other words, Jesus knows and understands what it is like to be human - because He became one of us.

Jesus was also God in human form. He is the second person of the triune God. At any time He could evoke His divine powers and do supernatural things; healing the sick, restoring sight or hearing, raise the dead, cast out demons, and even command the natural elements to obey Him. He came to earth not only to speak to us and teach the human race about God, He came to demonstrate His power and authority. Jesus came to save us from our sin and make a way for us to have perfect fellowship with God.

We can certainly say without a doubt that the birth of Jesus began the greatest story ever told. No other person, group of people, nation or event has impacted the human race more than the birth of the Messiah. God, in His infinite wisdom, planned it that way.

This week's key questions: How has the birth of the Savior impacted your life? Have you developed your own person relationship with Him?

Part 7 - The Life of Christ - The Great Teacher 

Jesus has been called the greatest teacher and communicator of all time. Certainly, even from an early age He was filled with extraordinary wisdom and insight (Luke 2:40-51). People were amazed at His teachings. Luke 4:32 is one such example, “They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.”

Jesus was always mentoring people and not only His disciples. He instructed people everywhere He went. He was a master storyteller. He spoke many times in parables (an earthly story with a spiritual meaning) about real-life situations. There are 57 parables recorded in the New Testament attributed to Jesus.

Jesus often quoted from and explained the scriptures as He taught people about the true nature and character of God. He explained God’s will and intent for their lives. The wisdom that came from Jesus was unparalleled, especially when compared to the religious and political leaders of His day.

In Matthew, chapters 5-7, Jesus gives the greatest sermon ever preached, “The sermon on the Mount.”  This dissertation may have lasted over several days. The sermon contains some of the greatest truths ever proclaimed and is still today unsurpassed as a standard for righteous living. It would take weeks and perhaps months to dissect the information contained within this sermon. If we were to summarize the Sermon on the Mount in a single sentence, it would be: How to live a life that is dedicated to and pleasing to God, free from hypocrisy, full of love and grace, full of wisdom and discernment. For now, let’s take a look at the highlights from this message.

5:3-12 - The Beatitudes – kingdom values verses worldly values
5:13-16 - Salt and Light – the impact of believers on the world
5:17-20 - Jesus fulfilled the Law – Jesus clarifies their original purpose
5:21-26 - Anger and Murder – Jesus explains the laws original intent
5:27-30 - Lust and Adultery – Jesus explains the laws original intent
5:31-32 - Divorce and Remarriage – God’s perspective and intent
5:33-37 – Oaths – keeping your word and promises
5:38-42 - Eye for an Eye – showing mercy over revenge
5:43-48 - Love your enemies – overcome evil with good
6:1-4 - Give to the Needy – unselfish generosity, caring for others
6:5-15 - How to Pray – The Lord’s Prayer – a pattern for prayer
6:16-18 - How to Fast – the true meaning of fasting
6:19-24 - Treasures in Heaven – fulfilling God’s purposes
6:25-34 - Do not worry – trust God
7:1-6 - Do not judge hypocritically – look at ourselves first
7:7-12 - Ask, Seek, Knock – pursue God
7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate – the one way to enter heaven
7:15-23 - False Prophets – develop spiritual discernment, stay wise in the Lord
7:24-27 - The Wise Builder – build your life on a sure foundation

The Sermon on the Mount ends with the following statement from Matthew 7:28-29, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Jesus the Messiah was able to explain things so well because He was Immanuel, God with us. May we all continue to be amazed at His teaching and follow the principles that He taught in the Sermon on the Mount!

This week's key questions: Do you study the teachings of Jesus? Are you amazed at His wisdom and authority?

Part 8 - The Life of Christ - Prophet & King 

The role of the prophet in the Old Testament was to foretell the future and proclaim the truths about God. Jesus, of course, did both of these things. Since Jesus is the Living Word of God (John 1:1, 1:14, Rev. 19:13), He was constantly educating people on the will and word of God – The Holy Bible. He gave us the intended meaning and spirit of the scriptures. He explained how the scriptures applied to our lives. Without a doubt, Jesus spoke for God, because He was God in human form.

Jesus also foretold future events. One of the attributes of God is His infinite intelligence and His ability to comprehend all future events before they occur. In other words, God knows the past, present and the future. He is Omniscient – All Knowing. Here are two examples of this attribute in Jesus:

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus encountered one day at noon was astonished at the ability of Jesus to speak concerning the events and conditions of her life. "'Sir,' the woman said, 'I can see that you are a prophet'" (John 4:19). This woman embraced the idea that Jesus' power to "see" was due to the fact that He was a prophet. Jesus had told her things that she realized He couldn't have known.

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written" (Luke 21:20-22). This event took place later on in history in the year A.D. 70.

In addition to being a prophet, Jesus was a king. Zachariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This scripture was fulfilled by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5). The people were looking for an earthly king and misunderstood the plan of God. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s, establishing an eternal, spiritual kingdom of which there shall be no end.

Psalm 145:8-13, “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10 All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and our dominion endures through all generations.”

Jesus was called the “Son of David.” He was the promised Messiah, which meant Jesus was of the seed of David. Matthew chapter 1 gives the genealogical proof that Jesus, in His humanity, was a direct descendant of Abraham and David through Joseph, Jesus' legal father. The genealogy in Luke chapter 3 gives Jesus' lineage through His mother, Mary. Jesus is a descendant of David, by adoption through Joseph, and by blood through Mary. Primarily though, when Christ was referred to as the Son of David, it was meant to refer to His Messianic title as the Old Testament prophesied concerning Him.

Jesus was most certainly a prophet and a king, but not of this world. John 18:36, “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”” 

This week's key questions: Since we know that Jesus is a prophet and a king, the question arises, “Is He the king of your heart and life? Does Jesus see you in His future kingdom?

Part 9 - The Life of Christ - Forgiveness & Restoration 

Jesus came into the world for three main reasons; certainly, to teach and to demonstrate the truths of God to humanity. Most importantly, He came to save mankind from sin (offering forgiveness). Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Finally, Jesus came to restore a permanent relationship with God. 1 John 1:3, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

Forgiveness and restoration are unique aspects of the Christian faith. Forgiveness is a vital characteristic of a loving, merciful God. Most man-made religions require repetitive rituals, methodical good-works, pilgrimages to “holy places,” and contrived, repetitive prayers in order to gain the favor of their God.

The God of the Bible desires to establish a loving and intimate relationship with His people. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” To have a relationship with God, all He requires is that we repent (turn away from) of our sins and believe on the Lord. Jesus gave up His life freely so that we may live. He extended forgiveness to us for every violation of God’s law – we just have to accept this free gift.

When Adam and Eve sinned against God, sin became a barrier between God and mankind – broken fellowship. There is nothing we can do, in our own strength, wisdom or good works, to take away the effects of sin. Only God, because of His immense love, can offer forgiveness to the human race and create an opportunity to restore fellowship again. That forgiveness comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. He died for all – so that we might live. Romans 5:19, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous.”

Jesus Christ became the bridge that connects (restores) flawed man to a perfect God. When we ask for forgiveness, God will honor our request. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Because Jesus took our sin upon Himself, when God views us, He sees only the righteousness of Christ. In the same manner that God forgives us, as believers, we are required to forgive others. Matthew 6:15, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

When we choose to forgive it does not mean we will forget everything. The memories of hurts and offences may last a lifetime. When we forgive we may still suffer the consequences of past sins. However, forgiving soon and often is a reflection of the character of God and demonstrates our obedience to His word and will.

Harboring unforgiveness is detrimental to our mental, physical and spiritual being. It can cause us to become an angry and bitter person. It may cause us to be physically sick. Not forgiving will hinder our prayer life, witness and testimony for God. Failure to be obedient to God’s will opens us up to judgment from the Lord. It’s always best if we judge ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:15).

We can follow Christ with great confidence and assurance knowing He is a God that forgives and restores. 

This week's key questions: Are there people in your life that you have not forgiven? Have you forgiven yourself from past sins? God has.

 

Part 10 - The Life of Christ - His Death to Save All 

There’s an old hymn of the church that goes like this;

He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay;
I needed someone to wash my sins away.
And, now, I sing a brand new song, “Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

Matthew 20:28 states, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The death of Jesus on the cross was the plan of God from the beginning of time. God knew that mankind would fall from grace as a result of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, from that point on, all of mankind inherited a sin nature (a natural inclination to do wrong). We then became lost and separated from a perfect God; unable to inherit Paradise.

Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

The Bible is quite clear about sin. All sin must be judged (Romans 2:12). The Bible is also quite clear about the only remedy and method for forgiving sin. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

There is nothing any of us could do to take away our sin – it required the blood sacrifice of a perfect, sinless individual – no one else but Jesus Christ met those qualifications (Isaiah 53:1-12). Jesus became our substitute on the cross of Calvary. He died in our place so that we could be saved, forgiven, restored and obtain eternal life with God. Salvation is a free gift from God. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All we are required to do is receive God’s gift by faith; knowing that God never lies (Titus 1:2) and He always keeps His promises (Hebrews 10:23).

We now see how all of the Old Testament prophesies (well over 100) leading up to and surrounding the death of Christ were completely fulfilled in Jesus. It is a powerful evidence of the accuracy of the Bible and its divine inspiration. Here are a handful of the Messianic prophecies and fulfillments.

• Bible Prophecy: Isaiah 53:3 says, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
• Fulfillment: John 1:10-11 says, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
• Bible Prophecy: Psalm 41:9 says, "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."
• Fulfillment: Mark 14:10 says, "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them."
• Bible Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12 says, "I told them, 'If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.' So they paid me thirty pieces of silver."
• Fulfillment: Matthew 26:14-16 says, "Then one of the Twelve - the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins."
• Bible Prophecy: Isaiah 53:7 says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth."
• Fulfillment: Mark 15:5 says, "But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed."
• Bible Prophecy: Psalm 22:1-2 says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent."
• Fulfillment: Matthew 27:46 says, "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' - which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"
• Bible Prophecy: Psalm 22:7-8 says, "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'"
• Fulfillment: Matthew 27:41-44 says, "In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 'He saved others,' they said, 'but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, I am the Son of God.' In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him."
• Bible Prophecy: Psalm 22:15 says, "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death."
• Fulfillment: Matthew 27:48 says, "Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink."
• Bible Prophecy: Psalm 22:17-18 says, "I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."
• Fulfillment: John 19:23 says, "When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom."

Listed below is a list of what was accomplished by the death of Jesus:

1. Propitiation: Jesus died and took God’s wrath stored up for us because of our sin. All of us deserve death – Jesus gave us life! (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

2. Atonement: Jesus died to make amends for our sin. He paid the price. Only the blood of Jesus would be accepted as payment (Matthew 26:28).

3. Sacrifice: Jesus died as our sacrifice for sin before God. (Romans 8:32) He was the perfect Lamb of God.

4. Victor: Jesus died to crush our enemies. We now can live a victorious life in Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

5. Redemption: Jesus died for our freedom. (John 8:36)

6. Justification: Jesus died to forgive us. It’s as if we never committed a sin against God. Our sin is cast as far as the East from the West (Psalm 103:12).

7. Ransom: Jesus died to pay our debt and free us from the enslavement of sin. (Matthew 20:28)

8. Example: Jesus died as the example of God’s wondrous love (John 3:16).

9. Reconciliation: Jesus died to restore the relationship between God and man becoming our mediator. There is only one mediator between God and man – the Lord Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)

10. Revelation: Jesus died to reveal God. He showed us the character and nature of God. Jesus explained the true meaning of God’s word and revealed His divine will.

Of all the world’s religious leaders and founders that have ever lived, only Jesus Christ died to save humanity from sin. Jesus (the Messiah) is the one and only person that had the ability, power and qualifications to die for our sin, restore our relationship with God and give us the gift of eternal life. That’s why Jesus said in John14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Also, the Bible boldly proclaims in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

This week's key questions: By faith, have you accepted the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ? Since Jesus died for you - can you live your life for Him?

Part 11 - The Life of Christ - His Resurrection 

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in human history. It establishes a monumental gap between Christianity and all other world religions. The Resurrection is also the most attacked event in the Biblical account. Many have gone to great lengths to try and disprove it, but none have been able to do so. Let’s face it, either the Resurrection was the greatest and cruelest of hoaxes ever perpetrated on mankind; Jesus was the biggest liar and conman, or the event happened exactly as stated in the Bible. Today, we will list some of the reasons we believe the Resurrection of Jesus is absolutely true and valid.

The evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt. The historical evidence just can't be discounted. This event has abundant valid documentation and over 5oo eyewitnesses to confirm its accuracy. Even today in our judicial system, we consider something accurate and true if we have two or three eyewitnesses to corroborate a story – let alone over 500 credible witnesses. Here are some top reasons to believe:

Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection:

1. The Public Execution by Roman Soldiers Assured His Death:

During the Jewish Feast of Passover, Jesus was swept away by an angry crowd into a Roman hall of justice. As He stood before Pilate, the governor of Judea, religious leaders accused Jesus of claiming to be the king of the Jews. The crowd demanded His death. Jesus was beaten, whipped, and sentenced to a public execution. On Golgotha outside of Jerusalem, He was crucified between two criminals. Brokenhearted friends and mocking enemies shared in His deathwatch. As the Sabbath neared, Roman soldiers were sent to finish the execution. These were professional executioners. To hasten death, they would break the legs of the criminals. But when they came to Jesus they did not break His legs, because from experience they knew He was already dead. As a final precaution, however, they thrust a spear into His side. It would take more than mere resuscitation for Him to ever walk about let alone be a threat again.

2. A Roman Official Seal The Tomb:

The next day, religious leaders again met with Pilate. They said Jesus had predicted He would rise in 3 days. To assure that the disciples could not conspire in a resurrection hoax, Pilate ordered the official seal of Rome to be attached to the tomb to put grave robbers on notice. To enforce the order, soldiers stood guard. Any disciple who wanted to tamper with the body would have had to get by them, which wouldn't have been easy. The Roman guards had good reason for staying alert. The penalty for falling asleep while on watch was a brutal death.

3. The Grave Was Found Empty, In Spite Of Guards:

On the morning after the Sabbath, some of Jesus' followers went to the grave to anoint His body. But when they arrived, they were surprised at what they found. The huge stone that had been rolled into place over the entrance to the tomb had been moved, and Jesus' body was gone. As word got out, two disciples rushed to the burial site. The tomb was empty except for Jesus' burial wrappings, which were lying neatly in place. In the meantime, some of the guards had gone into Jerusalem to tell the Jewish officials that they had fainted in the presence of a supernatural being that rolled the stone away. And when they woke up, the tomb was empty. The officials paid the guards a large sum of money to lie and say that the disciples stole the body while the soldiers slept. They assured the guards that if the report of the missing body got back to the governor they would intercede on their behalf.

4. Large Stone Moved
On that Sunday morning the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one and a half to two ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it. Those who observed the stone after the resurrection describe its position as having been rolled up a slope away not just from the entrance of the tomb, but from the entire massive sepulcher. It was in such a position that it looked as if it had been picked up and carried away. Now, I ask you, if the disciples had wanted to come in, tiptoe around the sleeping guards, and then roll the stone over and steal Jesus' body, how could they have done that without the guards' awareness?

5. Grave Clothes Tell a Tale
In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty--because of an amazing phenomenon. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty--like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar's cocoon. That's enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it. The first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes--undisturbed in form and position.

6. People Claimed To Have Seen Him Alive:

About AD 55, the apostle Paul wrote that the resurrected Christ had been seen by Peter, the 12 apostles, more than 500 people (many of whom were still alive at the time of his writing), James, and himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). By making such a public statement, he gave critics a chance to check out his claims for themselves. In addition, the New Testament begins its history of the followers of Christ by saying that Jesus "presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by [the apostles] during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). Not only was He seen alive but there were others who had died were also resurrected and seen in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.)

7. His Apostles Were Drastically and Permanently Changed:

When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, the other apostles ran for their lives. Even Simon Peter, who earlier had insisted that he was ready to die for his master, lost courage and denied that he ever knew Jesus. But the apostles went through a dramatic change. Within a short time, they were standing face to face with the ones who had crucified their Lord. Their spirits were bold and courageous. They became unstoppable in their determination to sacrifice everything for the one they called Savior and Lord. Even after they were imprisoned, beaten, threatened, and forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus, the apostles said to the Jewish leaders, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). After they were beaten for disobeying the orders of the Jewish council, these once-cowardly and sheepish apostles "did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). This was no mere story to save face. There were many men whom the Jews followed. They stirred up the people but were put to death and their fame and followers disappeared.

8. Witnesses Were Willing to become Martyrs for Their Claims:

History is full of martyrs. Thousands and thousands of men and women have died for their belief in Jesus. For this reason, it is not that significant to point out that the first disciples were willing die for their faith. But it is significant that while many will die for what they believe to be the truth, few if any will die for what they know to be a lie. That psychological fact is important because the Disciples of Christ did not die for deeply held beliefs about which they could have been honestly mistaken. They died for their claims to have seen Jesus alive and well after His resurrection. They died for their claim that Jesus Christ had not only died for their sins but that He had risen bodily from the dead to show that He was like no other spiritual leader who had ever lived. This is one of the most compelling reasons. It is one thing to say you believe something, but to die for it puts a whole different perspective on it.

9. It Was Clearly Predicted in the Old Testament:

The disciples were confused about some things. They expected their Messiah to restore the kingdom to Israel. Their minds were so fixed on the coming of a messianic political kingdom that they didn't anticipate the events essential to the salvation of their souls. They must have thought Christ was speaking in symbolic language when He kept saying over and over that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem to die and be resurrected from the dead. Coming from one who spoke in parables, they missed the obvious until after it was all over. In the process, they also overlooked the prophet Isaiah's prediction of a suffering servant who would bear the sins of Israel, being led like a lamb to the slaughter, before God "prolonged His days" ( Isaiah 53:10).

10. The Day of Worship for the Jewish Believers Changed:

Basic to the Jewish way of life was observing the Sabbath day of rest and worship. A Jew who did not honor the Sabbath was guilty of breaking the Law of Moses. Jewish followers of Christ began worshiping with Gentile believers on a new day. Being faithful to the Law was at the heart of the Jewish religion. They were fiercely devoted to their traditions. They were willing to die for them! The first day of the week, the day on which they believed Christ had risen from the dead, replaced the Sabbath. For a Jew, it reflected a major change of life. The new day, along with the Christian conversion rite of baptism, declared that those who believed Christ had risen from the dead were ready for more than a renewal of Judaism. They believed that the death and resurrection of Christ had cleared the way for a new relationship with God. The new way was based not on the law, but on the sin-bearing, life-giving help of a resurrected Savior.

11. It Was A Message that Changed the World:

Look at the course of history. The gospel of Jesus Christ has raised and toppled empires. The promises of God throughout history can be clearly seen. Nations that have called upon God have been helped in their darkest hours. Nations that have refused to heed the message of the Gospel have suffered from the disease of sin and moral corruption to the point of extinction. You do not have to go too far in history to find out that a nation that falls has fallen from within. The mighty Roman Empire is a classic example. Look at the example we have today of the far reaching effect of this message. Our calendar, our holidays, and many other parts of many of the worlds cultures find their roots to this one all important event in history. It can truly be said that this was the only important event in history for history is His Story.

12. It Fits The Experience Of Those Who Trust Him:

The apostle Paul wrote, "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" ( Romans 8:11). This was the experience of Paul, whose heart was dramatically changed by the resurrected Christ. It is also the experience of people all over the world who have "died" to their old ways so that Christ can live His life through them. This spiritual power is not evident in those who try to add belief in Christ to their old life. It is seen only in those who are willing to "die" to their old life to make room for the rule of Christ. It is apparent only in those who respond to the overwhelming evidence for Christ's resurrection by acknowledging His Lordship in their heart.

Final Reason

Because Jesus Himself Said So! Without a doubt, Jesus Christ was the most extraordinary man to have ever lived; from fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies - His miraculous birth - His astonishing miracles - His unparalleled wisdom – His divine power and authority. He was absolutely more than words or imagination can describe. Jesus told us He would be persecuted, die and return from the dead – and everything He said actually took place! Take a look at His predictions from scripture:

Mark 8:31, “He (Jesus) then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”

Mark 10:33-34, “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he (Jesus) said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, ³⁴ who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

There is much more evidence for the resurrection of Christ than is presented here. This is only a brief sketch of some of the historical evidence. There is also the evidence of fulfilled prophecy from the Old Testament, which we have already presented in this series. The point is this, overwhelming evidence exists – it’s real. If the evidence is weak and unconvincing, then we can throw Christianity out and look elsewhere. But if it is true, the message of Jesus Christ applies to us. Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is without a doubt the only leader/founder of a religious movement that is worthy of our unwavering faith, hope and trust. He is faithful and true! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29) 

This week's key questions: Whose report shall you believe? Has the love of Jesus been resurrected in your heart?

Part 12 - The Life of Christ - His Second Coming 

On March 20, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur said, “I shall return.” He was referring to his return to the Bataan province in the Philippines during World War II. On October 20, 1944, General MacArthur made good on that promise. He returned to the Philippines and said, "I have returned!" Just as General MacArthur made good on his promise, so shall Jesus Christ fulfill His promise to return to the earth again - only His return will be one of the most exciting and dramatic events ever to occur on our planet.

John 14:3, “And if I (Jesus) go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

After the death of Jesus on the cross, the followers and Disciples of Christ were in disbelief. They were gathered together in fear and despair; thinking all was lost. They had watched Jesus suffer and die a horrible death. Their beloved leader and mentor was taken away. But then came - The Resurrection! He’s alive! He’s alive! Jesus had returned from the dead – just as He said He would.

Jesus spent the next 40 days with His followers; encouraging and instructing them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). When His work was done, Jesus ascended back into heaven, where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

It is plain from Scripture that Jesus' ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by many intent onlookers. As the disciples strained to catch a last glimpse of Jesus, a cloud hid Him from their view, and two angels appeared and promised Christ's return "in just the same way that you have watched Him go.” Acts 1:11 states, "Men of Galilee…why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Today, believers are still waiting and watching for the return of Jesus. This is the blessed hope of the church (Titus 2:13). Since Jesus has proved Himself to be true in everything,  kept all of His previous promises and fulfilled all of His prophesies, we have no doubt that the promise of His return will happen also – exactly as He has predicted.

When Jesus came to earth as a babe in the manger, He came as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53). In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side. He will be the Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He will arrive as the victorious, conquering Christ. He will triumph over all evil and establish His earthly kingdom over which He will rule and reign forever. 

The second coming is spoken of in greatest detail in Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

The Second Coming is important because it will come at the time when the world is most in need of a righteous King. Revelation chapters 6-18 describe the end times prior to the Second Coming of Christ. The world will be devastated, millions of people will perish, and the most evil person in all history will be ruler of the entire world. The Second Coming of Christ puts all this to an end.

Many Bible teachers have made guesses as to when the Rapture (when believers are caught up to be with the Lord) and the Second Coming will occur. They have all been incorrect. The Bible declares, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). The Bible describes several events which must occur before the Second Coming in (Matthew 24:4-29; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation chapters 6-18).

To us humans, it may seem like a long time since the Lord made His promise to return. However, we must remember that time means little to God. In fact, the scriptures tell us in 2 Peter 2:3, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” There may be a good reason that God has not returned yet. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Jesus may return any moment now – even before your next breath. 

This week's key questions: Are you ready for the Second Coming of the Lord? Do you find yourself living in fear or in faith?

Why Follow Christ?  Summary 

Over the last thirteen weeks we have taken a look at the various aspects of the life of Jesus Christ (the Messiah); from His miraculous birth to His second coming. Truly, this one solitary life has had more of an impact on the history of mankind than any other person, event or natural occurrence. He was only here for about 33 years in human form, but it’s as though He has been here forever – and that is exactly the case with Jesus.

When the Messiah was born in Bethlehem, this was not the first appearance of Christ on the earth. Whenever God has been in direct contact with man, He has presented Himself in the form of Jesus – God the Son. This type of presence is called a theophany or Christophany (pre-incarnate appearance of Christ). A theophany is a manifestation (a revealing) of God in the Bible that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period, often, but not always, in human form. Some of the appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ (theophanies) are found in these passages:

1. Genesis 12:7-9 –The Lord appeared to Abraham on his arrival in the land God had promised to him and his descendants.

2. Genesis 18:1-33 – One day, Abraham had some visitors: two angels and God Himself. He invited them to come to his home, and he and Sarah entertained them. Many commentators believe this could also be a Christophany.

3. Genesis 32:22-30 – Jacob wrestled with what appeared to be a man, but was actually God (vv. 28-30). This may also have been a Christophany.

4. Exodus 3:2 – 4:17 – God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush, telling him exactly what He wanted him to do.

5. Exodus 24:9-11 – God appeared to Moses with Aaron and his sons and the seventy elders.

6. Deuteronomy 21:14-15 – God appeared to Moses and Joshua in the transfer of leadership to Joshua.

7. Job 38–42 – God answered Job out of the tempest and spoke at great length in answer to Job’s questions.

While there are no indisputable Christophanies in the Old Testament, every theophany wherein God takes on human form foreshadows the incarnation, where God took the form of a man to live among us as Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Since Jesus is God, being part of the trinity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, He is an eternal being. He always was and always will be. No other person can make that claim. All of the other religious leaders and founders were only flesh and blood. They lived and they died and are still in their graves. Only Jesus overcame death to provide us with overwhelming proof of His divine power and nature.

The truth has always been here for us to “see”. However, it’s up to us to hunger and thirst after the truth. We must sharpen our spiritual eyes. Luke 11:10, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Only Jesus is worthy of our unwavering faith, trust and devotion. We can follow Him without reservation because of…

1. Holy Books of World Religions - their shortcomings and inconsistencies. Jesus is the only founder of a religious movement that said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” He kept His promise. His word is true (Psalm 119:160).

2. The Holy Bible – with its amazing consistency, wisdom and inerrant content. The scriptures are scientifically and historically accurate; contains knowledge that would not be confirmed for hundreds of years later.

3. Bible Prophecy – prophecies that have been totally fulfilled by Jesus the Messiah, even though they were written hundreds and thousands of years before the events took place. This leaves us no doubt that the existing prophecies will be totally fulfilled also.

4. His Miraculous Birth – Every prophecy concerning the coming Jewish Messiah was completely and accurately fulfilled in the birth of Jesus (Immanuel – God with us).

5. The Great Teacher – No other person has exhibited greater wisdom, insight and knowledge about God and life than Jesus Christ. His sermons, teachings and kingdom principles remain the standard for godly and moral living.

6. The Prophet and King – Jesus proved He was a prophet by predicting future events that became reality and by speaking and explaining the truths of God. In addition to being a prophet, He was also a king – from the lineage of King David. However, His kingdom is a perfect spiritual kingdom without end.  

7. His Resurrection – Not only did Jesus speak with power and authority, He demonstrated His supernatural power. His greatest miracle was returning from the dead – His bodily resurrection. No other person can make this claim. Jesus stands alone in His ability and power to conquer death, hell and the grave. 

8. The Promise of His Second Coming – Just as Jesus has kept all of His previous promises, He will keep this one as well – “I will return again.” When He does, all things will be restored to perfection as God originally intended at the beginning of creation. “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” ~ Revelation 22:20.

These all only a few of the many reasons I have chosen to follow Christ - Pastor George

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.” ~ R.H. Cornelius, Hymn from 1916

This week's key question: Are you longing to see Him face to face? Have you chosen to “Follow Christ”?

 

Become a Christian Today!

Become a follower and true disciple of Jesus today. Eternal Salvation is a free gift from God. Almighty God desires that all would come to Him and be saved. It is accomplished in three easy steps. In fact, it’s as simple as ABC.

A = Acknowledge that you have broken God’s laws (sinned). Realize that no matter how good you try to become - you can not save yourself. You need a Savior. His name is Jesus (Yeshua – His Hebrew name).

B = Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You must believe with our whole being as well as your mind. When you truly believe in Jesus, you pattern your life after God’s example, commands and principles. You become obedient to God’s will for your life.

C = Confess Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord! You must not be ashamed to tell others that you are a dedicated follower and disciple of the Messiah. You are to proclaim Him boldly to a lost and dying world. To do otherwise, is to be completely selfish and disobedient to God’s will. If you have decided to turn your life over to God, please email us and let us know of your decision. Blessings to you and your entire family, Pastor George PastorGeorge@DayBreakDisciples.com