Paul says that [the gospel] is God’s power for salvation. In other words, this is the means used by God to bring men and women from our position of alienation into a living, vibrant relationship with God who made us. The story of the Bible can be summarized in four words, the good, the bad, the new and the perfect. God has made the world, and it’s absolutely good, He pronounces it good. Man chooses bad, and suddenly sin’s in the world, and animosity and disruption, and dysfunctional families, and a creation that is now ravaged by weeds and by dissonance, and alienation between God and man, and man and man, and man and woman. The bad pervades our world tonight. The new is provided here in the substance of the gospel. And one day, that which is made new in Christ will be perfected when we see Him and are made like Him. Reconciliation between God and His holiness and men and women in their sinfulness is accomplished in the gospel. When Jesus dies on the cross, He doesn’t die as a martyr. There have been plenty of people who have died as martyrs. Christ doesn’t die as a martyr or as an example, He dies as a substitute and as a Savior. He does in the place of sinners. He didn’t die for good people, He died for bad people. Only bad people go to heaven. The gospel is not good advice about what we need to do in order to be saved. This kind of instruction is absolutely soul-destroying, and unhelpful. The gospel is not good advice about what we’re supposed to do in order to make ourselves acceptable to God. The gospel, the good news, is about what God has done in the Lord Jesus and all He has done through the Lord Jesus is that which is necessary for salvation. |
Alistair Begg:
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What you believe about that babe in the manger 2000 years ago will determine your eternal destiny!12/13/2012
What you believe about that babe in the manger 2000 years ago will determine your eternal destiny! "Even those who are not persuaded by Christianity often have great respect for Jesus. Among those who reject the idea that Jesus was God incarnate, there are many who are nevertheless followers of him to some degree. 'Jesus was a great moral teacher', some say, 'but he wasn’t God'. According to this view, Jesus is to be followed as a great human being, but not as a divine one. This idea that Jesus was merely a great human being, i.e. a great human being but nothing more, is, as C.S. Lewis argued in Part 2 of Mere Christianity, indefensible." [a] Lord, Liar, or Lunatic? "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God." - C.S Lewis [b] Or Legend? Did Jesus really exist? Is there any historical evidence of Jesus Christ? Finally, "It is not enough to simply have an intellectual belief in or agreement with Jesus. The demons believe and they tremble. You must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and, by faith, trust Him to save you the same way you would trust a parachute." [d] [a] http://www.existence-of-god.com/lord-liar-lunatic.html [b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis's_trilemma [c] http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-exist.html [d] http://www.onthebox.us/2011/09/another-look-at-parachute-analogy.html John MacArthur: Clearing Up Christmas Confusion The real meaning of Christmas. Related:
Three Proofs that Jesus Really Existed? by Dr. Adrian Rogers - Jesus.org Why Did We Need a Virgin Birth in Bethlehem? by Dr. Adrian Rogers - Jesus.org "The Cradle And The Cross: Simeon's Song" by Dr. Ray Pritchard - Keep Believing "Who is Jesus Christ?" by Dr. Steve Lawson (Colossians 1) Video - Vimeo Jesus: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? by Dr. John MacArthur - Grace To You Video Audio John Ankerberg Show - Jesus Christ: Liar? Lunatic? Legend? or God? Prophecies of the Messiah by Michael Gleghorn - Probe Ministries Jesus: Born To Die by Richard Dehaan - Our Daily Bread Repent and put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life!
The following is from GotQuestions.org:
The best gift of all: Eternal Life! It goes without saying that the only things of eternal value in this world are those that are eternal. Life in this world is temporal, not eternal, and therefore, the only part of life that has eternal value is that which lasts through eternity. Clearly, the most important thing in this world that has true eternal value is having a relationship with Jesus Christ, as the free gift of eternal life comes only through Him to all those who believe (John 3:16). As Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John14:6). Everyone is going to live somewhere for all of eternity, Christians and non-Christians alike. And the only eternal destiny other than the one in heaven with Christ is one that provides everlasting punishment for those who reject Him (Matthew 25:46). Regarding the abundant material things this world offers, which many tenaciously seek after, Jesus taught us not to store up for ourselves earthly treasures which can be destroyed or stolen (Matthew 6:19-20). After all, we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. *Taken from the article: “What things in this world have a true eternal value?” - GotQuestions The following is from GotQuestions.org:
What is the true meaning of Christmas? The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas-true-meaning.html *Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,* *Not a Christian was praying* *Nor taking a stand.* *'Cause the PC Police had taken away* *And the reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *About Shepherds, and Wise Men, and Angels and things.* *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say,* * December 25th is just a 'Holiday '.* *Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *CDs from Gaga and Perry, a Wii, and an I-Pad* *Something was changing, something quite bad! * *Retailers promoted books about witches and vampires* *In hopes of selling books by Rowling and Meyer* *As Gap Stores were hanging their trees upside down* *The word "Christmas" - was no where to be found.* *At Staples, Old Navy, and even the Family Dollar* *You won't hear the word "Christmas",* *So don't even bother.* *Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.* *Now Nancy, Now Harry, Piers Morgan, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Holder, on Kerry, on Clinton!* *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *To eliminate Jesus, in every public matter.* *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* *The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged or discarded* *The reason for the season, was stopped before it started.* *So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* *Sipping your Starbucks, Listen to me.* *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* *Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !* Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season! (Author unknown) 'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. The people were all busy with Christmas time chores Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores. No one sang "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed." Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red. Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap. As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap When what from the T.V. did they suddenly hear? 'Cept an ad.. which told of a big sale at Sears. So away to the mall they all flew like a flash... Buying things on credit.. and others with cash! And, as they made their way home From their trip to the mall, Did they think about Jesus? Oh, no... not at all. Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King. There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake. How could they stop and remember who died for their sake? To pray to the Savior... they had no time to stop. Because they needed more time to "Shop til they dropped!" On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On Target! On Penney's! On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny's From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall They would dash away, dash away, and visit them all! And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder. He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl. they never once prayed to Jesus... Light of the World. Christ's eyes... how they twinkle! Christ's Spirit... how merry! Christ's love... how enormous! All our burdens... He'll carry! So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight Let's put Christ back in CHRISTmas and enjoy some good nights! Merry Christmas, To ALL my friends! Author unknown (Source) Who is this Child asleep in a manger The Heavens are bright and the stable so cold And on this holy night have You come to redeem us Little Child in the straw Who is this Babe, the Prince of the universe The donkey is braying, the angels are singing The prophets did say You would ocme to redeem the world Little Babe in the straw Merciful One, Lover of every soul The Father's own Son, Emmanuel Yes, we believe You are able to heal us Noel, Noel, Save us all And if we lose sight of Your sweet face At the birth of grace, at the birth of grace Light of truth, shine like Bethlehem's star And lead us to where You are, Show us who You are Save us tonight, Little Babe in the straw Bethlehem: Beyond The Christmas Story Description: People continue to be drawn from all over the world to the little town of Bethlehem—the place where Christ was born. Although the birth of Jesus Christ took place more than 2,000 years ago, the message of God's love will go on forever. In this Day of Discovery presentation, you'll tour this fascinating modern city where the amazing events of Christmas began. Linus explains what Christmas is all about. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, " an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14 NKJV) |
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