Time with Jesus - Saturday, 12 May
2012
Hi all,
Almost 30 years ago, one of my
favourite Bible teachers visited South Africa. He came to Emmanuel Church which
subsequently became New Life Church in Bryanston. On that occasion he brought a
brilliant series of teachings on the New Covenant. He also had a 6 tape series
entitled, “The Incredible Christ” It was one of the best audio-tape series on
the person and work of Jesus Christ I've ever heard. Today’s meditation is
about the Incredible Christ.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Time with Jesus – Saturday, 12 May 2012
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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THE INCREDIBLE
CHRIST
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Over
the past 50 odd years, many people have asked me, “Who is/was Jesus Christ?”
They were willing to listen but most of them had great difficulty believing
Who He is/was. Essentially, it’s a credibility problem. They’ve heard one or
two things about Him. But believing that He is the Son of God to them is incredible.
One
of the main reasons for this is because over 2000 odd years, many people have
become “vaccinated” against Christianity. People have become accustomed to
the idea that nations can be Christians. For example they will say that
England is a Christian country. This of course is impossible. It’s like
talking about a Christian dog or a Christian rose. Only a person can be
Christian. Moreover, God has no grand-children. He is either your Heavenly
Father or He isn’t. You have to make the decision for yourself. This is not
something that can be handed down like the family jewels. It is a personal
relationship between the Lord and yourself. You either have this relationship,
or you don’t. It’s up to you!
In
his letter to the Romans, Paul states: 22 Even
the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:22 KJV. Notice that righteousness
(right standing with God) is available unto all men and women. But it is only
on those who believe. It’s your choice. You cannot make it for anyone else. This
excludes every family member, including your wife or husband. They must make
their own decision. Neither you nor the pope can do it for them.
In
the main, this has come about as a result of the religious system thrust upon
us by “clergy” and the “established church”, including our present charismatic
preferences. In the main we are not encouraged to think for ourselves. Better
to follow the “flavour of the day”. After all, there is no need to think if
our Pastor, Minister or Priest will do it for us.
So
Christianity has been devalued and compressed into that which our leaders’ wanted.
But that is not Christianity. It is a religious system we have adopted and
approved. Where is the intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which He makes
available to those who love Him?
It
is disturbing to know that all that really matters from God’s point of view
is whether or not we love His Son. Church and conference attendance is not a
qualification. Paying tithes and doing what your pastor says is not a
qualifying requirement. There is only one question any of us will be asked?
What have you and I done with Jesus Christ? What is His credibility with you?
He will either be Lord of all or not at all. It’s your choice!
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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20 Reproaches have broken
my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was
none, and for comforters, but I found none.
Psalms
69:20 ESV
55 Then they scoffed, "He's
just the carpenter's son, and we know Mary, His mother, and His
brothers - James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.
Matthew
13:55 NLT
46 "Nazareth! Can
anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and
see," said Philip.
John 1:46
NIrV
48 The people retorted, "You
Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that You were possessed by a demon?"
John 8:48
NLT
34 But the Pharisees said, "He can cast out demons because He is empowered by the
prince of demons."
Matthew
9:34 NLT
24 So for the second time they called in the man who
had been blind and told him, "God should get the glory. We know this man Jesus is a sinner."
John 9:24
NLT
12 There was a lot of grumbling about Him among the
crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."
John 7:12
NLT
3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves,
"This man is blaspheming."
Matthew
9:3 ESV
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they
say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a
friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her
deeds."
Matthew
11:19 ESV
25 It is enough for a
student to become like his teacher and a slave like his owner. If they
have called the owner of the house Beelzebub, they will certainly call the
family members the same name.
Matthew
10:25 GW
19 For God is pleased with
you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.
20 Of course, you get no credit
for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for
doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means
suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must
follow in His steps. 22 He
never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor
threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who
always judges fairly.
1 Peter
2:19-23 NLT
14 So be happy when you
are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of
God rests upon you. [On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is
glorified.]
1 Peter 4:14 NLT
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The biggest problem Jesus had was
credibility.
The people didn’t know Him and all
asked, “Who is He?”
Not many people thought that He might
be the Son of God.
And all the things He said and did
they thought was rather odd.
He ate and drank with sinners. They
knew His mother well.
The wife of the late carpenter; was
all that they could tell.
His brothers and His sisters could
hardly help a bit.
He was the eldest brother, who didn’t
seem to fit,
Into the greater picture of that
Galilean town.
Nazareth was not ideal in which to
settle down.
There was the Roman garrison the
locals loved to hate.
The soldiers wanted everything, all
served up on a plate.
Prostitutes in great demand, with
betting on the side.
An easy place for any thief to run
away and hide.
The Son of God! From Nazareth! That
surely couldn’t be.
The only thing that came from there
was downright infamy!
So who was this strange teacher who
knew a thing or two?
He might have been a prophet, but no
one really knew.
He seemed to have a following who
thought that He was great.
But was He someone special? No one
could clearly state.
Some thought Him a Samaritan and some
demon possessed.
But this was rather difficulty; for all
He touched, were blessed!
A demon wouldn’t do that! On top of
that, He drinks!
A friend of Tax collectors! We wonder
who He thinks,
He is in all His travels. He shouldn’t
act that way.
He heals men on the Sabbath! You don’t
work on that day.
Some said He’s a blasphemer. Some
thought that He was mad.
His family tried to stop Him. Some
said He was just bad.
The people couldn’t understand that
all He did and said,
Came to Him from His Father, for He
was Spirit led.
His very close disciples took three
long years to know,
That He had come from heaven and to
the cross would go.
How could they comprehend it? God
doesn’t work that way.
But then they saw Him risen and death
was slain that day.
A couple of weeks later, all things
were turned around.
The Holy Spirit came on them with fire
and rushing sound!
Henceforth, His credibility, no longer
was in doubt.
The Son of God had been with them! The
truth at last was out!
Jim Strickland – Written 12th May 2012
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