THE INCREDIBLE CHRIST

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
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE INCREDIBLE CHRIST
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	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	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