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| The Incredible Christ |
Time with Jesus - 12 May 2013
Hi all,
Credibility is a very difficult “thing”
to establish and is something most of us don’t have. For example, if I decided
to open an office and start working as a doctor, what will stop me? Apart from
my comparative ignorance of all things medical, I would be breaking the law. I’m
not qualified to call myself a medical doctor unless I’m registered with the SA
Medical and Dental Council. Without that, I cannot practise as a medical
doctor. What I need is something from them stating I had been admitted into membership.
In turn, they require an approved certificate from a recognised University or
Medical Institution stating that I had passed their examination. Armed with all
this I would have the required credibility to call myself a doctor and be
legally permitted to be called Dr Jim. That’s a lot of work to do to acquire
credibility.
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| Dr Who |
Credibility is not confined to
the field of medical science. Other organisations or associations require
something similar. Lawyers, engineers, teachers and architects also have their
requirements. Apart from protecting their members from “outsiders” they ensure
that the required measure of training, skill and qualifications are in place
before a person is admitted.
So far, the church in South Africa
has not been subject to such requirements. Some countries have minimum qualification
prerequisites to be a Pastor, Minister or Priest. There is little doubt in my
mind that similar regulations will be introduced here in the short to medium term.
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| Nazareth The Crossroads of the World |
Is that a good thing? I think so. There are too many false prophets and
charlatans in the various churches here. Some are little more than predators
with one object in mind; to get money from their followers. A church can be a
very lucrative business. The well-known expression is, “If you want to make
money, start a church!” What is needed is something to “weed out” these people.
A theological qualification for ministry thus seems to be an inevitable
requirement
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| Jesus was Filled with the Holy Spirit |
Credibility was essential for
Jesus in His ministry. God the Father made sure Jesus had credibility. Since
the fall of man, God was busy behind the scenes getting His people ready for
the Messiah. He even sent John the Baptist ahead of Him to “prepare the way of
the Lord”. Then, during His ministry, Jesus performed many signs; miracles to
show Whom He was.
Today, many people state that
Jesus could not have worked miracles. They say that miracles are impossible; so
Jesus could not have carried any out. They say His miracles are incredible. In
a way He has lost some credibility because his miracles are incredible. He is
now the incredible Christ.
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| The Different Expressions of the Church |
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.
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Matt
10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 12 May 2013
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Matt
10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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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 others 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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