The Resurrection Of The Dead

(John 11:25) "… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" Many verses in the Bible speak of the resurrection of the dead, but not one is more important than this one. Jesus said "he is the" resurrection and the life, for there is no other. The resurrection is a promise made by God to man that though a man's body dies yet shall "he live," and not just his soul and spirit but also the body that he was born with. This might seem strange but God is interested not just in the redemption of the soul and spirit of man but also in resurrecting and redeeming his flesh. "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23).  "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil 3:21). When a man dies his flesh sleeps waiting for the glorious day when God shall resurrect and refashion that which was corrupted by sin. The resurrection will be a glorious day for God's redemption will then be complete, and all of death "shall be swallowed up in victory." For our victory is found only in Christ.

Which Father Is Your Father

(John 8:38) " I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father." In the above verse Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees that the reason they didn't hear or believe in him was because they were of the offspring of Satan. (44) "Ye are of your father the devil." When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they lost the goodness and perfection of creation, and because they lost it ever since man has been deceived by Satan. Ever since, man's ears and eyes have been blinded, but if a man will repent of his sin, his spiritual sight and hearing can be restored again. Once saved the curse and wrath of God is removed, and the adoption process of God makes him once again a child of God, but be careful the teachings of this world's father are very different from the teachings of our Heavenly Father. We therefore must study and learn the Word of God for ourselves least we continue to be deceived and blinded by Satan. The family today is very messed up, and it's messed up because the philosophy and ways of the world are patterned after the teachings of Satan our sinful father and not God our Heavenly Father.

Brethren,  Jesus ought to be our example of Fatherhood, he was a perfect reflection of his Father. Follow him and your home and life will be blessed.

The Good Shepherd

(John 10:11) "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." As we look at this text we see that Jesus was again preaching specifically to the Pharisees about what a proper shepherd should be. Jesus related the job of a good shepherd to that of a "porter" or watcher who is left in charge of feeding the shepherd's sheep in his absence. A good shepherd ought to be faithful and willing to protect and even die for the sheep that have been placed into his trust. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to understand that they had lost their purpose and had become "hirelings" rather than shepherds. (13) "The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Brethren we have a great shepherd whose name is Jesus Christ. He has promised us in his Word that he will "never leave us nor forsake us." He is a good shepherd because he was willing to lay down his life for us on the cross. (18) "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. Jesus came to save and keep God's sheep till He returns. That’s why true sheep here his voice and follow. The sheepfold is the Church, and Jesus Christ the door into it.  "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

 

Unbelief Makes The Heart Even Harder

(John 9:39)  "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." The above verse teaches us about the importance of believing God's Word when we hear it. Naturally, all men are blind to the truth of God because of their sin nature. So, to open the eyes of men God chose the foolishness of preaching His Word (1 Cor. 1:21). However, the problem with man is in his heart. Too often the Word of God is preached and because a man's heart is hard or indifferent to the message or the messenger, he will reject what he hears in unbelief, making himself even blinder and harder. If a preacher is preaching and explaining God's Word, he stands as an ambassador of God. Be careful when you hear God's Word, it's not the preacher's word it's God's. If we will both listen and obey, we will see the truth and that truth will  both save us and protect us in this life, but if we reject it be afraid, our disbelief will cause us an even greater judgment. Oh listen, God desires that all men see His truth.   (Jn.8:32)  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Door To Door Evangelism I Still In God’s Plan

(Mark 6:7) "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;" Beginning this June, I would like to begin a new calling program on Saturdays that will take a step of faith and a commitment to carry out. It will take partners of two people willing to go out and canvass specific areas of West Salem together with tracts and the gospel. Brethren, door to door calling is not popular in churches today mainly because it has been dominated by such cults as the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons, but can I say it is still very much in God's plan for evangelism. I personally believe that most won't do it simply out of fear, and some Pastors today will even go as far as to say that the method is old fashioned and that it doesn't work anymore. Satan has managed to discourage the Church into thinking that the only way a church will grow is by friendship evangelism, but this is not true. Most people in West Salem do not have a church, and those that do seldom attend. Listen, I realize that most Christians won't do this, but what I truly need is just a few who will.  Please pray about becoming a part!

 

Why Sorrow Like The Unbeliever?

(John 20:15) "Woman, why weepest thou?" Mary Magdalene was asked this question by Jesus immediately after the resurrection because he wanted her not sorrow as those who have no hope. The Resurrection ought to bring much comfort to those who are saved. Why? 1) It Relieves the pain of mourning. (John 11:25) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" The saved know what God promises concerning the dead in Christ.  2) It Restores our fellowship with God. (1 John 2:1) "…And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" No matter what the sin is that we have committed after salvation, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and forgiving our trespasses. 3) It Reconciles us to God forever. (Heb 10:14) "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." In other words, forever we cannot lose our salvation once we are saved or sanctified. We who are saved have no reason to react or sorrow in life as those that believe not. For we trust in a living Savior, and not some dead religious prophet that still lies in the grave. Our Savior lives, therefore we know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and life.

Jesus, The Lamb Of God

Nearly 2000 years ago Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, commemorating what we call his “Triumphal Entry.” Crowds of Jews cheered and laid palm leaves in his way as they gave glory to God for this mighty man that was able to do many miracles among them. As he rode into Jerusalem they cried, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest,” but little did they realize the great significance of his coming. On that same day nearly 1500 years earlier, Moses instructed Israel to choose out a lamb on the 10th day of April, to be slaughtered on the 14th day. It was a Passover lamb who's blood was to be spread upon the door posts & lintels to protect the first born of Israel from the angel of death in Egypt.  1500 years later on the Sunday we call "Palm Sunday," God’s chosen lamb (Jesus) entered Jerusalem to lay down his life for us. He entered Jerusalem on the 10th and was killed on the 14th which was Thursday. Brethren, God was the one who gave Jesus to us as the final sacrifice for sin, so that whosoever after will put their faith and trust in him could be saved.