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Tag: Christ

  • (Go into all the world and) SHARE the Gospel – 2

    (Go into all the world and) SHARE the Gospel – 2

    The Great Commission

    Preach the gospel (KJV & others); proclaim the gospel (ESV & others); share the good news: kēryssō  euaggelion – publish good tidings to every creature.

    “You share everything else on social media, why not share the good news of Jesus Christ”

    Jesus, the Messiah of God died for our sins and is risen: therefore you may have eternal life in Him! Good News, a gospel we should long to share.

    Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

    What an amazing end to a Son of Man crucified on the cross! Jesus appears many times to many followers; He IS alive in body and spirit. Jesus tells not only the eleven to share the gospel, our Lord commands more followers who witnessed his resurrection and by His command those who will follow.

    20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

    More to Come

    You could say the the Gospel began in Genesis. It the the privilege and duty of Israel to share the truth of the One Lord with everyone. John’s gospel reveals to us that in spite of the fall of adam, the Word was present not only from before Abraham, as Jesus claims, but from before the beginning.

    John 1:1-5

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    Jesus IS the Word and the Light. Even after a fallen Kingdom of David, Jesus claims the eternal Throne to which He anointed Kings and Prophets by the Authority of the LORD. And the Good News gets even better.

    The Resurrection of Christ

    1 Corinthians 15:1-6A

    Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

    For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time…

    20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

    Mystery and Victory

    Paul encourages believers with words oft’ repeated when mourning the death of a loved one.

    50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

    “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
    55 “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”
    56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

    How do we share the Gospel now?

    Since Moses, after Abraham, in the Kingdom of David and for centuries witness of the Lord seemed local. It still is, for our neighbors see Christ in our daily lives better than anyone. (Or at least, they should.)

    Israel and the nations were built on the foundations of family, grown in the love of communities. Yet empires fall by the dividing hand of evil and conquered in disobedience to the Lord. I will repay, says the Lord, the God of Israel.

    Sharing good news was easy and local, just tell your family and friends who are so much like you. Now that the world is connected, yet disjointed, our families are broken. Our values are lost in a world of competing idolatries and waring followers of false prophets. These listen and look for light and hope, which is distant yet connected through social media.

  • Go into all the world (and SHARE the Gospel) – 1

    Go into all the world (and SHARE the Gospel) – 1

    God came into the world as a man in the flesh to save sinners, yet so many do not know Jesus or turn away from the incarnate and risen Lord. 

    He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. – John 1:10”

    If you believe, what did the Lord command his servants (that is, you and me)?

    Go into all the world

    The Gospel of Mark, which closes with Christ’s Great Commission to “Go into all the world..” opens with his summary overview:  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,”

    son of God

    Term used preeminently of Jesus Christ, as enjoying the supreme love of God, united to him in affectionate intimacy, privy to his saving councils, obedient to the Father’s will in all his acts.

    used to describe Adam (Lk. 3:38)
    used to describe those who are born again (Lk. 20:36) and of angels and of Jesus Christ
    of those whom God esteems as sons, whom he loves, protects and benefits above others
    in the OT used of the Jews
    in the NT of Christians
    those whose character God, as a loving father, shapes by chastisements Heb. 12:5-8)

    Mark 1:

    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight..’”

    4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

    9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

    …

    14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying,

    [ctt title=”“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” tweet=”Jesus Christ, Son of Man proclaims in the Gospel of Mark 1:15″ coverup=”z5edx”]

    The Lord Rules the World

    He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
    to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
    For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
    and on them he has set the world. – 1 Samuel 2:8

    Let all the earth fear the LORD;
    let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! – Psalm 33:8

    I will punish the world for its evil,
    and the wicked for their iniquity;
    I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant,
    and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. – Isaiah 13:11

    [ctt title=”The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one..” tweet=”The words of Jesus, Gospel of Matthew 13:38” coverup=”bP8Uh”]

    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – Gospel of John 14:27

    I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” – John 16:28

    I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

    The Mission

    Some may recognize the theme of our post here as the beginning of the Great Commission.  Praise the Lord God, Creator of the heavens and earth, all that is seen and unseen. Believe  from the scriptures that God has so loved the world that he sacrificed his only Son, Christ Jesus, for our sins. We are adopted into the loving eternal family of the Lord. Receive the Holy Spirit of the triune God to guide your heart and refine your flesh.

    If you believe, are you listening to the Lord?

    Here the words of Jesus, risen Son of Man:

    John 5:25-29 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

    For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

    Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

    Resurrection of the body, commission to save souls

    Mark 16:

    15 [ctt title=”And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” tweet=”https://ctt.ec/_0d4q+ NEW Christian Social Witness mission via facebook” coverup=”_0d4q”]

    To be continued…

    Please SHARE our NEW facebook Page focused on world missions: Christian Social Witness

  • Death’s Melancholy: Resurrection’s Rapture

    Death’s Melancholy: Resurrection’s Rapture

    “Then beginning with the scriptures of Moses and from all the prophets he uncovered the things concerning himself.” – the good news of Luke 24:27

    Scripture taught along a road from Jerusalem

    One of the the most remarkable verses in scripture comes to us from witnesses on a road to Emmaus from Jerusalem. Though less notable than much scripture, two followers of the crucified Christ learn scripture from him. We quickly learn the personal witness of Cleopas and one other follower who encounter the risen Lord in person! Jesus, as we might expect, picks up in teaching scripture just as the Lord had done for three years.

    Describing the Scene

    Matthew Henry [1662-1714], scriptural commentator from Wales U.K., describes the scene with much compassion for those who had just endured the traumatic events in Jerusalem.

    Our Lord Jesus went gloriously down to death, in spite of the malice of his enemies, who did all they could to make his death ignominious; but he rose again more gloriously, of which we have an account in this chapter; and the proofs and evidences of Christ’s resurrection are more fully related by this evangelist than they were by Matthew and Mark.

    One of these two disciples was Cleopas or Alpheus, said by the ancients to be the brother of Joseph, Christ’s supposed father; who the other was is not certain..

    They went to a village called Emmaus, which is reckoned to be about two hours’ walk from Jerusalem; it is here said to be about sixty furlongs, seven measured miles..

    Henry describes these two former followers of Jesus of Nazareth:

    They were sad; it appeared to a stranger that they were so. They had lost their dear Master, and were, in their own apprehensions, quite disappointed in their expectations from him. They had given up the cause, and knew not what course to take to retrieve it.

    Isn’t this how death of one we love and admire generally comes upon us?  Listen more to Henry’s account:

    Note, Christ’s disciples are often sad and sorrowful even when they have reason to rejoice, but through the weakness of their faith they cannot take the comfort that is offered to them. Being sad, they had communications one with another concerning Christ…

    Weep with them who weep

    Henry continues: Giving vent to the grief may perhaps give ease to the grieved; and by talking it over we may talk ourselves or our friends may talk us into a better frame.

    “Joint mourners should be mutual comforters; comforts sometimes come best from such.”
    Matthew Henry on the mourning of the Disciples after Jesus’ death.

    Though Christ had now entered into his state of exaltation, yet he continued tender of his disciples, and concerned for their comfort. He speaks as one troubled to see their melancholy.. Note, Our Lord Jesus takes notice of the sorrow and sadness of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions.

    Christ has hereby taught us, [1.] To be conversable. Christ here fell into discourse with two grave serious persons, though he was a stranger to them and they knew him not, and they readily embraced him. It does not become Christians to be morose and shy, but to take pleasure in good society.

    [2.] We are hereby taught to be compassionate. When we see our friends in sorrow and sadness, we should, like Christ here, take cognizance of their grief, and give them the best counsel and comfort we can: Weep with them that weep.

    Luke 24:13-35 excerpts

    [You may want to take time here to read Luke 24 or additional verses.]

    15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

    Conversation along a road to Emmaus

    NOTE: The conversational style of their witness presumes who speaks, yet who says anything other than Jesus does not really matter.

    Cleopas: “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

    The unrecognized man now walking with them:  “What things?”

    Cleopas (most likely): “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.

    The other disciple: Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

    Cleopas (perhaps): Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.

    The unrecognized, risen, Son of Man: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

    Reaction to the Risen Christ!

    Can you image their reaction and sudden recognition of their witness of the Risen Christ?

    From this point forward, their journey would be transformed. Sorrow lifts toward rapturous joy! Jesus once more walks with those He loves. The Lord begins teaching more scriptures from the books of Moses. He unwraps so many verses from the scriptures written about Him by the Prophets.

    Jesus’ words from Isaiah and other Prophets we have just read must have pierced the hearts of these two disciples. For He spoke of His life as predicted by scripture and explained why the Lord’s crucifixion for our sins had to take place.

    What a glorious walk to Emmaus after having left Jerusalem dejected and directionless.

    Conclusion to conversation at journey’s end

    28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther..

    Cleopas:  “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”

    ,, So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread,,

    Jesus (familiar words of blessing, to this effect):

    ‘This is my body which is given for you…

    He broke it and gave it to both disciples…

    31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

    And he vanished from their sight!

    The other disciple (in mutual amazement) to Cleopas:  “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

    33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

    Yes, even though it was toward evening, these two disciples who had just encountered Jesus immediately returned. They had just completed a seven mile walk, yet would return under the cover of darkness for about a three hour journey and ascent back into the Roman-guarded city of Jerusalem.

    35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

    Melancholy or Joy?

    What describes your mortal life? Does the inevitability of death (and yes, judgment) cause you grief?

    Christians speak of a rapture, really an overflowing indescribable joy in one sense.

    The Gospel of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus is filled with joy.
    “for those who believe.
    Yet you must believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.”

    Scripture also prophesies a rapture of these last days as certainly as death destroys the flesh. Judgment of all, in Christ or against Christ (the only two choices). Resurrection lifts up the soul and the Lord creates a new and indestructible sinless body! Only by the purification of the Blood of Christ Jesus… only through Christ.

    The Bible speaks of a new Jerusalem, a new heaven and a new earth! An eternal place in the Presence of the LORD where:

    “..there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. – The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John: 21:4 KJV

    Who do you choose?

    Do you stand alone, justifying your sins by your own good works? After having done so little for the Lord, as we all may rightfully be convicted, are you facing death’s melancholy?

    Or in Christ Jesus, the incarnate son of man, born to a virgin, died for our sins as Perfect Sacrifice on a cross – in Christ the LORD, One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit, will you embrace the resurrection’s rapture? It is the Good News, the great joy, the glad tidings of Easter for those who bow down to the LORD.

    “He IS the Lord of love. Jesus IS. Worship the Lord our God, who loves you so much as to endure the Cross.” tweet=”Amen. Happy Easter. Joy and eternal life is ours in Christ Jesus.