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OUR SABBATH REST
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…rest unto your souls.” – Matthew 11:28,29b
OUR FORGOTTEN CREATOR
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1
We live in a day where so many people are quick to have opinions. These opinions fill the airwaves with pop psychologists who try to analyze all the trouble and turmoil in the world. Yet, their analysis rarely comes from the authority of our Creator. We can be quick to put all the blame upon political correctness for denying our Creator, but that is not totally accurate. The obscure or little known truth of this denial is because previous generations have replaced our Creator with a man-made “theory.” Therefore this evolutionary idea that we all ascended from mud, molecules, and monkeys has actually taken full effect upon our recent generation. When young children are taught that they just came from a lower form of animals, why are we so surprised when we see them acting like animals without a convicted conscious? “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7. So if they actually believe in animalistic evolution in their heart then they will naturally act according to what they have been taught.
We have a generation that has forgotten that God is our Creator and that everyone is responsible to Him. This generation is so far separate from our Creator that they don’t know Him so as to listen to Him. Therefore we need God to come in a miraculous way to modify the minds and hearts of multitudes.
When I was a little boy around the age of ten, I was given a cheap set of walkie-talkies. Something I enjoyed. Then one day I removed the battery and took a 9-volt electrical hook up from a cassette tape player and connected it to one of the walkie-talkies. Also the antenna was broke in half, so I took an old fashion metal coat hanger and attached it to what was left of the antenna with some aluminum foil. When these modifications were made, this cheap walkie-talkie was amplified to where I could pick up a CB transmission. The signal was weak, but if I listened closely I could hear the truckers talking their CB jargon.
The world is loud about prosperity and pleasure, while the devil softly strokes our pride with the thought of “You deserve it!” As a result we have a, “I want mine” society and they are blind to the fact that we are now reaping “survival of the fittest.” All of our social, moral, and spiritual ills are all wrapped up in the philosophical lie of evolution.
As Christians we have been modified to listen to God our Creator. Therefore, we must pray and engage this generation and the generation to follow so that they would be purged from every other voice and give our Creator a hearing. Only then will their walkie-talkie be modified to hear and remember their Creator in the days of their youth.
(Published in the Marshall County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
1001 Easy Street
Lewisburg TN 37091
What makes Jesus different from any other religious leader?
Have you ever heard this religious statement? “It really doesn’t matter what you believe just as long as you are sincere in what you believe”. Somehow the majority of people believe that all the religions of the world are all kissing cousins and we all just need to get along and be tolerant. Of coarse, “we’re all just trying to get to the same place.” Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, and the Watch Tower Society are sincere and committed religions. But when their own teachings are compared with the Holy Bible, it becomes evident they are victims of deception when it comes to God, salvation, and the person of Jesus Christ. One may say, why use the Bible to examine these other religions? Good question, but these other religions are the ones who incorporate or pull out Biblical principles and apply it to their religion. Therefore lest us use the Bible properly, as the objective standard, and honestly answer our question beyond the religious façade of these major religions and be consistent with the scriptures.
First, understand that the Holy Bible clearly teaches that Jesus IS NOT just a religious leader, but rather He is God our Savior who came in the flesh to be the sacrifice for mans sin. For example read the witness of Jesus being God.
John 10:32-33
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
John 20:26-29
26 …then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Jude 25
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Understand that the Christian faith holds to the historical and Biblical fact that the literal body of Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and that He is now alive (Revelation 1:18; Acts 1:1-3). All other “religious leaders” are dead and in their grave, but their teachings are not! These religious teachings deny either the person of Jesus Christ or the work of Jesus Christ. For example read how the Jews deny the literal resurrection of the body of Jesus.
“…behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” Matt 28:11-15
Even though the Jews, the enemies of Jesus, denied His resurrection, they accept His crucifixion as a historical fact. Yet, Islam cannot have Jesus to be crucified or resurrected. The reason is because that implies divinity, trinity, substitution, sacrifice for sin, victory over sin, and therefore that results into worship for Jesus alone as the Messiah (or Christ). Read for example what the Muslims teach about this historical event in the Koran.
“And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a great slander; (156) And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger – they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. (157)” Sura 4:156,157 (Koran)
These religions also deny that Jesus is the ETERNAL “Son of God.” Instead, they believe that Jesus was either a messenger or that He was a created being and then called to be a Son of God, and not “the Word” of God that “was made flesh” John 1:14. For example, compare the Koran and the Book of Mormon.
“O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three” – Cease! (it is) better for you! – Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. (171)” Sura 4:171 (Koran)
“And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son.” Mosiah 15:2 (Book of Mormon)
The Mormon passage is very subtle, but deceptive. Jesus is not called the Son of God because He dwelt in the flesh, He was already the Son of God made flesh, which teaches is eternality. Read the claims of the Holy Bible.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”
John 1:1,2,14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Most of these religions recognize and “honor” Jesus simply as a prophet and/or a messenger, but if Jesus were a prophet, he would be “faithful” and not “lie” (Proverbs 14:5). If Jesus were a messenger he would be a “true witness” who “delivers souls” (Proverbs 14:25). Who did Jesus say that He was? “I and my Father are ONE.” (John 10:30).
In short, all other “religious leaders” will show you a way, teach some truth, and point you to life, but Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, is the only ONE who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). Other religious leaders instruct you about eternal life, but Jesus Christ is the only ONE who said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). In fact, all the religions of the world believe that salvation from sin (or suffering) can be obtained and maintained only by the good works we do. The Christian faith is the only “religion” that believes salvation is not in what we do or don’t do, but rather what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done for us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Who is Jesus Christ? John wrote: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Be reasonable! Come to the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find “rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28,29).
Does the Bible have authority over the unbeliever?
We have already established the fact that the Scriptures are the Word of God (see question How Do We Know the Bible is True?), and therefore, all the Scriptures carry the authority of God. Since that is has been clearly established, we need to simply accept in child-like faith these plain scriptures:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Since every human being is a descendant from Adam & Eve all truth that God has revealed applies to all people everywhere at all times. The Bible clearly teaches that we all proceed out from our first parents.
“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20
As it is said of our first parents that they were created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27), so it is that everyone reflects that same image of God. The image of God primarily consists of the fullness of having life with special ability to make logical & reasonable decisions, and the ability to freely love. Therefore having the image of God stamped into our very being, we are without a doubt connected to God and we are bound to a relationship (whether good or bad) with our Creator. The unbeliever’s “unbelief” does not change the fact that the unbeliever has been created by God and is accountable to Him. God requires obedience and acceptable worship to Himself alone from all His creatures.
No matter how hard one fights God’s authority – No matter how one tries to do their own thing – No matter if one considers themselves to be politically tolerant – No matter if one calls themselves a “free-thinker” – No matter if one tries to undermine the Holy Scriptures or ridicule believers. If one chose not to believe in God, or decides not to serve God, that does not eliminate God’s existence or His authority!
“For the word of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in truth.” Psalm 33:4
The unbeliever, in spite of his unbelief, is still responsible to obey whatever God says. Anything God says is authoritative to all people, at all times, and in all circumstances. Lastly, we believers were once unbelievers. The question is how did we come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? Answer: We were unbelievers who read the authority of God’s word, (the Holy Bible).
“…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;” Rom.3:4
REASONS 4 BELIEVING 