WHAT A FUTURE! IMAGINE NEVER DYING
By Ada Brownell
By Ada Brownell
Who do you say I am?” Jesus asked Peter at Philippi.
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Peter
answered.
“You are blessed, Simon, son of John,” Jesus told him,
"Because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn
this from any human being.”[1]
Jesus claimed to be God at other times in his ministry. When
Jesus told the Jews that if they kept His sayings, they would not see death,
they were outraged.[2]
(He spoke of our souls and spirits living forever.)
“Now we know you are possessed by a demon,” they said. “Even
Abraham and the prophets died, but you say that those who obey your teaching
will never die? Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Are you
greater than the prophets, who died? Who do you think you are?”
Jesus answered, “If I am merely boasting about myself, it
doesn’t count. But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me. You
say, ‘He is our God,’ but you do not even know him. I know him. If I said
otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true—I know him and
obey him. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He
saw it, and was glad.”
“You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you’ve
seen Abraham?” the Jews asked.
Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was
even born!”
Then they took up stones to throw at him.
Later, at his trial, Jesus acknowledged his divinity.
“Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
“I am,” Jesus said.[3]
Jesus showed his claim to being the Messiah and His divinity
in other ways also. In the entire Bible, Jesus is the only person who accepted
worship from others.
Jesus made other indirect claims to his divinity. He forgave
sins. He said He was the Giver of Life. Judgment has been assigned to him by
the Father, according to the teachings of Jesus.
The claims made by Jesus were substantiated by others. John
the Baptist proclaimed Him to be the Messiah. Peter confirmed that he believed
Jesus to be the Son of God. Stephen preached that Jesus was the Messiah and testified
he saw Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit!” as he lay dying after he was stoned.
The apostle Paul (previously called Saul) was one of the
Jews who stirred up the people who killed Stephen. But soon Paul also became a
believer and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. Paul was imprisoned and given
the death penalty because of his faith in Jesus Christ.
IMAGINE DEMONS TREMBLING
Demons even acknowledge knowing Jesus, and they tremble.[4]
To the Jews He proclaimed that He would rise from the dead
if they destroyed Him.[5]
He also taught His disciples in private that He would be killed and after three
days rise again.[6] The
disciples would not listen to such teachings, though.
After Jesus died and buried in the tomb of Joseph of
Arimathea, the chief priests and Pharisees asked Pilate to guard and seal the
tomb. They said, “We remember that deceiver said, while he was yet alive,
‘After three days I will rise again.’”[7]
Despite the guards and the seal, the Lord Jesus Christ did
walk out of that tomb, alive forevermore.
Yet, Easter still is a mystery. From a purely physical point
of view, if there was no Resurrection, what happened to Christ’s body? And if
he didn’t come out of the grave triumphant, why would the disciples, who were
so wishy-washy before his death, suddenly become strong enough to give their
lives for their faith in Jesus?
Josh McDowell, author of Evidence
that Demands a Verdict,[8]
wrote great in-depth studies on the Resurrection and other historical evidences
for the Christian faith. He said people will die for a religious leader they
think is equal to God, but if Jesus had not risen from the dead his disciples would
have known it, and people will not give their lives for belief in a person they
know is a fraud.
According to the
Bible, history, and tradition, all of the twelve disciples of Jesus except
Saint John and Judas were martyrs. John died a natural death while imprisoned
on Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Judas, who sold Jesus for 30
pieces of silver, committed suicide.
Jesus’s resurrection is an amazing fact. But so
is the wonder of life’s origins
[1]
Matthew 16:16–17
[2]
John 8:51–58
[3]
Mark 14:61–62
[4]
Matthew 8:29; James 2:18–20
[5]
John 2:18–22
[6]
Matthew 16:21
[7]
Matthew 27:63
[8]
Josh McDowell, Campus Crusade for Christ, Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1979
IMAGINE THE FUTURE YOU EXCERPT
By Ada Brownell
Imagine the Real You Never Dying
The intriguing thing about our dreams is we’re always the “Star.” Comedy, romance, murder mystery, drama, documentary
of a heroine—there we are in the middle of everything.
When we’re awake we also star in our dreams. Dream big and work toward
your goals and you’ll write a story with your life that might amaze you.
Whether your story is a tragedy or a cherished classic depends on who you
want to become and if you pursue your dreams.
If you continue to do or not
do what you practice now, what kind of future do you imagine for yourself?
The decisions we make ourselves affect our future more than those made
for us. We have control of our attitudes, work ethic, sense of wonder, faith to
believe in God and for great things. It is up to us where we end up in life and
eternity.
This Bible study will help you discover evidence for faith; how to look
and be your best; who can help; interesting information about dating, love and
marriage; choosing a career; how to deposit good things into your brain you can
spend; and how to avoid hazards that jeopardize a successful life on earth and
for eternity, all mingled with true stories that can make you smile.
Unexpected bonuses include facts about science and faith, and information
about sexually transmitted diseases.
Review:
How I would have loved to sit at Mrs. Brownell's knee when I was
a teen. This wholesome book resounds with sage, Godly advice and could be
picked up again and again as needs arise. Worthwhile for parents too. Much fodder
for family discussion!
No comments:
Post a Comment