Historical Posts
Mark 15:01-39 Necessity of the Cross
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Text: Mark 15:1-39
Introduction
- The cross of Jesus Christ is essential to every soul. It has even more importance than food, shelter, and love have on you and I. Without the cross of Calvary, we would be lifeless, hopeless and in despair – Ephesians 2:16.
- The cross of Calvary is the most significant event in human history that has changed the outlook and well being of nations and peoples that have embraced the power of God to save man – Romans 1:16-17. The cross of Jesus Christ overshadows all tragedies that mankind has seen because through the cross of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection one can be saved & be reconciled with God – Romans 5:8-10.
The Preaching of the Cross is Necessary to Save the Lost
- Men, women, boys, and girls will never have true love, joy, peace, and unity with their Creator until the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is planted in the minds of the lost – Romans 10:14-15.
- Christians should feel the necessity of teaching the message of God because it is our ministry – 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 9:16. Without faithful servants of Jehovah teaching the gospel the world will be lost because only the preaching of the cross will save those that will believe – 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21.
- Examples of those confronted with the cross of Jesus Christ: Acts 2:36-41 (Day of Pentecost); Acts 8:26-39 (Ethiopian Eunuch); Acts 16:19-33 (Philippian Jailer). There will be two responses when one is confronted with the cross of Calvary – Obedience or Rejection
The Cross of Jesus is Necessary for Eternal Happiness
- It is through the cross of Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection that Christians can look forward to being resurrected in that Great Day – John 6:40. Without the cross of Jesus Christ we would be forever separated from God. Without the cross there would be no salvation, no forgiveness of sins, no peace, no hope, only condemnation for all, no possibility of eternity in heaven, and we would always be at enmity with God. Therefore let us be thankful for the cross!
- The cross of Calvary is so necessary to us because without it, the preaching of the gospel would be meaningless. We could not enjoy and rejoice in some of the songs we sing such as “The Old Rugged Cross”; “Lead Me To Calvary”; “Lift Him Up” Your faith in God would be without strength & value, and we would live in constant misery – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
- Jesus Christ the only begotten of the Father has bore the pain, agony, and shame of sin on the cross. Why not make a decision today to follow Jesus, to take up your cross and follow him. Why not come obeying today?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.
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Some People are Hard to Reach – Mark 6:1-6
Text: Mark 6:1-6
Have You Been Rejected?
You probably have someone in your family or circle of friends you’ve tried to share the Lord with, but they’ve shown no interest. They might hgave even displayed hostility.
You may have felt guilty about it. I must be doing something wrong. If only I had the right words, the right approach . . .
Something like this happened in Jesus’ life.
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6:1-6).
That must have been difficult for the Lord.
He had returned home to Nazareth, probably eager to share His message with people He had grown up with. And it seemed to start well—people were amazed at His teaching.
Even Jesus was Rejected!
But that’s as far as it went. They were scandalized by His lowly roots, and they doubted He could have risen higher than they or His family had.
So they rejected Him while simultaneously insulting His mother and siblings.
What About Us?
Sometimes we need to be reminded that if people rejected Christ, and most did, should it surprise us that many people turn away from the message we’re trying to share?
It’s often hardest to reach the ones who’ve known us the longest, especially if they knew us when we were growing up.
But we’re not responsible for how people respond. We need just to keep living the Christian life and looking for opportunities to share Christ.
Sometimes it takes people years to overcome emotional or intellectual barriers to the gospel, but some of them will eventually come to know Christ.
Is there someone you know who doesn’t yet believe?
Perhaps soon the Lord will give you an opportunity again to talk about Christ and share your faith.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Peter 03:15 Why Do You Believe in Jesus?
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Text: 1 Peter 3:15
Introduction
1. In 1 Peter 3:15, all Christians are commanded to be ready to make a”defense” for the reason of their hope in Christ
a. The word “defense” is from apologia, which means “a speech in defense of what one has done, or of truth which one believes”
b. The formal use of this word is used by Paul in Acts 22:1; 1 Corinthians 9:3
2. Peter, however, uses the word in the context of an informal inquiry by a friend or neighbor.
a. Someone asking “Why are you a Christian?”
b. To such Peter says that we should be ready to give reasons why we believe
3. In this series of lessons on “CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS”, we shall examine some of the evidence that exists for placing one’s faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God
4. In doing so, I hope to accomplish two objectives:
a. To STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH in Jesus Christ
b. To HELP PREPARE OURSELVES to be able to do the thing required by Peter in 1 Peter 3:15
Body
I. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS “AN INTELLIGENT, RATIONAL FAITH”
A. IT APPEALS TO THE “MIND” AS WELL AS TO THE “HEART”
1. God expects us to use our minds – Matthew 22:36-38; John 8:32
a. I.e., we do not have to commit “INTELLECTUAL SUICIDE” in order to have faith!
b. More than one person said, My heart cannot rejoice in what my mind rejects
1) A “WEAK FAITH” may be the result of the heart trying to believe in something the mind cannot accept
2) But the “STRONG FAITH” God requires involves both the mind and the heart
2. So it is important that we present reasons why we believe in an INTELLIGENT and RATIONAL manner
B. DOES THIS MEAN WE CAN OFFER 100% PROOF?
1. No, but there is virtually nothing of which we can be 100% sure, who our parents are
2. Yet, we often make 100% commitments with less than 100% proof; flying
a. We cannot be 100% certain that we will have a safe journey
b. But the statistical evidence is strong enough to convince us that we will
c. So though we may not have 100% certainty of arriving safely, when we step on the plane we make a 100% commitment!
3. So the question becomes: IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE OR PROOF TO WARRANT MAKING A 100% COMMITMENT TO CHRIST?
a. There is certainly enough evidence to commit myself 100% FOR HIM, rather than be 100% AGAINST HIM!
b. There is no other alternative – Matthew 12:30
c. Jesus is like an airplane; either we get on board totally, or we get left behind!
C. So the Christian faith is to be an INTELLIGENT, RATIONAL FAITH.
II. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS “A HISTORICAL, FACTUAL FAITH”
A. CHRISTIANITY APPEALS TO HISTORY, AND THE FACTS OF HISTORY
1. The facts backing the Christian claim are not a special kind of ‘religious’ fact. They are the cognitive, informational facts upon which all historical, legal, and ordinary decisions are based.
2. It will be my purpose in future lessons:
a. To present these HISTORICAL FACTS
b. Then demonstrate that the Christian interpretation is more logical than any other
B. TO BRIEFLY ILLUSTRATE THAT CHRISTIANITY IS BASED UPON HISTORICAL FACTS
1. Consider Luke 2:1-5; Luke 3:1-2
2. Notice the appeal to time, places, people and events that actually existed in history
C. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, THEREFORE, IS A HISTORICAL FAITH THAT APPEALS TO CERTAIN FACTS OF HISTORICAL OCCURENCE
1. Not a PHILOSOPHICAL faith appealing to philosophies of men
2. Not a faith based upon MYTHS and LEGENDS
III. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS “AN OBJECTIVE FAITH”
A. IT IS A FAITH IN AN “OBJECT”: JESUS OF NAZARETH!
1. Faith in WHO He was: The Christ, the Son of God
2. Faith in WHAT He did: He rose from the dead on the third day
B. IT “DOES” MAKE A DIFFERENCE “WHAT” WE BELIEVE!
1. The old cliche “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something” is inconsistent with the Christian faith
2. Consider John 8:24; Romans 10:9
a. Note that it is not faith IN OF ITSELF that is important
b. But IN WHOM (the object) our faith is based!
IV. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS “BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH”
A. SUCH AS “TRUTH IS ALWAYS OPEN TO EXAMINATION”
1. So is the Christian faith
a. Acts 2:22 – Peter appealed to the crowd to examine what they themselves knew
b. Acts 26:24-26 – Paul invited Agrippa to examine the evidence
2. Unlike some religions (esp. “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and the “Mormons”), the CHRISTIAN FAITH is open to honest examination
B. SUCH AS “TRUTH IS ALWAYS OPEN TO NON-TRUTH (FALSIFICATION)”
1. That is, it is open to be proven wrong
2. To illustrate, if you don’t believe Jesus was raised from the dead
a. Use the evidence that is available, and…
b. Attempt to prove by it that He wasn’t!
c. Do this and then we shall see which interpretation of the facts is more logical (intelligent and rational)
V. WHY PEOPLE REJECT CHRIST
A. AS IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST, IT IS USUALLY DUE TO ONE OF THREE REASONS:
1. IGNORANCE – John 7:40-43
a. Some rejected Jesus as the Christ because they were ignorant of the historical facts concerning His birth
b. So many do today for a similar reason: LACK OF ACCURATE INFORMATION!
2. PRIDE – John 12:42-43
a. Pride in wanting to be approved kept them from confessing Jesus as the Christ
b. Today, many do not want the RIDICULE or REJECTION one might face for following Christ
3. MORAL PROBLEM – John 3:19-20
a. Some people reject the evidence because it would mean having to change their LIFESTYLE
b. Today, many people in efforts to justify their immorality
1) Accept only that evidence which supports theories which allows them to continue their lifestyle
2) Reject any evidence which may support a doctrine which would condemn their behavior and require a change
B. WHAT IT OFTEN BOILS DOWN TO IS THIS
1. The rejection of Christ
a. Is not so much a problem of the “MIND” but of the “WILL”!
b. Is not so much “I CAN’T” but “I WON’T”!
2. There is enough evidence to convince the honest and sincere seeker
3. But there is not enough evidence to force a man against his will when he is determined to reject it!
Conclusion
1. It is with these “BASICS” in mind that I shall endeavor to give evidence that warrants faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the Son of God
2. I shall not attempt to prove anything “beyond a shadow of a doubt,” for that is not possible
3. But I shall try to show that it is more logical to believe in Jesus, than for one not to!
4. And we shall begin by examining the evidence that demonstrates Jesus to be a true, historical figure, a person who actually lived!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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