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Sunday, April 2, 2017

Why Do We Preach Christ 2 - Follow up Question

Who rejected Jesus And What Is The Message Of Jesus?

This is a great question. I am so glad you asked! Just in case you are not familiar with Jesus' story...He was in the beginning with the Father (He was pre-destined indeed to this work, even before the creation of the world, but has been plainly manifested in these last days for the sake of you... (1 Peter 1:20-21). 
He desired a people to love Him and to worship him. So, He created - first a home (earth), then a people starting with Adam and Eve. He gave them free will to choose. They did well for a while just like any Christian...I do this as well. I do good for a season, then I mess up. But then they allowed the devil to deceive them. Adam and Eve rejected God (Genesis 3). Since then it has been a downward spiral of human history. It has been God pursuing man and man both seeking and rejecting God. The Bible gives several examples (Cain and Abel, Jacob, Abraham, Samson, Moses, Pharaoh, the nation of Israel (the ultimate example of rejection) and the pattern has continued throughout history.


To fix the problem, Jesus Himself came into the world as a man to restore this broken relationship. Many may argue all this, but this is the message of the Bible, God's message. He came to save His people from their sins...Remember now, His people. He wishes that everyone be saved and spend an eternity with Him, but many will reject Him. They will persecute His people (now the church). They will create false religions (this is how the devil will take people with him to hell). They will torture and kill family members who accept the message of Jesus. They will use media to fool the world into idol worship - worship of man, money, positions, people, clothes, cars, drugs, sex...the list goes on and on. Why? so that the world will keep on rejecting Jesus. The biggest one I hear...” Christianity is a white man's gospel” or “There is no such thing as God”. Well, anyone that rejects this message of Jesus does so at their own peril.


Some find this message difficult. I can only tell you what He said: Deuteronomy 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. His people would be anyone that accepts Him as their Lord and Savior. We do this through Baptism. Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). When He came to His very own people the Jewish nation that He considered His special people they rejected Him:
John 1:11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

Jesus was a master communicator during His time on the earth. He worked countless miracles. One time, He provided food for 5000 people. Imagine attending that meeting!  He had a major following. Oh, they said they loved Him. But then when He said " I am the way, I am the truth, I am the Life...No one comes to the Father except through Me"...(John 14:6)
                                  Get this…. Jesus said to the religious folks (not the sinners) the religious folks "But you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I will give eternal life to them, and they will never perish... I and the Father are One" (John 10:26-30). They were livid! As religious folks, they were upset that Jesus was basically saying “You are not My people...You are religious, but you do not know me”.  What was their response?
 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him (John 10:31) (Rejection). They finished Him off later when they crucified Him (John 19)
Sinners reject Jesus’ message every day, and Christians reject Jesus’ message when we don't live Christ-like. Everybody needs Jesus because "everyone has sinned and fallen short". Even if the world, or Christians fight against the message the truth remains the same. Only those who believe (and remain) are saved.

So...Jesus' ultimate Message:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”


Google Image: thethoughtsofasimpleman.com

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