A sermon for 2022

  A sermon for 2022

The apostle Paul while in Athens was asked to speak at the Areopagus by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. This is his sermon. As important today as it was then. 

Paul states,

"So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked,    "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."  

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' 

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill.  

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."  

At that, Paul left the Council.  

A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”Acts 17:17-34

For Christians this is an example of how to reach non-Christians. Paul did not condemn them. He didn’t say anything against their beliefs or lifestyle. He simply presented what he believed to those gathered. 

The result was some “sneered” at him. Others believed. While others wanted to hear more. 

When we as Christians present the gospel message this is how we should do it.

So is this the way you present the gospel message to those around you?

Please think about it.

In need of God

 In need of God

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said, 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

This is a key element of Christian belief. Christians believe that it is by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus that we get to heaven. Not by our works. Christians maintain that we cannot be good enough to enter heaven. Thus God made away by sending Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins.

Christianity is God reaching down to man and offering him salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

C. S. Lewis said,"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

Are you that man or woman? A person in need of God?

Why not take a moment to pray and ask God to come into your heart today. Perhaps consider this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father.

I thank you for your grace that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Please forgive my sins and come into my life today. Show me your ways. Teach me what it is to be your servant, your follower. Amen.

Please think about it.

Post script;

If you sincerely prayed and believed this prayer. I urge you study the Bible. Then I would urge you to find a church or group of believers where you can study together.

As this blog is read all over the world I personally recommend a church. But I recommend Baptist churches as well as Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of England, salvation army, if you live in countries where they are present.

If you do not all I can say is pray and ask God to show you to a church or house fellowship.    

Saved

Saved
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5
To the Ephesians Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.
From a Christian stand point we cannot live lives good enough to get to heaven. That being said, God understood this and sent Jesus Christ to save us. 
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  Romans 3:23,24.
Paul stating,
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Thus my question to you the reader; do you believe this?
Please think about it.

What I think

What I think
Isaiah the Prophet states,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass.” 

                                                   Isaiah 40:6,7

My friend use to say there is only one ultimate statistic. That being 100% of people die.
Which begs the question dear reader where will you spend eternity?
As a Christian this for me is how you get to heaven. I place it here for you for your consideration.
Jesus said,
1/ "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.
2/ "....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Jesus is the way to heaven.
The apostle Paul writes,
 3/ "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.

The apostle John noting,
4/ "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1:9,10.

The apostle Paul making it clear Salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians states,
5/ "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately however salvation is an act of faith on the part of the individual, the writer of Hebrews stating,
6/ "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Hebrews 11:6

7/

 Faith defined as by the writer of Hebrews as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                             Hebrews 11:1

Thus the question is do you believe this?
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

The Narrow Gate

The Narrow Gate
Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, 

and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, 

and only a few find it. 

                              Matthew 7:13.14.

If there is one thing that believers in Christ Jesus believe in, that is controversial, it is a statement the apostle John records as Jesus saying to his disciples,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
This is a no compromise statement saying Jesus is the way to heaven.
Earlier in John’s Gospel he records Jesus speaking of himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
This is what believers in Christ Jesus believe. He is the way to heaven period.
Many in this world say there are many ways to heaven. If they are right then a believer in Christ has nothing to fear, because Jesus is most definitely one of those ways.
On the other hand if what Christians believe is correct and Jesus is indeed the only way to heaven then those who have been presented with the gospel message and disagree with it, have a lot worry about.
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
The New Testament writers record Jesus as saying some remarkable things. Things that if true have eternal consequences. John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
There are many in the world today that say there are a lot of ways to heaven or that you can work your way to heaven. Saying if your good deeds out weigh your bad deeds you will get to heaven. Christians do not believe that.
We Christians believe that you get to heaven by the grace of God. The apostle Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
That gift we believe is Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul telling us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
God through the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus offered us eternal life with Him in heaven.
Jesus speaking of himself is quoted by the apostle John as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
The apostle John also noting the reward for believing in Christ Jesus. Stating,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
Is all of this difficult to believe? In a word yes. Even the apostle Paul wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
And, it is exactly this that each individual when presented with the message of Jesus Christ must decide for themselves.
Is the message of Christ Jesus foolishness or is it the truth that leads to eternal life with God?
It is a decision only you can make. It is potentially the most important decision you will make in your life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Thus the choice is yours.
Please think about it.

The Jesus Problem

The Jesus Problem?
John’s gospel quotes Jesus as saying,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6.
This is quite a controversial statement. One debated by Christians and non-Christians around the world. Yet Christians believe the statement to be completely true.
I firmly believe God does not work the way we humans work. God knows better.
Skip Moen wrote of God,
"God does not come to us in nicely defined, rationally explained, thought categories.  God does not fit Himself into our theological text books. The Hebrew God breaks all the rules.  He is near, yet transcendent; clothed in human form, yet holy; more terrifying than can be imagined, yet compassionate; invisible, yet revealed; judging, yet merciful; sovereign, yet humble. No matter where you look, God breaks the molds."  Skip Moen
I have said many times that if we humans were in God’s place we would simply show our power from on high thus ensuring that people at the very least would believe God exists.
God however does not do that. The God we Christians believe in requires us to have faith in Him even if we cannot see Him.
Jesus is quoted in the gospel of John as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Faith is an incredible thing. People who have faith in anything will do anything for what they believe in. It is the same for believers in Christ Jesus. Millions in the past and even today are willing to die for their faith in God, their faith in Christ Jesus.
If Jesus is not the Son of God, God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind, then that faith is in vain. Still at the end of their lives they will by following the teachings of Christ lived a good life.
On the other hand if Jesus is all that Christians believe then those who do not believe in Him have a great deal to worry about.
Thus I would ask you the reader to take time and at the very least read the New Testament. If you do not want to read the whole New Testament. Read at least the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Not our Ways

Not our ways
The prophet Micah said,
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:4.
Micah predicted accurately the birth place of Jesus.
The Prophet Isaiah said,
"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 
Yet it was the LORD'S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life  and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:1-12.
We Christians believe this is an accurate description of Jesus, the suffering Messiah. The one who would die for the sins of mankind.
I know many, especially Jews do not believe this. They are looking for the conquering Messiah one who will conquer the world and bring universal peace.
I can understand this. The Jews are probably one of, if not, the, most persecuted people in history. I can see why they would want to see a conquering Messiah. And Christians believe Jesus will one day return as that conquering Messiah bringing with Him universal peace.
That being said, as I noted, believers in Christ Jesus see Him as a suffering Messiah that takes away the sins of the world. That offers eternal life to all who would believe in Him. The apostle Paul said,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
In a nutshell what Paul is saying is God does not do things the way man does.
It would seem better from a human stand point for the Messiah to come in power and might and conquer the world. However to my way of thinking that would not necessarily create faithful followers. Many would simply pay lip service to God because they feared what He could do to them.
On the other hand coming as a suffering Messiah shows first of all how far in human terms God would go to show man the way to heaven. Secondly coming as a suffering Messiah requires faith on the part of the individual. Which is what God wants.
The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                        Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
The apostle Paul states,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"Romans 10:9-13.
Ultimately however the choice is up to you the individual. You must decide for yourself whether or not Jesus is indeed the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind.
Please think about it. 

The Narrow or The Wide Gate

The Narrow or the Wide Gate
Jesus said,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
There are many in the world today that say there are many ways to heaven. Believers in Christ Jesus do not believe this. We believe Jesus when he said,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Even the apostle Paul admitted that what believers in Christ believed seemed to be foolishness. Paul wroting,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
That being said all of the disciples of Christ including Paul and every other believer in Christ to modern day believe Jesus is the way to heaven.
Individuals must understand that God does not do things the way man does things.
I’m certain most individuals would say the best way to show God exists and show mankind the way to heaven is by God coming out of heaven in a miraculous way. For God to show Himself in all his might and power.
The apostle Paul however notes,
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
God wants individuals to have faith in Him because God knows that people of faith are the truest followers. Followers who will literally go to the grave for what they believe in.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                       Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

                                                                                 Hebrews 11:6.

Ultimately it all comes down to you the individual and what you believe. You have the choice to believe there are many ways to heaven, or you can believe Jesus is “The Way” to heaven The choice is yours. However remember this the writer of Proverbs states,

“There is a way that seems right to a man 

but in the end it leads to death” 

                                         Proverbs 14:12.

Thus I would ask the question, How firm are you in your beliefs?
If you were to die today do you believe you would go to heaven?
Please think about it.

You, Jesus & God

You, Jesus & God
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
If you think about it we who believe in Christ Jesus are asking the world at first glance to believe in foolishness.
The apostle John wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.... 
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3,11-14
We Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. That He came to earth to show mankind the way to heaven.
Jesus speaking of himself said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him.” 

                                         John 3:16,17.

Christians believe that no one can live a life good enough to stand before a Holy God. That we sin. Sin is failing to do what God wants us to do consciously or otherwise. The apostle Paul tells us,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

                                                                   Romans 3:23,24.

The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

                                                              1 John 1:9,10.

The apostle Paul tells us,
It is by faith we get to heaven, by the grace of God. We cannot work our way to heaven.,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

                                                           Ephesians 2:8,9

Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

                            Hebrews 11:1

The same writer noting

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6

C. S. Lewis said of Christianity,

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." C. S. Lewis.

Thus the question becomes, How important is Jesus to you?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Some What ifs?

Some What ifs?
Here are a few what ifs I place for you the reader to consider.
1. What if the apostle John is right when he states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
        In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
What if Jesus truly is God incarnate?
2. What if the apostle John is right when he states,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
What if believing in Jesus gives you the right to be called the children of God?
3. What if the words of Jesus are true when he said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
What if Jesus truly is the way to Heaven?
And here’s one other thing to consider. It’s not from the New Testament but from a Christian commentator called C. S. Lewis. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
What if Christianity is true?
Please think about it. 

A Remarkable Statement

A Remarkable statement
John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and His disciples. John records,
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”  John 14:5-11.
There are two very remarkable statement that John records here. They are statements all who hear about Jesus must decide whether or not they are true or false.
First Jesus states,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
What Jesus is saying here is that he is the only way to heaven period. If untrue the statement means nothing.
If true then all who hear about Jesus and reject him cannot get to heaven.
John goes on to quote Jesus as saying,
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”  John 14:9b-11.
Here Jesus is saying plainly that He and God the Father are one. This is what believers in Christ truly believe. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
The way I see it when it comes to Jesus I agree with C. S. Lewis who wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Please think about it.

You are like Grass

You are like grass

“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 

“All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

 because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

but the word of our God stands forever.” 

Isaiah 40:6-8

Our life on this earth is but a momentary mist in eternity. The moment we are born we start to die. Ultimately all we have materially in this life will one day be left to others while we go to stand before God.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist asks this question a question we should all ask ourselves. He asks,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo
So my question to you the reader is,
  “When you meet God will you meet Him as your Lord and Saviour or as your judge?”
You can know here and now where you will sped eternity.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
We get to heaven by the grace of God.
As a follower of Jesus Christ I believe this is the way you get to heaven,
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for. The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 

Jesus said of himself,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him.” 

John 3:16,17.

Jesus speaking to his disciples also said,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

  Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

 Romans 3:23,24.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
  The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

 Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?
Please think about it.

Living Water

Living Water
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10.
Living water in Jewish culture is water in motion. Rain water, rivers, wells, spring-fed lakes even oceans are considered living water. It is water that washes things away dirt and impurities it is water that cleanses. At the same time it is the source of life.
This is something that is seen dramatically in the middle east. For months the land is parched. You can smell the dust. Then when the rains come the dust is washed away. New life emerges, the land becomes lush and green.
Jesus mentions living water twice. The first time is with the Samaritan woman at the well there he states,
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10.
Notice here he does not call himself the living water only that he would give her living water.
Later in John we read,
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  
By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39.
Note here Jesus means it is the Holy Spirit which indwells believers, that flows from above through the heart of the redeemed that brings life and light to the world.
As Christians we are the channel through which Living Water flows.
Living water in the natural world has it’s source from above it is rain water that falls from above. It is then channelled by rivers and springs throughout the land. Land that uses the water to produce new life.
Likewise when it comes to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is channelled through believers to the world around them where it convicts individuals of sin. Producing believers in Christ and life everlasting.
That is why it is important for Christians to follow the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?
Throughout the centuries Christians have asked people to answer the question Jesus asked of Martha when he said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Jesus among all the individuals that have ever lived stands alone.
Napoleon Bonaparte said of him,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946) When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.” H. G. Wells.
The apostle John writes,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14
What John is saying here is Jesus is God, the creator of the universe. That God in the form of Jesus entered the world he created. Jesus is God incarnate.
The gospel of John tells of this incident in the life of Jesus,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” John 10:24-32.
Even when faced with stoning and death Jesus did not back down on saying who he was.
The apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came, stating,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6,7.
The apostle John stating,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
God sent Jesus to point man to heaven. To provide mankind with a way directly to heaven through faith in Christ Jesus.
C. S. Lewis states,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg, — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
  Ultimately you must decide who Jesus is. Before you do however I would ask that you read the New Testament for yourself. Read what Christians who knew Jesus personally believed about him. Then decide.
Please think about it.

Confess and Believe

Confess and Believe
The Apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Do you have the assurance that you are going to heaven?
If you were to die tonight would you enter heaven?
The apostle Paul writes,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

                                                        Ephesians 2:8,9.

Christians believe we get into heaven through our faith in Christ. Through the grace of God.  Not by our works.
Isaiah the prophet wrote,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6.
We cannot live a life good enough to stand before a holy God that is why God in the form of Jesus God entered the world. To pay the price for our sins. So that we would not have to suffer for them. This is how much he loved us.
The God I know and worship the creator of heaven and earth is truly a God of love.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans tells us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
Jesus speaking of himself made this statement,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
Belief, faith, in anyone especially someone you cannot see can be very difficult for many people. Yet it is faith God requires of all people as the writer of Hebrews states,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him

 must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                                                   Hebrews 11:6.
Do you have enough faith to believe in God. To believe that Jesus died for your sins because Jesus did indeed die for your sins.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
That is how much God Loves you.
All you as an individual need to do is what the Apostle Paul said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.

Sinner to Saint

Sinner to Saint
The apostle Paul writes,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul makes it very clear why Christ Jesus came into this world. That being to save sinners.
Writing to the Romans Paul states,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
Prior to that Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.
Paul notes to Timothy that he was the worst of sinners.
The book of Acts tells of how Paul then called Saul, persecuted the early church until God took hold of his life in a miraculous way.
Paul is an example for all who would follow Christ that no matter how bad your life is, truly accepting Christ into your life can result in a changed life.
This is the message that Paul is telling Timothy. It is the message Jesus wants the Christians to tell the world. Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
As I have said in previous blog posts Christians believe God through Jesus Christ reached down to mankind and offered forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.
The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
Jesus speaking of himself said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him.” 

John 3:16,17.

Jesus speaking to his apostles said,

... “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

John 14:6

   Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

 Romans 3:23,24.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

 Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?

Post Script
The Bible tells us Sinning is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. God realized that man could not live a life good enough to stand before Him. That is why Jesus came to pay the price for the sins of all who would truly believe in him.
A Saint in the new Testament is a believer in Christ. A believer in God.
So by admitting you are a sinner, believing in and receiving God’s saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ. You can go from sinner to Saint and have eternal life with God.
Please think about it.

A Foolish Message???

A foolish message???
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God....”  
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?...”  
“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 1 Corinthians 18,20,22-25
Put simply God’s ways are not our ways. God could have come to earth with a lot of fan fair. He could have came out of heaven in a spectacular way, showing his power and might,  showing himself to all mankind at the same time, calling all to worship him.
The result would have been that people would have worshipped him, if for no other reason than out of fear of what he could do to them.
God however did not do such a thing. I for one believe he did not do this because fear of anyone does not produce true followers.
If history has shown us anything is that people will follow a leader, at least in word, if they fear the leader enough. They will give lip service to a person they fear. While inwardly they do not like the person. God does not want these kinds of followers. God wants true followers.
During his time on earth Jesus did perform miraculous signs. Yet people around him refused to believe in him.
As for the wisdom the Geeks “non-Jews”. They were looking for a person who would do things the way they expected. They had put God in a box. One only has to look at the statues of the Greek gods to see what they expected God to be like.
The same is true today as it was in the apostle Paul’s day. Some people expect God to show himself through use of miraculous signs. Some expect God to show Himself physically.
    They have a preconceived idea of what God is and expect God to conform to that expectation or they will not believe in Him.
Many say you must work your way to heaven. That if the good you do, out weighs the bad you do, you go to heaven.
       Christians believe what the apostle Paul said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christians believe God reached down to man in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ.  That by accepting the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ you get to heaven.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
God understands man is imperfect and cannot live a life pure enough to stand before Him. Man sins. Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for our life. Thus God in His wisdom sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” John 1:9-10
This is what God asks people to believe. This is what Christians ask people to believe. If we are wrong then the individual has nothing to fear however if we are right, and I believe we are, then anyone who does not believe the message of Christ, has a lot to fear.
C. S. Lewis said,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance,

 and if true, of infinite importance. 

The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

 C. S. Lewis.

Ultimately it is up to you the reader that must decide as to the importance of the Christian message.
Ultimately it is up to you to decide who Jesus is.
Please think about it. 

Christian Beliefs

Christian Beliefs
The opening verses of the book of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ? 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 
In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 
He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 
You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” Hebrews 1:1-12.
What is said here makes it very clear who Christians believe Jesus is, the Son of God, God incarnate, the creator of the universe Saviour of man.
 The writer of Hebrews making several points,
1. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being...”
2. Jesus provided purification for our sins
3. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
4. he is superior to the angels. 
5. All the angels are called to worship Him 
6. Jesus’ throne, is God’s throne, and will last for ever and ever,...
7.  righteousness will be the scepter of Christ’s kingdom. 
8. “In the beginning, Jesus laid the foundations of the earth, the              heavens are the work of  His hands”
9. “Jesus remains the same forever, His years will never end.
 As a Christian I present these basic facts to you the reader to decide for yourself whether or not you believe them.
Before you make your final decision however I would ask that you at least take time on your own to read the New Testament at the very least. Pray and ask God to show you the truth. If you do have any questions visit a Church near you. I recommend Baptist churches. Ask to see the pastor and ask him you questions. An honest pastor will take time to see you and explain what he believes to you without obligation in any way.
You can also contact me at nealsblogs@gamil.com and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Please think about it.

The Question Becomes

The Question becomes,
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. 
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.  
Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”  
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 
Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.  
At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.  
So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”  
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” Matthew 27:11-24.
The above is Matthew’s account of the trial of Jesus before the Roman Governor Pontius Pilot.
At the trial of Jesus that day we have the world in microcosm. We have the religious leadership of the day, we have the average person in the crowd, and we have the secular Roman governor. We also had God the Father.
The religious leadership had brought Jesus before Pilot to be put to death. They’d trumped up some charges but not having the authority to impose the death penalty themselves the brought Jesus before the Roman governor who did.
The religious leadership could have dropped the charges. Or upon being given the choice between a “notorious prisoner, called Barabbas”, and Jesus, they could have let Jesus go. Instead they chose Barabbas.
The Roman governor who from the text knew what the religious leaders were doing could have released Jesus. Even his wife told him,
“Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 
The crowd was also given a choice to release Jesus. However they chose to follow the leading of the religious leadership and called for Jesus to be crucified.
God was also present at this trial also. Jesus is the Son of God. God could have in a show of his power sent angels to rescue Jesus. After all what better way to prove who Jesus was. However God’s ways are not our ways.
God asks man to no matter the circumstances to have faith in Him and His ways.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Jesus was not the conquering Messiah the Jews of the day were looking for. Jesus is the suffering Messiah described in Isaiah chapter fifty-three that states,
“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 
Yet it was the LORD'S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life  and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors .For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53.
This is the central belief of Christianity. Jesus died for the sins of all who would believe in Him. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways but in these last day he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir to all things and through whom he made the universe.
 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
As I said this is what Christians believe. It is what Christians present to the world.
So the question becomes who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it.