The Stone Rejected

 The Stone Rejected?

The Apostle Peter speaking of Jesus said,

"He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

People throughout the centuries have rejected Jesus. As a group we Christians. We who chose to follow Jesus have been persecuted by individuals and governments who simply disagree with us. Men and women, political and religious leaders who want to see an end to Christianity. Today thousands of Christians are in prison for simply believing in Christ. But no matter what they do Christianity continues. 

Napoleon Bonaparte, former Emperor of France said,

"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? 

My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power."

"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,

In the early days of the apostles not long after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Two of His disciples were put on trial and witnessed to their persecutors. The men presiding over their case wanted to put them to death. The Book of Acts however records what a Pharisee named Gamaliel said,

“A Pharisee named Gamaliel a teacher of the Law an honoured man, standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ's apostles said,

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38,39.

I put before you that Christianity is of God for it has lasted for over two thousand years despite people trying to destroy it.

Please think about it.

The Power of God

  The power of God

"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.

The religious and political leaders who were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus refused to believe He was who he claimed to be. The Son of God, Saviour of mankind.

They thought putting Jesus to death would end everything when in fact it was the start of everything. For the grave did not hold Jesus. Jesus rose from the grave.

The cross was the starting point of a movement that today has in around three billion people. The largest faith group in the world.

Many today however still look on the story of Jesus as foolishness. Which is their choice. What I would ask however is, that before you make your final decision, at least take time to read at the very least the New Testament. Read and see for yourself what those who knew Him believed Him to be.

Please think about it.

He has set a day

  He has set a day

In the book of Acts we read the apostle Paul speaking about Jesus as saying,

"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." Acts 17:30,31.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist once said,

The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... 

But there will come a time when it will be too late for you. 

                                                                                  Billy Graham.

Whether you believe the Bible or not, is your choice but my advice to you would be make sure you are truly certain that you are right.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

Please think about it.

When all has been heard

  When all has been heard

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

One day we will be standing before God. At that time every deed will come to light. Everything we have done wrong. All our sins will be there to be judged.

I think if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that we cannot live a life good enough to stand before God.

That being said, Jesus offers us away. The apostle John speaking of Jesus writes,

 "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." 1John 1:9-10.

Thus the question becomes; have you confessed your sins directly to Jesus?

Please think about it.

Does your life reflect

  Does your life reflect

Matthew’s gospel records

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.

Does your life reflect what Jesus is saying here?

Do you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?

Do you love your neighbour as yourself?

Please think about it.

Sing

  Sing

The Psalmist writes,

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples.” 

                                                  Psalm 96:1-3.

This is what we as Christians are called to do. 

To sing the praises to God. 

To proclaim His salvation day after day.

To declare His glory among the nations.

To tell of His marvellous deeds to all people.

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 Christians we are all missionaries. We may not go far from home. But we can tell of the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus in our neighbourhood and to our friends, families and foes alike.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

What The Lord requires

  What The Lord Requires?

The Prophet Micah writes,

"He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice and to love kindness

and to walk humbly with your God?" 

                                                                    Micah 6:8 (ESV)

So if you claim to be a Christians. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you following this admonition from the prophet Micah?

God makes it clear what is good. 

To do justice.

To love kindness.

To walk humbly with God.

Please think about it.

Keep our house clean

  Keep our house clean

In the book of Acts we read,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  

Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.

This is a snapshot of the embryo church if you will. They were known for their devotion to God and the Love of God they showed.

Sadly in many cases the today especially here in North America where I live people don’t see the Church as loving. 

The face of the church is seen by many as judgmental hypocrites. As one who supports politicians and others that are clearly not exhibiting Christian values. 

As Christians we need to stop getting involved in politics and return to our roots as demonstrated by the church Luke describes in the Book of Acts. 

We need to obey the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

For it’s only when we are keeping our own house clean that we will win souls for Christ.

Please think about it.

Questions, Questions, Questions

 Questions, Questions, Questions,

The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” Psalm 52:9.

Do you praise God in the presence of the saints? 

How often do you go to church? 

Do you praise God for all he has done? 

Is your hope truly in God?

Please think about it.

Look to Jesus

  Look to Jesus

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.

I have sadly seen many people over the years turn away from God. They have had bad experiences with people calling themselves Christians who are not. And this doesn’t apply to people sitting in the pew. By far most of the people I see who have turned from God have done so because of a pastor, evangelist or other so called Christian leader.

Many follow a given Christian preacher only to fall when the preacher falls.

Christians should never follow unquestioning anyone claiming to be a Christian teacher. We should be keeping our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus.

In order to do this we need to not just read the Bible but rather pray and study it, carefully. It is only in doing so that we can learn what is right in the sight of God. 

By studying scripture we can steer away from false teachers and draw near to God.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

A checklist

  A Checklist

The apostle Paul writes,

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:9-18

Listed above is a checklist written by the apostle Paul for all Christians to follow. It makes clear what Christians should be doing. Thus my question to you...

When people see your words and deeds do they see these attributes in you?

Please think about it.

Honourably and Faithfully

Honourably and Faithfully 

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20

Faith without works is dead states James. 

Is your faith dead?

Now I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian. It however has good points to make. Here is one I can see happening. It reads,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12.

If you came upon hard times would you not want help? As Christians we are called to love even our enemies. So it’s not a stretch by any means to believe that when we stand before God He would say,

 "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" 

So have you dealt honourably and faithfully with your fellow man?

Please think about it.