7. FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Isaiah 10:3
“What will you do on the day of reckoning?”
Although this is quite a somber thought, it is one we have to have in the back of our minds.
In Revelation 3:15 it says ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other!’
God knows our every deed. On the day of judgment he will make them public and judge us accordingly.
Also read Matthew 25:31-46
6. HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
Acts 1:9
‘After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.’
Ephesians 1:20
‘That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Why, can you think is this truth one we must believe?
Ever wished you could quickly look up a verse while on the road, at work, or wherever? If you’re the owner of a (reasonably new) cell phone, there’s no reason to ever be stuck without a Bible. Jolon’s ‘Go Bible’ is a fully searchable, bookmarkable mobile Java app which you can download for free and install on your phone without too much hassle.
Here’s how:
I was able to get it working on my Sony Ericsson quite easily. YMMV (your mileage may vary) so if you get stuck, drop a comment and we’ll try help you figure it out.
Thanks, Bruce the Moose!
‘For a moment there was a burst of light such as no man, nor angel, nor pen could ever describe. For one brief, glorious moment the entire universe was enveloped in God.
Death was dissolving in the presence of glory.
While I was still lost in the sleep of death, I suddenly felt! It was my hand that moved. Then my feet, with the wounds they bore. I had begun to move out of the deep tunnels of the netherworld.
My Spirit began to glow.
Then came a cry, a shout of triumph, a shout so great that even the discerning ears of angels could not comprehend its origin. As the cry beamed its way across the worlds, it finally came to be understood.
“It is his voice,” they cried as one, “but the words. What are his words?”
I AM RISEN’
5. THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD.
John 20:18
‘Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”’
Acts 1:3
‘After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.’
Romans 10:9
‘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.’
What happened to Jesus Body if he did not rise from the Dead?
The Jewish Leaders believed the disciples stole the body.
Further reading:
Matthew 27:57-28:15 , Mark 16 , Luke 24 , John 20 , Acts 2:22-32 , Acts 13:29-37 , 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Was it just wishful thinking?
It’s better too many accounts of seeing the risen Christ , means for us today that He is still alive and we can all have personal encounters with him!
‘If you would be a real seeker after truth, it necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.’
– Rene Descartes
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2 vs. 2
‘For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’
Have you really wrestled with the crucifixion, tried to understand it and come to grips with what actually happened and what it means for you?
Can I urge you to take that journey, it can only end in a deeper reverence, humility and understanding of the grace Jesus Christ has offered us by through cross.
If you’re in or around Pretoria on Tuesday 15 August, come along to Hatfield Christian Church for a screening of “The Second Chance”, a full length feature movie starring Michael W. Smith.
The Second Chance is a film about two men - one from a white church in the well-to-do suburbs and one from a black church in the inner-city projects. Although founded by the same man, each church manifests its mission in a very different way. This film authentically tells the story of how a rebellious son and a street-smart pastor struggle to bridge the gap between their respective churches and cultures. More importantly, at its core, The Second Chance is about being willing to step outside your comfort zone and serve where you are called.
Tickets are available from Impact Bookshops; R30 will get you a seat, popcorn and a drink. The show starts at 7pm in the Main Auditorium. Find out more.
4. SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD AND BURIED: HE DESCENDED INTO HELL.
Isaiah 53:5
‘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.’
Matthew 20:18
‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.’
Colossians 2:15
‘And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’
Did Jesus fake His death?
Did He die on the cross?
What really happened in the tomb during those 3 days?
‘If Jesus conquered death … then He can open the door of eternal life for me, too.” Lee Strobel
What an awesome truth to believe in!
Use this piece from Revelation as a creative and imaginative meditation.
Rev 1:12-16
I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest.His head and hair were like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.’
A statement of truth from Paul at the beginning of Romans.
Romans 1:1-6
‘ .. regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendent of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God…’
Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Write down, what this has meant for you in your life, how this truth has changed you.
3. WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
Matthew 1:18
‘She was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.’
Luke 1:31
‘You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus… The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.’
The Truth of Jesus being both 100% Human and 100% God is stated in this clause.
It is a difficult truth to grasp, with the world and even other religions trying to prove He was only a prophet and trying to disprove his deity. But for us a Christians the core of our faith has to be founded on the truth that he was human enough to resist our own temptations and God enough to save us from our own sins!
