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Is Jesus relevant today?
The last 30 years have seen technology advancing at such a rapid pace that life today is so different in comparison with earlier times. The world is capable of further advancement and progress to the extent that man can clone another life and venture into space. Materialism is centre-stage and God relegated back-stage. To the majority, religion is for the weak, the old fashioned and the foolish.
The world continues to depend on selves and ignore a living God. Schools are not permitted to teach the bible, the print and electronic media continue to promote violence and free sex, homosexuality is now endorsed as an alternate lifestyle, parents set bad examples, numerous religions compete with Christianity, Jesus is misrepresented, and developments in recent time raised the question as to whether Jesus is relevant today? People attack the reliability and relevance of the Bible and they may seem persuasive. Yet it's only fair to recognise the Bible as the best documented text of in human history.
As we look into this topic, I will be raising numerous questions with a view of provoking your thoughts to consider the subject. The scriptures taught that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrew 13:8). In Matt 24-35, Jesus said, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”. You will have to decide at the end of the discussion as to whether this statement is true.
What is true happiness?
Losing weight, getting good grades in exam, having an i-Phone, owning an apartment, having more money; it varies from person to person? What makes you happy? Are you satisfied after having achieved what you seek to have? How long does the happiness last? Throughout history men seek after happiness but it is elusive. It seems there is no real answer and men continue to seek after but lack true happiness.
The scripture teaches in I Timothy 6:6-8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Is there meaning to life?
Men often ask why God created us. Why do we exist? Is there meaning to life? If so can we know the answer? These and many others are asked when discussion is held concerning God. Well the bible has the answers, but many continue to reject it.
We can know God and understand His will for man but we need to have a heart of sincerity in seeking the truth. Examine the evidences with a rational mind. Look at the manifestation of God around us. Rom 1:19, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”.
Despaired of Life.
Despite advancement of technology there remain many unanswered questions. The pursuits of happiness often leave the person disappointed and feeling alone, dejected and without a purpose. Despair and depression set in and victims may even consider ending their life. Without religion and a proper understanding of God’s purpose for us, the victim is left with a void that makes his life appears meaningless.
Saved or Safe?
We take special care to make our surroundings secured and safe. At home, we installed security alarm and many today live in a gated or guarded community. Safety concerns itself with protection against injury, theft, bodily harm and accidents. But despite the measures taken, the world around us remains a dangerous place. Snatch theft, accidents on the road, suicide bombings, natural disasters and viral infections struck even when we are careful. Our diligence may be able to help us avoid some dangers but the neglect by others may cause harm to come our way most unexpectedly.
That is why we need God who is almighty to protect us while we are on earth. Ultimately God does not only provide for this life but the hereafter.
It is more important that we are saved. (A narration of the story of the jailor and Paul& Silas).
If we believe we have a soul, then we should be concern of the direction it is headed.
What Did Jesus Say About God?
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also." ( John 14:6-7)
Our Sins have Separated Us from God’s Love
Isaiah 59 reveals the gospel in the Old Testament: "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23; cf. Isa. 59:2). "The wages of sin" (Rom. 6:23; cf Isa. 59:10). "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8; cf. Isa. 59:16). The "one mediator" is Christ (1 Tim. 2:5).
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Freedom to Choose
“Choosing not to follow Christ is still a choice”.
The words (you) CHOOSE THIS DAY (exercise your own free will – Joshua 24:15) whom you will serve…. but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
God's Perfect Solution
Can good works save us from hell? Can a good person by man’s standard (what is that standard) help one to go to heaven? What about one who is religious in other religion always giving alms and helping others?
God’s perfect solution involved the ultimate sacrifice of one who has no sin, unblemished, the perfect first fruit – His only Son, Jesus Christ. Sacrificing to God is not new. Most religion has some form of sacrifice be it flowers, incense, food or fruits, etc. During the Old Testament period, the Jews offered sacrifice of first fruits or lamb. But such sacrifices must be done continually and cannot wash away the sin of man.
Be it this life or the next God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3
What it takes to be in Christ?
Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:14) "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Believe. (Hebrews 11:6) "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Repent of past sins. (2 Cor 7:10) "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Cor 7:10).
Confess Jesus as Lord. (Acts 8:36-37) "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Live a faithful Christian life. (1 Peter 2:9) Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
You Choose the Ending
How nice to be able to choose the ending. It’s all up to you. But it’s a difficult decision. Make a wise decision for it affects your eternity.
Presented at Bro Chan Khoon’s cottage meeting
Imitating Christ
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. (1 Peter 2:21) “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1) Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example. (Phil 3:17) “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Jesus stated many times that He came as an example and the New Testament uses some tense of the phrase “follow me”, “follow Him” or “followers of Christ.” The word “followers” can be traced back to the Greek word “mimos” which means “to imitate.” From the word “mimos”, we can easily see from where the English word “mimic” is derived.
Scripture is loaded with examples revealing how and what one must do in order to be an imitator of Christ. Love your enemies. Forgive those who have sinned against you. Heal the sick. Make disciples. Visit the infirmed and feed the hungry.
Sometimes we have a feeling that the job should be left for someone more qualified to do and that it is not for us. Whether it is preaching, reaching out or attending to the needy, some Christians feel disqualified. But we know that Christ strengthens us (Phil4:13) just as the apostles who were unlearned were able to speak with boldness and clarity.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).
When Jesus said, “come follow me,” he called men from vastly different backgrounds. None of these men identified with the top echelons of society or the political and religious elites. Peter was a fisherman; Matthew a tax collector, one of those men in a profession hated by everyone.
When the Scribes and Pharisees heard the apostles spoke with boldness and conviction, they soon discovered the reason for this boldness. It was not a result of their vast education, for Peter and John had no education except in the craft of fishing and seafaring. Their boldness was not from the self-sufficiency of knowledge but from God. Today we observe our leaders without formal lessons in the bible but displaying similar zeal and boldness when preaching Christ. Some have attended short lectures but much of their knowledge comes from self-study and personal research.
Charles Spurgeon wrote: “A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. …written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we professed to be; if the Spirit of the Lord were in the heart of all his children, as we could desire; and if we were all possessors of that vital grace, we should be pictures of Christ, that the world would exclaim, “He has been taught of him; he is like him; and he expands it out into his very life and every day actions...”
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)
The “smell” some people ever have of Jesus is the “smell” our faith, godliness, and compassion produce. If we are a bad spiritual odor, that odour will make Jesus “stink” to some people. If we are a godly aroma or fragrance, that aroma will be a sweet smelling memory. Someday that aroma may bring them to life’s saving fragrance, Jesus.
Smell evokes a memory response. The next time you smell something familiar, try to recall what is the very first thing which pops into your mind. Does that smell evoke a memorable (pleasant or unpleasant) event that happened in the past?
What does God think of when He smells us? Do we smell like sin and death which remind God of rebellious Satan? Or do we smell like Christ and cause God to remember His precious Son? (Ephesians 5:2.)
The Christian life should be characterized by the virtues taught in the Word of God. Such was the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. During His tenure on this earth, He exemplified the love of God, and by His own example, faced the same difficulties of life which we face (yet to a far more intense degree, Heb.4:15). He gave us a pattern to model ourselves after, by which if we should follow, along the straight road will lead us to a victorious life, well-pleasing to God (1Pet.2:21-25; cf. Matt.16:24; Jn.13:15).
We are commanded to love one another as He has loved us, and He lay down His life for us. Jn 15:12-13. Loving one another is easier said than done. Often we have certain values, prejudices and responses. Some people are easily liked whereas others have a way of putting us off. The command of love is across nationalities, colour and background. Some of us have this inhibition to approach others that we are not familiar with, perhaps because of shyness. Then there is the lack of flair in starting a conversation. We hide behind our own reluctance and go about being busy with other things like chatting with brethren. Love means that we make others feel welcome. We emphatise with their plight if they are suffering and assist in any way we can. Jesus asked us to provide food and water for our enemies. The preaching of Christ and the apostles contains lots of instructions on the importance of love and the displaying of such character. Jesus as an example showed that he loved us so much that he gave his life for us. How do we express our love for brethren and others? Do we respond positively when others ask for help eg. a sister needs you to take over her bible class, or a preacher needs transport to the airport, or a visiting brethren needs accommodation in a home? Who will be the first to be asked to render some help? Do you think that you will ever be asked?
This topic encourages all of us irrespective of our standing and training to be brave and to venture outside our comfort zone. Sometimes, we need to be pushed. Other times we need to be reminded or reprimanded. The best is for us to challenge ourselves when the odds are against us to do better. Christ did not only instruct, he gave us many examples and he led the way.
So, where is it that we should be imitators of Christ? Everywhere, in the workplace, in the homeplace, in the schoolplace, in the locker room, in the restaurant, etc. Live the life of Christ and make a public spectacle of the love affair we are having with God! Jesus said, “When they’ve seen Me they’ve seen the Father,” we can say, “It is no longer I that live, but Christ that liveth in me.”
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