Good news

Preaching Jesus To The Scriptural Illiterate

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Paul the apostle to the Gentiles is in Athens, Greece at the time of this message. He is standing and walking through an area where there were many altars to the gods that they worshiped there. When the people asked him what this new doctrine (teaching) he shared Jesus with them without the Scriptures, and spoke to them through the altar they had to “The Unknown God.”

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised him from the dead.”  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, “We will hear thee again of this matter.”
So Paul departed from among them.  Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17:29-34

Paul’s sermon begins at verse 22, and continues through verse 31; a very short, yet powerful testimony of the good news of Jesus Christ. He uses their worship to the Unknown God, to point to the name of the One true God, whose Son Jesus Christ showing that through Him only will come judgment on the whole world. This was a different culture, and they were not knowing of the Jewish and Christian God, but they heard of it from Paul.

God calls for all people to repent of their sins. The time of God’s overlooking sins of the Gentiles is over. He tells then that God has given assurance to all that He has raised His Son from the dead. When Paul mentioned the resurrection of the dead we are told that some mocked, and others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” There were also some who believed and went with him when he departed.

Maybe we a Christians need use the knowledge God has given us about Himself, and of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the times we live in, to point people to  Jesus. We must know the Scriptures. We must know Jesus most of all. There is no room for Biblical or Scriptural ignorance, or illiteracy.

Many of us are ignorant of a lot of things, some of which we do not need to be knowledgeable of. The Bible is one we need to be knowledgeable  of. You will never know the Scriptures if you never read it, and you cannot know God and His Son Jesus except through the word of God; the Scriptures.

Our Present Help In Trouble

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Do you find yourself in trouble? Maybe you are not in trouble but you are troubled? It could be a health issue, a financial, relationship. Maybe you do not realize where you fit into society.

There is good news. There is help for the one in trouble, and for the one who is troubled by one thing or many things.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 46:1-7

For those of you who know the LORD God through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ; He is our refuge and our strength. You already know that. If you did not know, then you do now, and need to apply those words to your life, and quit walking in fear.

We will not fear though crazy weather patterns, vicious storms raging, the sun scorching, the earth shaking, or personal problems may rage around us. We keep our eyes on the Son who makes all things new for those who have come to Him.

There is also an expectation of a marvelous and wonderful place where we have been promised that the Lord will one day take us with a brand new body. There is a river in glory, also called Heaven (Revelation 22:1-2).

The nations of the world rage against everything that is godly, righteous, and just trying to overthrow the plan of the Holy One, the Most High God (Psalm 2:1-3). The LORD, however just speaks a word and they become dust.

The wicked and the vile cannot stand before the holiness of God or His people; so know this, “The LORD of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge,” and that stands through all eternity. Reflect, think on, and contemplate; and yield to God and His word.

If you are not at peace with God I want you to know and hear the Good News. The good news is that God loves you, and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for your sins. He was buried, and He rose again. He took the sins of all humanity upon Himself and died in our place, experiencing the wrath of His Father in our stead. Will you call out to Him today?

Good Tidings… To All People

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And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”                                Luke 2:8-12

Yes! This is a message which is typical for the Christmas season. I know that it is not yet that season; at least for me it is not. Yet, this message is needed year round.

The message of God’s love for Adam’s race is never out of date, out of time, neither is it too early, ever. God’s message of love and grace is always right on time, and for every season.

The message we need to see today are the words of the angel of the Lord, “Fear not” is first spoken to the shepherds who were watching over their sheep. It is a message of “good tidings,” “great joy” and to “all people.”  What people?  All people.

The birth of Jesus Christ that evening so many years ago is still a message of salvation for all who will hear Him and answer His call, believing Him to the place of loving obedience.

The good news, “good tidings” is that Jesus Christ the Son of God, has come into the world to save us from our sins, through His death on the cross, His burial and resurrection. The “great joy” comes by hearing and believing Him. Who did He come to save? All people who will hear Him and believe.