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   For nearly 2,000 years now all of creation has awaited
the return of the King who will bring righteousness and destroy evil so
man can live in peace and have the curse of sin lifted that began in the Garden of Eden. Why wait 2,000 years you ask? Stop and think --- if God had
not waited 2,000 years then you and I would not be here to enjoy what He has
prepared for us in heaven. When you consider the vastness of the universe,
do you think God so small that just a few billion sons and daughters will suffice?
We keep God in a box so we can take Him out to grant our desires and then put Him
back in until we need Him again.  It's time to take God out of the box! We need to
start understanding how great the God of creation really is. He knew you before
He created the earth! He formed each of us in our mother's womb! He wrote each
of our days in His book before one of them came to be! He knows the number of
hairs on our heads and has written our names on His hand! He has proven His word
time after time by making prophecies hundreds to thousands of years in advance
and then seeing to their fulfillment with 100% accuracy! God's children seem to
have lost their reverence and awe for their Creator --- but this is not a new thing.
The Israelites, just days after seeing God part the Red Sea, were complaining and
doubting Him. Is it any wonder there are so many scoffers and doubters today?  So now let's get the last two thousand years out of the way.
We find the church of Christ begun by the apostles with the people meeting in
homes, sharing food and the gospel message, having all things in common. We
find the gospel message spreading throughout the gentile nations and many thousands
coming to salvation through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Then we come to what has
become to be known as the 'Dark Ages' where the Catholic Church interpreted the
scriptures into Latin and forbid the common man from having the word of God. The
crusades came and went with all the evil man could muster in the name of God.
Then the 'reformation,' which brought about the movement that established Protestantism
and from there the many different denominations and non-denominations began. There are
so many today I don't know how anyone can keep up with them; each with its own
interpretation of doctrine to suit its own purpose.  God's word has one purpose and that is to point to
Jesus --- 'The Christ.' From Genesis to Revelation, He is the focus of
scripture. Does it really matter if when baptized you are sprinkled or immersed?
Should not the point be that the person is being obedient and confessing publicly
his or her faith in Jesus, 'The Christ?' One group believes that hell is full of
sinners and another does not believe in hell at all. Should not the point be that
we are all sinners in need of a Saviour which God has given us in the person of
Jesus? There is one denomination that believes that there is no one in heaven and
then another that believes that everyone who has died, who had accepted Jesus is
in heaven in the spirit waiting for Christ' return to get their new bodies. Should
not the point be that all who have accepted the sacrifice of 'The Christ' will spend
eternity with Him in heaven?  When the people asked Jesus about doing the works of
God His answer was simple and to the point … John 6:28-29 KJV
28Then said they unto him,
What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29Jesus answered and said unto them,
This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. That was His message 2,000 years ago and should
be our message today. But alas, churches today are full of programs
and doctrines to follow that have nothing to do with Jesus and His message.
I am not condemning all churches today for there are still many who preach
and teach the gospel message as it was taught 2,000 years ago. It doesn't
matter what denomination you belong to as long as it is Jesus who is taught
for there is no other name in heaven or earth who can offer salvation. No
other who can make us clean by washing us in His shed blood or can bring
us to the Father to be sanctified and forgiven.  The Church of Jesus, 'The Christ,' was started in homes
of the believers but now we have crystal cathedrals and mega churches with
20,000 or more members. My question is --- are they pointing to Jesus? Is
it He who is being taught? Is salvation by Christ alone being offered to the lost and dying? The early first century Christians were taught that
after accepting Christ they were then responsible for carrying out the
great commission. Each one then became an ambassador for Christ to spread the gospel message. Matthew 28:19-20 KJV 19Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Each of us today carries this same responsibility to
GO and teach the gospel of Jesus, 'The Christ.' This is how we truly become
the sons and daughters of God who will rule with Him in eternity. Those who
shrug this responsibility will find very little reward awaiting them on their arrival in heaven.
Bob Goulding © December 2007 Song Playing is Idletime by Greg Tillotson
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