The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship
I heard a concise summary of the difference between the Christian Faith and that of man-made religions. It goes like this:
“Born once; die twice; born, twice; die, once.”
This quote is referring to Christ’s conversation to the religious leader, Nicodemus [Gospel of John 3:3] The Christian conversion experience is often referred to, in large segments of Christian groups as a “born again” experience. But the correct New Testament Greek rendering of Jesus’ words, is rather, “born from above.” [John 3:3] This coincides and agrees with other Scriptures that it is God Almighty who initiates the conversion experience. [John 1:13]
[Please note, towards the end of this message 6 other Scriptures [below] that attest to the reality of God's grace initiating the process of believing]
But be that as it may, for purposes of this message – I will utilize a less than perfect [but more “popular”] description of a person “coming into the Christian Faith” – “Born again.” This less than accurate phrase, [better] suites the above [total] description: “Born once; die twice; born, twice; die, once.”
Everyone is physically born. This is 1 time. But the person who does not know the Triune God and Christ as his Savior, not only physically dies once, but then in the “hereafter,” [eternity] dies one more time. This is what is known as “Eternal death,” as opposed to “Life everlasting.” [Apostle’s Creed] The Christian disciple who dies in the Faith, only experiences physical death – and then is transported to “Life, everlasting.” [Luke 23:39-43 ; Luke 16:19-31]
Whom do you trust?
Few realities of human history stand the test of time than does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Atheists, agnostics, evolutionists and skeptics all will deny the God nature of Jesus Christ. But few will deny the existence of Jesus Christ, as the Christ of the Scriptures, which are undeniably historical documents, which are, a fixed part of human history.
Much of what a person believes, when it comes to important things, boils down to, “Whom do you trust?” Do you believe in past human leaders – like Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, or Mao? Why would you believe in these human leaders who shaped the world in so many significant ways? Why would you revere or put your trust in them, knowing that they were but men who had made mistakes and whom, at their hands, there resulted the untimely deaths of millions upon millions of human beings? Why would you ever put your confidence and trust and revere these men as gods when their lifeless bodies have long since been corrupted to dust.
Or, you can believe and put your trust in the Christ of the Scriptures who was prophesied hundreds of years before his birth to live a holy life, suffer and die and rise from the dead. Common sense would dictate that you would follow the Christ of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures to be your model with which to fashion your life and future. Why would you choose a dead, past and imperfect leader to model your life, after? Why not look to the risen, living Christ of the Scriptures whose grave is empty?
The observation of Easter by Christ’s disciples, celebrates Christ’s triumph over death:
Perhaps, no other Scripture than 1 Corinthians 15 illustrates the reality of life from death, than Christ’s own words about His own death, crucifixion and resurrection. [John 12:24] Christ related to his disciples that His death would result in the reality of [eternal] life. This is the same type of eternal life spoken in Romans 5:12. Physical death came about because of human sin and spread to every generation since. And, because of mankind’s “Fall” into sin [Genesis 3] -- sin is the deadly “instrument” which causes physical death and spiritual death – unless sin is defeated by having received divine forgiveness, offered to, by God, Himself. [John 3:14-21]
It was God’s plan to sacrifice His only begotten Son to make it possible for sinful humans to re-connect with their Creator. Sin separates from a holy and just God and from His holy heaven. Without the shed blood (supreme) sacrifice of Christ, on behalf of the sinner, there would be no possibility of a “life” everlasting, but only a “death” forever. [Luke 16:19-31 ; Matthew 25: 31-46]
Friend, if you have always wondered [and don't understand] why Christ’s disciples go "all out" to celebrate Easter – make sure to read 1 Corinthians 15. Faith, for the Christian is not a blind element. It is a living reality, sparked by God Himself. [John 1:13 ; John 6:65 ; Ephesians 2:4-5 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ; Titus 3:3-7 ; 1 Peter 1:3 ; Philippians 2:13]
May you come to know the Easter reality, the life from death, which only Christ can offer. [John 10] And may you have a genuine forever future in the “life” everlasting. May you, by God’s grace be “born twice,” and only have to die, “once.”
The early Christians made it a practice on the celebration of Easter to greet one another Easter morning by saying: "'He' is risen!" To which the response was: "'He' is risen, indeed!"
Amen.
Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"
Old Testament:
Isaiah 53 ; Psalm 16:10 -- Prophecies hundreds of years before His birth, Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection
New Testament:
Matthew 27 – 28 – The fulfillment of Hebrew [Old Testament] Scriptural prophecy about Christ
1 Corinthians 15 – The Resurrection chapter
___________________________
The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3
1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?
Complete Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel -- Bay City, Michigan
Saturday, April 11, 2009
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