 Emmanuel:
God
With Us
by: Pastor Max
Solbrekken
"Therefore
the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel." (Isaiah
7:14)
FAIRWEATHER
CHRISTIANS
A
Vancouver pastor picked up a visiting missionary at the airport on
a Sunday morning some time ago. As they hurriedly drove
across the city, it seemed as though every light was green as they
rolled along towards the church. The pastor was overjoyed
and jubilantly exclaimed, "My, isn't it wonderful how we have
had all the green lights. We haven't encountered even one
red light all the way from the airport. Surely God is with
us"!
The
missionary very wisely
replied, "If we would have hit only red lights along the way
this morning, would God have still been with us"?
A
young Christian man died in a communist prison approximately 5
years ago, in Eastern Europe. He had been incarcerated for
approximately 8 years. Beaten, bruised, tortured and brainwashed,
finally he succumbed to the guards brutality and they found him
dead one morning in a pool of blood on the dungeon floor. Vital
organs had ruptured as a result of the traumatic beatings and he
hemorrhaged blood until he died.
In
the last minutes of life he had staggered over to the edge of that
dungeon and left his testimony on the wall written in his own
blood, with his own finger. So great was the impact of his
testimony that the guards who found him accepted Christ as their
Saviour and passed the story on to the Full Gospel Christians in
Western Europe. This is what he wrote: "I believe in the sun
even when it's not shining and I believe in love even though I
feel it not and I believe in God even when He is silent, so by
faith I'll hold on to what I have got"!
He
hadn't seen the sun in 8 years. He had felt and seen only hatred
from his captors in 8 years and for 8 long years he had prayed for
release from that living hell without an answer, but still he
believed in God! Hallelujah!
EVEN
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG WE STILL HAVE GOD'S ABIDING PRESENCE
In
1982 my father, Ingvar Solbrekken was walking down the highway
from his home in a little town in Saskatchewan to his farm when he
was involved in a tragic accident. An old man, aged 86, was
driving down that road and struck my father with his automobile,
rendering him almost dead on the side of the road. He was rushed
to a nearby hospital and then by ambulance to Regina where he lay
near death with brain concussion, ruptured bowel, broken pelvis
and right leg and foot.
As
well as this he was fighting pneumonia and infection from the
operation on his stomach. Even in the coma my brother Emil and I
who were at his bedside often kept telling him, "Papa, God is
with you, Jesus is here, God is with you - everything will be all
right"!
How
wonderful, that God is with us always. He never leaves us nor
forsakes us. In good times or bad times; in joy or sorrow; in
sickness or health! God is with us - Praise His Holy Name.
THE
MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL, THE HOLY BIBLE - THERE IS HOPE FOR ALL, IF
GOD IS WITH US
Over
seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth the
prophet Isaiah speaking by divine inspiration declared that God
would send His Son to become the Saviour of the world. The book of
Isaiah is aptly called "The Gospel of the Old
Testament." How precious to read of the birth, life and
death of Christ in this Old Testament Gospel! What good news that
God had perfected a plan for the salvation of lost mankind through
His virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death and glorious
resurrection of the Messiah King of Israel! He would be
rejected by men and forsaken by God but brought back to life and
restored to a place of glorification with His Father so that you
and I can receive eternal life.
The
sign of the virgin birth - What a Miracle! To be
supernaturally conceived by the Blessed Holy Spirit and born
naturally of a virgin mother. Talk about confounding the
mouths and minds of those who rejected Him.
IT
BLOWS THE MIND, ALMOST
No
wonder the Bible says, "The natural man understandeth not the
things of the Spirit of God for they are spiritually
discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Again the scripture
declares, "Had they known who He was they would not have
rejected the Prince of life." (1 Corinthians 2:8) They
tried to reason it all out and couldn't. The intellectuals failed
miserably; and they are still messing up today trying to
incorporate Jesus, the Christ into their natural minded
stereotype. It can't be done.
Why
can't puny little man take God's Word at face value - accept the
Gospel of Christ for what it's worth and embrace it all, including
the supernatural aspects of: (1) Who He is, (2) Why He came, (3)
What He did, and (4) What it all means and how it relates to us
today. But NO, the egotistical proud earthling wants to find his
own way, chart his own course and fly his own craft to the stars!
The Bible says, "He came unto His own, and His own received
Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them gave He the power
to become the sons of God." (John 1:11-12) What a
position we enjoy as redeemed blood-bought children of God. I can
hardly contain it all! Hallelujah.
It
is so simple that many feel it is too elementary. It's a fact of
life that in everything from religion to politics, people like to
make things as complex as possible. Yet no tool or gadget is as
good, effective and usable as the most simply operating one. The
simpler anything operates the more valuable it is and the more
reliable and easy to maintain.
Hear
the plain, simple and yet profound truth: "For God so loved
the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)
Jesus confirmed that statement when He declared: "They that
are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I
came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
(Mark 2:17) Again He said, "The Son of man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
WHO
IS EMMANUEL - JESUS CHRIST LORD GOD
SAVIOR CHRIST MESSIAH?
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Emmanuel
... "The prophet answered by saying, And shall call
His
name Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
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God
With Us ... "Which being interpreted is, God with
us." (Matthew 1:22-23)
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Jesus
... "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call His name Jesus" (Savior, Salvation)
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Savior
... "For He shall save His people from their
sins." (Matthew 8:21)
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The
Lord ... "And thou, child, (John the Baptist) shalt
be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go
before the face of the Lord (Jesus Christ) to prepare His
ways." (Luke 1:76)
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Savior
... "For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke
2:11)
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Lamb
of God ... "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto
Him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
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The
Christ, Anointed One, Messiah ... "Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew
16:16)
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WHAT
JESUS CHRIST SAID OF HIMSELF |
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"Before
Abraham was I am." (John 8:58; Exodus 3:14)
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"I
am the Bread of Life." (John 6:35; John 6:41, 48, 51)
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"I
am the Light of the World." (John 8:12)
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"I
am the Door." (John 10:7)
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"I
am the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11)
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"I
am the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:25)
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"I
am He (the Christ)." (John 4:25-26)
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"I
am from above." (John 8:23-24, 28)
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"I
am the Way, the Truth and the Life." (John 14:6)
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"I
am the True Vine." (John 15:1)
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"I
am the Alpha and Omega." (first and last) (Revelation
1:8)
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"I
am the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8; Revelation 9:14)
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Just
recently the well-known radio commentator and author Charles
Templeton, from Toronto was a guest on our 2-hour weekly radio
talk show
Nightwatch." When I questioned him about his
agnosticisms and his relation to Christ, he replied, "Jesus
in my estimation is a moral genius...He has influenced my life
more than any other person that has ever lived?" That's
quite a statement.
Then
I asked him, "Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of
God"? Charles Templeton answered, "No, I do not believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God"!
Now
let me ask him another question: "How can Jesus Christ be a
moral genius and also be a liar: if He is not the Son of God for
He claimed He was the Son of God"?
WHAT
THE HOLY BIBLE SCRIPTURES SAY OF JESUS CHRIST ~ SON OF GOD
"In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things
were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was
made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of man."
(John 1:1-4)
"God...Hath
in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who
being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His
person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He
had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He
hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than
they." (Hebrews 1:2-4)
"And
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He
doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on
His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man
knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in
blood: and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies
which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in
fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp
sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule
them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture
and His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16)
"For
unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the
government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
WHAT
GOD THE FATHER SAYS OF HIM
"For
unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son,
this day have I begotten thee?
And
again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son? And
again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He
saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
But
unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A
scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast
loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows.
And,
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the
earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall
perish, but thou remainest: and they shall be changed: but thou
art the same and thy years shall not fail.
But
to which of the angels said He any time, Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:5-6,
8-13; Psalm 2:7)
"And
Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit
of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a
voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)
"While
He yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold
a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him." (Matthew 17:5)
WHAT
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS OF JESUS CHRIST - EMMANUEL
"But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) HAVE SAID UNTO YOU."
(John 14:26)
"But
when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the
Father, He shall testify of Me." (John 15:26)
"Howbeit
when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all
truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall
hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He
shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it
unto you." (John 16:13-14)
WHAT
THE PROPHETS SAY OF HIM
"..which
God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the
world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet
shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like
unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say
unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will
not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after,
as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these
days." (Acts 3:21-24)
"Then
He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken; Ought not Christ to have suffered
these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses
and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures
the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:25-27)
"To
Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever
believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts
10:43)
WHAT
HIS MOTHER SAID OF HIM
"His
mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, DO
IT." (John 2:5)
WHY
DID JESUS CHRIST COME?
"These
things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world." (John 16:33)
"...That
He (Jesus) should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given
Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John
17:2-3)
"Be
it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this
man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all
that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could
not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39)
"For
the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost." (Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11)
"...For
this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy
the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
"But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him: and with
His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID HE ACCOMPLISH?
"...Thus
it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise
from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found
in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is
above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
"Who
(God) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." (Colossians
1:13)
"And
(Jesus) having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew
of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
(Colossians 2:15)
HOW
DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO US TODAY
"But
as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" (John
1:12)
"For
the Father judgeth no man, but hath quickened them; even so the
Son quickeneth whom He will. For all men should honour the Son,
even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son
honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.
Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation: but is passed from death unto life." (John
5:22-24)
"He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him." (John 3:36)
"Jesus
cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but
on Him that sent Me." (John 12:44)
"Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send
receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent
Me." (John 13:20)
Believe
Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe
Me for the very works" sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.
And
whatsoever ye shall ask in Me name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My
name, I will do it.
If
ye love Me, keep My commandments. I will pray the Father, and He
shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for
ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him, but ye know Him;
for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave
you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:11-18)
"But
ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth." (Acts 1:8)
"And
He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover." (Mark 16:15-18)
"Let
not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
"For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." (John 3:16)
"Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and
he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
"Come
unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest." (Matt. 11:28)
"So
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them
that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto
salvation." (Hebrews 9:28)
"Wherefore
He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God
by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
(Hebrews 7:25)
GOD
IS WITH US - EMMANUEL
When
God laid Salvation's Plan, He included you and me - We are the
recipients of His divine grace! Hallelujah.
The
Bible says, "No good thing will He withhold from them that
walk uprightly." (Psalms 84:11) And "For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans
10:13) How great and majestic is the glorious salvation of our
Blessed Christ and Redeemer. The very word 'Jesus' in both Hebrew
and Greek means 'Saviour'.. The angel spoke to Joseph in Hebrew
and said "Ye shall call His name Jesus (Saviour) and He shall
save (salvage) His people from their sins." (Matthew
1:21)
What
good news, God is with us - Jesus is God and He is with us. God is
not only with us but through the baptism of the Holy Ghost He is
in us!
Jesus
said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you
another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the
Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth
Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth
with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I
will come to you." (John 14:16-18)
Note
these precious words: "At that day ye shall know that I am in
My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." (verse 20)
"And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
THINK
OF IT. GOD IS WITH US AND ALSO IN US. HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL
Let
this scripture grip your heart as it has mine.
"He
that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will
love Him, and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21)
IF
GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? WHAT ASSURANCE
The
great apostle to the Gentiles certainly spared no words when it
came to giving us assurance of God's great power that is very
available and readily accessible to His people. Let me share only
a few:
"And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)
AND
WE KNOW...NO DOUBT, NO MEALY-MOUTHED UNCERTAIN TEACHING,
WHATSOEVER! Definite, definitive and unfailing are the promises of
God. We need not worry, fret or doubt. WE KNOW! WE KNOW! WE KNOW.
St.
Paul knew a great many things about our Blessed Lord and His
marvellous salvation which unfortunately, many so-called preachers
seem to be in doubt today. The following scripture gives one of
the keys to his success - notice his sincere desire in this
prayer.
"That
I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..."
(Philippians 3:10)
Here's
another of his positive confessions and professions:
"...I
know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that
day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
"Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword?
As
it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For
I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)
FOR
I AM PERSUADED
"If
God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's Elect?
It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ
that died, yeah rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
(Romans 8:33-34)
THEY
THAT ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THEY THAT ARE WITH THEM
Let
me share with you a little about the great miracle that happened
at Dothan. A miracle of God's power, provision and grace!
It
was told to the King of Syria that the reason he was unable to get
the advantage over the Israelites was due to the supernatural
gifts of God by which the prophet Elisha was able to warn Israel
of the plans, designs and purposes of their enemy, coming against
them.
Finally
the King of Syria sent his army to Dothan with orders to capture
the prophet. The servant of Elisha was greatly concerned when he
saw the place surrounded by hostile men of war. He cried out,
"Alas my master, How shall we do?"
Notice
the prophets answer: "Fear not, for they that be with us are
more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)
Elisha then prayed for God to open the spiritual eyes of the young
man and he saw. "...The mountain was full of horses and
chariots of fire round about Elisha." (v. 17)
Praise God.
Jesus
said, "All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in
earth...and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world." (Matthew 28:18-30)
What
a promise! I am with you always! Even to the very end of the age -
Hallelujah.
Again
our Lord said, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee." (Hebrews 13:5)
NEVER,
NEVER, NEVER WILL JESUS LEAVE US!
He
will be with us in good times and bad times, in sickness and in
health, in success or failure, in testings, trials, tragedies and
sorrows. He will be with us in times of poverty or prosperity
right up til the END; including the journey through the valley of
the shadow of death! (Psalms 23)
Jesus
promised, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My
Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all: and no man is
able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." (John 10:27-29)
*
NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD...NO ONE CAN PLUCK US OUT OF OUR
FATHER'S HAND; NO ONE, NO ONE, NO ONE!
*
WE ARE PROTECTED FOR TIME AND ETERNITY, PROVIDED WE WALK IN THE
LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL TO GO HIS WAY!
*
WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN CHOOSE TO DEPART FROM HIS LOVE. HE
WILL NEVER LEAVE US IF WE WANT HIM TO STAY.
St.
Paul said, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not
of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to
the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:38-39)
Please
remember, dear friend: "But if we walk in the light, as He is
in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1
John 1:7) Also never forget that there are conditions as well as
promises. Here is a good example.
"If
ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me,
keep My commandments." (John 14:14-15)
"In
all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that
loved us." (Romans 8:37)
St.
Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) We can do the
same for Jesus our Lord is "No respector of persons, places
or times!" (Acts 10:34) "He is the same yesterday,
today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
NO
OTHER MESSAGE IS AS URGENT
The
Bible says, "The king's business requires haste"
(1 Sam. 21:8) and Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
(Rev. 19:16)
Jesus
said, "Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then
cometh harvest. Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes and look
on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice
together." (John 4:35-36)
Again
Jesus declared, "I must work the works of Him that sent
Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work".
(John 9:4)
HOW
IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE APPROPRIATE GOD'S PROMISES FOR OURSELVES
AND ALLOW HIM TO MOVE IN OUR LIVES AS HE WISHES, SO WE CAN BECOME
EFFECTIVE AS WITNESSES TO A LOST, NEEDY, SICK AND CONFUSED WORLD
We
must go forth with the message of God's great love, mercy and
peace. Let us not slacken off in proclaiming to the un-reached
masses that Jesus Christ came into this world to "seek
and to save that which was lost"!
It
is imperative that we 'lift up' the bloodstained banner of the
Cross, knowing that there is only one way to Heaven and that Jesus
Christ is that way. May we constantly remind ourselves: "Only
one life, it will soon be past - only what's done for Christ will
last".
I
am praying for you and your family at this beautiful time of the
year. Please pray for Donna and myself, our family
and staff, to be more effective in reaching multitudes with
the gospel of Christ, through our radio programs, printed
materials and crusades across Canada and abroad.
My
prayer is that we will all be fully awake, alert and aggressively
building His Kingdom, when He returns!
Have
a safe, peaceful and contagiously
joyous
Christmas!
JESUS
CHRIST:
Why Does
Peace Elude Us?
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken
JESUS
CHRIST IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE
It's
almost impossible to find people who aren't excited about
Christmas!
Young
and old alike love this special time of the year; the rich and
poor, businessmen, students, government officials and elderly;
Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox and Jews!
WHY
DOES EVERYONE LOVE CHRISTMAS? CHRISTMAS OFFERS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
A
time of spiritual fulfillment and reflection, family
reunion, fun and holidays, gifts, extra business and even a time
to fall in love!
I've
always cherished Christmas with all the festivities, services and
caring-sharing spirit that accompanies it.
I
know there are people who say Christmas was borrowed from a pagan
ritual, that Christ wasn't born on December 25, and the Christmas
tree is of pagan origin.
Most
Bible scholars will agree that Jesus Christ was born in the spring
of 4 or 5 B.C. and that December 25 was in fact the date of an
ancient Roman festival.
MARTIN
LUTHER INTRODUCED CHRISTMAS TREE
We'll
have to blame Dr. Martin Luther for the Christmas tree, and
possibly the carol 'Away In A Manger' which
was originally known as 'Luther's Cradle Hymn'!
The
Protestant Reformation however, injected joy and happiness into
the usual dull, somber services!
The
Bible says, "But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when
it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
[There
is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isaiah 57:20-21)
CHRISTMAS
IMPRESSES ME
I
enjoy giving gifts to my family and friends, and also receiving a
few. I love the Christmas cards, turkey dinner, family getting
together and worship services.
Maybe
I'm sentimental, but Christmas means a lot to me!
I'm glad that I am a Canadian and a Christian.
I
salute the governments of our nation (federal, provincial and
municipal) for respecting and honoring the birth of Christ.
As
for the gift giving, we'll have to credit Almighty God for
starting it all by giving His "only begotten Son" to the
world, and to the WISE MEN for bringing gold, frankincense and
myrrh to the Christ-child.
I'm
impressed with the miracles and challenges of Christmas: the
angelic visitation and the virgin birth of Christ, together with
His life, death and resurrection.
The
message of the angels has brought comfort and hope to millions
down through the centuries. "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." (Luke 2:14)
Mankind
hopes sincerely and desires peace! We all need inner
peace during the turmoil around us; peace in our hearts, peace in
our homes and communities! And we all hope for peace
among nations.
CHRIST
IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE
Is
peace possible, when you consider the staggering workload of
pastors, psychologists and psychiatrists; with the frightening
level of mental illness and nervous breakdown?
Is
it possible to have peace in view of the increase of murders,
abortion, rape, incest and other violent crime?
Unfortunately,
violence has become a staple in our daily lives from violent
scenes on our TV screens in the movies and even on children's
cartoons as well as domestically.
Child
abuse, incest and violence in the home, is often sparked by things
like pornography, sexual perversion, triggered by drunkenness and
drug abuse.
Can
peace invade the hearts and homes of vulgar, blasphemous and ungodly pot smoking, heroin taking, wife beating, incestuous
people? Is it possible for a change to occur in their lives?
The
answer is a definite, "YES"! Jesus Christ is the
'Prince of Peace' and 'Life's Great Champion'. His love for the
fearful, sinful, abused and hurting is awesome and an absolute
reality.
Jesus
said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The
Bible says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
JESUS
IS MASTER OVER EVERY SITUATION
Is
world peace possible - even after the breakup of the Soviet
Union - whenyou consider the powder keg that exists in Bosnia,
Chechnya, Algeria, Sudan and Northern Ireland?
Russia's
instability - with an enormous stock pile of nuclear weapons -
growing tension in the Middle East and the increasing
possibility of human error and miscalculation, adds to the
problem.
Humanly
speaking, it appears like an impossibility, unless there is divine
intervention! Mankind has proven that we cannot govern
ourselves properly. Greed, hatred, bigotry and strife is consuming
the human race.
We
all exult in the message of the angel band on the Judean hillsides
that first Christmas morn but many have failed to listen to the
entire message.
Fear
not, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all
people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a
Saviour which is Christ the Lord."
The
question I pose is, "Have we expected Him to bring peace
to earth and goodwill toward men, without us giving glory to God?"
The
world - by and large - has rejected Him as Saviour and Lord and
will continue to do so until He comes. How terribly sad and
unfortunate.
One
day, Jesus Christ will return in power to rapture those who trust
in Him and bring judgment upon the enemies of God and
righteousness.
THE
DEVIL WILL THEN BE BOUND AND PEACE WILL REIGN FOR 1000 YEARS
Until
we invite Christ into the UN in New York and the nations of the
world recognize His Lordship, confrontation and war is inevitable
and will continue to escalate.
Those
who receive Jesus Christ into their lives experience a spiritual
transformation and healing. When this begins to happen
on a large scale, our communities will change; because He is the
Prince of Peace.
A
Blessed and Merry Christmas to each one! May the light of Jesus
Christ's love shine in all our hearts now and throughout the
coming year! Amen.
JESUS
CHRIST is the real reason for the season!
HAVE
A SAFE, PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON
JESUS
CHRIST:
The
Reason for the Season
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken
The
Gregorian calendar divides history into two sections from the time
of His birth nearly 2000 years ago - BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno
Domini - which is Latin for "In the year of our Lord".)
Although
there have been, and still are, other calendars, the Gregorian is
used worldwide.
According
to Dr. Ralph Winters, an expert on world religions, the message of
Jesus Christ is a very viable and powerful force in the world
today.
Here
are some of his findings: In the year AD 40, there was only one
Christian to 40,000 pagans. By 1900, there was a dramatic change -
one Christian for every 100 pagans. In 1950, the ratio was reduced
further - 1 to 26. And today, the figure stands at one Christian
for every 9.3 non-believers.
GREAT
REVIVALS OF EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY ARE CURRENTLY SWEEPING THE
PHILIPPINES, LATIN AMERICA, SOUTH KOREA, AFRICA AND EASTERN
EUROPE.
With
the collapse of communism, it will surely continue to escalate,
garnering in millions more for God's kingdom! A growing number of imminent Jewish scholars and rabbis now
believe in Jesus as their Messiah or at least acknowledge Him as
prophet and teacher.
Ellis
Rivkin, professor of Jewish history at Hebrew Union College, said:
"Of these messianic claimants, only one - Jesus of Nazareth -
so impressed his disciples that he became their Messiah. And he
did so after the very crucifixion which should have refuted his
claims decisively. But it was not Jesus' life which proved beyond
question that He was the Messiah, the Christ. It was His
resurrection".
Even though Muslims do not accept Jesus as the Son of God and His
substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, they believe in
Him as a prophet.
History
has a way of repeating itself and like the middle ages, the
religious race is once again between Mohammed's Islam and the
Gospel of Christ.
Much
progress has been made worldwide, and now with the door open to the former Soviet Union, we can carry
the gospel of Jesus Christ into the many Muslim republics there.
Muslims
have been taught to sacrifice themselves for their religion - And
when they realize that Jesus Christ is the Very Son of God (which
their Koran teaches, as well as contradicts) they will be willing
to die for Jesus, if necessary.
With
that kind of a mind-set, the gospel will spread quickly among the
masses, as it did in the Early Church period.
But,
with the enormous wealth of the Arab Gulf States - some of which
heavily support Islam's missionary vision - and the fanaticism of
Iran's Shiites, the religion of Mohammed is gaining ground.
Although
Christianity has made gigantic strides during the last two
millennia's, many believers have become lukewarm in their devotion
to Jesus Christ and are Christian in "name only". And
unfortunately, some denominations have compromised their doctrinal
position and denied "the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints". (Jude 3)
St.
Paul warned of those who "have a form of godliness, but deny
the power thereof". His admonition was: "from such turn
away".
THREE
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH, WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDER ATTACK
BY LIBERAL THEOLOGIANS, ARE THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST, HIS
SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH AND PHYSICAL RESURRECTION.
Let's
go back to the beginning of Christianity and Jesus' birth, in
order to understand the phenomenon surrounding this great event.
Isaiah
prophesied the Messiah's virgin birth 700 years before it
happened. He also foretold His death on the cross.
"Therefore,
the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
(Isaiah 7:14)
"For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
"But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with
His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Numerous
prophets had revealed other aspects of His miraculous birth,
perfect sinlessness, supernatural miracle ministry,
substitutionary death and glorious resurrection from the dead.
Micah
prophesied His birth in Bethlehem. This was fulfilled when Caesar
Augustus, the Roman emperor, made a decree that all Palestinians
must return to the town of their ancestry for a general census.
"But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me
that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from
of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
Although
Joseph - the husband of Mary - lived in Nazareth, he had to return
with his expectant wife for the enumeration. Jesus was born in
Bethlehem, as the prophet had said.
"And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed
with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
"And
so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn
son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke
2:4-7)
Hosea
foretold His flight into Egypt, where He and His parents fled from
King Herod, who sought His life. Jeremiah prophesied the mourning
of children killed by Herod in the "slaughter of the
innocents".
"Then
was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and
great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not." (Matt. 2:17-18)
Hundreds
of Old Testament prophecies, identifying the Messiah, were
fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth.
The
sad part is that today, multitudes of people celebrate His birth,
but have no vital contact with Him. They've also forgotten the
reason for His coming.
JESUS
CAME TO GIVE HOPE TO THE WORLD, PEACE TO TROUBLED HEARTS AND MINDS
AND HEALING TO THOSE WHO HURT. JESUS CAME TO PROVIDE SALVATION FOR
THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE.
"He
came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as
received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
Christ is the real reason for the season!
Have
a safe, peaceful and contagiously joyous Christmas!
Away
in a Manager
\
Away
in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The
cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be
near me Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay.
Close by me forever,
And love my I pray.
Bless
all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.
Angels
We Have Heard on High
\
Angels
we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds,
why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear? Refrain
Come
to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King. Refrain
See
him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love. Refrain
 THE
CROSSROADS
OF LIFE
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken,
D.D.
"Stand
ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old Paths wherein is the
good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, we will not walk therein." (Jeremiah 6:16)
The
prophet Jeremiah had a
solution for the restlessness and fears that has beset the human
family ever since the fall of Adam and Eve in Garden of Eden!
He had the answer to the turmoil, upheaval and injustice that
has afflicted multitudes across the globe. Jeremiah has
a message from Almighty God for the great problems facing the
masses of sinful, guilty and hurting mankind!
There
are Biblical Solutions to Life's Difficult Situations! There
are answers to the life-long problems caused by disobedience to
the law of loving God with the whole heart, soul and spirit, and
our neighbour as ourselves!
WE
HAVE A SIN PROBLEM!
The
real problem facing humanity is man is propensity to disobey, hate,
demean, and harm our fellowman. The real problem is not the
neighbour you dislike, the corruption in government, or the thief
who has ransacked your home. The truth is plain and simple:
"We have a sin problem."
The
Holy Bible states, "For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God." (Romans 3:23); "But now being
made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit
unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin
is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Romans 6: 22, 23)
Sin
is disobedience against God and His Word. It is breaking
God's Laws or Commandments. From the original Greek and
Hebrew Scriptures, the Bible has several words for sin, one being
'transgression' and another is 'iniquity.' Sin is "Transgression of
God's Law."
Sin
is also defined as 'missing the mark' of the standard our Lord has
set for us. We are all sinners by birth, by nature
and by choice! Jesus Christ is perfect and He is the
standard by which we must measure ourselves. Sin comes from
the inner man, which was depraved from birth.
Jesus
said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth
come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out
of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are
the things which defile a man but to eat with unwashen hands
defileth not a man." (Matthew 15:19)
Sin
separates man from God. The Bible states: "But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins
have hid his face from you, that He will not hear." (Isaiah
59:2)
Sin
is unbelief, which rejects and denies God's Word: "He
that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)
JEREMIAH'S
SOLUTION!
"Stand
ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old Paths wherein is the
good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, we will not walk therein." (Jeremiah 6: 16)
Go
down to the crossroads and see where each road leads. Don't
get on a road that takes you to nowhere or to dangerous places.
Don't try something new just because someone has hyped it to you.
They may have a sinister motive, like getting you hooked on drugs
or lead you into a life of gambling. Getting on the wrong
road could destroy your future and eventually lead to a lost
eternity.
The
old Paths speaks of a true and tested lifestyle of love, caring,
family, honesty, righteousness and compassion. Yet, as the
prophet declared, "But they said, we will not walk therein."
How
true that is, even today! People can hear the message of
God's love and compassion repeatedly and even believe it, but
allow themselves to be drawn into a worldly and a dangerous
lifestyle!
SINNER
: STOP, LOOK & LISTEN!
Sinner,
backslider: Stop, look and listen. There may be real
trouble coming down the tracks heading toward you! In your
fevered pace of seeking pleasure, having so-called fun, stop in
your pursuit of love, happiness, gain, position and place.
Stop long enough to evaluate what is going on in your life and the
world about you. Check out the consequences of the long term
benefits or negative results!
Make
an informed decision to return to the Old Path of Righteousness
through a determined serious return to God through Jesus Christ
our Lord. You will then have guaranteed your future for time
and eternity instead of having sold out to Satan only to have your
future hijacked and your salvation despoiled!
The
end results gained from walking on the old Path are enormous.
It pays in "rest for our souls." It pays in peace, joy,
love, forgiveness, guidance, spiritual power, divine healing,
eternal life and Heaven forever!
Peace:
"Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous
judgments. Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing
shall offend them." (Psalms 119: 164, 165)
Jesus
said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27).
St.
Paul stated: "And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4: 7)
Love:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved." (John 3: 16, 17)
St.
John declares: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of
God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He
that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love." (1 John
4:7,8)
Forgiveness:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John
1: 8): "In Whom we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His
grace." (Eph. 1:7)
Holy
Ghost Baptism: "John answered, saying unto them all,
I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I cometh,
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Luke 3:16);
Jesus said: "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
Led
by Holy Spirit: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of
Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not
speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He
speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me:
for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shown it unto you. All
things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that ye
shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:
13-15)
Divine
Healing: "And He said
unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel unto
every creature, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned, And these signs shall
follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents and
if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall
lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16: 14-18)
Fellowship
in Christ: "That which we have we have seen and heard
declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and
truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus
Christ. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:3,7)
"And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the
temple of the Living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them,
and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people. Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
Eternal
Life: "And this is eternal Life, that they may know
Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."
(John 17: 3); "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they
follow Me: And I give unto the eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Father's
hand." (John 10: 27, 28)
"And
this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he
that hath not the Son hath life. These things have I written unto
you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that they may know
that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of
the Son of God." (1 John 5: 11-13)
ALL
OTHER ROADS!
All
other roads lead to Hell and destruction; heartbreak, torment,
sorrows, prison, dead-end! The Bible says: "There is a way that
seemeth right to a man but the end thereof are the ways of
death." (Proverbs 14:25);
"By
faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season." (Hebrews 11:24,256:23)
SIN
OF BACKSLIDING!
St.
Paul wrote about the awesome responsibility preachers have to
declare the whole truth and not weaken the Gospel through
compromise. He warned about the deadly sin of backsliding and how
to come back to the Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Like the
Prodigal Son, it takes repentance and a willingness to turn back
to God, forsaking sin and evil!
'For
though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for
necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is me, if I preach not the
Gospel. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway."
(1 Corinthians 9: 16,27)
Almighty
God calls us back to Him, if any are guilty of straying from His
Word; "Come now, and let us reason together saith the Lord?
though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
(Isaiah 1:18).
JESUS
calls us all: "Come unto ME, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall
find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is
light." (Matt.hew 11: 28-30)
All
that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to
Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6: 37); "Behold, I
stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and he will with Me."
(Revelation 3:20)
I
PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
I
stood in a courtroom filled to capacity with every race and nation
all staring right at me. The judge walked in, took His seat and my
crimes began to read. I raised my head as I looked at Him, when He
said, "How do you plead?" I said, "I Plead the Blood!"
"I
plead the Blood of Jesus, against the crimes you have read. I
plead the blood of Jesus, they are covered as He said. For His
death on Calvary, assured me I am FREE. There is now, no
condemnation. Tis Jesus BLOOD I plead."
Then
He read out all my crimes. Listed them one by one. And I was so
ashamed of the awful things I had done. Then He looked again at
me, This awesome fearful Judge. He said, How do you plead? I said,
“I Plead the Blood!"
"I
plead the Blood of Jesus, against the crimes you have read. I
plead the blood of Jesus, they are covered as He said. For His
death on Calvary, assured me I am FREE. There is now, no
condemnation. Tis Jesus BLOOD I plead." AMEN.
WHAT MUST
I DO
TO BE SAVED?
Jesus
said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Yes,
my dear friend, God is still in the business of setting men and
women free from their sins, sorrows, heartbreaks, fears and
troubles. In this age of frustrations, nervous tensions and
mental collapses, Jesus Christ is still granting peace to the
troubled, joy to the discouraged, strength to the weary and
healing to the sick!
 1
- YOU MUST ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER
The
Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God." (Rom. 3:23) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the
iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
2
- YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD
You
MUST believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus died
on the cross, was buried and rose again from the dead.
"That
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal
life. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already." (John 3:15,18) "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
3
- YOU
MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS
The
Bible says: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish." (Lu.13:3) "Let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord,
and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will
abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)
4
- YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR
The
Bible says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with Me." (Rev. 3:20) "He that hath the Son hath life: and he
that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:12)
5
- YOU MUST CONFESS JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD
The
Bible says: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
"Whosoever
shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man confess
before the angels of God: But he that denieth Me before men shall
be denied before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8, 9)
HOW
DO I INVITE
JESUS CHRIST INTO MY LIFE?
Pray
to God, a prayer - from your heart.
Tell Him that you
are a sinner and that you need forgiveness. Tell him that
you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins. Tell him that
you are willing to change, to turn away from sin. Ask Jesus
Christ to come into your heart and life and be your personal
Saviour.
"But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2
Corinthians 5:17)
If
you prayed and ask Jesus Christ into your heart - YOU HAVE NOW
RECEIVED THE GIFT OF SALVATION - YOU HAVE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD.
God Bless You.
-
Powerful AUDIO Bible sermons/messages
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
- click on
message to listen -
Bible
Scriptures verses on
Jesus
Christ, birth of Jesus, virgin Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem
(King
James Version)
Isaiah
9:6 - (kjv)
- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace,
Isaiah
7:14 - (kjv) - Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Galatians
4:4 - (kjv) - But
when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman, made under the law,
Micah
5:2 - (kjv) - But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me
[that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been]
from of old, from everlasting.
John
1:14 - (kjv) - And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of
grace and truth.
Matthew
2:1 - (kjv) - Now
when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Genesis
3:15 - (kjv) - And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel.
1
Peter 3:18 - (kjv) - For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit;
John
1:1 - (kjv) - In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
Luke
1:35 - (kjv)
- And
the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God.
Matthew
2:11 - (kjv)
- And
when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they
had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold
and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew
1:25 - (kjv) - And
knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he
call his name JESUS.
Matthew
1:18 - (kjv) - Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Isaiah
53:1-12 - (kjv) - Who
hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD
revealed?
Revelation
20:7-9 - (kjv) - And
when the
thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his
prison,
2
Peter 3:8 - (kjv) - But,
beloved, be no ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2
Peter 1:21 - (kjv) - For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men
of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
Colossians
1:18 - (kjv) - And
he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the
preeminence.
Luke
2:7 - (kjv) - And
she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for
them in the inn.
Colossians
1:18 - (kjv) - And
he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the
preeminence.
Matthew
1:22 - (kjv) - Now
all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Matthew
1:23 - (kjv) - Behold,
a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God
with us.
1
Corinthians 15:22 - (kjv) - For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
John
14:6 - (kjv) - Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John
8:58 - (kjv) - Jesus
said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham
was, I am.
Luke
2:1-20 -
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Daniel
2:44 -
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not
be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Genesis
1:1-31 -
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2
John 1:9 -
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
he hath both the Father and the Son.
1
John 5:7 -
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
2
Peter 3:12 -
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat?
2
Peter 3:10 -
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the
which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up.
Hebrews
10:7 -
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written
of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Hebrews
9:7 -
But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year,
not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the
errors of the people:
Hebrews
2:9-13 -
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews
1:1-3 -
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets,
2
Timothy 3:16 -
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is]
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
1
Timothy 2:5 -
For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
1
Timothy 2:4 -
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
1
Thessalonians 5:23 -
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God]
your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1
Thessalonians 5:3 -
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they
shall not escape.
Colossians
1:9-18 -
For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease
to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians
1:1-29 -
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus
[our] brother,
Galatians
1:4 -
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
2
Corinthians 4:4 -
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1
Corinthians 15:50 -
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1
Corinthians 15:26 -
The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.
1
Corinthians 15:25 -
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1
Corinthians 15:1-4 -
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Romans
5:12-21 -
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans
5:6-11 -
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for
the ungodly.
Romans
1:16-18 -
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
Acts
10:1-48 -
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion
of the band called the Italian [band],
Acts
3:19-21 -
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord;
Acts
2:22-31 -
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which
God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
John
20:28 -
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John
19:26-27 -
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by,
whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
John
14:11 -
Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or
else believe me for the very works' sake.
John
14:9 -
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the
Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?
John
14:8 -
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth
us.
John
6:63 -
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are
life.
John
5:39 -
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.
John
5:29 -
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation.
John
5:28 -
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John
1:16-17 -
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Luke
21:29-32 -
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the
trees; (Read
More...)
Luke
5:4 -
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into
the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke
2:51 -
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject
unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Luke
2:49 -
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not
that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke
2:39 -
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Luke
2:36-38 -
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke
2:22 -
And when the days of her purification according to the law of
Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present
[him] to the Lord;
Luke
2:8 -
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke
2:1-52 -
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke
1:78 -
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on
high hath visited us,
Luke
1:76-80 -
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for
thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luke
1:43 -
And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come
to me?
Luke
1:27 -
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house
of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
Luke
1:26-38 -
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Mark
1:1 -
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Matthew
27:11-26 -
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him,
saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him,
Thou sayest. (Read
More...)
CONTACT
INFORMATION
For further spiritual counsel, prayer or gospel literature, please
contact us!
www.mswm.org www.maxsolbrekken.com
max@maxsolbrekken.com
 Max
Solbrekken World Mission, P.O. Box 44220, RPO Garside, Edmonton,
AB T5V 1N6 (780) 460-8444
The
House of Prayer, New Sarepta, Alberta (780) 941-2372
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