|
 What
are the
SEVEN
DEADLY SINS?
by Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D
"For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans
3:23)
ARE
WE ALL GUILTY OFF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS?
Is
this generation guilty of the seven deadly sins, as catalogued by
medieval theologians?
YES,
we are guilty of the seven deadly sins! And this consensus
of opinion comes from groups as diverse as ecologists, historians
and theologians!
According
to Richard Pollay, historian at University of British Columbia,
the values behind modern advertising look much like the seven
deadly sins.
States
Pollay, "But the other side of the coin is almost absent.
Ads don't encourage compassion, selflessness and the values that
build a strong community"!
The
business community
has for many years succumbed to the "dog eat dog" value
system, in aggressive and often unethical competition among its
members. And we've known for a long time, that advertising
agencies exploit everything available, in their quest for
business.
ADVERTISING
AGENCIES EXPLOIT THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Like
sex (lust), for example. Scantily dressed, sensual females,
selling anything from holiday packages to automobiles, to lingerie
to a night out at the cabaret!
And
a ruggedly handsome cowboy promoting "cancer-causing"
cigarettes, or an elegantly dressed, jet-setting young couple,
standing beside a deluxe car in the driveway of a super expensive
home...promoting vodka! (greed)!
Some
years ago (Dec. 1998), Alberta�s Telus
(phone company) came out with a Christmas television commercial
with 3 wise men bringing gifts, supposedly to the Christ-Child (He
was not shown). Their gifts consisted of gold, frankincense &
a mobile telephone from Telus.
After a lot of callers objected, the ad was pulled!
When
contacted by the TV media, I voiced my opposition declaring,
"Nothing is sacred or holy anymore! Nothing is off limits to
the materialistic, secular humanistic MINDSET! It shows a
terrible lack of sensitivity and reverence for God & the
Bible!"
"This
is but another calculated move by an unthinking, secular &
materialistic advertising agency to utilize a part of the
Christmas Story to further the economic goals of the TELUS
Corporation. We do not agree with that concept. They have crossed
over the line of decency and good taste! This practice must stop!
We won�t put up with it!"
Now,
an advertising historian is saying the same thing. Our advertising
value-system is seriously flawed! And that's upsetting, when you
consider the thousands of ads we are all subjected to through
radio, television, billboards and printed materials.
WE
HAVE BECOME GREEDY, ENVIOUS PEOPLE, FULL OF PRIDE & SELFISHNESS
IT'S
NO WONDER THAT A LOT OF CHILDREN ARE GREEDY, SELFISH, ENVIOUS!
They want everything they see, and have a problem sharing what
they have with others.
The
same could be said about many adults who have become narcissistic
and hedonistic in their approach to life. This corrupted value
system helped spawn the Me Generation, 'if it feels good, do it'
attitude and the present YUPPIE mentality.
THE
WORLD HAS BEEN PLAYING GOD & ABUSING THE PLANET
The
Asian economic recession has taken a big bite out of the economic
pie and a lot of people are frustrated and let down.
And
the news about the depletion of the ozone layer causing enormous
increases in skin cancer, possible global warming, a deteriorating
eco-system and the stampeding HIV and AIDS endemic, is causing
people to rethink their philosophy of life.
Unfortunately,
large numbers are rudderless without any proper spiritual and
moral grounding in God's Word, the Bible...so become fair game for
the deceptive occultist and pagan teachings of the New Age
Movement and other cults.
Several
years ago Newsweek named the guilty nations which are adding to
the destruction of our planet. They presented their own list of
the "seven deadly sins" in an attack on
polluters.
Newsweek's
special report titled, Earth at the Summit details the three
important items on the table at Earth Summit '92, in Rio de
Janeiro:
1)
Global Warming: A treaty intended to curb emissions
of "greenhouse gases" - principally carbon dioxide - but
without specific target or timetables.
2)
Agenda 21: A plan for the industrial nations to help
poor countries develop their economies without ruining their
environments - or the planet's. Estimated cost: US $125 billion
per year.
3)
Biodiversity: A treaty to slow the loss of
endangered species. One approach, give countries royalties for
products (such as drugs) that are developed from indigenous plants
and animals
ECOLOGIST'S
HAVE MADE THEIR OWN LIST OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
The
Newsweek report stated, "Adam was supposed to be the first
environmentalist - the caretaker in Paradise, even a vegetarian.
His fall doomed us to repeat his sins, time and again despoiling
the garden, and casting ourselves into a more imperfect
world".
Here
are the Ecologist's 7 SEVEN DEADLY SINS: despair,
gluttony, temptation, hubris, neglect, envy and hatred.
ECOLOGIST'S
7 DEADLY SINS LIST
The
ecologist's blame the condition of the world on their own list of
the seven deadly sins. This is the list they have devised:
despair, gluttony, temptation, hubris, neglect, envy and hatred.
Ecologist
Sin #1 - DESPAIR - Despair:
For the poor in the large city ghettoes of Third World nations
like Brazil, the only real concern is getting enough to eat,
staying alive using whatever means to do it.
With
open sewers and inadequate clean water supply, speaking to them
about pollution control and global warming, is totally irrelevant.
They are filled with worry and despair.
Ecologist
Sin #2
- GLUTTONY - Gluttony: Americans have an insatiable
desire for raw materials. They can consume anything. The European
immigrants cut down all but 5% of their forests, since arriving in
the New World. Ecologists are blaming the rich Americans for
consuming more than necessary, further polluting the planet!
Ecologist
Sin #3
- TEMPTATION - Temptation: Polluters cannot resist the
temptation to dump raw sewage in the rivers, lakes and streams of
the world. The greatest offenders are nations like Mexico and US
companies which have moved their operations there, to take
advantage of lax pollution laws.
Ecologist
Sin #4
- HUBRIS - Hubris:
The meaning of hubris is insolence or arrogance caused by
inordinate pride; exaggerated self-confidence.
For
years the Soviet Union tried to play God with nature. In 1960, it
diverted two rivers that fed the Aral Sea in order to irrigate the
arid lands of Central Asia. The chickens have come home to roost
and the water level in the Aral is down two-thirds, leaving boats
and towns stranded and drifting salt storms.
Ecologist
Sin #5
- NEGLECT - Neglect:
The pollution caused by decades of communistic rule in the
East-Bloc nations - with their disregard for human life - has
severely retarded these nations, affecting the health of millions.
Unsafe nuclear plants - like Chernobyl - and the virtually
unchecked dumping of raw, hazardous wastes into waterways like the
Elbe River has turned them into "sewers of death".
Ecologist
Sin #6
- ENVY - Envy:
In her rush to catch up to the west economically, China has thrown
caution to the wind and also endangered the population with deadly
gases from hundreds of factories. In Benxi - the world's most
polluted city - 200 factories spew out more than 87 million cubic
meters of gases each year. And Beijing is so smoggy that at times
it vanishes from satellite photos.
Ecologist
Sin #7
- HATRED - Hatred: When Saddam Hussein - Iraq's cruel despot -
retreated from Kuwait - he deliberately ordered the destruction of
700 oil wells. Black smoke hung over that nation for nearly one
year, polluting the entire region, until the fires were put out.
He
also released millions of gallons of oil into the gulf waters,
polluting, killing and destroying marine life, birds and insects,
endangering the underground water supply and causing respiratory
diseases in humans!
The
damage of his terrorism will last for years to come and the cost
of the clean-up could total $20 billion, says Ibrahim Hadi,
president of Kuwait's Environmental Protection Agency!
GOD
HAS THE FINAL WORD ON THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
The
Bible has a lot to say about sin. Jesus was outspoken on the
subject.
Jesus
used the word "eaven" as an analogy of sin, which rises
and expands like leaven. The Lord Jesus also paralleled it
with tares or weeds in a field, that seek to choke out the good
grain.
THE
BIBLE STATES THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:
The
Bible very clearly states the seven deadly sin are: Pride,
greed, lust, anger or hatred, gluttony, envy and sloth.
Deadly
Sin #1 - PRIDE  #1
- PRIDE, which makes one feel superior to others is totally
wrong. This sin was Lucifer�s downfall! The Bible says,
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before
a fall." (Proverbs 15:8)
Deadly
Sin #2 - GREED
#2
- GREED has caused more wars and created more gangsters and
promoted more theft than any other sin.
The
Bible says, "Thou shalt not COVET..." (Exodus
20:17) "For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man
of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." (1
Timothy 6:10-11)
Deadly
Sin #3 - LUST #3
- LUST is the desire for something not lawfully yours. A
sensual desire for the forbidden fruit! It includes an inordinate
desire for power, control, sex, substance abuse or wealth. Lust
always brings spiritual death, in the end.
The
Bible says, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth
sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James
1:15)
Deadly
Sin #4 - ANGER
#4
- ANGER or HATRED causes high blood pressure, ulcers,
violent confrontation and even murder!
Jesus
said, "But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and
walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because
that darkness hath blinded his eyes. �Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal
life abiding in him."
"If
a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for
he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love
God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him,
That he who loveth God love his brother also." (1 John 2:11;
1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20-21)
Deadly
Sin #5 - GLUTTONY #5
- GLUTTONY is an over indulgence in eating. A phobia or
inordinate desire to eat food, even when one is not hungry. A good
rule is: Eat to live, not live to eat! A day of fasting &
prayer each week does wonders for us - spiritually &
physically!
Let�s
use the extra money we save through fasting to give to the poor
& needy and to support the poor and the orphaned.
Deadly
Sin #6 - ENVY #6
- ENVY will also cause the blood pressure to rise and the
demons of jealousy and pride to fabricate lies and even fantasies
in a person, given over to this wicked sin.
The
Bible says, "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in
rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in
strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
(Romans 13:13-14)
Deadly
Sin #7 - SLOTH #7
- SLOTH goes hand in hand with laziness and poverty. St.
Paul stated, "Be not slothful in business". (Romans
12:11)
"For
God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love,
which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister.
And
we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the
full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but
followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises." (Hebrews 6:10-12)
REMEMBER
- GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY IN EVERYTHING
The
Bible is the Word of God. Don't ever forget that God, our
Lord keeps the books. God, the creator or the world has the
final say in everything.
There
is only one way to be freed from these �seven deadly sins� and
that is through the process of the New Birth. Only faith in Jesus
Christ's death for us on the cross and His glorious resurrection
from the dead, brings us into a vital contact with His saving
blood.
;Jesus
said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden
and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
SIN
- AN UGLY 3 LETTER WORD
HOW TO BE FORGIVEN
OF SINS?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D
SIN
IS REAL - WE ARE ALL SINNERS
Sin
is real, says famed psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger. The highly
acclaimed psychiatrist is distressed by modern society's failure
to understand that many of man's problems are caused by sin.
It
annoys him to hear people discuss morality without so much as
mentioning the word "SIN".
WHEN
WE DISCOVER THE ROOT OF OUR PROBLEMS - WE CAN DEAL WITH THEM
Menninger
believes that in order to raise civilization's moral tone and deal
with depression, anxiety and worry, people must learn the root
cause of their problems.
And
the root cause in many instances is a person's unwillingness to
take responsibility for his own actions, but rather lay the blame
on someone - or something - else!
Several
decades ago, George W. Cornell of the Associated Press (AP) wrote
a column titled 'Word Sin Disappears But Remains A Fact', in which
he quoted at great length Dr. Karl Menninger's beliefs on this
subject.
ARE
IMMORALITY & UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR SIN?
"He
says the realities of personal guilt and sin have been glossed
over as symptoms of emotional illness or environmental
conditioning for which the individual is not considered
responsible, but he adds:
"There
is sin...which cannot be subsumed under verbal artifacts such as
'disease', 'delinquency', 'deviancy'. There is immorality. There
is unethical behavior. There is wrong doing."
WHATEVER
BECAME OF SIN?
Cornell
states: "He calls for a reaffirmation of the concept of sin
and of personal responsibility for it. " In a new book
published by Hawthorne called 'Whatever Became of Sin?' he
declares:
"In
the concept of personal responsibility and answerability for
ourselves and for others were to return to common acceptance, hope
would return to the world with it.
We
have the father of psycho-analysis, Sigmund Freud - who was
battling his own weird and kinky imaginations and habits - to
thank for much of that!
The
founder of the Menninger Centre in Topeka, Kansas, is seeking to
correct the situation by addressing the problem.
SIN
HAS A DEFIANT, DISLOYAL QUALITY
His
latest book, Whatever Became of Sin?, describes the subject as
"a transgression of the law of God; disobedience of the
divine will; moral failure...Sin has a defiant, or disloyal
quality; someone is defiled or offended or hurt."
Modern
psychiatry often lets people off the hook. And failure to bring
offenders face to face with their error could produce a sense of
vindication, without coming to grips with the problem; the need to
change lifestyles.
ACCEPTING
RESPONSIBILITY & REPENTING BRINGS FREEDOM FROM GUILT &
ANXIETY
Menninger
has successfully treated thousands of clients for more than a half
century and has proven that acceptance of responsibility coupled
with repentance, often brings freedom from guilt and anxiety. The
refusal to confront the problem only compounds it by giving at the
very best, temporary relief.
Thousands
of years ago, King David stated: "He that confesseth and
forsaketh his sin shall have mercy, but he that covereth his sin
shall not prosper." (Proverbs 28:13)
FORGIVENESS
IS THE KEY TO MENTAL HEALTH
Forgiveness
is vital to good mental health. We must forgive others if we
expect God to forgive us, as well as being able to forgive
ourselves.
A
leading psychiatrist noted that 90% of the mentally ill could be
immediately well if they were able to forgive themselves and
others and to receive forgiveness!
It
is difficult for an individual to forgive himself without the
assurance that God has forgiven him.
That
is why the gospel - CONFESSION, REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS -
is so relevant and necessary!
IF
WE CONFESS OUR SIN GOD IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE OUR SIN
The
Bible states emphatically: "If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
"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)
Some
health officials, in explaining their AIDS program, go to great
lengths promoting condoms, as well as sexual abstinence. Then they
usually add: "THIS IS NOT A MORAL ISSUE".
How
ridiculous. Of course it's a moral issue!
If
our young people had higher morals there wouldn't be such a
problem with drug abuse, fornication or homosexual problems which
puts them at risk for the AIDS virus.
A
RISE IN MORAL VALUES WOULD DECREASE SEXUAL DISEASES
If
people were more moral and stuck with the Bible standard of
"one woman -- one man", there wouldn't be such a
dramatic increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
A
RISE IN MORAL VALUES WOULD ELIMINATE SO MUCH SIN
It
goes without saying, violence would be almost non-existent and
crime, rape and child abuse would drop drastically.
WHAT
THE WORLD NEEDS IS A MORAL REVOLUTION!
There
are signs that a moral revolution is coming. During an earlier
Canadian election, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was
accused of lying. Constituents were sending politicians the
message: "We won't tolerate dishonesty."
MORAL
VALUES ARE NECESSARY FOR A THRIVING ECONOMY
During
the last general election in Canada, Prime Minister Jean Chretien
was accused of breaking three earlier election promises which
included the promise to scrap the hated "GST". In
the recent US Presidential election, nearly all candidates were
speaking about values. Why? People understand that a sense of
moral values is not only important, but necessary.
America's
annual "SIN BILL" topped more than a half a trillion
dollars in 1987.
Dr.
Charles Ewing of The National Statesman said that Americans spent
$144 billion for liquor, $177 billion on gambling, $110 billion on
drugs, $73 billion on tobacco and $40 billion on pornography!
TEENAGERS,
OUR GREATEST COMMODITY - are being threatened by violence, murder,
drugs, alcoholism & suicide.
An
article by Dr. Robert Blum in the Journal of American Medical
Association states: "Over the past 30 years, adolescents have
been the only population in the US who have not experienced
improvement in their health status."
According
to Blum, 77% of adolescent deaths were caused by accidents and
violence, including self-inflicted violence. And there was a
shocking four-fold increase in suicides & murders!
A
US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report states:
"Of the 10,250 kids born today...one will die and four will
sustain serious or crippling injuries in an alcohol related crash
before they reach the age of 24."
A
SERIOUS WARNING - "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH"
This
is a very sobering, serious warning about sin, accidents and
death! May we all take a lesson from these tragic statistics,
realizing that "The wages of sin is death."
WHAT
MUST I DO TO BE FORGIVEN OF MY SINS?
You
may say, "All you have stated is true! But what must I do to
be forgiven and freed from my sins?" The Bible says, "If
we confess our sins (to God) He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". (1 John
1:9)
George
W. Cornell writes: "Menninger says that just as it is
inadequate for a clergyman to give only pastoral counseling to a
schizophrenic, it is inadequate for a psychiatrist to treat a
symptom like sleeplessness of a man involved in wicked
rascality."
REPENTANCE
OF SIN IS VALUABLE!
"It
does little good to repent a symptom, but it may do great harm not
to repent a sin. Vice-versa, it does little good to merely
psychoanalyze a sin and sometimes a great harm to ignore a
symptom."
He
says recognizing the fact of voluntarily willed sin is "the
only hopeful view", since it implies the possibility of
repenting and correcting it. He adds:
"The
logical reasonable effective solution for tension reduction in
such circumstances is to make atonement, as the theologians call
it, or as we say, by restitution, acknowledgement and revised
tactics."
As
the situation now is "vague amorphous evil appears all around
us" with the presumption that "no one is responsible, no
one guilty" and that there is 'just nothing to do'. BUT,
THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO!
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN
"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)
The
Bible says: "... But the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord". (Romans 6:23)
 THERE
IS POWER
IN
THE BLOOD OF JESUS
by Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D
"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)
HOW
TO RECEIVE TOTAL HEALING THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS
The
ancient
prophet Isaiah set forth a graphic picture of the coming Jewish
Messiah in the 53rd chapter of the book we call "The
Gospel of the Old Testament."
"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)
We
can receive total healing through the wounds of Jesus Christ -
According to the prophets, the Messiah would suffer, bleed and die
for His people. He would be cut off in death, but rise again in
power. He would be wounded, bruised, chastised and striped
in order to purchase our salvation and bring deliverance from sin,
sickness and eternal death.
And
St. Peter records the glorious results of Christ's terrible
sufferings as our substitute. "Who His own self bare our
sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were
healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
 THE
SEVEN WOUNDS OF JESUS SPELL COMPLETE REDEMPTION
Jesus
Christ received seven specific wounds in His body during His week
of suffering and death. The number seven in biblical terms speaks
of perfection and completeness.
Wounds
according to the dictionary are divisions of the soft part of the
body by a mechanical force applied externally. They are classified
as: contused, lacerated, penetrating, perforating and incised!
Jesus Christ received each of these plus an additional two, by
mutilation and falling.
1)
THE CONTUSED WOUND
- produced by a sharp instrument.
"They
shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek."
(Micah 5:1)
St.
Matthew wrote, "They smote Him with rods."
(Matthew 26:67; John 18:22) (Newberry & Revised) "Then
they did spit in His face and buffeted Him, and others smote Him
with the palms of their hands." (Matthew 26:67)
Very
definitely, Jesus suffered pain and humiliation as Roman soldiers
beat Him about the face with their rods!
Others,
including the servants smote Him with their hands. The rod would
cut into the flesh, leaving a contused wound.
 2)
THE LACERATED WOUND
- produced by a tearing instrument.
The
Romans used the cruel cat-of-nine tails to scourge criminals. On
the end of the whip were nine pieces of leather to which were
attached sharp ivory or metal balls with protruding nails. As the
whip was cracked, it would tear out pieces of the flesh.
Jewish
law demanded that not more than 40 lashes be administered, since
often the victim would faint or even die during the scourging.
The
Romans did not need to adhere to Jewish law. As a matter of fact,
crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution! The Romans always
scourged a condemned man before crucifying him.
Some
historians and Church Fathers believe that Jesus Christ may have
received many more than 30 stripes. The more punishment a
prisoner took on the whipping pole, the shorter was the guard duty
for the Roman Soldiers at the scene of execution.
Since
the Jewish leadership had accused Him of perverting the people,
the Romans certainly had no reason to "go easy"
on Him! And no doubt the tough Roman soldiers would have been
happy to see Jesus squirm and cry out - especially since he had
refused to talk to the Governor!
We
do know that St. Paul was whipped by the Jews on five separate
occasions: "Of the Jews five times received I forty
stripes save one." (2 Corinthians 13:24) Paul was
not a candidate for crucifixion, by the Romans. He was prosecuted
under the jurisdiction of the Jewish hierarchy.
If
Jesus received 39 stripes in Pilate's Judgment Hall, that would
have inflicted a total of 351 gashes on His lacerated back. If He
received more than 39 stripes, the gashes would have been more
numerous.
EACH
WOUND HELPED TO PURCHASE OUR HEALING: SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND
PHYSICAL
The
Old Testament prophet declared, "The ploughers ploughed
upon My back. They made long furrows." (Psalms 129:3)
Seven hundred and fifty years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied
concerning the Messiah, "I gave My back to the smiters"
(Isaiah 50:6)
"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)
St.
Matthew records, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and
scourged Him." (Matthew 27:20; John 19:1)
Prisoners
who were scourged usually lost a lot of blood and sometimes
fainted. Jesus suffered the agonizing and brutal scourging for us!
3)
THE PENETRATING WOUND:
a deep wound caused by a sharp, pointed instrument.
The
crown of thorns that was pressed upon the head of Jesus caused
such wounds. The Jerusalem thorn, known as the Arabian Nebulae,
was 4 inches long and as sharp as a needle. The cruel diadem
containing over 100 spiculets, was driven into His head with blows
from the rod.
The
Bible scriptures record, "And when they had platted a
crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His
right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him,
saying, Hail, King of the Jews." (Matthew 27:29)
"Then
came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple
robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John
19:5)
It
was the Governor's intention to scourge Jesus and then release
him. He had hoped the pitiful sight of a weary, weak and
bloodies man would satisfy their blood lust and evoke sympathy for
the prisoner.
Instead
of being satisfied, they craved more blood, crying out "Away
with Him, crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22-23)
THORNS
SPEAK OF THE ORIGINAL CURSE
Thorns
speak of the original curse, "Cursed is the ground for thy
sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy
life;"
"Thorns
also and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee..." (Geneses
3:17-18)
JESUS
TOOK THE CURSE FOR US
Jesus
Christ bore the penalty for our sins, transgressions,
sicknesses, diseases and pains!
St.
Paul writes, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree."
�That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith."
(Galatians 3:13-14)
In
the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, Moses enumerates the
blessings of keeping covenant with God. He also lists the curses!
The curses include sickness, disease, insanity, torments,
plagues, pestilence, famine and war. The Apostle to the
Gentiles states unequivocally that, "Christ hath redeemed
us from the curse of the law." So we are free!
The
Roman soldiers tried to drive Jesus insane by beating that crown
of sharp Arabian Nebulae into His head. But He didn't lose His
sanity but rather through this horrible experience purchased our
peace and tranquility.
"And
having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to
reconcile all things unto Himself."
(Colossians 1:20)
Because
of the penetrating wounds He bore for us, WE HAVE PEACE!
4)
THE PERFORATING WOUND:
From
the Latin word; "to pierce through"
A
Messianic psalm stated, "They pierced My hands and My
feet" (Psalms 22:16) At the time of David's
prophecy, he knew nothing of crucifixion, for the Hebrew method of
capitol punishment was stoning!
The
prophet Zechariah also foretold of the Messiah's death by
crucifixion. "And one shall say unto Him, What are these
wounds in Thine hands? Then shall He answer, Those with which I
was wounded in the house of My friends." (Zechariah 13:6)
By
the time Jesus was born, the Romans had conquered Palestine and
crucifixion had become the mode of execution. The New Testament
records: "And when they were come... to Calvary, there
they crucified Jesus." (Luke 23:33; John 19:16-18)
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)
Jesus
Christ suffered the torments, agony, pain and death of the most
horrible of all deaths - The Death of Crucifixion! He suffered for
us. He bled for us. He died for us! And He arose again from the
dead, for us!
5)
THE INCISED WOUND:
a cut
produced by a sharp edged instrument:
"But
one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water." (John 19:34)
As
the Sabbath was approaching the soldiers helped speed up the
expiration of the victims by smashing their thigh bones, thus
allowing asphyxiation. When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, he
noticed that He was already dead. The soldier then went on to the
thief on Jesus' other side and with his large axe, smashed the
femur bone (thigh bone) causing a quicker death.
In
order to verify Jesus' death, the soldier then plunged his spear
into the left side of Jesus!
This
fulfilled the scripture, "They shall look upon Him Whom
they have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10) So large was the
wound that after the resurrection, Thomas "the doubter"
was invited to thrust his hand into that wound.
"Then
saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands;
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not
faithless, but believing."
(John 20:27)
St.
John was standing near the cross and noticed blood and water
coming out of His side. The pericardium is a closed sac
encasing the heart, lubricated by a small amount of fluid to
facilitate the motion of the heart.
Mallory
& Wright's pathological technique answers the question,
"How could John have seen such a small amount of water flow
out of the wound? The normal amount (of pericardial fluid) is
about a teaspoon, but it may be increased to 100 c.c. (24
teaspoonfuls) where death agony is prolonged."
Another
miracle was that contrary to nature, blood flowed from a dead man,
proving that the blood of Jesus did not die but is efficacious
even today !
"There
is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Emmanuel's veins,
And sinners plunge beneath the flood, Lose all their guilty
stains."
The
blood and water which St. John saw coming out of the side of
Christ may also have been the physiological aspect of death.
Medical
science teaches that, "Blood in a cadaver readily separates
into clear serum and red blood cells, thus certifying that the
person is clinically dead." It could be that both of these
things were happening at once. Either way, it proves that the
death of Jesus was a reality and that there is life through His
precious blood!
The
Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no
remission of sins." (Leviticus 17:11,14)
"It
is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." (Hebrews
9:22) "And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth
us from all sins." (1 John 1:7)
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, SHED FOR US ALL ON GOLGOTHA, HAS PURCHASED
OUR SALVATION
I)
WE RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"In
Whom we have redemption through His blood, even THE FORGIVENESS OF
SINS, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians
1:7)
(II)
WE RECEIVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers;"
"But
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:"
(1 Peter 1:18-19)
"Take
heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church
of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood."
(Acts 20:28)
(III)
WE RECEIVE CLEANSING FROM SIN THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"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 sins."
(1 John 1:7)
(IV)
WE ARE LOOSED FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD
"And
from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
blood."
(Revelation 1:5)
(V)
WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Much
more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through Him."
(Romans 5:9)
"Being
justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through
faith in His blood, to declare the righteousness for the remission
of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
(Romans 3:24-25)
(VI)
WE RECEIVE PEACE THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"And
having made peace through the death of His cross, by Him to
receive all things unto himself;"
(Colossians 1:20)
(VII)
WE RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated
for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;"
(Hebrews 10:19-20)
(VIII)
WE RECEIVE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"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)
"Who
His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose
stripes ye were healed."
(1 Peter 2:24)
(IX)
WE RECEIVE VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"And
they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word
of their testimony."
(Revelation 12:11)
(X)
WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Wherefore
Jesus also, that He might sanctify His people with His own blood,
suffered without the gate." (Hebrews
13:12)
(XI)
WE RECEIVE A CLEAR (PURGED) CONSCIENCE THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"How
much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience
(mind) from dead works, to serve the Living God?" (Hebrews
9:14)
(XII)
WE RECEIVE ETERNAL GLORY THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"These
are they which come out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and
night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell
among them..."
"For
the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and
shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes."
(Revelation 7:14-17)
6)
WOUNDS BY MUTILATION
- the plucking out of His beard.
"I
gave My cheeks to them that plucked out the hair." (Isaiah
50:6)
Not
only did they slap and spit upon His face but they yanked out His
beard causing the wounds of mutilation. Can you imagine the awful
pain, as cruel Roman soldiers pulled out His beard! The blood
flowed down upon Christ's chest as cruel tormentors mutilated His
face by tearing out handfuls of His beard.
He
did it for us, because by "His Sore" (original
Hebrew) we are healed! He was "one sore" from
head to toe, by the time He had undergone the full mistreatment
which the Roman soldiers heaped upon Him! He suffered more than
any man and He did it all for us - to purchase our salvation.
7)
WOUNDS BY FALLING:
They
laid the rugged cross upon His lacerated, bleeding back and forced
Jesus to carry His own cross, as was the custom for condemned
criminals. Due to loss of blood because of the scourging, He was
unable to do so.
As
He stumbled and fell, His body received more bruises and sores,
and He suffered more pain, for us.
Historians
claim, that after His striping in Pilate's Judgment Hall, Jesus
was subjected to a heavy wooden cross laid upon His raw, bleeding
back.
Apparently,
the cross bar was tied to His wrists and the stock to His left
ankle. When He stumbled and fell, He had no way to protect
Himself, so His body was further bruised and battered! And Roman
soldiers then forced a stranger, Simon of Cyrene to bear His cross
up Calvary's hill.
"And
He bearing His cross went forth to the place of a skull..." (John
19:17) "And as they led Him away they laid hold upon one
Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid
the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." (Luke
23:26) (Mark 15:21)
Apparently
that event caused such an impact upon the Cyrenian that he became
a convert to Christ. And it appears that his two sons also entered
the Ministry and preached the gospel of Christ after His
resurrection.
CHRIST
WAS WOUNDED FROM HEAD TO FOOT WITH SEVEN WOUNDS IN ORDER TO BRING
US HEALING
And
St. Matthew stated, "When the even was come, they brought
unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the
spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick:"
"That
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Easias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses."
(Matthew 8:16-17)
"It
is no wonder, St. Thomas, upon his encounter with the risen Christ
declared, "My Lord and my God." (Jn.20:28)
MAY
THE RISEN CHRIST BLESS AND HEAL YOU AS YOU APPROPRIATE HIS
PROMISES FOR YOURSELF.
I
pray you will receive total healing through the wounds and blood
that Jesus Christ shed for you.
"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 My name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in
My name, I will do it." (John 14:11-14)
Amen.
ARE
YOU READY
TO MEET GOD?
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
CAN
I ASK YOU A QUESTION? ARE YOU READY TO MEET GOD?
The
most important question I could ask you and the most important
decision of your entire lifetime revolves around the spiritual
welfare of your soul and its eternal destiny.
There
are preachers today who have soft-soaped the Gospel and watered
down God�s word to please their listeners in order to keep their
parishioners coming to church.
They
are afraid that if they preach the truth, as it is written, people
will not like it and their offering plates will not bring in too
much money.
The
Bible warns that this would be the case in the end time, of which
we are now living. (2 Timothy 3:13) (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The Apostle
Paul calls such preachers Food Preachers or Belly Preachers.
(Romans 16:18) (Philippians 3:19) These men only preach to earn a
living and not to win men and women to Jesus Christ.
I�m
going to be absolutely honest with you and tell you the complete
truth as found in God�s Word concerning your soul, death,
judgment, heaven, hell and eternity and the gift of salvation.
Then I will also show you how you can be saved and forgiven by the
precious blood of Jesus Christ.
 #1
- YOUR SOUL WILL NEVER DIE
Your
soul is eternal and will live on even after your body dies.
(Genesis 2:7)
#2
- ONE APPOINTMENT YOU CAN�T CANCEL OR POSTPONE
"It
is appointed unto man once to die but after this the
judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
#3
- YOU CAN�T FOOL GOD
"Be
not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) "Be sure your sin
will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)
#4
- YOU�LL PAY FOR YOUR SINS IF YOU DON�T REPENT OF THEM
"The
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "The wicked shall
be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
(Psalms 9:17)
"When
the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And
before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divided his sheep
from the goats:
And
he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come,
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world:
Then
shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but
the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46)
#5
- ALL HAVE SINNED
"For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans
3:23) "And 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) "There is none
righteous, no, no one." (Romans 3:10)
#6
- JESUS DIED TO SAVE SINNERS
Jesus
said, "For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance", (Matthew 9:13) and "For the Son of man
is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11)
"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)
"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)
#7
- YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS
"He
that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
"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)
"Except
ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
#8
- YOU MUST BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
"That
if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall
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)
#9
- ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR BY FAITH
"For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "Come unto me all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28) "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) "Him that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out." (John 6:37)
#10
- HE WILL GIVE YOU THE POWER YOU NEED
"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)
"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)
HOW
CAN I BE SAVED?
Many
are asking this question today. They are wanting to know how to
"make things right with Almighty God." They realize
somewhere along the way, they have lost sight of God - they have
lost contact with the Eternal One - the Great Creator, God, who
loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for lost
humanity.
Multitudes
today are groping in darkness - looking for a ray of light to
point them to the Heavenly way - but alas, they search in vain,
they stumble and fall in the shadows of sin, worry, fear, anxiety,
loneliness, heartbreak, sickness and confusion.
Many
people have tried to live a better life, turn over a new leaf,
rehabilitate themselves, only to find that their strength in the
time of testing and temptation has failed and they are back where
they started. So now, not only are they defeated, but they are
also bewildered, perplexed and tormented, not knowing which way to
turn.
Dear
Reader, perhaps you are one of these poor unfortunate souls. THEN
LISTEN CAREFULLY, for I have good news for you. There is still
balm in Gilead for your sin sick soul. There is still deliverance
for the bound, victory for the defeated and peace for the
troubled. There is still healing for the sick and salvation for
the lost.
THERE
IS STILL HOPE - LOOK TO JESUS
THERE
IS STILL HOPE FOR YOU. There is
life for you. There is still forgiveness and happiness for you. LOOK
TO JESUS, the author and finisher of your faith, (Hebrews
12:3).
LOOK
TO JESUS, the mighty conqueror
(Revelation 1:17-18).
LOOK
TO JESUS, the Saviour of the
World (Luke 2:11).
Don�t
look at your sinful condition, LOOK TO JESUS; don�t look
at your hopelessness, frustration and bewilderment, LOOK TO
JESUS.
Don�t
look at your sickness, grief and loneliness, LOOK TO JESUS.
Don�t
look at your friends of other Christians who have failed, but LOOK
TO JESUS who never fails.
The
Bible says in Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is NONE
else."
There
is only one way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ, the
Son of the Living God.
Jesus
said in (John 14:6), "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,
no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Jesus said in (John
10:9), "I am the Door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
SAVED, and shall go in and out and find pasture."
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GO - that way is JESUS. There is only one
door to God, and that door is Jesus. There is no other.
Mohammed,
Buddha and the Roman Pope, a church organization - none of these
will open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus Christ,
the one who came from heaven, who died on the Cross, rose again
from the dead - He is able to forgive you, save you and bring you
into the Kingdom of God. GLORY TO HIS NAME FOREVER.
The
Apostle Peter said in (Acts 4:12) concerning Jesus Christ,
"Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none
other name under Heaven, given among men whereby we must be
SAVED." There you have it. the only name that can bring
salvation, blessing and deliverance is the Mighty Name of Jesus.
The Angel said unto Joseph (Matthew 1:21), "Ye shall call His
Name Jesus, for He shall SAVE His people from their sins." In
(Romans 10:13) we read, "For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be SAVED."
The
Philippian jailer asked the same question many today are asking
and he got an answer he was converted, his life was changed. He
met the master, Jesus. You can do the same. There in the prison
house he cried out (Acts 16:30), "Sirs, what must I do to be
saved?" Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
and be Saved." He believed on Jesus Christ and was Saved. you
can do the same.
But
you ask - how can I believe? What must I do to believe in Jesus
Christ? Where do I start? I am glad you asked these questions,
because I have the answer for you from God�s word - Here is what
you must do to be saved.
#1
- REPENT OF YOUR SINS
To
be saved you must repent of your sins and see yourself as you
really are - You must realize you are lost and undone, without
hope. You must see God�s Holiness and realize that you have
sinned against the Almighty. You must be sorry for your sins, you
must hate your sins and be willing to forsake them (Matthew 4:17)
your sins have condemned you (John 3:18) your sins have separated
you from God (Isaiah 59:2). The Bible says (Romans 3:23),
"For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of
God." Also in (Isaiah 53:6) the word of God says, "All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own
way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
GOD
HATES YOUR SINS
- but God loves you. God wants to rescue you out of your sins. You
must be willing to give yourself completely over to God and turn
your back on all unrighteousness.
#2
- YOU MUST CONFESS YOU SINS TO GOD
(1
John 1:9) "If we confess our sins (to God), He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." You must tell God you are a sinner and that
you cannot save yourself. You must confess to God that no one else
can save you except Jesus Christ. You must ask God to have mercy
on you (Luke 18:13) and to forgive you. Then you must confess to
God that you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus
Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for your sins, that He rose
again from the dead and that He is able to save you (1 Corinthians
15:1-4) (Hebrews 7:25).
#3
- YOU MUST ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR
Tell
God that you accept His pardon and that you now, through faith in
God�s word accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are you saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast." Salvation is absolutely free -
you cannot work for it - you cannot pay for it - It is free - you
just receive it from God.
After
you have prayed to God asking Him to forgive you - then you must
believe He has heard your prayer and forgiven your sins. That is
faith. You say that is hard to do. No - it isn�t. If you believe
that God told the truth and the Bible is God�s word - God will
do what He said He would do. If you have prayed the sinner�s
prayer asking God to forgive you, (then he has forgiven you; His
word tells you that and His word is the truth) and if you are
forgiven, then you are saved. You must then continue to live in
God�s way - you must live for God. Believe that you are saved,
begin to praise and worship God and thank him for saving your
soul.
But
you have doubts and say, "I don�t feel any different."
You say you still feel the way you did before, you don�t feel
like you are saved. Always remember, you are NOT SAVED by your
feelings, you are saved by FAITH IN GOD�S WORD. If God said it -
it is the truth, whether you feel like it or not. However, when
you stand of God�s word and by faith accept the Salvation that
God offers, you WILL FEEL DIFFERENT.
You
will believe before you feel - you will feel the cleansing, you
will feel the forgiveness of God, you will feel the assurance when
you believe God�s word and have confessed Jesus Christ as your
Saviour. (Romans 10:9-10).
You
will begin to feel peace, the peace that comes from knowing you
are saved, that your sins have been forgiven and you will feel
hope and optimism.
The
Word of God states (John 6:37), Jesus said, "Him that cometh
unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." You have come to Jesus
by faith; He has not cast you out - Jesus has taken you in - you
are SAVED. Praise God.
Raise
your hands to God (in complete obedience and surrender). Say
"thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul." Praise Him and
Worship Him for what He has done for you.
You
are now saved, you have passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
Your name has now been written in the "Lamb�s Book of
Life." (Revelation 20:15) The Angels are rejoicing in Heaven
over this great victory over the devil. God has snatched your soul
from Satan�s grasp and the angels are rejoicing over this. (Luke
15:7)
RISE
from you knees full of peace (John 14:27). Now go and tell someone
about Jesus Christ and his love. Tell people what God has done for
you. (Romans 10:9-10) "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."
Seek
the Lord (James 4:8) and ask Him to fill you with the holy Ghost
and Fire.
Ask
God to give you power for service (Luke 3:16) (Acts 1:4) (Acts
1:8) (Acts 2:4) (Acts 2:38-39). Read your Bible every day and pray
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
As
you go about your life, witness to people about Jesus Christ. Find
a good church where the pastor and the congregation believe the
whole Bible, where they believe in holiness of life and separation
from the world.
Find
a church where they believe in prayer for the sick and where the
pastor and congregation have a burden to see the lost saved and
brought to Jesus Christ.
May
the Lord bless you and give you peace. Write me a letter if you
have accepted the lord Jesus Christ as a result of reading this
message.
 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: buot 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.�
(Luke 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 about
 sins
& judgment, forgiveness of sins, what is sin, repentance
(King James Version
-KJV)
Hebrews
10:30-31 - (kjv) - I
will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall
judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God. John
3:18 - (kjv) - He that believeth
on him is not condemned: but he that believed not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. 1
John 1:9 - (kjv) - If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1
John 3:4 - (kjv) - Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. Mark
3:28-29 - (kjv) - "Verily I
say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and
blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: Nut he
that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never
forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Hebrews
10:26 - (kjv) - For if we sin
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. 1
John 5:16 - (kjv) - If any man
sees his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall
ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.
There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. Proverbs
28:13 - (kjv) - He that
confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy, but he that
covereth his sin shall not prosper. 1
John 1:7 - (kjv) - 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. Isaiah
59:2 - (kjv) - But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins
have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Romans
3:23 - (kjv) - For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God; John
14:15
- (kjv) - If
ye love me, keep my commandments Exodus
15:26
- (kjv) - And
said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy
God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give
ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the
Egyptians: for I AM the LORD that healeth thee. Romans
6:23
- (kjv) - The
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. 1
John 2:3-4 -
(kjv) - And
hereby we do know that we know him, of we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him. Psalms
103:3 -
(kjv) - Who
forgiveth all thine iniquies; who healeth all thy diseases, Ezekiel
18:20 -
(kjv) - The
soul that sinneth, it shall die. 3
John 1:2 -
(kjv) - Beloved,
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth. 1
John 5:14-15 -
(kjv) - And
this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us: .. And if we know that
he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions
that we desired of him. Philippians
2:13 -
(kjv) - For
it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure. Romans
8:32 -
(kjv) -
He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things? Jeremiah
30:17
- (kjv) - For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal
thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD: becuase they called thee an
Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. Bible
Scriptures verses on
Faith & hope (kings james
version) Romans
12:12 - Rejoicing in hope;
patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Jeremiah
29:11 - For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you an expected end. Romans
15:13 - Now the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound
in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Deuteronomy
31:6 - Be strong and of a good
courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he
[it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake
thee. Romans
5:2 - By whom also we have access
by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of
the glory of God. Isaiah
40:31 - But they that wait upon
the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they
shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah
41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am]
with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness. Psalms
39:7 - And now, Lord, what wait I
for? my hope [is] in thee. Mark
9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If
thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that
believeth. 1
Corinthians 13:13 - And now
abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these [is] charity. Romans
8:24 - For we are saved by hope:
but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth
he yet hope for? Proverbs
23:18 - For surely there is an
end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs
10:28 - The hope of the righteous
[shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall
perish. Romans
8:25 - But if we hope for that we
see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it] Jeremiah
17:7 - Blessed [is] the man that
trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Psalms
71:14 - But I will hope
continually, and yet will praise thee more and more. Romans
10:17 - So then faith [cometh] by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God. James
2:19 - Thou believest that there
in one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Hebrews
11:6 - But without faith [it is]
impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe
that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him. Matthew
21:22 - And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Mark
11:22-24 - And Jesus answering
saith unto them, Have faith in God. Ephesians
2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of
God: Luke
1:37 - For with God nothing shall
be impossible. Hebrews
11:1 - Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 1
Corinthians 2:5 - That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Proverbs
3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. James
2:24 - Ye see then how that by
works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James
2:14 - What [doth it] profit, my
brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can
faith save him? 2
Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk by
faith, not by sight:) Psalms
46:10 - Be still, and know that
[I am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted
in the earth.
CONTACT
INFORMATION
For further spiritual counsel,
prayer or gospel literature, please contact us!
www.mswm.org
www.maxsolbrekken.com
email: max @maxsolbrekken.com Max
Solbrekken World Mission, PO Box 44220, RPO Garside, Edmonton,
AB T5V 1N6 (780) 460-8444
The House of Prayer, New Sarepta, AB (780)-941-2372
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