|
 THRONE
OF GLORY
to
the
CROSS OF
SHAME
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
The
gospel of Jesus Christ is the most remarkable, indescribable and
phenomenal gift that Almighty God has given to the world. It
is incomparable and most amazingly unique in the annals of
mankind. It is the One and only such gift proffered in human
history and will never again happen throughout time or eternity!
The
gospel of Jesus Christ is the most remarkable, indescribable and
phenomenal gift that Almighty God has given to the world. It
is incomparable and most amazingly unique in the annals of
mankind! It is the One and only such gift proffered in human
history and will never again happen throughout time or eternity!
What
is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the gift of God, the
unspeakable gift of His Son, Who was incarnated (God in human
flesh) to be sacrificed as God's Lamb to meet the demands of
Divine Justice in payment for our sins and purchasing our FREEDOM
from the Penalty of the Law. (Ezekiel 18:4; 2 Corinthians 9:15)
The
extent to which our Heavenly Father reached out to fallen man is
unfathomable to the highest degree. He gave His Son to be so
degraded in His humiliation that, "His visage was so marred
more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men."
(Isaiah 52:13, 14)
When
Jesus was lifted up on the Cross He became a curse as our sins
were piled upon Him, and through His death and resurrection He
abolished death and purchased eternal life for all who receive
Him.
CHRIST
HAS ABOLISHED DEATH!
St.
Paul writes: "God, Who hath saved us and called us with a
holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own
purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the
world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of
our Saviour Jesus Christ Who hath abolished death and hath brought
Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel." (2 Timothy
1:9,10)
The
Holy Scripture says: "Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse
of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, CURSED
is everyone that hangeth on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)
Could
anyone find words in any language to fully articulate the
magnitude of God's richness, graciousness and beneficence in
sending His Son to this sin cursed world in search of lost and
sinful men?
The
answer is, "Not in a million years would that be
possible? There will never be enough time for us to thank
and praise our precious SAVIOUR for the immenseness of His mercy,
love and grace given us through the shedding of His holy and
precious BLOOD!"
Word
of God teaches about the wideness of God's mercy and the depth of
His love: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the family in Heaven and earth is
named; that H would grant you, according to the riches of His
glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner
man:
"That
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints,
what is the BREADTH and LENGTH and DEPTH and HEIGHT; And to KNOW
the LOVE of CHRIST which passeth knowledge, that ye might be
filled with the fullness of God.
Now
unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
(Ephesians 3:3-20)
There
is no sin, fear, lust, greed, hate, guilt, sorrow, perversion or
addiction that Jesus will not forgive, and liberate us from when
we call upon His name in sincerity and faith!
The
love of God reaches the darkest recesses of the heart, mind and
conscience and liberates the toughest, meanest and most jaded
among us! His blood purges away all condemnation and
depression and tormenting demons and gives us peace, joy and
love. Amen!
THE
GOSPEL IS JESUS HIMSELF
He
alone is the Good News! Without Him there is NO Good News. Without Him there are NO Glad Tidings! Our Lord
said: "Without Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Then
answered Jesus, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do
nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for whatsoever
things He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For
the Father loveth the Son, and showeth Him all things that Himself
doeth, and He will show Him greater works than these that ye may
marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickens
them, even so the Son quickens whomsoever He will.
For
the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the
Son; that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the
Father. He that honours not the Son, honours not the Father
which hath sent Him." (John 5:19-23)
Jesus
answered, My doctrine is not Mine but His who sent Me. If
any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether
it be of God, or if I speak of Myself. (John 7:16-17)
And
yet if I judge, My judgment is TRUE; for I am not alone, but I am
the Father that sent Me. I am one that bears witness of
Myself and the Father that sent Me bears witness of Me."
(John 8:16, 17)
JESUS
IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Jesus
said: "I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am
known of Mine. As the Father knows Me, even so know I the Father,
and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Therefore
doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life that I may take
it again. No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of
Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take
it again. This command have I received of My Father.
I
and My Father are one....Many GOOD WORKS which I have showed you
from MY FATHER; for which of those works do ye stone Me? Say
ye of Him, Whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the
world, Thou blasphemeth; because I said, I am the Son of God?
"If
I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But, if I
do, though ye believe not Me, believe the WORKS: that ye may know,
and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." (John
10:30-38)
St.
John wrote: "He that cometh from ABOVE is above...For He whom
God hath sent speaks the words of God; for God giveth not the
Spirit by measure unto Him. For the Father loves the Son and
hath given all things into His hand.
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
abides on him." (John 3:31, 34-36)
THE
CROSS IS OUR FIXED POINT
What
happened on the CROSS on Golgatha is the greatest event in the
world's history. The Cross is our fixed point. It is
the centre of our faith. It is the hope of humanity.
It was there that Man was reconciled to God through His perfect
and Holy Son. Jesus took the hand of God in one hand and the
hand of man in His other and brought us together at the Cross.
On
the CROSS, our Saviour cried out: "It is finished."
(John 19:30) Speaking in Greek, Jesus used the word 'tetelestai'
taken from the verb 'teleo' which has three essential meanings: 1)
to finish something, 2) to fulfill something, 3) to be paid in
full.
Jesus
of Nazareth, True God from Eternity and True Man born of a Virgin,
had finished the work of REDEMPTION having shed His precious blood
on the 'Cross of Shame' as God's Pascal Lamb.
He
had fulfilled all 332 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning
the Coming Messiah and He had paid for all our sins, sicknesses
and diseases!
When
he cried out 'tetelestai', the fountain of blood had been opened
for sin and uncleanness and Jesus Christ had conquered Satan, once
and for all time and eternity. (Zechariah 13:1; Hebrews 2:14,
15) Praise the Lord!
Surely
He hath born our sicknesses (heb. kholee) and carried our pains (heb.
makob): yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and
afflicted. 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 were healed.
"All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own
way; and the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all."
(Isaiah 53:4-6)
IT
STARTED IN THE GARDEN
Although
the plan of Salvation - through the shed blood of Christ - was in
the heart of God before the foundations of the world were laid, it
was in the Garden of Eden that the traitor Lucifer made his
diabolical move of HIGH TREASON against the Almighty, plunging
humanity into sin and degradation!
And
it was in the Garden of Eden that God announced the coming of the
DELIVERER who would crush Lucifer's head and free the sons and
daughter's of Adam and Eve! Here is the Holy Record of that
awesome event that had dramatically shaped the course of History.
God
said, "And I will put enmity between thee (serpent) and the
woman and between thy (Satan) seed and her (Virgin) seed. It
(Christ) shall bruise (destroy) thy head and thou (Satan) shall
bruise His heel." Jesus was bruised on the cross, but
healed when raised back to life. (Genesis 3:15)
For
several thousand years the Jewish people had waited for their
deliverer of which Moses and the prophets had spoken and to whom
Almighty God alluded, when He announced the coming of the Messiah
and His ultimate victory over Satan.
After
His resurrection from the dead, Jesus conversed with two of His
disciples who were walking to Emmaus. Here is a portion of
what He said to them: "O fools and slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have
suffered these things and enter 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)
St
Paul lays out the great truth of the 'MYSTERY OF THE AGES' in his
Epistles: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: Who being in the form of God (He is God the Son) 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 of a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the DEATH OF THE CROSS."
"Wherefore
God also hath high 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)
"Even
the MYSTERY which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles
which is CHRIST IN YOU, the Hope of Glory." (Colossians
1:26-27)
WHY
IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
When
we have our theology right concerning Jesus Christ we become one
with Him and are grafted into Him the TRUE VINE and become the
children of God through the New Birth. And secondly, we are
able to lead others to the saving knowledge of God! (John 15:1-8)
Those
who have their theology WRONG concerning Jesus Christ are LOST and
secondly they lead others to Hell, since theya re blind leaders of
the blind, as Jesus Christ warned! (Matthew 15:14)
Here is what our Lord Jesus Christ said of Himself after His
resurrection from the dead.
"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 24:26-27)
St.
John, the Beloved gives this WARNING to those who trifle with and
twist the Word of God to enhance their own perverted agenda.
"Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh IS OF GOD. And every spirit that
confesseth NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is NOT OF
GOD; And this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard
that it should come; and even now already is it in the
world." (1 John 4:1-4)
WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN?
There
are 7 billion people on this Planet, all born of flesh and
blood. We have all 'come in the flesh'. That is
normal, but when God was INCARNATED in human flesh, that was the
miracle.
The
blood that flowed through His veins, however, was not contaminated
with SIN as our is because God was His Father!
That
is the amazing love of our Saviour. He entered into our time
and space for the express purpose of our redemption! He Who
was God the Son, wrapped Himself in human flesh in order to be
sacrificed for the sins of the world!
All
who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was more than a man, more
than a prophet, and reject Him as God the Son from eternity who
was made Man (incarnated) in order to redeem a sinful world to
Himself, CANNOT and will not be saved and will be doomed to Hell
forever.
St.
Paul WARNED: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let
him be Anathema (suspended), Maranatha." (1 Corinthians
16:22)
According
to this scripture there will be both a blessing and a curse upon
humankind as Christ comes to judge the world in His Kingdom.
Those who are SAVED will be blessed and those who are not SAVED
will be rejected. 'Anathema' was used as a Church censure or final
excommunication!
The
Indigenous on Canada's West Coast sing an altar song with
these words: "There'll be sorrow and there'll will be
pain. There'll be rejoicing and there will be weeping when
My Lord shall come again."
Maranatha
is 'Aramaic' as an imperative: 'marana-tha' meaning "Our Lord
Come", or as an indicative: 'maran'atha', meaning "Our
Lord is come".
Theologians
wonder why St. Paul inserted, without translation, an Aramaic
formula in a Greek letter to Corinth where Aramaic was not
current.
It
is believed that the word 'Maranatha' was a fixed and widely
circulated formula. It was undoubtedly a KEY EXPRESSION in
the liturgy of the Primitive Church in Palestine and that from
there it passed into Greek Christendom without translation in
fashion similar to 'Amen' and 'Hallelujah'.
In
His High Priestly prayer to His Father our Lord Jesus stated:
"Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also
may glorify Thee. And Thou hast given Him power over all
flesh, that He 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 17:1-3). He
said: "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and no man cometh
unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Dear
Friend: Put your trust in Jesus Christ who love for us is
so enormous that He took your place on the cross and rose from the
dead. He is even now waiting to enter your heart and make
you His very own for time and eternity! Amen.
Importance
of
SOUL WINNING
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
I
believe in mass evangelism because I have witnessed God's power to
save, heal and deliver in this manner around the world. I am
also a strong believer in personal evangelism, reaching one person
or one family at a time!
I
was led into the evangelistic world wide ministry - by the Holy
Spirit - to
win more souls for Christ, because I already was a seasoned
soul-winner! It was the thrilling experience of winning
souls to the Master that set my soul on fire and was the stepping
stone for this great ministry in which God has placed me.
I
believe it was because I was faithful to Him as a traveling
(commercial) business man among the ungodly and sinful, that He
saw fit to use me on a greater scale. I am a preacher today
because I was a soul winner then! I am not a preacher
because I received religious education, but because I heard the
Voice of God and won precious souls to Christ, and eventually God
placed me where I could reach more souls for His glory.
I
am not a preacher because I attended Bible College of Seminary,
but because I am a soul winner and have a burden on my heart for
the lost. Ever since my conversion, however, my hunger for
God's Word has increased and I have studied theology and related
subjects for more than 50 years!
D.L.
Moody was one of America's greatest Evangelists. As a
young man he was converted to Christ and began winning souls for
Jesus. He left his job as a shoe salesman in a department
store in Chicago, and worked among the poor in that city.
His first church was comprised of 200 street urchins!
D.L.
Moody made this strong statement: "Shame on the
Christianity of the 19th century. It is a weak and sickly
thing. Would to God we had a few men like Daniel living here
today."
His
philosophy of Ministry could be summed up by this brief statement:
'Ruined by Sin; Redeemed by the Blood; Regenerated by the Holy
Spirit'. Let us examine and expand on his sermon outline,
defining the plight of man because of rebellion and sin, as well
his redemption through the Blood of Christ and the work of the
Holy Spirit.
RUINED
BY SIN
"All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us
all." (Isaiah 53:6); "Wherefore as by one san, sin
entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon
all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12);
"For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans
3:23); "For the wages of SIN is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
REDEEMED
BY THE BLOOD
"For
when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more
than being now justified by His blood, we are saved from wrath
through Him."
"For
if, when we were reconciled to God by the DEATH of His Son, much
more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
(Romans 5:8, 10) "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)
REGENERATED
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
"Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, by the washing of Regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Ghost. Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus
Christ our Saviour." (Titus 3:5, 6)
Jesus
answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom
of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5,6)
"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)
JOHN
WESLEY in the Twelve Rules, writes: "Soul
saving was their supreme task - You have nothing to do but save
souls. Therefore spend your time and be spent in this work.
It is not your business to preach so many times; but to save as
many souls as you can; to bring as many sinners as you possibly
can to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in
that holiness, without which they cannot see the Lord."
WILLIAM
BRAMWELL was a powerful Methodist preacher who excelled in
winning souls for the Master. From Memoir of William
Bramwell: "He was not, as the words are
commonly understood, 'a great preacher'. But if that man, is
the best physician who performs the most cures, that is the best
preacher who is the instrument of bringing the greatest number of
souls to God, and in this view Mr. Bramwell will be entitled to
rank among the greatest and best Christian Ministers."
JOHN
OXTOBY testified: "I am witnessing daily the
conversion of sinners. I seldom go out but God give me some
fruit."
JOHN
SMITH - From the Life of John Smith: "I have often
seen him come downstairs in the morning after several hours in
prayer, with his eyes swollen from weeping. He would soon
introduce the subject of his anxiety by saying, I am a
broken-hearted man; yes, indeed, I am an unhappy man; not for
myself; but on account of others. God has given me such a
sight of the value of precious souls that I cannot live if souls
are not saved. Oh, give me souls, or else I die."
FREDRIK
FRANSEN: FIRE PROPHET
Fredrik
Fransen was called 'The Fire Prophet'. He was the
leader of the Mission Covenant Church in Norway. He made
this statement: "If a person has a guitar and has won a
soul to Christ, he is qualified to be an evangelist."
Fredrik
Fransen was an itinerant Gospel preacher in Norway around the turn
of the 19th century. At that time it was almost impossible
for the Minister to conduct Gospel meetings outside of the
Lutheran State Church.
Fredrik
Fransen had been invited to stay at the home of an elderly man
while evangelizing the city of Alesund, which lies near the ocean.
His work came to an abrupt halt when an agitated crowd turned ugly
and threatening.
The
preacher was told in no uncertain terms that he was not wanted
there, and a very large gathering of town's people literally
chased him out of Alesund. He stopped on the edge of town
and faced the mob with these words, "As you have driven me
out of your city, one day all of you will flee from this city on
this very road."
About
a year later, a fire started when a cow kicked a torch in the
Alesund Preserving Company's factory at 2:00 am on January 23,
1904. A gale from the sea propelled the fire forward and
almost the entire City burned to the ground.
The
fire leaped over the house belonging to the man who had given the
preacher lodging. It is still preserved as a 'heritage site'
until today. As the fire swept across the city devouring
almost everything in its path, the owner of the house fell to his
knees and prayed. His relatives said: "Hurry, you old
religious nut. Get out and run for your life."
He
answered: "I didn't start the fire and I'm not leaving."
They said: "We are all carrying what we can to the top of the
mountain. We will take your furniture, you old fool.
You will die." He answered: "You are free to take
what you want. I didn't start the fire and I'm
staying."
The
fire JUMPED over his house. It raced up the mountainside
to the lookout (a restaurant is presently there) and burned
everyone's furniture. True to the Preacher's words,
thousands of people 'literally ran for their lives' away
from the fire in Alesund, down the very road they had chased
Fredrik Fransen.
At
the 100th anniversary of the fire on January 23, 2004, I was
preaching in that city and was invited to the Museum at midnight
to hear the history and enjoy some musical renditions performed by
a famous orchestra.
WHAT
DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
Pastor
Haaken Nilsen introduced me to the Curator informing him that I
could speak Norwegian and that I knew the history of Fredrik
Fransen. The Museum's Curator said that the house had
recently been struck from the tour, and he would be pleased if I
would relate to the crowd the story of Fredrick Fransen and the
reason the fire did not engulf that house.
I
stood on a chair at about 2:00 am and shared with several hundred
diehard history buffs the events leading up the Alesund fire and
that God not only loves us but also judges mankind because of our
sins. Everyone there was very attentive and I prayed for
their city and all their loved ones!
GOD
STILL ANSWERS BY FIRE!
God
has not changed His Word or methodology to please some arrogant,
proud, so-called intellectual academics who parade themselves as
knowing more than the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus Christ!
Yet,
the Church of Jesus Christ has pulled back from the front lines of
battle against the Devil. Fear has overcome faith and
secular humanism has trumped genuine spirituality. Some of
God's servants are intimidated by the pervading philosophy of
political correctness, evolutionary theory and new age teaching.
They
have traded the Truth for a Lie, and bought into the philosophy
that God no longer works miracles and that we must discount the
Bible and put our trust in the arm of the flesh!
Many
preachers have inadvertently been deceived by the phraseology of
the Higher Critics who have cleverly implanted doubts by parsing
certain words in the Bible. They have insidiously driven a
wedge between Almighty God and His Own Word!
HOW
CAN YOU TRUST GOD IF YOU CANNOT TRUST HIS WORD IN TOTALITY?
Those
men in the interest of their profession as theologians trained in
linguistics - singularly or in concert with colleagues - often
make pronouncements, depending on their own preconceived ideas
which often leads to doubts about the mean of certain texts.
In
his book GOD HAS SPOKEN, J. I. Packer writes:
"Mesmerized by the problems of rationalistic criticism, we
can no longer hear the Bible as the Word of God.
"Liberal
Theology, in its pride, has long insisted that we are wiser than
our fathers about the Bible and must not read it as they did, but
must base our approach to it on the 'assured results' of
criticism, making due allowance for human imperfections and errors
of its authors.
"This
insistence has a threefold effect. It produces a new
papalism - the infallibility of the scholars, from whom we learn
what the 'assured results' are. It raises a doubt about
every single passage, as to whether it truly embodies revelation
or not.
"And
it destroys the reverent, receptive, self-distrusting attitude of
approach to the Bible, withuot which it cannot be known to be
God's Word written. (Article XX)
MARTIN
LUTHER stated: "By God's grace I know
Satan very well. If Satan can turn God's Word upside down
and PERVERT the scriptures, what will he do with my words or words
of others?"
The
Devil (Gr. liar) is an accomplished LIAR! Jesus called him
by three names: Satan which mean adversary, the Devil which means
liar, and Beelzebub meaning 'the god of flies'.
The
sorry commentary of Christendom today, is not that we have too few
preachers but that we have too many of the wrong kind! Too
many over educated, professional, seminary-made preachers and too
few of the Christ-like, earnest, sincere, God-made preachers!
Too
man of those who are man appointed and too few of those who are
God anointed! Christendom today, is plagued with
professional men who have the knowledge in their heads but no
conviction, burden or compassion in their hearts. Preachers
with degrees behind their names but no temperature in their
hearts!
A
RETURN TO CHRIST'S GOSPEL
O'
God, we must have a return to the hard-hitting, soul-searching
preaching of John the Baptist, who called black - black,
and white - white!. We need to again hear the Word of God as
presented by Jesus and His disciples, accompanied by the "signs
following" that He promised in Mark 16:15-20.
We
must hunger for the anointed words presented by our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ as He walked on earth - the love and
compassion that filled His heart and showed in His life by the
good deeds, miracles, healing and manifold blessings which He
showered on those who were in need!
May
we take a clear cut stand against sin and iniquity as He did - not
only a tender pleading for the wayward to come back to the Father
(Luke 15), but a rebuking and exposing of the religious, self
righteous pharisaical hypocrite. (Matthew 23)
Jesus
let people know where He stood in regards to right and wrong.
Let us follow His footsteps today. May we return to the not
to polished but easy to understand, forceful, anointed preaching
of John Wesley, Charles Finney and D.L. Moody, calling sin
what it is and warning men and women of God's judgment upon
sinners, so they might flee from the wrath to come!
Let
us return to the pure unadulterated Word of God as preached by Billy
Sunday - that great champion of the faith - as he campaigned
against wickedness and unrighteousness on every level; not
afraid to openly name and condemn the sins of the people.
Oh,
how offended God must be of the weak-kneed, afraid to offend,
social soft-sell preachers, who are so educated and polished that
God can't use them. Sadly, their flowery message skirts the
subject, floating somewhere in beautiful oratory above most
people's heads.
DON'T
HUMANIZE THE GOSPEL
We
must not glamorize, allegorize, rationalize or humanize the
Gospel. Let it be as it is! Tell it the way Jesus told
it and the way Peter, Paul and Philip told it. Tell it and
let God do the rest. He is capable. Hallelujah!
Something
has gone drastically wrong, not only in the Ministry but also
among the average church attending individual. What has
happened it the pulpit has had its death-dealing effect upon the
pew and those who sit in it.
I
could compare it with the chilling blasts of the north wind that
tightens its grip around those who are held in its spell too long.
With devastating results it brings a deep freeze that robs the
sense of awareness, causing the victim to lose consciousness!
In
the same manner the lifeless monotone sermons, without conviction
and spiritual fervor of many preachers, has brought a cold, death
like atmosphere into many churches! This milieu causes
members to be slowly lulled to sleep, in its spiritual deep
freeze, to eventually wake up in a lost eternity!
What
we need today is the FIRE of the HOLY GHOST to thaw out the frozen
condition of Church members and start a revival for the Glory of
God. Yes, the Church needs to be REVIVED and set on fire to
do the work that Christ has called us to do!
The
Church needs a Divine stirring and shaking to awaken us all to the
task which lies before us. The Scripture says, "Awake
thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light." (Ephesians 5:14)
The
duty of every Christian is to be a soul winner for Christ.
We must be about our Father's business. Time is running out
and tragically, we are losing in our battle against evil and
unrighteousness!
The
Bible says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh above, seeking whom he may
devour." (1 Peter 5:8) He knows his time is short, and
therefore, he is doing all he can to thwart our efforts, mullify
our work and bring confusion to reign, even among the saints.
The
facts are stacking up against us, but we do not walk by sight, but
by faith. However, we must accept the facts, evaluate our
situation, find a workable plan and then put it into force for the
glory of God.
The
facts are that one out of every five persons in the world is a
Muslim and the religion of Islam is spreading with a tremendous
speed. Murderous followers of Islam are decimating the
Church in Muslim nations, raping, kidnapping and beheading
followers of the Crucified and Risen Jesus of Nazareth.
And
many Christians in the west are mostly silent and prayer-less,
lulled to sleep and taken up with the prosperity doctrine while
forgetting the primary message of Christ's gospel.
The
Hindu population of India accounts for over one billion people.
Buddhism, Confucianism and Shintoism cover most of Japan and other
Asian nations, while the New Age Movement is deceiving millions
through this occult teachings!
According
to expect who study these demographics - because of the population
explosion in the world today, there are more people alive now than
have lived on the earth during all the preceding generations
collectively.
Also,
unless there is an outstanding supernatural revival of
Christianity across the globe, the world will eventually become
completely heathen having been swallowed up by pagan forces.
Oh,
what a responsibility we have to propagate the Gospel, to be
fervent in prayer, diligent in witnessing about Christ, grounded
in the concrete teachings of God's Word and constantly filled with
the Holy Spirit, so that we will shine as bright lights in this
world, dispelling the darkness of evil and sins of every nature
and kind.
What
a privilege is ours in this needy generation to do something about
the situation that exists, to put our shoulder to the wheel and by
God's grace, help shape the destiny of our homes, our communities,
our nation and the world!
Say
not, that it cannot be done! Say not, it is too late and the
world is too wicked. Only believe, have faith in God and
then put your faith to work for Christ. As long as this old
world stands and the Holy Spirit is still here and we are still
living in the day of grace, it is not too late and something can
be done to correct the condition that now exists.
Just
look at the conditions that existed 2000 years ago when Jesus
Christ came to earth with the message of God's love. The
Jewish people rejected their long awaited Messiah. (John 1:12)
His
own nation, out of envy and fear of losing privilege, conspired
against their own Messiah. He was tried by a Judaic kangaroo
Court, turned over to the Roman Empire, scourged and crucified,
while the angry mob jeered Him. And three days later,
God raised Him from the dead!
After
GOD had poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit upon 120 dedicated,
spiritually hungry men and women in the upper room, they went
everywhere dispensing the Good News! As they carried
Christ's message to the world, the Holy Spirit confirmed the Word
that they preached, with signs following. (Mark 16:20)
They
turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6) and filled
Jerusalem with the doctrine of Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:28)
One hundred and twenty men and women, filled with the Holy
Spirit, made such an impact upon the world that everyone knew
Jesus Christ was risen from the dead!
In
the Dark Ages that followed, the Church became corrupt and
perverted. A mix of Paganism and Christianity produced Roman
Catholicism, which became the authority in the greater part of the
earth.
The
"smoke of Satan had entered the Sanctuary". The
Papacy became so corrupt and blood thirsty that it would do
anything to keep complete control.
Yet,
in this situation, one man stood up to Rome's murderous system,
calling the Pope the anti-Christ and a liar. He burned 'The
Papal Bull' and spearheaded a revival under God which split
Germany down the middle and brought revival to the world!
That
man, MARTIN LUTHER, was consumed with the Gospel of Christ.
He refused to be "buffaloed and intimidated" by the
powerful "enemies of the cross" and took a stand for the
truth! Martin Luther's philosophy of ministry is evident in
this powerful statement: "I live as though Jesus Christ died
yesterday, arose today and is coming again tomorrow."
My
friend, do not say it is impossible. All things are possible
to them that believe! (Mark 9:23) Martin Luther and many
others have proved that to be so!
The
purpose of this booklet is to stir up the Christian Church to
realize the lateness of the hour, the urgency of our work as
Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, the sad condition of the
backsliding churches and the possibility of reviving them!
We
have the opportunity, privilege and duty to proclaim the Gospel of
Jesus Christ in this midnight hour to the lost of our generation,
praying and believing that they will be saved.
I
prayerfully dedicate this book to the many who will, after reading
it, become inspired of God to become genuine soul winners for the
Lord Jesus Christ. One of the wonderful things about the
Christ, is His wide appeal to all mankind.
His
invitation is to all, any and everyone; regardless of colour,
race, culture, sex, age or educational, social and religious
background! Jesus said, "I have come to seek and to
save the LOST." (Luke 19:10) Again He stated,
"For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but
to SAVE them." (Luke 9:56); "And I, if I be lifted up
from the earth, will draw ALL MEN unto Me." (John 12:32)
What an amazing promise, as touching His mandate!
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on 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.
Luke stated, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Ghost and power, Who went about doing good and Healing all
who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts
10:38) St. John declared, "For this purpose, the Son of
God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the
devil." (1 John 3:8)
The
PROPHET cried, "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy and eat; yea, come,
buy wine and milk without money and without price."
"Seek
ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is
near: 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 55:1,6,7)
God's
Word of RECONCILIATION, reaches out repeatedly to the sinful
nation of Israel and a pagan world: "Come now, let us reason
together saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red as crimson,
they shall be as white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
Jesus
said, "If you have seen Me you have seen the Father. If
ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from
henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him...he that hath seen Me
hath seen the Father." (John 7:9)
Again
Jesus said, "I am My Father are one." (John 10:30)
Then Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the glorious Word:
"Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I
will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28); "Him that cometh
unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Although
God chose Israel as His own special nation, through which He would
save the world and to be His special vehicle to bless mankind,
they rejected Him when He did come.
The
Bible states: "He came unto His own and His own received Him
not, but to as many as received, to them gave He power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name."
(John 1:11,12)
ONWARD
CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
WILLIAM
BOOTH, founder of the Salvation Army stated: "The thing
that I fear for the next century is that there will be: Religion
without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, Salvation
without Regeneration, Forgiveness without Repentance, Politics
without God, Heaven without Hell!"
RICHARD
BAXTER, the power Puritan preacher stated: "I preach like
a dying man to dying men. Every time I preach as if it were
the last time I would preach."
JOHN
WESLEY prayed, "O' God, give me 100 men, and I care not a
straw whether they be clergyman or plowmen, who love nothing but
GOD and fear nothing but SIN. And by these alone, i
will close the gates of Hell and build the Kingdom of God."
C.T.
STUDD, reporting on the Belgian Congo Revival of 1914, wrote: "The
whole place was charged as if with an electric current. Men
were falling, jumping. laughing, crying, singing, confessing and
some shaking terribly.... This particular one can be described as
a spiritual tornado. People were literally flung to the
floor or over the forms, yet no one was hurt. As I led in
prayer the Spirit came down in mighty power sweeping the
congregation. My whole body trembled with power. We
saw a marvelous sight, people literally filled and drunk with the
Spirit." (W.E.C. 1954:1215 Pratney 1984:267)
ARTHUR
PITTPITTS, Anglican Archdeacon wrote in Sept 1936, regarding
the famous East African Revival which began in Rwanda in June 1936
and spread rapidly to Burundi, Uganda and Congo:
I
have been to all the stations where this REVIVAL is going on, and
they all have the same story to tell. The fire was alight in
all of them before the middle of June, but during the last week in
June it burst into a wild flame which, like the African grass fire
before the wind, cannot be put out." (Osborn 1991:21)
Our
SAVIOUR stated: "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." (John 4:35); "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) Amen.
 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.
HOW
CAN I BE SAVED?
God
is able, ready & willing to deliver you!
by: Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
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.
HOW
CAN I BE SAVED?
1.
 ACKNOWLEDGE
your sinful state (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6)
2. BELIEVE
the Gospel (Acts 16:30-31; John 3:26)
3. REPENT
of your sins (Luke 13:3; Isaiah 55:7)
4. RECEIVED
Christ as your Saviour (John 3:16; Revelation 3:20; 1 John 5:12)
5. CONFESS
Him as your Lord (Romans 10:9-10; Mark 8:34-38)
JESUS
CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD ON A HOLY MISSION !
"For
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
Jesus
declared, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
Jesus
Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". (John 14:6)
Salvation
is totally a WORK OF GRACE, but we must be sincere in our
prayers and believe in Jesus Christ's willingness to keep His
Word; which He always does. Jesus Christ offers salvation
and gift of salvation is free to all who accept it. If
you wish to be saved you must:
No.
1 - Acknowledge your lost state!
The
Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God". (Romans 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)
No.
2 - Believe the Gospel
"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)
No.
3 - 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)
No.
4 - 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." (Revelation 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)
No.
5 - 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)
"Also
I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him
shall the Son of man also 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)
Dear
friend, be assured that God will keep His Word,
for He said:
"Come
unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest." (Matthew 11:28) "Jesus stood and cried,
saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink."
(John 7:37)
"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)
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.
Please
write to me and let us know of your decision to serve the Lord!
And what He has done for you. Always remember, Jesus loves you and
wants too forgive, heal, bless and prosper you.
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 1:9-10- (kjv) - If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1
John 3:4 - (kjv) - Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. 1
John 3:5 - (kjv) - And ye know
that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no
sin. 1
John 3:6 -
(kjv) - Whosoever
abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him,
neither known him. 1
John 3:8 -
(kjv) -
He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from
the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1
John 3:9 -
(kjv) -
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 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. 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
2:12
- (kjv) - For
as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law:
and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. Romans
3:20
- (kjv) - Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall not flesh be justified in his
sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans
3:23 - (kjv) - For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans
6:1-2
- (kjv) - What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live
any longer therein? Romans
6:14
- (kjv) - For
sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the
law, but under grace. Romans
6:15
- (kjv) - What
then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under
grace? God forbid. Romans
6:23
- (kjv) - The
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. 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? 1
John 2:1-4 -
(kjv) - My little children, these things write I unto you,
that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but
also for the sins of the whole world. 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. 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. 1
Corinthians 6:9-10
- (kjv) - Know
ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Psalm
119:133
- (kjv) - Order
my steps in they word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over
me. James
4:4 -
(kjv) -
Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of
the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend
of the world is the enemy of God. 1
Peter 4:8
- (kjv) - And
above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for
charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Psalms
51:1-2
- (kjv) - Have
mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my
transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse
me from my sin. 1
John 1:6-8
- (kjv) - If
we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1
Peter 2:24
- (kjv) - 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. Matthew
6:14
- (kjv) - For
if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. James
4:8 -
(kjv) -
Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Hebrews
9:28
- (kjv) - 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. Psalms
1:1 -
(kjv) -
Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. Psalms
25:6 -
(kjv) -
Remember,
O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have
been ever of old, Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my
transgressions: Psalms
28:13
- (kjv) - He
that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy. Ephesians
4:26
-
(kjv) -
Be
ye angry, sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil. 1
Corinthians 15:56
-
(kjv) -
The
sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Proverbs
10:19 -
(kjv) -
In
the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that
refraineth his lips is wise. John
8:34 -
(kjv) -
Jesus
answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin. Acts
3:9 -
(kjv) -
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. Galatians
3:22
-
(kjv) -
But
the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by
faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 2
Corinthians 5:21 -
(kjv) -
For
he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in him. Ephesians
1:7
-
(kjv) -
In
whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace. 1
John 4:10 -
(kjv) -
Herein
is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins. James
5:5 -
(kjv) -
And
the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Hebrews
12:1
-
(kjv) -
Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which both so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us. 1
Corinthians 15:3 -
(kjv) -
For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1
Corinthians 15:3
- (kjv) - For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; Romans
5:8
-
(kjv) -
But
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Righteousness
exalteth a nation:
but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:3
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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