Sunday, September 14, 2014

WHY JESUS

Before we discuss "why Jesus"?,

let me introduce "Who is Jesus"?

In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception;
In physics, He disapproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In economics, He disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes & 5 loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him;

So. Who is He? He is Jesus!.

The Greatest Man in History Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Jesus Christ in History

Genuine person in history, its no story.AD 2014,AD means anno domini_after Christ.when word of God, Jesus Christ took form of human being and entered world, History itself split in two by Christ.

Roman historian, flavius joseephus had recorded the birth, life and death of Christ Jesus(antiquities of Jews). Even the Roman empire hostile to Christian faith has a historical record of Christ Jesus.

Way to heaven

If I want to go to a place for first time,whom I should ask?.
someone who is a scholar but who has not been there
OR
someone who has been in the place, who knows the place well.
Same with heaven and life after death.

Two questions to consider before accepting any philosophy or view about life after death

1) Will you trust someone to lead you to heaven, if he had not been there to heaven?.
2) Will you trust someone to overcome death, when he himself has not overcome death and came back from death ?.

We should follow some one who has been there in heaven, who has overcome death.

No humans qualify for this. Except Christ Jesus who is God incarnate in flesh.

"Before Abraham was born,I AM" _John 8:58. Jesus was existing before Abraham.

Jesus was the one who created everything.there is nothing that is created without Jesus, the word of God.Jesus preceeded all created beings creating all. (John 1:1-12).

John 3:13
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven —the Son of Man (title which Jesus used frequently).

When we follow someone we need to know where we are led.

Before we follow any world view, we need to make sure we know the consequences. Where it will lead me, if I follow?.

Hinduism _ the endless birth and death cycle without no surety of moksha (salvation).

Islam _ the prophet of Islam himself confess that he is unsure if he himself will reach heaven. Can a blind lead another blind?. And the fruits of Islam talks for itself.

Christ said I am the way, truth and life. John 14:1_6.
While religions has prophets/messengers who tried show the way. Christ Jesus did not come to show the way. Jesus himself was the way.

Jesus the only way to heaven

John 3:13
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven —the Son of Man (title which Jesus used frequently).

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 17:3
And this is eternal life,that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Acts 4:12
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

1) Jesus came from heaven to show the way to heaven.
2) Jesus overcome death to make us overcome eternal death.

Love of God exhibited by Christ

Jesus God showed his love by dying for us to save us from eternal death. He could have shed just one drop of blood to redeem mankind.

But he choose to go through all the sufferings to save the mankind showing his love.

Romans 6:23
says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God is a just God.the wages of sin is death.And the penalty had to be paid.No man can do enough deeds that make him righteous before God.human righteousness is filth before God.

The heart of God is none shall perish and all shall be saved.so God took the punishment on himself to save mankind.took incarnation as a perfect man without sin to pay for sins of humans. Anyone who accepts Christ becomes children of God. John 1:12

And eternal life opened before them.An endless life without sin, pain & suffering.
Eternal life in presence of God.Where lamb and lion dwell together. Jesus shows us the way to eternity with God.

Forgiveness through Christ
Fulfilled Prophecies about Christ

1) Will you trust someone to lead you to heaven, if he had not been there?.

2) Will you trust someone to overcome death, when he himself has not overcome death ?.

Why Jesus?.
Because Only Jesus could fulfil both criteria.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Gates of hell shall not prevail !!!


I will build my church and gates of hell shall not prevail against it. -Matthew 16:18 

After the recently concluded elections in India; many believers seemed to be afraid of the future of the disciples of Christ. Yes, we are living in an uncertain age.
 Yes, the times are deceptive. But one thing that we can be sure is about the promise of Christ, "I will never leave you nor forsake you”. 
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church built by Christ.

The God of Daniel 

We are living in a time similar to that of Daniel. Where the ruler of the nation is pagan and sets rules that makes life miserable and dangerous for those who worship the true God. But we serve the same God of Daniel who redeemed him from mouth of Lion;
 saved his friends from deadly furnace. And made the king proclaim that the God of Daniel is the true God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The Roman Transformation 

When the mighty Roman Empire was trying to persecute and destroy Christian faith. 
None thought the Disciples of Christ stood a chance. But within turn of two centuries Christian faith had swept over the Roman Empire. Though the mighty Roman Empire went all out to destroy; the Christian faith prevailed. It's an irony of history that the name Caesar used by Roman emperors became the pet name of dogs in 20th century.
While the name of Peter & Paul whom they persecuted became the chosen name of kings and eminent personalities.

The Chinese Miracle

 When the Chinese communist party under Chairman Mao implemented Cultural Revolution in the 1970's. The Chinese Christian church came under heavy persecution. 
Many historians thought that under the iron curtain Christian faith will have a natural death. But three decades later church and Christian faith in China had emerged victorious reaping a 100 fold growth. Today secular reports show a Christian population between 60_100 million. And a minimum of 35000 daily conversions to Christian faith in China as of 2001. And is expected to grow faster. Many historians say that it requires only the emergence of a Chinese 'Constantine' for Christianity to sweep across China. 
The work of Holy Spirit is so powerful that Henan, the birth place of world famous Shaolin kungfu is now 75% Christian referred as the "Jerusalem of China".

The Acts of Africans

 After seeing how Holy Spirit dealt with oppressive regimes in Europe and Asia let's see what happened in Africa. Beginning of 1900's Africa had 10% Christian population. 
Now the Christian population in Africa stands at 45% as the biggest religion of Africa. 
The sword of Islam, scorn of natives, scourge of racism nothing could stop the advance of the Gospel. The President of Zambia dedicated his nation to Jesus Christ. 
The number of Protestants in Africa outnumbers that in Europe the birth place of protestant Christianity. Uganda the nation which has seen cruel persecution of Christians under Muslim dictator Idi Amin is now 80% Christian. African churches have started sending missionaries to Europe.
The work of Holy Spirit is so much so that sociologists across globe are studying the tectonic shift in African religiosity.


Take heart dear ones; it's time for revival in India. 
Where the sin abounds HIS Grace will be revealed in increasing measure. 
Whenever the rulers and authorities tried to destroy the glorious faith in Christ Jesus; they had to meet with failure only. None of the schemes of devil shall prosper. 

Gates of hell shall not prevail over the church of Christ redeemed by HIS blood !!!.

In Christ,
Tent-e-Makers

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The honour code

The Honor Code
_____________

     God speaks through Holy Bible in 1 Samuel 2:30 "those who honor me,I will honor" .

People thirst for honor & respect.sometime People of the world stoop to lower heights and do worse things So that they can gain honor or respect before others.

Word of God makes it simple, God will honour he who honours God.simple to say but tough choice to make when faced with pressure.

       let's search the life a man who honored God and was honored in return.In this age where people are ready to compromise for the slightest advantage.Eric Liddell is a great Christian role model for the Generations to come.

A faith that inspires generations
___________________________

Eric Liddell was a legendary Christian missionary who walked his talk. By laying down his popularity, wealth and ultimately life for service of Jesus Christ.he was the inspiration and story behind the Oscar winning film "chariots of fire".

     Born to Scottish missionary parents in china, Eric was sent to do graduation in England.There he discovered his God given skill in running.Eric eventually became the best in the world in his category,100m dash.Eric was the sure shot hope for gold for the British delegation for Olympics.

     Eric used to say " God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure." A man of convictions But Eric shocked entire world by declaring that he wont contest Olympics in his favorite category,100m race in which he was the best in world. As it's held in Sunday and it's his principle to honor God by observing sabath on Sunday.from being a darling he became a traitor for British.He didn't change his mind inspite of repeated pleas from higher British officials.

    That Sunday Eric preached in a church after giving up on his Olympic dream.for him the priorities were clear. The God of wonders But as the hand of God was evident.Eric got a chance to compete in 400m, But in semifinals two of his opponents had set world records.

    while walking to the finals track a man handed over a piece of paper which had a verse written.1 Samuel 2:30"Those who honor me I will honor". He fell down during race and was 30 yards behind.But with word of God in his hands Eric ran like a man possessed.Finished first with 3 yards lead and a new world record.crowds went wild and carried him through the streets.Eric became a hero again.

    1924 gold winning performance of Eric Liddell is considered as one of the eight best Olympic moments of all time.

A deal for eternity
_________________

The story didn't end there.Eric Liddell gave up his sporting career, money, fame, identity, status.And became a missionary to china like his parents.served the Lord with all his might. And during the Japanese invasion of china, Eric was confined to a school.

He gave up a chance for freedom brokered by British prime minister Winston Churchill to help a pregnant woman escape.And Eric died there due to sickness.
   
     Eric lidell knew well if his earthly prime minister wanted his welfare so much then how much his heavenly king cared for him.And Eric choose the eternal reward than the earthly comfort. The legacy of a Christian witness ,What a great Christian witness.

     No Wonder God intervened for Eric and honoured him as he was ready to give up every thing for God. even 90 years later his life inspires not only Christians but the world also.so much so that during London Olympics in 2013 the theme song was from chariots of fire, the Oscar award winning movie based on life of Eric lidell. say about leaving a Christian legacy !!!..

A matter worth pondering
______________________

Many times people ask why God is not closing mouth of lions as he did for Daniel?. Why we are not seeing many such miraculous stunts by God like saving People from fire like he did for 3 Jewish youngsters?. There are many reasons but one definitely is found in 1 Samuel 2:30. If you are a Daniel who is ready to put his life on stake but won't stop worshipping God almighty.Then God will shut the mouth of the lions coming to devour you.
      
If you are in the legion of Shadrak,meshek,abednego.Who won't worship idols but only God of Abraham. Then he will come down to protect you from fiery flames.

Yes God honors them who honors God.if not today surely one day , definitely in eternity!!!!.

Are you ready to honor God with your life ?????.