“For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.” (Like 9:49-53)
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15)
Let’s do it! - gene
EVIDENCE THAT JESUS ACTUALLY DIED AND AROSE
From the Life Application Bible
Mark 15:44-47 This evidence demonstrates Jesus’ uniqueness in history and proves that he is God’s Son. No one else was able to predict his own resurrection and then accomplish it.
Proposed Explanations for Empty Tomb: Jesus was only unconscious and later revived.
Evidence against These Explanations: A Roman soldier told Pilate that Jesus was dead. References: Mark 15:44-45
Evidence against These Explanations: The Roman soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs because he had already died, and one of them pierced Jesus’ side with a spear. References: John 19:32-34 Evidence against These Explanations: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body and placed it in the tomb. References: John 19:38-40
Proposed Explanations for Empty Tomb: The women made a mistake and went to the wrong tomb. Evidence against These Explanations: Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw Jesus placed in the tomb. References: Matthew 27:59-61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55
Evidence against These Explanations: On Sunday morning Peter and John also went to the same tomb. References: John 20:3-9
Proposed Explanations for Empty Tomb: Unknown thieves stole Jesus’ body. Evidence against These Explanations: The tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. References: Matthew 27:65-66
Proposed Explanations for Empty Tomb: The disciples stole Jesus’ body. Evidence against These Explanations: The disciples were ready to die for their faith. Stealing Jesus’ body would have been admitting that their faith was meaningless. References: Acts 12:2
Proposed Explanations for Empty Tomb: The religious leaders stole Jesus’ body to produce it later. Evidence against These Explanations: If the religious leaders had taken Jesus’ body, they would have produced it to stop the rumors of his resurrection. References: None
How many believers in Christ constantly struggle with sin? From pornography to idle gossip, big sins and small sins, it’s all the same. We’re forgiven yet we struggle to live holy. How do we deal with this and overcome? Jesus identified the problem and gave us the answer.
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
If we don’t keep watch over our temptations and pray to overcome, our weakness will prevail. Even though we desire to be obedient, we fail. If the Disciples needed this word from Jesus, then surely we need it as well. - gene
Jesus said, “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” (Mark 13:34-37)
“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
Remember that God loves, loves a cheerful giver. When we give from the heart as we are able, it’s a joyous occasion. - gene
“Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)
This is a wonderful encouraging scripture that builds faith…But…we must read the next verse…
“But when you are praying, FIRST, forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25)
So friends, our conscience must be clear. If there is anything not dealt like, like a grudge or any sin, our faith, like pure water, has to be filtered through our sin, a dirty filter, which our conscience understands and knows. Then our faith is muddied and our conscience deems us unworthy to receive the miracle.
gene
“So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
Give yourself…get in the kingdom…be Christ like….Gene
“Jesus wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.” (Mark 9:31-32)
How often have we read a passage in the Bible and did not understand it, or did not want to understand it? Some teachings are hard, especially in this modern day world of loose morals and sin. Do we find ourselves afraid, as the disciples were, to ask the Lord the true meaning, the deeper meaning, of a scripture? Particularly if it condemns us of sin? Don’t fall into the trap of self imposed ignorance. The Bible is plain and simple if we take it at face value. The modern world will twist the words of God to fit the morals of the day. And to fit the will of man. Take the better path and submit to the teaching, the simple truths of the Bible. Truth is not up for vote. - gene
We hear of end time disasters, tribulation such as has never been seen on earth. There has been sermons, movies, books and all manner of communication warning of what horrible things are ahead for humanity. But this same book in the Bible, the book of Revelation, is actually filled with hope. Yes bad things will happen In the earth, manipulated by satan, but that same book instructs us to look up to the Lord. Before and during these times by accepting Christ as our Savior, we escape. All are welcome. Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit welcomes us and all whom we bring that accepts Jesus Christ. Here is evidence as written.
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17)
“When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. (Mark 8:11-13)
Do we exasperate Jesus as the religious leaders of His day did? Do we seek Him or the sign. Do we accept, love, and desire Him? Or do we only want what He can do for us? - gene
Jesus said, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
Think about it. - gene
