Today is
Thursday, March 24, 2016. We watched the modern contemporization depicting the last week of Jesus last Sunday evening. It was a live broadcast entitled The Passion on the Fox Network. I thought they took way too many liberties in the lyrics and music they used, however, much of the dialogue itself was directly quoted from The Scriptures. (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17) We came away being moved in our hearts by this retelling of this greatest event in human history. It was cold in New Orleans, yet, thousands of people came out to participate in this event. It did not generate great ratings but some 7 million people did watch. While the voice over script talked a lot about love for others, the dignity of human beings, and world peace, the Gospel as presented from The Scriptural record was not hidden. Therefore, the truth about the purpose of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection came through. This means that any of those 7 million who were spoken to by the Spirit could have responded by placing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That's an uncommon occurrence for broadcast networks where any mention of the only way of salvation through Jesus is typically off-limits as a matter of practice. Think about it. Someone may have tuned in to see the spectacle but when the Scriptures went forth, God spoke to them, and when He does they must make a decision. If they said yes, (Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13), they were instantly changed from death to life to live forever and ever with their Lord.
(John 5: 24)
Amen.
Could it happen that way? It not only could but it has before. Many times! We know a tremendous man of God who came to Christ by watching a TV program. He was at home as a teenager by himself. He watched a Billy Graham broadcast. He felt something tugging inside of him as the truth went forth. When Dr. Graham called for those to come forward, he knelt in his room and called on Jesus to save him. He didn't know anything about the Bible but he knew he had been changed by the power of God. He got a Bible and started reading. He began in the Book of Genesis and when he came to Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, he saw the many laws that God had given to His called out nation, Israel. He didn't know what he should do but he started trying to implement those laws into his life. He stopped eating pork and did his best to observe the other laws. Finally, he connected with a local called out New Testament assembly where they helped him to understand more fully what the Scriptures say about his new life in Christ. Today that man pastors a vibrant Church and heads up a Bible teaching ministry for lay people that is worldwide in its scope. He chose to watch. God chose to speak. He responded. The rest is history.
Amen.
It's a good thing that people are drawn to the Resurrection account at this time of year. We all need to think about Him and His death, burial, and resurrection on behalf of His created human family. I talked to a fellow last week that was saying he needed to get him some clothes to attend the Easter service with his mom. He said they tried to make all the biggies, Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day. His thoughts most likely reflect the viewpoint of many who see pleasing mom as the reason for attending a Church service. My mom is very happy that we are faithful to our local assembly. But, we do not attend in order for her to be happy. We go to honor the One whose life, death, and resurrection is a reality in our day by day living. I don't have a problem with folks that attend to honor their mom. I pray that in so doing they will come to know and honor the One who died for them. I'm not sure if today's edition qualifies as a sermonette but it is the truth. I have confident there's something in today's blog that can be of help to any and all who read it. I know that to be true because it's mostly all about Him.
Amen. ....More later.
No comments:
Post a Comment