LIFTING MY VOICE: HE IS RISEN
...: HE IS RISEN Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes He aros...
Monday, 13 April 2020
HE IS RISEN
with a mighty triumph o'er His foes
He arose a victor o'er the dark domain
and He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose.
This was the chorus of an Easter hymn written in 1874 by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister from Philadelphia, PA, in the USA. The hymn had three verses, as well as this chorus.
I remember well the times in years gone by when I attended water baptismal services in several churches here in Australia, and also in New Zealand, where this rousing chorus was sung, each time the candidates for baptism rose up from the water.
One incident in particular stands out in my memory - that of a special time of water baptisms of a number of Christians who were part of a church I was in fellowship in Christchurch, New Zealand. The church was in a suburb called New Brighton, a beachside suburb in that city. From memory, this particular service was held at the swimming pool complex which was a part of the QE2 stadium built for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.
I remember singing this triumphant chorus a number of times as each person being baptized rose up from the water. How wonderful to be with like-minded Christians publicly declaring our faith in the Risen Christ in that arena, and to be able to join with those being baptized in the celebration of declaration that they had died to their old sinful lives, and were, by faith looking forward to lives energized by the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.
Sadly the QE2 complex in Christchurch was a casualty of the devastating earthquake of 2011.
Other times of water baptisms carried out in a public setting vividly etched in my memory were those when I was in fellowship at the Southport AOG church on the Gold Coast in the 1970's, where because the church met in a rented hall, there was no 'purpose-built' pool for water baptisms. The church went to a nearby river public swimming area. Under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, Tom Whiting, those being baptized made a public stand for Jesus Christ, while Pastor Whiting boldly announced in his deep rich Welsh accent for all to hear the reason why we were there and doing what was taking place, according to the Word of God.
Easter has come and gone for this year, 2020, and Christians around the world have remembered the agonizing death of their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ on the cruel Roman cross on a hill called Calvary outside of the city of Jerusalem in Israel. Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Christ as prophesied in the Old Testament many hundreds of years before the event.
Jesus spoke of His crucifixion on a number of occasions. One example is recorded in John 12:31-33 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
Jesus also prophesied His own resurrection from the dead. He knew, without a doubt that, although He had to die a horrible death on the cross, He would be raised back to life the third day following.
Luke 18:31-33 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.
For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
Another instance where Jesus confidently prophesies His death and resurrection is in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 12:38-40 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."
But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Just as the prophets of old, and Jesus Himself prophesied, on the morning of that first "Easter Sunday," as the day began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
The exciting reality of this time continues to be related by Matthew in the last chapter of the Gospel account: And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
And the guards shook for fear of him; and became like dead men.
But the angel answered, and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (verses 1-6)
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ and resurrection from the dead on that first Easter Sunday are historical facts which happened at well documented points in time.
Because He took our place on the cross, and overcame hell and death - being raised to life again, to live evermore, those who have put their trust in him since that time have been released from the power and penalty of sin, and have experienced newness of life, and renewed hope from the God of Hope.
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed.
If you have read this blog and would like to know more about how to become a Christian, go online to www.vision.org.au This is the website for Australia's Vision Christian Media. Click on the tab Grow your faith, then "Looking for God? God Bless!
He arose a victor o'er the dark domain
and He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose.
This was the chorus of an Easter hymn written in 1874 by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister from Philadelphia, PA, in the USA. The hymn had three verses, as well as this chorus.
I remember well the times in years gone by when I attended water baptismal services in several churches here in Australia, and also in New Zealand, where this rousing chorus was sung, each time the candidates for baptism rose up from the water.
One incident in particular stands out in my memory - that of a special time of water baptisms of a number of Christians who were part of a church I was in fellowship in Christchurch, New Zealand. The church was in a suburb called New Brighton, a beachside suburb in that city. From memory, this particular service was held at the swimming pool complex which was a part of the QE2 stadium built for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.
I remember singing this triumphant chorus a number of times as each person being baptized rose up from the water. How wonderful to be with like-minded Christians publicly declaring our faith in the Risen Christ in that arena, and to be able to join with those being baptized in the celebration of declaration that they had died to their old sinful lives, and were, by faith looking forward to lives energized by the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.
Sadly the QE2 complex in Christchurch was a casualty of the devastating earthquake of 2011.
Other times of water baptisms carried out in a public setting vividly etched in my memory were those when I was in fellowship at the Southport AOG church on the Gold Coast in the 1970's, where because the church met in a rented hall, there was no 'purpose-built' pool for water baptisms. The church went to a nearby river public swimming area. Under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, Tom Whiting, those being baptized made a public stand for Jesus Christ, while Pastor Whiting boldly announced in his deep rich Welsh accent for all to hear the reason why we were there and doing what was taking place, according to the Word of God.
Easter has come and gone for this year, 2020, and Christians around the world have remembered the agonizing death of their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ on the cruel Roman cross on a hill called Calvary outside of the city of Jerusalem in Israel. Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Christ as prophesied in the Old Testament many hundreds of years before the event.
Jesus spoke of His crucifixion on a number of occasions. One example is recorded in John 12:31-33 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
Jesus also prophesied His own resurrection from the dead. He knew, without a doubt that, although He had to die a horrible death on the cross, He would be raised back to life the third day following.
Luke 18:31-33 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.
For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
Another instance where Jesus confidently prophesies His death and resurrection is in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 12:38-40 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."
But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Just as the prophets of old, and Jesus Himself prophesied, on the morning of that first "Easter Sunday," as the day began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
The exciting reality of this time continues to be related by Matthew in the last chapter of the Gospel account: And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
And the guards shook for fear of him; and became like dead men.
But the angel answered, and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (verses 1-6)
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ and resurrection from the dead on that first Easter Sunday are historical facts which happened at well documented points in time.
Because He took our place on the cross, and overcame hell and death - being raised to life again, to live evermore, those who have put their trust in him since that time have been released from the power and penalty of sin, and have experienced newness of life, and renewed hope from the God of Hope.
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed.
If you have read this blog and would like to know more about how to become a Christian, go online to www.vision.org.au This is the website for Australia's Vision Christian Media. Click on the tab Grow your faith, then "Looking for God? God Bless!
Thursday, 9 April 2020
LIFTING MY VOICE: THE CRUX OF THE MATTERSubtitle: The Conundrum Of T...
LIFTING MY VOICE: THE CRUX OF THE MATTERSubtitle: The Conundrum Of T...: THE CRUX OF THE MATTER Subtitle: The Conundrum Of The Cross The apostle Paul stated in 1Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cr...
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
LIFTING MY VOICE: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM(Continued)In Matthew 7:24-...
LIFTING MY VOICE: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM(Continued)
In Matthew 7:24-...: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM (Continued) In Matthew 7:24-27, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus admonishes His hearers with these words: &qu...
In Matthew 7:24-...: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM (Continued) In Matthew 7:24-27, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus admonishes His hearers with these words: &qu...
AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM
(Continued)
In Matthew 7:24-27, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus admonishes His hearers with these words: "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Never before in my lifetime has there been a crisis of international proportions, such as the one we are facing today with the COVID-19 pandemic - where whole nations are coming to a standstill, with tens of thousands losing their jobs, where all international travel by air or by sea has ceased, where strict social distancing measures have been put in place, where gatherings of more than two people are deemed illegal and subject to heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
Makeshift hospitals are being hastily erected in some countries, rolling out hundreds of ICU bed setups, ventilators are being manufactured en masse to meet the expected demands, and doctors and nurses and dentists scramble to find enough surgical masks to meet the demand.
As I stated in the first part of this blog, Bible believing Christians should not be too surprised that we are facing global health crises as the one now impacting the nations, in the form of the coronavirus. Jesus Himself prophesied that, in the last days, there would be many natural disasters and pestilences that would shake the planet before His return.
I shared with my wife recently that I cannot help but wonder if we are getting ever closer to the last days scenarios played out in the Bible, with the rise of a One World government, led by a "charismatic" leader, who the Bible refers to as the Antichrist. This one will come as a man of peace, with a strategy to bring a coordinated world response to conditions that affect nations around the world - to bring a sense of order to a world in disarray. Without going into detail, Bible teachers who have studied Eschatology - the doctrine of Last Things generally are in agreement that this man will be closely aided by a religious leader whom the Bible calls "the false prophet."
Regarding the Antichrist, the apostle Paul writes, describing him in 2 Thessalonians 2, where he is referred to as the Man of Lawlessness.
Now brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming, as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here. Do not let anyone deceive you in any way,. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God. Verses 1-4
Evangelical Bible-believing Christians firmly believe that the Word of God teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return one day for the Church, those who are born again and fully trusting Him - in what is called "The Rapture" - the great "snatching away", as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Another passage in 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 throws more light on this wonderful event for expectant followers of Christ.
Never before in my lifetime has there been a crisis of international proportions, such as the one we are facing today with the COVID-19 pandemic - where whole nations are coming to a standstill, with tens of thousands losing their jobs, where all international travel by air or by sea has ceased, where strict social distancing measures have been put in place, where gatherings of more than two people are deemed illegal and subject to heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
Makeshift hospitals are being hastily erected in some countries, rolling out hundreds of ICU bed setups, ventilators are being manufactured en masse to meet the expected demands, and doctors and nurses and dentists scramble to find enough surgical masks to meet the demand.
As I stated in the first part of this blog, Bible believing Christians should not be too surprised that we are facing global health crises as the one now impacting the nations, in the form of the coronavirus. Jesus Himself prophesied that, in the last days, there would be many natural disasters and pestilences that would shake the planet before His return.
I shared with my wife recently that I cannot help but wonder if we are getting ever closer to the last days scenarios played out in the Bible, with the rise of a One World government, led by a "charismatic" leader, who the Bible refers to as the Antichrist. This one will come as a man of peace, with a strategy to bring a coordinated world response to conditions that affect nations around the world - to bring a sense of order to a world in disarray. Without going into detail, Bible teachers who have studied Eschatology - the doctrine of Last Things generally are in agreement that this man will be closely aided by a religious leader whom the Bible calls "the false prophet."
Regarding the Antichrist, the apostle Paul writes, describing him in 2 Thessalonians 2, where he is referred to as the Man of Lawlessness.
Now brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming, as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here. Do not let anyone deceive you in any way,. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God. Verses 1-4
Evangelical Bible-believing Christians firmly believe that the Word of God teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return one day for the Church, those who are born again and fully trusting Him - in what is called "The Rapture" - the great "snatching away", as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Another passage in 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 throws more light on this wonderful event for expectant followers of Christ.
When the above-mentioned scenarios play out in real time is really not able to be predicted with any accuracy. God has given us some clues as to the signs of the times, but only the theologically foolish try to set dates - as many have done in the past, only to be left "with egg on their faces" so to speak.
It was interesting to read a few days ago that Gordon Brown, a former British PM floated the idea of having a temporary global government to tackle the twin health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
I couldn't help but think there must be those who are seriously contemplating the need for a "global government", which leads to the thought that there would need to be a "one world leader" to take over-all responsibility. Interesting stuff!
Maranatha! Even so, Come Lord Jesus!
If you would like to know how you can be assured of your eternal salvation in Christ, to become what the Bible calls being born again: Go to
www.vision.org.au Click on the Grow you faith tab, then "Looking for God?"
God Bless.
Monday, 30 March 2020
LIFTING MY VOICE: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOMIn the present climate wher...
LIFTING MY VOICE: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM
In the present climate wher...: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM In the present climate where the COVID-19 Coronavirus is bringing the nations of the world, seemingly almost to ...
In the present climate wher...: AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM In the present climate where the COVID-19 Coronavirus is bringing the nations of the world, seemingly almost to ...
AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM
In the present climate where the COVID-19 Coronavirus is bringing the nations of the world, seemingly almost to a standstill economically and socially, and everyday seems to bring new restrictions on people movement and association, with strict social distancing being enforced by police units - for the Church of Jesus Christ, the Living God - this is a time of realignment and refocusing on all that really matters in life.
Australia, where I live, in this past short space of time, has experienced massive fires, floods and prolonged drought. If that was not enough for the nation to bear, now we have joined the nations of the world in facing the unseen battle with a highly contagious virus, COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan Province in China, and quickly spread around the world.
I would venture to say that the impact this virus is making in disrupting the normal patterns of everyday life in many nations, has not been seen since times of war. Certainly, in my sixty nine years living in Australia and New Zealand, has there ever been anything like the measures being undertaken now by governments jointly around the globe.
Christians, who adhere to the Bible as the inspired Word of God should perhaps be not too surprised that such things are happening today. In Matthew 24 in the New Testament, when the disciples of Jesus asked Him what would be the sign of His coming [again] and of the end of the age, He replied: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows." Verses 3-8
Jesus said there would be pestilences in various places. Over the past two decades, there have been a number of deadly viruses that have appeared causing varying degrees of infection rates and mortality. SARS virus, Bird flu, Swine flu, Zika virus, Ebola and now the Coronavirus - come quickly to mind. No doubt there have been others receiving perhaps less media coverage. What does the word 'pestilence' mean? Well, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word as: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.
The Cambridge English dictionary defines pestilence as: any serious infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills large numbers of people.
While this current pandemic is causing much fear and panic, and a sense of foreboding is hovering over many lives about their economic and health futures, this is a time for Christians who have their hope in Christ, and who are fully trusting the integrity of His Word - to shine brightly with a deep sense of God's abiding peace and love.
Truly, as in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, this is a time for those who belong to the kingdom of God to know they "have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
There is a real sense that, when the world and the world systems are in meltdown, the church has the opportunity to arise and shine brightly amidst the darkness and gloom. It is interesting that I saw a post on Facebook yesterday that showed shelves in a US supermarket, normally stocked with Bibles - and there were but a few Bibles left on mostly bare shelves. People are looking for hope! They are desperate to find peace in the storms of life. Jesus is still the Prince of Peace, and He is the Author of Life, who still holds out hope for the hope-less!
The writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament book of that name says in chapter 12 that everything that can be shaken will be shaken so that only those things which cannot be shaken will remain. Friends, there is a shaking going on!
Verses 28, 29 tell us: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved, let us be gracious, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire!
The kingdom of God is an unshakeable kingdom!
TO BE CONTINUED
The Cambridge English dictionary defines pestilence as: any serious infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills large numbers of people.
While this current pandemic is causing much fear and panic, and a sense of foreboding is hovering over many lives about their economic and health futures, this is a time for Christians who have their hope in Christ, and who are fully trusting the integrity of His Word - to shine brightly with a deep sense of God's abiding peace and love.
Truly, as in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, this is a time for those who belong to the kingdom of God to know they "have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
There is a real sense that, when the world and the world systems are in meltdown, the church has the opportunity to arise and shine brightly amidst the darkness and gloom. It is interesting that I saw a post on Facebook yesterday that showed shelves in a US supermarket, normally stocked with Bibles - and there were but a few Bibles left on mostly bare shelves. People are looking for hope! They are desperate to find peace in the storms of life. Jesus is still the Prince of Peace, and He is the Author of Life, who still holds out hope for the hope-less!
The writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament book of that name says in chapter 12 that everything that can be shaken will be shaken so that only those things which cannot be shaken will remain. Friends, there is a shaking going on!
Verses 28, 29 tell us: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved, let us be gracious, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire!
The kingdom of God is an unshakeable kingdom!
TO BE CONTINUED
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