How to Get Your Life Changed Today (Gospel Light Minute X #365)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #365 titled, “How to Get Your Life Changed Today.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

…with a phone call in the middle of the night, a letter, a fall, an accident, or a sudden “chance” meeting. You can be comfortable in your lifestyle, whatever it may be, one minute and the very next minute your whole life can be changed forever, for the better or the worse.

You can be poor and struggling one minute and win a million dollars in a contest the next minute. Wouldn’t THAT be a nice change! Or you could just be going about your every day routine at home or work one minute and drop dead of a heart attack or a massive stroke the next minute. Now THAT would really be a change!

But, would it be a change for the better or for the worse for you?

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Here Comes the Crucified King, Part 2 (Holy Week 2018, Black Saturday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 418 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 785 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: Matthew 27:35-54

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

——–

On Saturday of Holy Week, Jesus was in the tomb, and His followers had to deal with His absence and the dramatic events of His death. This day is also known as Holy Saturday, Holy and Great Saturday, the Great Sabbath, Black Saturday, Joyous Saturday, or Easter Eve. On this day, Jesus’ body “rested” in the tomb, but many believe, based upon passages in First Peter 3-4 and Ephesians 4, that His spirit went down to Hell or “Hades” and preached to those Old Testament spirits imprisoned there, declaring the good news of His triumph over sin and death, and subsequently bringing those who believed to Paradise with Him.

However, during the process of His death, three seemingly minor events occurred that foreshadow the major consequences of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for believers and all people.

On yesterday, we talked about the Torn Veil. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death indicated that the barrier between God and man was no longer in place. Jesus had done what He came to do — make it possible for fellowship to be restored between sinful man and Holy God.

Second, notice the Open Graves. Verses 52-53 read, “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” This Good Friday event is not talked about much, but it is a vivid and compelling illustration of Jesus’ resurrection power. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” When He defeated death, He also freed Old Testament saints from death and many of them returned to life, foreshadowing that day in the future when “the dead in Christ” shall be raised to join the risen Savior and King in Heaven. We don’t have to wait to see if Jesus can raise us from the dead; He has already raised many others.

Third, notice the Roman Centurion’s shocking statement. Verse 54 reads, “When the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” No one lived like Jesus, and no one died like Jesus. His death was so unique that it moved a hardened Roman Centurion, who had likely put dozens of people to death by crucifixion, to testify that Jesus must have been “the Son of God.” One day, there will be universal acclamation that Jesus Christ is both Lord and God. Philippians 2:10-11 says, “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, whether you believe or not, you will say, “Surely, this is the Son of God. Surely, this is the Lord. Surely, this is God.”

Wise souls will admit even now that Jesus is the Son of God and will decide to make Him Lord and to follow Him from this day forward. I hope you will make that decision today so that you can experience fellowship with God now, resurrection in the future, and eternal life. That is why He came into the world and died on the Cross. John 3:16 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.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Here Comes the Crucified King, Part 1 (Holy Week 2018, Good Friday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 417 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 784 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: Matthew 27:35-54

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

—-

Today, on Good Friday, we remember and celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important days in history, second-only to the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Allow me to recap the events of Holy Week leading up to the passage that we just read.

EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK

– On Sunday, two disciples borrow a colt and Jesus makes His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Here comes the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

– On Monday, Jesus cleanses the Temple. Here comes the compassionate judge.

– On Tuesday, Jesus curses the fig tree, teaches in the Temple again, and delivers the Olivet Discourse.

– On Wednesday, Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

– On Thursday, the upper room is prepared and Jesus and His disciples hold the Last Supper there. Afterwards, Judas leaves, and Jesus and the 11 disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prays regarding the upcoming crucifixion. Late that night, Jesus is arrested. Here come the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

– In the wee hours of Friday morning, Jesus is put on trial three times before Jewish officials. The disciples flee and Peter denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Judas tries to return the 30 pieces of silver, and then commits suicide. Then, Jesus is taken before Roman authorities, Pilate and Herod, where he stands trial three times. Jesus is scourged. Pilate, submitting to demands from the Jewish crowd whom the religious leaders have turned against Jesus, hands Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus carries His cross to Golgotha, where He commits His spirit unto the Father and gives up the ghost. He is later buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.

You know this story very well, and it is one that we never tire of hearing. Today, I want to speak to you from the shadow of the cross. During the hours that Jesus was lifted up from the earth, three things happened that are significant to us today. These seemingly minor events are not dealt with at length in Scripture — they are just mentioned in a matter of fact way — but they foreshadow the major consequences of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for believers and all people.

First, notice the Torn Veil. Verse 51 of our passage reads, “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Now, some during that time might have attributed the tearing of the veil to the great earthquake that shook Jerusalem during that time. But, since Old Testament times, the veil between the Holy of Holies and the rest of the Temple — yea, the rest of the world — had stood as a literal and figurative symbol of the barrier between God and man. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death indicated that this barrier was no longer in place. Jesus had done what He came to do — make it possible for fellowship to be restored between sinful man and Holy God. Colossians 1:21 says, “Having made peace through the blood of his cross… you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” You and I are saved and are able to communicate with God freely because, by Jesus’ death, the veil, the barrier was torn down.

—-

John 3:16 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.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Here Comes the Lamb of God Who Taketh Away the Sin of the World (Holy Week 2018, Thursday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 416 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 783 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: John 12:1-11

1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

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John 3:16 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.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Here Comes the Compassionate Judge, Part 2 (Holy Week 2018, Tuesday)

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TEXT: Luke 19:41-48

41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

—-

On Palm Sunday, we observed the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. But that was only the beginning of a climatic series of events ending in the Resurrection. On yesterday, we saw the Lord as the compassionate Judge who wept over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus’ words and actions in this passage after His arrival in the city reveal both God’s mercy and God’s wrath toward sinners.

First, we see the compassionate heart of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “When He beheld the city He wept over it.” The people in Jerusalem did not see anything to weep over because they were blinded to their own enmity with God. Jesus, as the Son of God and Redeemer of man, was easily able to look at Jerusalem and her inhabitants in relation to Himself. The temple stones were large and beautiful, but they were actually worthless because there was no welcome for Jesus in His “Father’s house.” In the condition of Jerusalem, Jesus saw the condition of every human heart — full of religious pretense and righteous tradition, but actually false, cruel, desolate, and deceived. So, “He wept over it.” And, as He looks into the hearts of men and women today, He sees the same sad thing.

Then, we see the words of judgment proclaimed by Jesus. Speaking to Jerusalem, Jesus says, “The days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Christ spoke of the destruction which would come upon Jerusalem at the hands of Rome about 40 years from that day. Likewise, our own souls face utter destruction if we reject the Saviour today as Jerusalem rejected Jesus at the end of that week.

Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to Him and live. However, even His tearful compassion does not prevent Him from speaking these words of warning and doom. And Jesus did not just speak words; He judged the false religion of the Jews that day. “He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” It is a fearful thing to fall, as an unbeliever, into the hands of the living God. Neither a nation nor an individual can ultimately prosper if they reject and resist the pleadings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who wept and died for humanity will judge the quick and the dead.

Finally, we see the influence of Jesus. During the week of His Passion, Christ “taught daily in the temple.” And “the chief priests sought to destroy Him, for all the people were attentive to hear Him.” To some, Christ was the specter of death, to others the sweet savor of life. Some hearts grew hard as they listened to Him, others grew soft and tender — just like the sun which melts wax but hardens clay. Everything depends on the attitude of the individual toward Jesus as to whether His influence will melt us unto salvation or harden us for judgment. The preaching of the Cross is either foolishness to us or it is the wisdom of God.

How will your heart respond to the Son of God? Will you melt like wax or harden like clay? I hope that your heart is tender to the calling of the Lord this day.

Will Thompson wrote:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—
Calling for you and for me;
Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—
Watching for you and for me!

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing—
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming—
Coming for you and for me!

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised—
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon—
Pardon for you and for me!

Come home! come home!
Ye who are weary, come home!
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Come home by letting Jesus into your heart today. That is why He came into the world and died on the Cross. John 3:16 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.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Here Comes the King of King and Lord of Lords! (Holy Week 2018, Palm Sunday — Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 412 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 779 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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MARK 11:1-10

1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

—-

The dark shadow of the Cross was already falling heavily across the path of the Lord Jesus. He was only four days away from the Crucifixion, but notice how calm the Lord is, how careful about every detail concerning His entry into the holy yet deceitful city! What lessons have we here—

First, notice The Lord’s Commission. “He sent forth two of His disciples, saying, Go your way into the village.” This simple commission, like the great one mentioned in Matthew 28 is a revelation of his character. These words reveal His Faith. “You shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat.” How could He know except by faith. He reckoned on the fulfillment of the prophetic Word. It was even the confession of His enemies that “He trusted in God” True, He was God, but we are to remember that He emptied Himself, and “took upon Him the form of a servant.”

Jesus’ words also reveal His Obedience. He tells his disciples, “Say you that the Lord has need of him.” He must needs enter Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey, because He knew that it was the will of His Father. It may be humbling to Him, but it was honoring to God and His Word, and perhaps His physical weakness intensifies this need. Blessed is that weakness that makes us more fit for the accomplishing of the Father’s will.

Jesus’ words also reveal His Assuring Confidence. “And immediately he will send him hither.” He encouraged His disciples to act on His Word, just as He Himself was acting on the Father’s Word. Believe and you shall see.

Now, notice the Result which Followed. His word was fulfilled, His will done, and His Coming was Honored. “Many spread their garments in the way” of Jesus. This is a small matter when we consider how the Lord stripped Himself for us. He who was rich, for our sakes became poor. Let us lay the garments of our glory in the dust and crown Him Lord of all.

Jesus’ Name was also Praised. The people cried, “Hosanna! blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Hosanna means, “Save, I beseech you.” Such prayer and praise go well together. Well may He be praised, for He has come, not to be ministered unto, “but to give His life a ransom for many.” In the Name of the Lord, Jesus came to finish the work the Father had given Him to do.

Finally, at the Triumphal Entry, Jesus’ Kingdom was Acknowledged. The people said, “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David.” “Blessed be the King that comes.” The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The foundation was laid at Calvary. The characteristics of it are imparted to us through faith in His Name. As the King of Israel He was put to death, so just now His kingdom is not of this world. But, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.”

Has the humble, royal Savior had a triumphal entry into your heart and life as He had into Jerusalem? Or are you among those who once cried “Hosanna!” but are now gone with the crowd along the course of this world? Do you cry now, though inaudibly, “Away with Him, we will not have this Man to rule over us”? I hope not.

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let Jesus into your heart today. That is why He came into the world and died on the cross. John 3:16 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.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Terrorism Down at the Cross

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, and other places, I would like to remind you and the world that the greatest act of terrorism occurred at the cross.

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TEXT: Philippians 2:5-8

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

– – – – – – – – – –

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, and other places, I would like to remind you and the world that the greatest act of terrorism occurred at the cross.

It has been well-documented that the process of Roman crucifixion was the cruelest, most painful, and most humiliating form of execution ever devised up until that time. Yet, today, on Good Friday, we celebrate Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God Himself, who submitted to this form of death in order to save us.

The Roman philosopher Cicero described the terror of crucifixion when he wrote these words: “The executioner, the veiling of heads, and the very word ‘cross,’ let them all be far removed from not only the bodies of Roman citizens but even from their thoughts, their eyes, and their ears. The results and suffering from these doings as well as the situation, even anticipation, of their enablement, and, in the end, the mere mention of them are unworthy of a Roman citizen and a free man. …Neither our exploits nor the lives we have lived nor honors bestowed upon us will liberate us from scourging, from the hook, and, finally, from the terror of the cross.”

While Roman citizens saw punishment by crucifixion as a thing to be avoided at all costs, the perfect Son of God was not afforded such luxury. We might think that God would have devised an honorable death for His Son, but He didn’t. Instead, He allowed an act of terror to be perpetrated against Jesus Christ so that all people could have a chance to be reunited with Him both now and in eternity. Allow me to briefly share with you three aspects of this act of terror.

First, the crucifixion was an act of terror by Satan against the world. The devil thought that by crucifying Jesus, He could halt God’s plan of redemption for humanity. The Bible tells us in Luke 22 that ‘Satan entered into Judas’ heart’, leading him to go to the high priests and betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The devil thought that by killing Jesus — letting the Roman government scourge and crucify Him — he could ensure the damnation of the entire world and humanity’s continued enslavement to sin.

Second, the crucifixion was an act of terror by mankind against Jesus. First Peter 2:24 says Jesus “bare our sins in his own body” on the cross. The question has often been asked, Who is really responsible for the death of Jesus? Was it the Romans? the Jews? the disciples who did not defend their Master? The ultimate answer is that it was you and I and every human being who has ever lived. Jesus carried our sins in His very own body. It was us who nailed Jesus to the cross. It was our sins that sent the scourge slicing across His back. It was our crimes that jammed the crown of thorns down onto His head. It was our atrocities that sent the spear plunging into His side. We carried out the act of terror against Jesus.

Finally, the crucifixion was an act of terror by God against the darkness and sin of the world. It is a hard truth, but one the Bible teaches plainly. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, God “hath made [Jesus] to be sin for us…” Someone once said, “Don’t marvel that you have become righteous. Marvel that Jesus became sin.” That is what happened on the cross. Jesus became sin and God poured out His wrath on His Son. Romans 8:3 explains further: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” The law could not condemn and eradicate sin in the human race; it had failed.

So, God sent His Son to become human — to take on “the likeness of sinful flesh” — and God Himself “condemned sin in the flesh.” The word “condemn” comes from two Greek words, one meaning ‘to judge’ and the other meaning ‘to bring down or come down.’ Dr. Paul Ellis wrote, “How hard [did God come down against sin]? So hard that the sins of billions were condemned in the space of a few hours. So hard that the Son of God himself couldn’t live through it. So hard that sin has been dealt with once and for all. The cross was a total catastrophe for sin and a total victory for us.”

The day Jesus was crucified was a terrible day — so much violence, so much blood, so much sin all wrapped up in the space of a few hours. But today we call it “Good,” because it is. Satan’s act of terror against us, our act of terror against Jesus, and God’s act of terror against sin was only a prelude to the resurrection. The devil didn’t know it, we didn’t expect it, but God had planned it. Colossians 3:14-15 says that Jesus ‘blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us [that is, the law], which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled [or ruined the Satanic] principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Terror was turned into triumph when Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. Since then, millions who shared in the terror of the cross have shared in the triumph of the Resurrection. This hymn by Isaac Watts demonstrates what was accomplished at cross:

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away
’Tis all that I can do.

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

You too can be ‘happy all the day’ if you would only place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. God will no longer hold your sins against you and He will give you eternal life. Here is how you can receive that gift today.

1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In fact, I am the chief of sinners, so don’t think that you’re alone.

2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “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.”

6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Remember, because of what Jesus did on this Friday 2,000 years ago, you are not living under the shadow of the terror of the Cross, but in the sunshine of the triumph of the Resurrection. God loves you, we love you, and may God bless you.

Jesus Handles Hostile Brethren, Part 2 (Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 85)

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TEXT: John 7:1-10

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.

9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

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Today, I am continuing the daily Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign sermon series, which is aimed at sharing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with unbelievers and reminding Christians, in this important election year, to keep the main thing the main thing — and that is reaching unbelievers with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and praying for their salvation, for the problem in America is not only disobedient presidents, politicians, and people, but disobedient pastors, preachers, and parishioners who have refused to obey the Lord’s Great Commission which is to, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” and who have refused to obey God’s repeated commands to “pray without ceasing” for unbelievers, believers, and political leaders. Yes, you should pray for the right candidate to win; yes, you should vote for the candidate that the Lord gives you peace about voting for. But, don’t get caught up in it like the world does. Nothing much is going to change until people get saved and get their hearts right with the Lord.

This campaign is inspired by the following three verses: 1 Corinthians 2:2 which says, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Acts 5:42 which says, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” And 2 Timothy 2:4 which says, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

This series is not for Christians necessarily. However, I do hope you are one of those saints who still loves to hear the “Old, old story of Jesus and His love” — As another hymn says, “For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” This series is primarily for unbelievers, so they can hear and understand the Gospel and be saved from sin and the punishment of sin which is hell. This is message number 85.

Ray Stedman said, “Jesus understood the Scriptures. He knew that God had appointed, not only a pathway for the Messiah to follow, but the very program and time in which the events would occur… It must have been a heartache to Jesus that his family did not understand and did not believe in him. There is nothing more hurtful than to be misunderstood by those closest to you, and yet this is what our Lord had to live with all the time.”

After being told by His brothers that He should go up to the Feast of Tabernacles and perform His miracles there, Jesus explains to them why He will not go to Jerusalem with them. The simple reason why is because it is not in God’s timing for Him to do so. He says, “My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.”

Jesus had a divine mission in the world, one that He was carefully carrying out. His brothers, on the other hand, were thinking and living according to what the world expected of them. As religious Jews, they could go up to the Feast of Tabernacles without worrying about people hating them or trying to kill them. They were in line with the standards of the world. So, Jesus tells them, “The world cannot hate you…” And, we find that to be true today. In nearly every aspect of life, as long as you are going along with what everybody else wants you to do and doing what is expected of you, you’re alright. But the moment you deviate and start to walk another path — even if it is one better than what others are walking — the critics come out.

Jesus continues, “But me [the world] hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” The Jews did not like Jesus because he pointed out what was wrong with the way they had been doing things. He showed them how they were wrong to elevate the law to such a point where it became a burden for people to follow. He tried to show them that God was not only a God of strict justice, but one of mercy and love. He tried to show them that they could have life, and life more abundantly through Him.

However, as is the case even today, people did not like Jesus shaking up the status quo. They hated Him because He told them their ways were evil. They plotted to kill Him since He wouldn’t stay silent. Jesus knew that eventually they would get their wish to see Him killed, but that would be a part of God’s plan for the redemption and salvation of the world. So, Jesus did not go up to the Feast of Tabernacles at this moment; He would readily go up to another feast six months later — the Passover — which He knew God had preordained to be the time for Him to be sacrificed.

The lesson we learn from this is that often what we view as normal is abhorrent in the sight of God. We must also realize that the hostility that rises up in us when we are rebuked for our sinful ways may simply be evidence of our desire to continue down the path that we have been going. We must learn to humble ourselves before God, seek His face, and realize that His ways are better than our ways. In the matter of our soul’s salvation, we must realize that there is nothing we can do — no matter how righteous we may think it is — that will save us from eternal punishment and separation from God. Only the work that Jesus accomplished on the cross can do that.

If you are with us today and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, please know that the time is always right for you to believe in Jesus Christ and place your faith in Him. The saving work that He did on the cross is complete. Here is how you can be saved today.

First, please understand that you are a sinner and that you have broken God’s laws. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Please understand that because of your sins, you deserve punishment in hell. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death…” This is both physical death and spiritual death in hell.

But here is the good news. John 3:16 reads, “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.”

The phrase “For God so loved the world” means that if you are in this world, God loves you no matter what you have done.

The next phrase, “that He gave His only begotten Son” refers to Jesus Christ. He is God’s son who suffered, bled, and died on the cross for your sins and for mine, and He was buried and rose again.

Our next phrase is “that whosoever believeth in Him”. The word “whosoever” means anybody at anytime. The phrase “believeth in Him” means to trust in Him, to depend upon Him, to rely on Him, or to have faith in Him for your salvation.

Our next phrase, “should not perish”, refers to eternal punishment in a place called hell.

And, lastly, the phrase “but have everlasting life” means to live eternally in Heaven with God.

The Bible also says in Romans 10:9 and 13: “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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please e-mail me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

GLMX #244: Everything is Done for Us

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During the celebration of Christmas, many people spend time frantically searching for, buying, and wrapping gifts to give to others. During the celebration of Thanksgiving, many turn toward family, food, and fun, and making sure that everyone has a good time. During the celebration of a New Year, we are forced to ponder the past and the future and we strive to do those things that will make our future better than our past.

The celebration of Easter, however, is unique. The reason why millions celebrate this holiday has nothing at all to do with anything we have done or can do for ourselves, for others, or for God. Rather, Easter commemorates what God did for us in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, to be buried, and to rise from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a once-in-history event that had never happened before and has never happened since. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the singular event in history that stands above all others in scope or importance, and each of us alive today benefit from the event commemorated by the celebration of Easter. We do not have to do anything to make Easter happen. Easter has happened to us and for us.

What are the main benefits that we gain from the events that are commemorated on Easter.

The Power of the Resurrection Which Turns Sinners Into Believers

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #8

PART A
http://gospellightminute.buzzsprout.com/3192/260492-the-power-of-the-resurrection-which-turns-sinners-into-believers-a.mp3

PART B

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Today, millions of people around the globe acknowledge and remember the life and death of the most incredible Man who ever walked on Earth — Jesus Christ. Yet, this man is remembered not just for what He did during His life, but for what He did after His death. Very simply, He rose from the dead. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ very likely would have faded into the pages of history — chalked up as just another zealous Jew who failed in His attempt to upset the established religious order and overthrow Roman oppression.

Yet, the resurrection did happen. And today the luminous figure that is Jesus Christ reigns supreme as the most important, the most controversial, and the most beloved Person who ever lived. Carnegie Simpson said, “Instinctively we do not class Him with others. When one reads His name in a list beginning with Confucius and ending with Goethe we feel it is an offense less against orthodoxy than against decency. Jesus is not one of the group of the world’s great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great; He is the Only. He is simply Jesus….He confounds our canons of human nature.” You may not care for Christians and you may not like the church, but no one can deny the impact that Jesus Christ has on the world. His followers took a fledgling movement and caused it to explode into a worldwide phenomenon. It has endured through violent persecution, intellectual assault, and systematic attempts to stamp it out.

On this Easter Sunday, I want to talk about the root of the Christian message — the Gospel — and what it is that makes this message so powerful, so resilient, and so unstoppable.